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Synthesis of Ru(ii) cyclometallated complexesviaC(aryl)–S bond activation: X-ray structure, DNA/BSA protein binding and antiproliferative activity
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AN: 3271996 ; Ionel Haiduc.; Organometallic Chemistry : Fundamentals and
Applications
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Ionel Haiduc, Luminiţa Silaghi-Dumitrescu
Organometallic Chemistry
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Ionel Haiduc, Luminiţa Silaghi-Dumitrescu
Organometallic
Chemistry
Fundamentals and Applications of Organometallic
Compounds
2nd Edition
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Authors
Prof. Dr. Ionel Haiduc
Faculty of Chemistry and
Chemical Engineering
Babes-Bolyai University
Arany Janos Str. 11
400028 CLUJ-NAPOCA
Rumania
ihaiduc@acad.ro
Prof. Luminiţa Silaghi-Dumitrescu
Faculty of Chemistry and
Chemical Engineering
Babes-Bolyai University
Arany Janos Str. 11
400028 CLUJ-NAPOCA
Rumania
luminita.silaghi@ubbcluj.ro
ISBN 978-3-11-069526-7
e-ISBN (PDF) 978-3-11-069527-4
e-ISBN (EPUB) 978-3-11-069544-1
Library of Congress Control Number: 2022930569
Bibliographic information published by the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
The Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the Deutsche Nationalbibliografie;
detailed bibliographic data are available on the Internet at http://dnb.dnb.de.
© 2022 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Cover image: Customdesigner/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Typesetting: Integra Software Services Pvt. Ltd.
Printing and binding: CPI books GmbH, Leck
www.degruyter.com
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Foreword
This book was initiated as a new edition of Basic Organometallic Chemistry, by Ionel
Haiduc and J.J. Zukerman, published by Walter de Gruyter, Berlin, 1985. The present
volume is a heavily revised and updated, with significant changes from the previous
book. While many chemical diagrams were reproduced here, the text was rewriten
and updated, some sections were eliminated and new chapters were added.
The book is not a monograph; it is intended as an introductory textbook. Therefore, literature references are not given for each information and are limited to
some general reviews (recommended as further reading) and to specific or recent
data. The information which is by now classical (first edition) is not referenced.
References are provided only for new work, added in this second edition.
Parts I–III have been prepared by IH and Part IV by LS-D.
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Contents
Foreword
V
Part I: General
1
The scope of organometallic chemistry
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
Organometallic molecules: the nature of metal–carbon bonds
5
Sigma-covalent (bicentric bielectronic) metal–carbon bonds
5
Highly polar and ionic metal–carbon bonds
7
Electron-deficient (localized tricentric bielectronic) metal–carbon
bonds
8
Delocalized bonds in polynuclear systems
8
Sigma donor–π-acceptor dative bonds
9
π-Bonding of unsaturated molecules to transition metal
atoms
10
Carbenes, carbynes, carbones, and carbides
12
Carbenes
12
Carbynes
13
Carbones
13
Carbides
14
Further reading
15
References
16
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.7.1
2.7.2
2.7.3
2.7.4
3
3
Supramolecular organometallic association
Further reading
22
4
Inverse organometallic compounds
References
25
19
23
Part II: Organometallic compounds of main group metals
5
5.1
5.2
Organometallic compounds of group 1 (alkali metals)
29
Organolithium compounds
29
Organometallic derivatives of sodium and heavier alkali
metals
30
Further reading
32
Reference
32
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VIII
6
6.1
6.1.1
6.1.2
6.1.3
6.1.4
6.1.5
6.2
6.2.1
6.2.2
6.2.3
6.2.4
6.2.5
6.2.6
6.2.7
6.3
6.3.1
6.3.2
6.3.3
6.4
Contents
Organometallic compounds of group 2 metals (rare earths)
Organoberyllium compounds
34
34
Homoleptic compounds BeR2
–
35
Hypervalent species [BeR3] and [BeR4]2–
36
Diorganoberyllium donor adducts R2Be.D
Organoberyllium halides, RBeX
36
Functional organoberyllium compounds, RBeX
37
Further reading
37
Organomagnesium compounds
37
38
Homoleptic compounds, MgR2
38
Hypervalent anions [MgR3]–
+
38
Subvalent cations [RMg]
38
Organomagnesium donor adducts MgR2.D
Inverse organomagnesium compounds
39
Organomagnesium halides
39
Functional organomagnesium compounds RMgX
40
Further reading
40
Organometallic compounds of calcium
41
41
Homoleptic CaR2 compounds
41
Hypervalent [CaR3]– anions
Other organocalcium compounds
42
Organostrontium and -barium compounds
43
Further reading
44
References
44
7
7.1
7.1.1
7.1.2
7.1.3
7.1.4
7.1.5
7.1.6
7.1.7
7.1.8
7.1.9
33
Organometallic compounds of group 13 metals
47
Organoaluminum compounds
47
47
Homoleptic compounds, AlR3
50
Hypervalent species (anions), [AlR4]–
50
Subvalent cations, [MR2]+
50
Triorganoaluminum donor adducts, AlR3.D
Inverse organoaluminum compounds
52
Organoaluminum inverse coordination complexes
53
54
Organoaluminum R2AlH hydrides
54
Organoaluminum R2AlX halides
Organoaluminum functional derivatives (alkoxides, thiolates and
amides)
55
7.1.10
Compounds with Al–Al bonds
56
7.2
Organogallium compounds
56
56
7.2.1
Homoleptic derivatives, GaR3
7.2.2
Hypervalent anions
57
7.2.3
Subvalent cations
58
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IX
Contents
7.2.4
7.2.5
7.2.6
7.2.7
7.2.8
7.3
7.3.1
7.3.2
7.3.3
7.4
7.4.1
7.4.2
7.4.3
7.4.4
7.4.5
Inverse organogallium compounds
59
59
Diorganogallium halides, R2GaX
60
Diorganogallium hydroxides, R2GaOH
Diorganogallium functional derivatives
60
Organogallium inverse coordination complexes
60
Organoindium compounds
61
61
Homoleptic compounds, lnR3
61
Diorganoindium halides, R2lnX
Functional diorganoindium derivatives
62
Organothallium compounds
62
63
Homoleptic derivatives, TIR3
Monovalent organothallium compounds, TlR
64
64
Diorganothallium halides, R2TlX
64
Functional diorganothallium compounds, R2TlX′
65
Functional monoorganothallium compounds, RTlX2
Further reading
65
References
65
8
Organometallic compounds of group 14 metals
69
8.1
Organotin compounds
69
8.1.1
Homoleptic species
70
8.1.2
Hypervalent penta- and hexa-organotin compounds
71
8.1.3
Diorganotin species
72
8.1.4
Tin π-complexes
74
8.1.5
Inverse organotin compounds
75
76
8.1.6
Organotin hydrides, RnSnH4–n
77
8.1.7
Organotin halides, RnSnX4–n
8.1.8
Organostannoxanes (organotin oxides)
78
79
8.1.9
Organotin hydroxides, RnSn(OH)4–n
8.1.10
Organotin alkoxides (RnSn(OR′)4–n) and related compounds
8.1.11
Organotin sulfides, selenides and tellurides
80
82
8.1.12
Organotin thiolates, RnSn(SR′)4–n
82
8.1.13
Organotin amino-derivatives, RnSn(NR′R″)4–n
8.1.14
Organostannazanes
83
8.1.15
Organotin inverse coordination complexes
84
8.1.16
Organodi- and poly-stannanes
89
Further reading
95
8.2
Organolead compounds
96
96
8.2.1
Homoleptic compounds, PbR4
8.2.2
Heterocycles with lead heteroatoms
97
8.2.3
Subvalent species
98
8.2.4
Inverse organolead compounds
98
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80
X
8.2.5
8.2.6
8.2.7
8.2.8
8.2.9
8.2.10
8.2.11
8.2.12
Contents
Organolead halides, RnPbX4–n
99
99
Organolead hydroxides, RnPb(OH)4–n
Organolead oxides
100
Organolead alkoxides
100
Organolead carboxylates, RnPb(OCOR′)4–n
Organolead sulfide
101
102
Organolead thiolates RnPb(SR’)4–n
Organolead compounds with Pb–Pb bonds
References
103
101
102
9
Organometallic compounds of group 15 metals
109
9.1
Organoantimony compounds
109
109
9.1.1
Homoleptic compounds, SbR3
9.1.2
Organoantimony heterocycles
110
110
9.1.3
Pentavalent SbR5 compounds
111
9.1.4
Subvalent stibonium [SbvR4]+ cations
9.1.5
Hypervalent SbV anions: hexasubstituted anions, [SbR6]–
9.1.6
Inverse organoantimony compounds
112
9.1.7
Organoantimony(III) halides
112
9.1.8
Oxygen-containing organoantimony compounds
116
9.1.9
Sulfur-containing organoantimony compounds
118
9.1.10
Nitrogen-containing organoantimony compounds
119
9.1.11
Organoantimony compounds with Sb–Sb bonds
120
9.1.12
Organoantimony(III) compounds as donor ligands
124
9.1.13
Organoantimony inverse coordination complexes
125
Further reading
127
9.2
Organobismuth compounds
127
128
9.2.1
Homoleptic BiR3 compounds
128
9.2.2
Pentaorgano-substituted derivatives, BiR5
128
9.2.3
Subvalent bismuth cations, [BiVR4]+
9.2.4
Organobismuth halides
129
9.2.5
Oxygen-containing organobismuth compounds
130
References
130
10
Organometallic compounds of group 12 metals
137
10.1
Organozinc compounds
137
137
10.1.1
Homoleptic compounds, ZnR2
138
10.1.2
Hypervalent anions [ZnR3]– and [ZnR4]2–
138
10.1.3
Diorganozinc donor adducts, R2Zn.D
10.1.4
Organozinc hydrides, RZnH
139
10.1.5
Organozinc halides, RZnX
140
10.1.6
Organozinc alkoxides
140
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112
Contents
10.1.7
10.1.8
10.1.9
10.2
10.2.1
10.2.2
10.2.3
10.2.4
10.2.5
10.3
10.3.1
10.3.2
10.3.3
10.3.4
10.3.5
10.3.6
10.3.7
10.3.8
10.3.9
10.3.10
Organozinc amides
141
Compounds with Zn–Zn bonds
142
Inverse coordination organozinc complexes
142
Organocadmium compounds
142
143
Homoleptic compounds, CdR2
144
Hypervalent anions, [CdR3]–
145
Diorganocadmium donor adducts, CdR2.D
Organocadmium halides, RCdX
145
Organocadmium functional compounds, RCdX′
146
Organomercury compounds
146
147
Homoleptic compounds, HgR2
Organomercury heterocycles
148
148
Diorganomercury donor adducts, HgR2.D
Organomercury halides
149
Organomercury hydroxides, RHgOH
151
Organomercury alkoxides, RHg-OR′
151
Organomercury sulfides
151
Inverse organomercury compounds
152
Organomercury inverse coordination complexes
152
Compounds with Hg–Hg bonds
153
References
153
Part III: Organometallic compounds of transition metals
General
159
11
Organometallic compounds with two electron ligands
11.1
Metal carbonyls
163
11.1.1
The structure of metal carbonyls
164
11.1.2
Preparation of metal carbonyls
167
11.1.3
Metal–carbonyl anions
168
11.1.4
Metal–carbonyl cations
169
11.1.5
Metal carbonyl halides
170
11.2
Metal thiocarbonyls
171
11.3
Metal selenocarbonyls
172
11.4
Metal–isocyanide complexes
172
11.5
Metal–carbene complexes and related compounds
11.6
Olefinic complexes
178
11.6.1
Monoolefin complexes
179
11.6.2
Bis(olefin) complexes
182
11.6.3
Tris(olefin) and tetrakis(olefin) complexes
184
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163
174
XI
XII
11.6.4
11.6.5
11.6.6
Contents
Bidentate diolefin complexes
Bridging diolefin complexes
Tridentate olefin complexes
References
189
185
186
188
12
Compounds with three-electron ligands
195
12.1
Allylic complexes and related compounds
195
12.1.1
Homoleptic allyl metal complexes
196
12.1.2
Complexes with bridging allylic ligands
197
12.1.3
Heteroleptic mixed allyl–ligand metal complexes
12.1.4
Allylic fragments in cyclic polyolefins
202
12.2
Cyclopropenyl complexes
204
References
206
197
13
Compounds with four-electron ligands
211
13.1
Butadiene complexes and related compounds
211
13.2
Cyclobutadiene complexes
214
13.3
Complexes with cyclic dienes and polyenes
220
13.3.1
Cyclohexadiene
220
13.3.2
Cycloheptadiene-1,3
221
13.3.3
Cyclooctatriene
221
13.3.4
Cyclooctatetraene
222
13.3.5
Complexes with heteroatom molecules as four-electron
ligands
222
13.4
Trimethylenemethyl radical as a four-electron ligand
223
References
224
14
Compounds with five-electron ligands
225
14.1
Metallocene complexes
226
14.1.1
Ferrocene
226
Further reading
227
14.1.2
Other metallocenes
228
14.1.3
Cyclopentadienylmetal carbonyls and carbonyl halides
References
235
15
15.1
15.2
15.3
232
Six-electron ligands
237
Homoleptic sandwich complexes
237
Further reading
238
Heteroleptic, mixed ligand sandwich compounds
239
n
240
Sandwich η -complexes of some heterocyclic ligands
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Contents
16
Complexes with seven-electron ligands
243
17
Complexes with eight-electron ligands
Reference
246
245
18
18.1
18.2
18.3
18.4
18.5
Inverse sandwich complexes
247
Cyclobutadiene center
247
Cyclopentadiene center
247
Benzene center
248
Cyclooctatetraene center
250
Fused arene rings as centers
250
References
252
19
Organometallic compounds with σ-transition metal–carbon
bonds
255
General
255
Homoleptic compounds
258
Titanium, zirconium, hafnium
260
Vanadium, niobium, tantalum
260
Chromium, molybdenum, tungsten
261
Manganese, technetium, rhenium
263
Iron, ruthenium, osmium
263
Cobalt, rhodium, iridium
263
Nickel, palladium, platinum
263
Copper, silver, gold
263
Heteroleptic compounds
265
Organometallic halides
265
Nitrogen donors
266
Phosphines
267
268
Metal carbonyl derivatives, (CO)mMRn
Cyclopentadienylmetal derivatives, (η5-C5H5)mMRn, and
cyclopentadienylmetal carbonyl derivatives,
268
(η5-C5H5)MRn(CO)m
Metallacycles and chelate rings
271
References
274
19.1
19.2
19.2.1
19.2.2
19.2.3
19.2.4
19.2.5
19.2.6
19.2.7
19.2.8
19.3
19.3.1
19.3.2
19.3.3
19.3.4
19.3.5
19.3.6
Part IV: Application of organometallics in organic synthesis
20
Polar organometallics in organic syntheses
279
20.1
Reactivity of polar organometallics
279
20.1.1
General
279
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XIII
XIV
20.1.2
20.1.3
20.1.4
20.1.5
20.2
20.2.1
20.2.2
21
21.1
21.1.1
21.1.2
21.1.3
21.2
21.2.1
21.2.2
21.2.3
21.2.4
21.2.5
21.2.6
21.2.7
21.2.8
21.3
21.4
21.4.1
21.5
21.5.1
21.6
21.7
21.7.1
21.7.2
21.7.3
21.7.4
21.8
Index
Contents
Ortho-metallation
281
Organomagnesium reagents
286
Alkali-metal-mediated reactions
289
Turbo-Grignard reagents and related salt-supported
complexes
293
Organotitanium reagents in organic synthesis
310
Reactivity of organotitanium reagents
311
Titanium-based reagents for carbonyl methylenation and
alkylidenation
312
References
317
Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
323
Specific reaction types involving transition metal
organometallics
323
Oxidative addition–reductive elimination
323
Migratory insertion and β-hydride elimination
327
Nucleophilic attack on coordinated substrates
329
Carbon–carbon bond formation reactions
331
Cross-coupling reactions – general
332
The Kumada–Tamao–Corriu cross-coupling reactions
333
The Negishi cross-coupling reactions
337
The Stille cross-coupling reactions
344
The Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions
347
The Hiyama–Denmark cross-coupling reactions
349
The Murahashi–Feringa cross-coupling reactions
353
Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions
360
The Mizoroki–Heck reaction
363
Hydroformylation
369
Asymmetric hydroformylation
373
Hydrogenation
375
Asymmetric hydrogenation
377
Carbonylation of methanol
385
Metathesis reactions
387
Cross-metathesis (CM)
389
Ring-closing metathesis (RCM)
395
Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP)
398
Acyclic diene metathesis polymerization (ADMEP)
401
Polymerization
402
References
410
423
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Part I: General
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1 The scope of organometallic chemistry
Organometallic chemistry is the discipline dealing with compounds containing at
least one direct metal–carbon bond. It should be added that organometallic chemistry deals with compounds in which an organic group is attached to an atom which
is less electronegative than carbon (electronegativity X = 2.50). On this basis, the organic derivatives of some non-metals (with the electronegativities shown in brackets), namely boron (X = 2.01), silicon (X = 1.74) and arsenic (X = 2.20) are traditionally
included in organometallic chemistry, although these elements are not metals (but
often described as metalloids). In this volume, the organic derivatives of B, Si, Ge
and As are not included, assuming that their metallic character is not predominant.
All elements, except the noble gases (other than xenon), form compounds with
element–carbon bonds. Therefore, organometallic chemistry embraces the organic derivatives of the alkali and alkaline earth metals, the non-transition metals (Main
groups 13–15), the transition metals (d-block elements, plus lanthanides and actinides)
and some nonmetals (or metalloids) such as boron, silicon, antimony and tellurium.
It should also be mentioned that several classes of compounds which contain a
metal and carbon in their composition, are not described as organometallic if a direct
metal–carbon bond is absent. Thus, compounds such as metal alkoxides (with M_OR
bonds), metal amides (with M–N bonds), chelate complexes (e.g., acetylacetonates)
or the metal salts of carboxylic acids, are not considered organometallic. Often, such
compounds are described as metal organic.
Perhaps a classification as described may seem somewhat arbitrary but it is
practical and generally accepted.
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2 Organometallic molecules: the nature
of metal–carbon bonds
The stability and reactivity of various organometallic compounds are very different.
Some are very sensitive and react spontaneously with oxygen and water or are thermally unstable, whereas others are perfectly stable and can be handled in open atmosphere at room temperature without any special precautions. The chemical properties
of organometallic compounds are determined by the nature of the metal–carbon
bonds, and they can differ very much between various metals.
The classical bond types, covalent and ionic, are present in many organometallic compounds, but there are some metal–carbon interactions discovered and present only in the metal–carbon compounds.
2.1 Sigma-covalent (bicentric bielectronic) metal–carbon bonds
These are the classical covalent bonds formed by pairing of two electrons of opposite spin and are possible for all elements.
These are typical for all main group (nontransition) elements but also occur in
transition metal derivatives. Because of the electronegativity differences between
carbon and metals, the covalent metal–carbon bonds are polar Mδ+–Cδ– covalent
bonds, and the degree of polarity (percent of ionic character) depends on the
electronegativity difference. The stability of polar covalent bonds is influenced by
the nature of organic substituents. Electron-attracting substituents in the organic
group (e.g., fluorine) increase the stability of the M–C bonds. This is reflected in the
fact that the M–CF3 and M–C6F5 derivatives are significantly thermally more stable
than the nonfluorinated analogues, especially in the case of transition metals.
The stability of σ-covalent organometallic compounds is determined by thermodynamic and kinetic factors.
The main group elements form homoleptic compounds of MRn type, where n is
the typical valence of the metal, which are in general thermally stable. The transition metals show less tendency to form stable homoleptic compounds; their low stability is of kinetic origin and is due to incomplete occupation of the d orbitals.
Stability is gained by adding π-acceptor ligands like CO, PR3 and π-C5H5, which
form additional dative bonds to increase the kinetic stability. Thus, Ti(CH3)4 is unstable at room temperature but the cyclopentadienyl derivative (π-C5H5)2Ti(CH3)2 is
stable.
The low stability of some σ-bonded organometallic compounds is caused by the
tendency to eliminate the organic group as an olefin with the formation of a metal
hydride. This is called β-elimination:
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110695274-002
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6
2 Organometallic molecules: the nature of metal–carbon bonds
M-CH2 CH2 -R ! H2 C=CH-R + M-H
When the structure of the organic group, for example, CH2-SiMe3, CH2-CMe3 and
CH2-C6H5, makes the β-elimination impossible, the σ-covalent compounds are more
stable.
The thermodynamic stability can be measured by the bond energies (or thermal
dissociation energies). The values of thermal dissociation energies of M–CH3 bonds
in metal and nonmetal methyl compounds are given for comparison in Tab. 2.1.
Tab. 2.1: Thermal dissociation energies of E–C bonds (kcal)*.
ZnMe
.
CdMe
.
HgMe
.
BMe
.
AlMe
.
GaMe
.
InMe
n.a.
TlMe
n.a.
CMe
.
SiMe
.
GeMe
n.a.
SnMe
.
PbMe
.
NMe
.
PMe
.
AsMe
.
SbMe
.
BiMe
.
OMe
.
SMe
.
SeMe
n.a
TeMe
n.a.
FMe
ca.
ClMe
.
BrMe
.
IMe
.
*Data from I.H. Long, https://citeseecx.ist.psu.edu).
Some tendencies can be noted. The M–C bond energies decrease on descending in a
group, due to more diffuse character of the s and p orbitals of the heavier elements,
which causes a less efficient overlap with the carbon sp3 hybrid orbitals.
The compounds with weak M–C bonds (e.g., those of Cd, Hg, Pb and Bi) decompose thermally to deposit the metal. These compounds are thermodynamically unstable with respect to their decomposition to metals and hydrocarbon. Their isolation is
possible due to kinetic stability, that is, the lack of a decomposition mechanism with
a low activation energy.
It should also be noted that all organometallic compounds are thermodynamically unstable with respect to oxidation, due to the formation of very stable compounds such as metal oxides, carbon dioxide and water. The oxidative stability (e.g.,
in open atmosphere) of compounds such as SiR4, SnR4 and HgR2 is due to kinetic
factors, that is, the absence of oxidation reaction mechanisms with low activation energy. This is true for metals without vacant orbitals of low energy, but those with vacant orbitals (such as AlR3, ZnR2, LiR and NaR) are very reactive and spontaneously
flammable in air. These considerations should be taken into account when handling
the organometallic compounds which require special conditions (e.g., AlR3, ZnR2 and
LiR). This behavior is determined by the polarity of the M–C bonds and is favored by
the presence of low-energy vacant orbitals at the metal. This is the situation with
compounds such as AlR3, ZnR2, MgR2 and LiR, which have more polar M–C bonds.
Similar considerations are valid for transition metal organometallics.
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2.2 Highly polar and ionic metal–carbon bonds
7
2.2 Highly polar and ionic metal–carbon bonds
The organometallic compounds of alkali metals and rare earths are often described
as ionic and it is often stated that in these compounds the metal is present in cationic form, as Mn+, and the organic group is a carbanion. This concept should be
considered with some caution. All metal–carbon bonds are polarized as Mδ+–Cδ–
and exhibit a certain degree of ionic character. This can be roughly calculated with
the aid of Pauling’s equation:
2
i = 1 − e −0.25ðXA − XB Þ
where i is the percentage of ionic character, and XA and XB are the electronegativities
of elements A and B. The value of i is never larger than 0.80 (i.e., for francium, a
metal not encountered in organometallic chemistry) and is 49% for cesium, 46% for
potassium, 48% for rubidium, 46% for potassium, 42% for sodium and 44% for lithium. Therefore, the corresponding metal–carbon bonds are obviously very polar but
retain a certain degree of covalent character. The values of i for rare earths (Ca, Sr
and Ba) are in the same range of values. Keeping this in mind, for practical purposes
and simplicity, the description as ionic may be acceptable for alkali metal and rare
earth organometallic compounds, as frequently found in the literature, but it is preferable to describe their metal–carbon bond as polar (or strongly polar).
Genuine ionic character, with cation–anion separation, occurs in compounds in
which the negative charge is delocalized in a ring, like cyclopentadienyl in sodium
cyclopentadienide Na+[C5H5]– in a delocalized ring fragment or moiety, like in the
benzyl carbanion, or at the terminal carbon of an acetylenic carbanion. This leads to
stabilization of the carbanion and a decrease in the reactivity.
A particular (but rare) case is the formation of organometallic anions by addition
of an electron from an alkali metal to an aromatic hydrocarbon, without substitution
of a hydrogen. Thus, naphthalene can accept an electron into a vacant antibonding
molecular orbital with the formation of a colored, reactive radical anion (C10H8–.).
The polar and ionic organometallic compounds are very sensitive to moisture.
The carbanion abstracts a proton from water and produces a hydrocarbon and the
alkali metal hydroxide:
Mδ + − Rδ − + H2 O ! M +OH − + R − H
Other reagents containing mobile hydrogen (acids, alcohols, amines and thiols)
react in a similar way. In all these cases, the kinetic stability (or reactivity) plays the
leading role.
The strongly polar and ionic organometallics are also very sensitive to oxygen.
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8
2 Organometallic molecules: the nature of metal–carbon bonds
2.3 Electron-deficient (localized tricentric bielectronic)
metal–carbon bonds
This is a particular type of chemical bonds that manifests in M . . . CH3 . . . M
bridges (e.g., with M = Be, Al) in which an electron pair connects three atoms, forming a tricentric bielectronic bonding system. These are weaker than the common bicentric bielectronic bonds and are formed when enough valence electrons are not
available to fill all the bonding orbitals with electron pairs. The formation of these
bonds in the dimeric trimethylaluminum is illustrated in Fig. 2.1.
Al
C
H C Hs
H
H3C–Al–CH3
H3
H3
C
C
H3C s
s Al
H3C
H3C
s CH3
Al s
CH3
H3C
Al
Al
CH3
CH3
H3
C
H3
(a)
(b)
(c)
Fig. 2.1: Formation of tricentric bielectronic systems in dimeric trimethylaluminum.
Tricentric bielectronic bonds explain the supramolecular association of dimethylberyllium in solid state (Fig. 2.2).
CH3
Be
CH3
Be
CH3
CH3
Be
CH3
Be
CH3
H3
C
H3
C
Be
Be
C
H3
H3
C
C
H3
C
H3
Fig. 2.2: The formation of three-center bonds in [Be(CH3)2]x.
2.4 Delocalized bonds in polynuclear systems
Lithium forms some polynuclear compounds (LiR)n based upon Li4 tetrahedra and
Li6 polyhedra with delocalized metal–metal bonds (Fig. 2.3). Here the organic group
is attached simultaneously to several metal atoms, usually three, on a polyhedral
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2.5 Sigma donor–π-acceptor dative bonds
9
triangular face. The formation of this type of bonding can be explained in terms of
molecular orbital theory. Similar interactions are present in polymetallic metal carbonyl clusters, where the metal atoms are held together by collectivization of the
valence orbitals and electrons.
Li
C
Li
C
Li C
Li
C
C
Li
C
Li
C
Li
Li
C
(a)
C
Li
Li
C
(b)
Fig. 2.3: The structure of (LiR)4 and (LiR)6.
2.5 Sigma donor–π-acceptor dative bonds
An important type of bonding in transition metal complexes is the so-called dative
bond. In this type, the carbon atom donates an electron pair to the metal atom, and
the ligand molecule accepts back some electron density from the metal into a vacant antibonding molecular orbital (a process called back donation). The ligands capable of this interaction are molecules possessing an electron pair at carbon, for
example, carbon monoxide (:C=O), cyanides (:CN–) and isocyanides (:C=N–R). The
formation of dative bonds is typical for metal carbonyls and is illustrated in Fig. 2.4.
In fact, we have here a metal–carbon double bond, with electron donation in both
directions.
Fig. 2.4: The formation of dative bonds in metal carbonyls.
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10
2 Organometallic molecules: the nature of metal–carbon bonds
2.6 π-Bonding of unsaturated molecules to transition
metal atoms
A particular type of dative bonding in transition metal organometallics is the so-called
π-bonding of unsaturated molecules to transition metal atoms. The unsaturated molecule releases a number of electrons from its π-molecular orbitals into vacant atomic
orbitals of the metal and simultaneously accepting electrons from the occupied metal
atom orbitals into the π*-antibonding molecular orbitals. Such organic molecules act
as ligands and can contribute a variable number of electrons, for example, two (ethylene), three (allyl groups), four (butadiene and cyclobutadiene), five (cyclopentadienyl
ring) and six (benzene ring).
The formation of ethylene complexes through interaction of its π-molecular orbitals with the metal s, p and atomic orbitals is illustrated in Fig. 2.5. The ethylene
molecule donates electron density from the occupied molecular orbital into the vacant s, p and d orbitals of the metal and accepts back donation from the occupied p
and d atomic orbitals of the metal with appropriate orientation.
Fig. 2.5: Participation of various orbitals in the formation of π-olefin complexes.
The π-complexes formed by unsaturated molecules donating from two to six πelectrons, with transition metal atoms are represented in Fig. 2.6.
Fig. 2.6: Formation of π-complexes.
Depending on the number of electrons required by the metal atom to satisfy its
noble gas configuration, an unsaturated molecule can participate in different bonding modes.
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2.6 π-Bonding of unsaturated molecules to transition metal atoms
11
A first example is illustrated here for cyclopentadiene. It can contribute five
electrons to form a so-called pentahapto π-complex, η5-C5H5M, which can form a
carbanion C5H5– or can contribute only four (η4), three (η3) and two (η2) π-electrons
to form a π-complex, and finally, can form organometallic compounds connected
by a simple sigma M–C bond (Fig. 2.7).
η5
η4
ionic
η3
η2
σ
Fig. 2.7: Coordination modes of cyclopentadiene.
In a similar manner, benzene can use all six π-electrons or only some of them in
bonding to metal atoms (Fig. 2.8).
η6
η6
η2
σ
Fig. 2.8: Coordination modes of benzene.
Larger rings can behave similarly, as shown for seven-membered cycloheptatriene
and eight-membered cyclooctatetraene rings (Fig. 2.9).
η7
η6
η5
η4
η3
η8
η4
2 x η4
2 x η2
2(2 x η2)
Fig. 2.9: Coordination modes of cycloheptatriene and cyclooctatetraene.
Note: The hapto symbol η, with numerical superscript, provides a description for the bonding of
hydrocarbons and other π-electron systems to metals and indicates the connectivity between the
ligand and the central atom.
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12
2 Organometallic molecules: the nature of metal–carbon bonds
Obviously, such a variety of bonding possibilities will result in a broad variety
of organometallic compounds.
2.7 Carbenes, carbynes, carbones, and carbides
2.7.1 Carbenes
The classical carbenes are neutral divalent carbon compounds: CR2 with a lone pair
of electrons which can be donated to a metal atom to form a special type of organometallic compounds. There are two types of carbenes known as Fischer carbenes,
in singlet state, and Schrock carbenes, in triplet state. They can be stabilized as
transition metal complexes, as shown in Fig. 2.10, by donation of electrons into the
d orbitals of the transition metal.
Fischer carbene complex
Schrock carbene complex
Fig. 2.10: Formation of metal–carbon bonds in Fischer and Schrock carbene complexes.
The Fischer carbenes are formed by metals in low oxidation state (e.g., Cr(0), Mo(0)
and Fe(0)) and bear alkoxy or alkylamino susbtituents on the carbenoid atom [1].
The Schrock carbenes are formed by metals in a high oxidation state, like Ti(IV)
or V(V), with π-donor ligands and bear hydrogen or alkyl substituents at the carbenoid atom [2, 3].
Classical carbenes are not available in free state. They occur usually as transient intermediates and must be stabilized by complexation to a metal.
An important, relatively recent development was the synthesis of N-heterocyclic
carbenes which are stable and can be isolated as free ligands and discrete compounds
(Arduengo carbenes) [4, 5]. They are stabilized by π-donor substituents, and are excellent σ-donor and poor π-acceptors. Their bond to carbon is regarded as single bonds,
while the bonds to carbon of Fischer and Schrock carbenes are double bonds.
Nitrogen heterocyclic carbenes have been much used lately as ligands in numerous organometallic complexes. Many transition metals form organometallic derivatives
with these carbenes. Even nontransition metals, for example, mercury and beryllium,
have been reported as forming such organometallic compounds (Fig. 2.11).
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2.7 Carbenes, carbynes, carbones, and carbides
Ph
Ph
N
N
Hg
:
:
N
N
Ph
Ph
N
Me
Me
N
Cl
Be
:
:
:
Me
N
Me-N
13
N-Me
N
Me
Fig. 2.11: Heterocyclic carbenes as ligands.
2.7.2 Carbynes
The C–R moieties are known as carbynes. They cannot be isolated as discrete compounds but are able to form transition metal organometallic compounds by donation of three electrons to a transition metal atom. Again there are two types of
carbyne complexes, as shown in Fig. 2.12, depending on the source of bonding
electrons.
carbyne complex Fischer
carbyne complex Schrock
Fig. 2.12: Formation of carbyne complexes.
2.7.3 Carbones
“Naked” carbon atoms can form transition metal organometallic compounds known
as carbone complexes, by donating one or two electron pairs and accepting two electron pairs into the valence orbitals, as shown in the following examples (Fig. 2.13).
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14
2 Organometallic molecules: the nature of metal–carbon bonds
PR3
R 3P
:C
M
R 3P
Me3P
PMe3
Me-Au
Au-Me
C:
PR3
Me3Si)2N
N(Me3Si)2
Fe
:
C
PR3P
PPh3
Fig. 2.13: Some carbone complexes.
2.7.4 Carbides
When the naked carbon atoms are terminal ligands, the resulting moieties can donate
a pair of electrons and accept two pairs of electrons into the valence orbitals to form
transition metal organometallic compounds known as carbide complexes (Fig. 2.14).
Fig. 2.14: Carbide complexes.
Such compounds could be regarded as carbon-centered inverse coordination complexes.
A number of cluster compounds with a carbon atom as center in polymetal
polyhedron are known. One example is a rhenium compound containing [(μ4-C)Re4
(CO)15l]– anion, in which the central carbon is embedded in a tetrahedrally distorted
square [6] (Fig. 2.15).
Fig. 2.15: Carbon-centered tetrahedral rhenium compound.
Some surprising carbide complexes are cations with four gold atoms in a square pyramidal geometry with methyl groups in apical position, [(μ4-CCH3)Au4(PR3)4]+ (R =
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Further reading
15
Ph, Cyh) [7], the trigonal bipyramidal [(μ5-C)Au5(PPh3)5]+ [8] and the octahedral
[(μ6-C)Au6(PPh3)6]+ [9–11] cations (Fig. 2.16).
P
Fig. 2.16: Carbon-centered gold complexes.
Iron also forms carbido inverse coordination complexes with four [(μ4-C)Fe4(CO)13]2,
five [(μ5-C)Fe5(CO)15]2– Fig. 2.17. [12] and six metal atoms [(μ6-C)Fe6(CO)16]2– [13].
Nickel [(μ6-C)(NiCp)6] [14] and similar ruthenium carbide complexes [Ru6C(CO)16]2−
[15], and rhodium [(μ6-C)Ru6(CO)16]2– [16, 17] are also known.
Fig. 2.17: A carbon-centered iron carbonyl complex.
Further reading
Skinner HA The strength of metal-carbon bonds. Adv Organomet Chem 1968, 2, 49–114.
Vidal I, Melchior S, Dobado JA On the nature of metal-carbon bonds. J Chem Phys 2005, 109,
7500–08.
Pe S. M-C bond strengths in transition metal complexes. J Phys Chem 1995, 99, 12723.
Franking GT, Frőhlich NS The nature of bonding in transition metal complexes. Chem Rev 2000,100,
717–74.
Bourissou D, Guerret D, Gabbaï FP, Bertrand G. Stable carbenes. Chem Rev 2000, 100, 39–60.
Hahn FE, Jahnke MC, Heterocyclic carbenes: Synthesis and coordination chemistry.
Angew Chem Int Ed 2008, 47, 3122–72.
Nolan SP N-Heterocyclic Carbenes: Effective Tools for Organometallic Synthesis. Wiley-VCH,
Weinheim, 2014.
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16
2 Organometallic molecules: the nature of metal–carbon bonds
Rŏthe A, Kretschmer RT Syntheses of bis(N-heterocyclic Carbene)s and their application in
carbenes main-group chemistry. J Organomet Chem. 2020, 918, 121289.
Grũtzmacher H, Marchand CM Heteroatom stabilized carbenium ions. Coord Chem Rev. 1997, 163,
287–344.
Fremont NM, Nolan SP Carbones: Synthesis, properties and organometallic chemistry.
Coord Chem Rev 2009, 253, 862–92.
Zhao L, Chai C, Petz W, Franking G Carbones and carbon atoms as ligands in transition metal
complexes. Molecules 2020, 25, 4943–48.
Voloshkin VA, Tzouras NV, Nolan SP, Recent advances in the synthesis and derivatization of
n-heterocyclic carbene metal complexes. Dalton Trans 2021, 50, 12058–68.
References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
[13]
[14]
Fischer EO, Maasböl A. On the existence of a tungsten carbonyl carbene complex.
Angew Chem Int Ed 1964, 3, 580–81.
Schrock RR. First isolable transition metal methylene complex and analogs. characterization,
mode of decomposition, and some simple reactions. J Am Chem Soc 1975, 97, 6577–78.
Schrock RR. Multiple metal–carbon bonds for catalytic metathesis reactions (Nobel lecture).
Angew Chem Int Ed 2006, 45, 3748–59.
Arduengo AJ. Looking for stable carbenes: The difficulty in starting anew. Acc Chem Res 1976,
32, 913–21.
Arduengo AJ, Harlow RL, Kline M. A stable crystalline carbene. J Am Chem Soc 1991, 113, 361–63.
Beringhelli T, Ciani G, D’Alfonso G, Sironi A, Freni M. A new metallic environment for carbon
in a carbido metal cluster: X-ray crystal structure of the anion Re4C(CO)15l]–. Chem Commun
1985, 978–79.
Steigelmann P, Bissinger H, Schmidbaur H. 1,1,1,1-Tetrakis[triorganylphosphineaurio(I)]ethanium(+) tetrafluoroborates - hypercoordinated species containing [H3c-c(AuL)4]+ cation. Z
Naturforsch B 1993, 48, 72–78.
Scherbaum F, Grohmann A, Mũller G, Schmidbaur H. Synthesis, structure, and bonding of the
Cation [{(C6H5)3PAu}5C]+. Angew Chem Int Ed 1989, 28, 463–65.
Scherbaum F, Grohmann A, Huber B, Krüger C, Schmidbaur H. “Aurophilicity” as a
consequence of relativistic effects: the hexakis(triphenylphosphaneaurio)-methane dication
[(Ph3PAu)6C]2+. Angew Chem Int Ed 1988, 27, 1544–46.
Gabbaï FP, Schier A, Riede J, Schmidbaur H. Synthesis of the hexakis[(triphenylphosphane)gold(I)]methanium(2+) cation from trimethylsilyldiazomethane; crystal structure
determination of the tetrafluoroborate salt. Chem Ber 1997, 130, 111–14.
Lei Z, Nagata K, Ube H, Shionoya M. Ligand effects on the photophysical properties of N,N′diisopropylbenzimidazolylidene-protected C-centered hexagold(I) Clusters. J Organomet
Chem 2020, 917, 121271.
Kuppuswamy S, Wofford JD, Joseph C, Xie Z-L, Ali AK, Lynch VM, Lindahl PA, Pa, Rose MJ.
Structures, interconversions, and spectroscopy of iron carbonyl clusters with an interstitial
carbide: localized metal center reduction by overall cluster oxidation. Inorg Chem 2017, 56,
5998–6012.
Hill EW, Bradley JS. Tetrairon carbido carbonyl clusters. Inorg Synth 1990, 27, 182–88.
Buchowicz W, Herbaczyńska B, Jerzykiewicz LB, Lis T, Pasynkiewicz S, Pietrzykowski A. Triple
C–H bond activation of a nickel-bound methyl group: Synthesis and X-ray structure of a
carbide cluster (NiCp)6(μ6-C). Inorg Chem 2012, 51, 8292–97.
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References
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[15] Cariati E, Dragonetti C, Lucenti E, Roberto D. Cluster and polynuclear compounds. Inorg Synth
2004, 34, 210.
[16] Martinengo S, Strumolo SD, Chini DP. Dipotassium μ6-carbido-nona-μ-carbonylhexacarbonylhexarhodate(2-) K2[Rh6(CO)6(μ-CO)9-μ-C]. Inorg Synth 1980, 20, 212–15.
[17] Muratov DV, Dolgushin FM, Fedi S, Zanello P, Kudinov AR. Octahedral (cyclopentadienyl)
rhodium clusters [Rh6Cp6(μ6-C)]2+ and [Rh6Cp6(μ3-CO)2]2+: synthesis, structures and
electrochemistry. Inorg Chim Acta 2011, 374, 313–19.
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EBSCOhost - printed on 2/13/2023 2:26 AM via . All use subject to https://www.ebsco.com/terms-of-use
3 Supramolecular organometallic association
The previous chapter was concerned with the structures of distinct organometallic molecules. In the solid state, and quite often in solution and even in vapor
state, many organometallic molecules are associated through a variety of noncovalent bonds. Such structures are known as supramolecular.
The concept of supramolecular chemistry was introduced by Jean-Marie Lehn
(Nobel Prize 1987) who described the supramolecular chemistry as “the chemistry of
intermolecular bond dealing with organized entities of higher complexity that result
from the association of two or more chemical species held together by intermolecular
forces.” There are two types of objects in supramolecular chemistry: supermolecules,
that is, “well-defined discrete oligomolecular species that result from the intermolecular association of a few components” and supramolecular assemblies (systems) or
supramolecular arrays, that is, “polymolecular entities that result from the spontaneous association of a large undefined number of components” (J.-M. Lehn).
The intermolecular, noncovalent forces leading to supramolecular association
(self-assembly) can be very different. The most common are the dative coordinate
(donor–acceptor or Lewis acid–base interactions), electrostatic (primarily ionic) interactions, hydrogen bonds and π-bonds. Less common (frequent although usually
neglected) are secondary bonds (or “soft–soft” interactions or semibonds). New
types were recognized more recently, namely, main group element/lone pair–πarene and metal carbonyl/lone pair–π-arene interactions. Combination of above
types (cooperativity) is also possible.
Association through dative coordinate bonds leads to formation of oligomeric
cyclic supermolecules (dimers, trimers and tetramers) and of large polymeric arrays
with undefined number of units. Examples are found with the functional derivatives of group 3 organometallics and organotin halides (Fig. 3.1).
[R2M-X]n M = Al, Ga, In, Tl;
n = 2, 3 or 4; R = alkyl, aryl;
X = halogen, OH, OR, NHR or NR’R”, SR, SeR, PR2, AsR2, etc.
Fig. 3.1: Supramolecular cyclic self-assembly through dative bonds.
Supramolecular self-assembly occurs with alkali metal strongly polar organometallics, for example, lithium and sodium hexamethyldisilazan (Fig. 3.2).
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110695274-003
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20
3 Supramolecular organometallic association
M
Me3Si
N
SiMe3
N
Me3Si
Li
M
N
Me3Si
N HR
Li
HR
N
SiMe3
M
Li
RHN
Li
N
HR
Li
N HR
Li
NHR
RHN
SiMe3
M = Li, Na
Li
N
HR
Li
R = But
Fig. 3.2: Supramolecular self-assembly through electrostatic interactions.
The supramolecular association through hydrogen bonds connects molecules
with the formation of cyclic oligomers and polymeric arrays (Fig. 3.3).
Fig. 3.3: Supramolecular self-assembly through hydrogen bonds.
Secondary bonds are weak interactions, leading to interatomic distances intermediate between single bonds and Van der Waals distances. Such interactions (sometimes also called “semibonds”) are observed between soft metals (Hg, Tl, Sn, Pb,
Sb, Bi, Te) and soft nonmetals (S, Se, P, As). They are composed of a normal covalent bond A–Y associated with a soft–soft interaction. The secondary bonds have a
bond order lower than the normal single bonds between the same atoms. The formation of secondary bond interactions is explained by donation of a lone pair from
X into an s* orbital of the A–Y bond (N.W. Alcock).
The supramolecular self-assembly through secondary bond interactions is well
illustrated by the case of triphenyl lead dimethyldithiophosphinate, with the parameters indicated in Fig. 3.4.
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3 Supramolecular organometallic association
21
Me
Me
Ph
Ph
P
Me
Me
Ph
Ph
S
Pb
Me
Ph
S
Pb
S
Ph
P
S
Me
P
S
Pb
S
Ph
Ph
Ph
Pb-S 2.708(4) Â Pb…S 3.028(4) Â vs ΣVdW radii 4.15 Â
P-S 2.043(5) Â
P=S 1.979(6) Â < S-Pb…S 165.4(1)o
Fig. 3.4: Supramolecular self-assembly through secondary bonds.
The cooperativity of several types of bonding interactions in the formation of supramolecular organometallic assemblies is illustrated by the organotin compound
[(Me3Sn)3(µ-OH)2]+Br– in which the association of Me3SnOH molecules occurs with
participation of donor–acceptor O→Sn, secondary Sn . . . Br and hydrogen Br . . . H
bonds (Fig. 3.5).
H
⊕ O
⊝
Sn
Br
⊕
O
Sn
Sn
O
H
H
⊝
Br
Sn
Sn
Sn
O
H
Fig. 3.5: An example of supramolecular cooperative association.
A spectacular case is that of bis(cyclopentadienyl)lead Pb(C5H5)2 which forms both
a cyclic oligomer and a supramolecular chain-like array (Fig. 3.6).
Ionic cyclopentadienyl groups also occur as bridges in the structures of alkali
metal cyclopentadienyls, for example, the sodium and potassium compounds
M+[C5H5]–.
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22
3 Supramolecular organometallic association
Pb
Pb
Pb
Pb
Pb
Pb
Pb
Pb
Pb
Pb
Fig. 3.6: Supramolecular self-assembly of Pb(C5H5)2 through π-bonding.
The organometallic compounds containing carbonyl ligands can sometimes
self-assemble into supramolecular structures through carbonyl lone pair–π-arene
interactions. An example is the structure of [Mo(CO)4(1,10-phenanthroline)] complex (Fig. 3.7).
Fig. 3.7: Supramolecular self-assembly through lone pair–arene interactions.
Further reading
Lehn J.-M. Supramolecular Chemistry. Concepts and Perspectives. Weihneim: VCH, 1995.
Lehn J.-M. Supramolecular Chemistry - Scope and Perspectives. Molecules, Supermolecules, and
Molecular Devices (Nobel Lecture). Angew Chem Int Ed 1988, 27, 89–112.
Haiduc I, Edelmann FT. Supramolecular Organometallic Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH, 2000.
Alexeev YuE, Kharisov BI, Hernandez-Garcia TC, Garnovskii AD. Coordination motifs in modern
supramolecular chemistry. Coord Chem Rev 2010, 254, 794.
Chandrasekar V., Boomishanka, R., Nagendrans S. Chem Rev 2004, 104, 5847.
Alcock NW. Bonding and Structure. New York, London: Ellis Horwood, 1993, 195.
Haiduc I. Secondary bonding, in vol. Encyclopedia of Supramolecular Chemistry. Edited by J. Steed
and J. Atwood, New York: Marcel Dekker Inc., 2004, 1215.
Mooibroek TJ, Gamez P, Reedijk J Lone pair . . . π-aryl interactions: a new supramolecular bond?.
CrystEngComm 2008, 10, 1501.
Zukerman-Schpector J, Haiduc I, Tiekink ERT. The metal carbonyl . . . π(aryl) interaction as a
supramolecular synthon. Chem Commun 2011, 47, 12682.
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4 Inverse organometallic compounds
Traditionally, most organometallics are compounds in which a metal center is surrounded by a number of M–C bonded organic groups and possibly some additional
functional moieties surrounding the metal center. A reversed type of structure is
also known, in which an organic molecule acts as centroligand and is connected by
two or more metal atoms through metal–carbon bonds. Such compounds can be
described as “inverse organometallic compounds.”
Inverse organometallics can involve polar metal–carbon bonds (typical for alkali metals) and normal covalent bonds (typical for main group metals). These are
illustrated by 1,3,5-trilithium benzene C6H3Li3 and the tri-Grignard reagent 1,3,5trimagnesium tribromide 1,3,5-C6H3(MgBr)3 [1] (Fig. 4.1).
Fig. 4.1: Inverse organometallics with lithium and magnesium.
Other compounds of main group metals can be cited, with covalent metal-carbon
bonds, for example, some with bearing three and four organotin substituents [2]
(Fig. 4.2).
Fig. 4.2: Tri- and tetra-metallic inverse organometallics.
Polymetallated heterocycles, for example, 2,6-dilithiopyridine and 2,6-dimagnesium
dibromide, are also known (Fig. 4.3).
Fig. 4.3: Inverse organometallics with central pyridine.
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24
4 Inverse organometallic compounds
Another type of inverse organometallics comprises compounds in which two metal
atoms are attached on the two sides of an aromatic ring, connected through πbonding interactions. These can be described as “inverse sandwich” compounds.
Inverse sandwich compounds with transition metals are formed with cyclopentadienyl, benzene or cyclooctatetraene aromatic groups as centroligands (Fig. 4.4).
Fig. 4.4: Inverse sandwich compounds.
Fused bicyclic and tricyclic aromatic molecules can also serve as centroligands in
inverse sandwich organometallics (Fig. 4.5).
Fig. 4.5: Inverse sandwich complexes with fused aromatic rings.
Based on the principle of inverse π-bond connectivity, a broad variation of molecular structures can be expected, and indeed it is observed throughout transition
metal chemistry.
A spectacular inverse sandwich is the iron compound [(μ-C6H3){FeCp(CO)2}3{η6Cr(CO)3}], in which there are both sigma- and π-bond metal interactions with the
organic moiety [3] (Fig. 4.6).
Fig. 4.6: Inverse organometallic compound with mixed bonding
types.
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References
25
References
[1]
[2]
[3]
Rot N, Bickelhaupt F. Formation of 1,3,5-trilithiobenzene and its conversion to the
corresponding magnesium, mercury, and tin derivatives. Organometallics 1997, 16, 5027–31.
(a) Rot N, de Kanter FJJ, Bickelhaupt F, Smeets WJJ, Spek AL. Synthesis of 1,3,5-tri- and
1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted tin and mercury derivatives of benzene. J Organomet Chem 2000,
593/594, 369–79, (b) Yakubenko AA. Karpov VV, Tupikina EYu. Antonov AS. Lithiation of
2,4,5,7-Tetrabromo-1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene: Peculiarities of directing groups’
effects and the possibility of polymetallation. Organometallics 2021, 40, 3627–3636.
Hunter AD. σ,π-Complexes of benzene. Organometallics 1989, 8, 1118–20.
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Part II: Organometallic compounds of main group
metals
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5 Organometallic compounds of group 1
(alkali metals)
The alkali metals generate monovalent cations by losing their single valence electron
and in association with carbanions form ionic organometallic compounds with charge
separation. The first element in the group, lithium, behaves somewhat differently by
maintaining certain covalent character of the metal carbon bonds and by forming associated [LiR]n cluster compounds with metal–metal bonds.
In the organometallic compounds of the alkali metals there are vacant orbitals
which tend to be occupied wherever possible and this favors strong solvation in
donor solvents and formation of complexes with donor molecules (e.g., ethers and
amines).
5.1 Organolithium compounds
The organolithium compounds are the most important in the family of alkali metal
organometallic compounds due to their extensive use as reagents in preparative
chemistry. They are readily prepared, exhibit high chemical reactivity and are soluble in hydrocarbons.
The structure of organolithium compounds is more complex than the simple
LiR formula suggests. The organolithium compounds are associated in solutions of
non-donor solvents (hydrocarbons), in the solid state and even in the vapor phase
(indicated by mass spectra), either as dimers, tetramers or hexamers, depending on
the nature of organic group. For example, methyl lithium is a tetramer [LiCH3]4
made of four lithium atoms, with the methyl groups attached to the faces of the tetrahedron. The oligomeric associated molecule is electron deficient and is formed by
delocalization of the valence electrons in the Lin polyhedron. The compound forms
a tetrahydrofuran adduct [(THF)LiCH3]4 by Li-THF coordination.
The organolithium compounds are prepared under oxygen free and anhydrous
conditions.
The best method is the direct reaction of lithium metal and organic halides in
hydrocarbon solvents:
2 Li + RX ! LiR + LiX
The reaction of lithium metal with organomercury compounds is now avoided because of the toxicity of the mercury reagents:
2 Li + HgR2 ! 2 LiR + Hg
In some cases, the transmetallation (metal–metal exchange) reactions are preferred, for example, for the synthesis of vinyl wlithium:
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30
5 Organometallic compounds of group 1 (alkali metals)
SnðCH = CH2 Þ4 + 4 LiPh ! 4 LiCH = CH2 + SnPh4
PbðCH = CH2 Þ4 + 4 Li ! 4 LiCH = CH2 + Pb
An unusual reactions are the halogen–metal exchange reactions for the synthesis of
pentachlorophenyl lithium from hexachlorobenzene and the hydrogen–metal exchange (in tetrahydrofuran at low temperature, bellow −35 °C):
C6 Cl6 + LiBun ! LiC6 Cl5 + Bun Cl
C6 Cl5 H + LiBun ! LiC6 Cl5 + Bun H
Donor ligands stabilize the monomeric form by formation of adducts LiR.D (D = donor
molecule). In the di- and polyamine complexes of organolithium compounds, the ligand is coordinated to the metal atom, supplying electrons into its vacant orbitals. As
a result, LiCPh3.tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) is a monomer and the triethylenediamine complex of benzyl lithium forms a supramolecular chain (Fig. 5.1).
Li
Ph
N
Li
N
C
N
N
CH2
Li
N
N
Li
CH2
N
N
CH2
Ph
Ph
Fig. 5.1: Organolithium diamine adducts.
An inverse organolithium compound, hexalithiobenzene, C6Li6, is formed in a reaction of hexachlorobenzene with a large excess of tert-butyl lithium at extremely low
temperature (−25 °C).
5.2 Organometallic derivatives of sodium and heavier
alkali metals
The organometallic compounds of sodium, potassium, rubidium and cesium are
very reactive, nonvolatile ionic compounds, nonmelting, insoluble in most organic
solvents. They react violently with water, oxygen, carbon dioxide and most organic
compounds except saturated hydrocarbons and are spontaneously flammable in
air. Such compounds are usually prepared for further use in various reactions without isolation.
Some alkali metal organometallic compounds have been obtained pure in
solid state and their structures was determined by X-ray diffractometry. It was
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5.2 Organometallic derivatives of sodium and heavier alkali metals
31
found that ethyl sodium displays double layers of isolated Na+ and C2H5- ions and
in methylpotassium K+ and CH3- ions alternate in a layered structure. The sodium
cyclopentadienide adduct with TMEDA is a supramolecular chain of alternating
cationic [Na(TMEDA)]+ moieties and C5H5- anions (Fig. 5.2).
N
N
Na
N
N
Na
Na
N
Fig. 5.2: Supramolecular structure of NaC5H5.
TMEDA.
Benzyl cesium displays a rare supramolecular chain structure formed through Cs-πarene and Cs–CH2 sigma bonds [1] (Fig. 5.3).
Fig. 5.3: Supramolecular structure of benzylcesium.
A good preparation of organosodium compounds is by using the reaction of organolithium reagents with sodium alkoxides:
NaOR + LiR′ ! NaR + LiOR′
Organosodium compounds were also prepared in a reaction of sodium metal and
organomercury derivatives in petroleum ether:
2 Na + HgR2 ! 2 NaR + Hg
Organo-zinc, -cadmium and -lead compounds react similarly.The use of dimethylmercury must be avoided due to extreme toxicity of this compound (a fatal accident
of a researcher using it as NMR standard being known).
The reactive hydrocarbons like triphenylmethane, cyclopentadiene and substituted acetylenes can be metallated with sodium and potassium, or with sodium hydride, in liquid ammonia or tetrahydrofuran. This is a very important reaction for
the synthesis of sodium cyclopentadienide Na[C5H5], the reagent required for the
preparation of metal cyclopentadienyls.
Organo-sodium and -potassium compounds are also formed by cleavage of
carbon–carbon bonds of polyarylethanes with the metal amalgams:
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32
5 Organometallic compounds of group 1 (alkali metals)
R3 C−CR3 + 2 M=Hg ! 2 M +½CR3 − + 2 Hg M = Na, K; R = aryl
Naphtalene and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons accept an electron from sodium atoms to form anion radicals, in strong coordinating solvents like tetrahydrofuran or dimethoxyethane, without replacing a hydrogen atom (Fig. 5.4).
Na
Na
Fig. 5.4: Naphtalene-sodium complex.
Organopotassium compounds can be prepared by reacting potassium metoxide
with organolithium reagents and by treating organomercury compounds with potassium. The potassium compounds are very reactive, attack even saturated hydrocarbons and decompose spontaneously with formation of potassium hydride. They
remain mostly as laborarory curiosities.
Further reading
Rappoport Z, Marek I (Eds.) Chemistry of organolithium compounds, Wiley, Chichester, 2007.
Gessner VH, Däschlein C, Strohmann C. Structure, formation principles and reactivity of
organolithium Compounds, Chem-Eur J 2009, 15, 3320–34.
Reich HJ. What’s going on with these lithium reagents, J Org Chem 2012, 77, 5471–91.
Reich HJ. Role of organolithium aggregates and mixed aggregates in organolithium mechanisms.
Chem Rev 2013, 113, 7130–78.
Seyferth D. Alkyl and aryl derivatives of the alkali metals: Useful synthetic reagents as strong
bases and potent nucleophiles. 1. Conversion of organic halides to organoalkali-metal
compounds, Organometallics 2006, 25, 2–24.
Seyferth D. Alkyl and aryl derivatives of the alkali metals: Strong bases and reactive nucleophiles.
2. Wilhelm Schlenk’s organoalkali-metal chemistry Organometallics 2009, 28, 2–33.
Reference
[1]
Orzechowski L, Jansen G, Harder S. Methandiide complexes (R2CM2) of the heavier alkali
metals (M = potassium, rubidium, cesium): Reaching the limit? Angew Chem Int Ed 2009, 48,
3825–29.
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6 Organometallic compounds of group 2 metals
(rare earths)
The elements of this group have two valence electrons in the ns orbital and three
vacant np orbitals (Fig. 6.1) and this electronic structure dictates the chemical behavior of these elements through the tendency of the metal atoms to make full use
of their ns and np orbitals in bonding.
s
p
M
MR2
sp
MR2D
sp2
MR22D
sp3
MR3
sp2
2
MR4
sp3
Fig. 6.1: The use of valence orbitals and electrons in the
organometallic compounds of group 2.
With the two electrons in the ns atomic orbitals, the elements of group 2 are strongly
electropositive and can form dipositive M2+ cations, resulting in ionic organometallic compounds. This tendency is increasing for the heavier elements in the order
Ca < Sr < Ba < Ra.
The first two elements of the group, beryllium and magnesium, with sp hybridization form two covalent bonds, which are rather polar. The vacant p orbitals tend to
accept electrons, and this tendency influences the chemical behavior of these elements. When two electron pairs are accepted from a suitable donor, MR2.D and MR2.2D
adducts are formed with sp2 and sp3 hybridizations, respectively. By accepting single
electrons in the unoccupied p orbitals, these can be paired to form additional M–C
bonds in hypervalent anionic [MR3]– (sp2 hybridization) and [MR4]2– (sp3 hybridization). The [MR3]r anions (e.g., [BePh3]– are isoelectronic with group 13 trigonal neutral
MR3 molecules and the [MR4]2– are isoelectronic with neutral tetrahedral MR4 compounds of the group 14.
Another way to make full use of the p atomic orbitals is the formation of tricentric bielectronic bonds, as mentioned above, for supramolecular structure of
dimethylberyllium.
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34
6 Organometallic compounds of group 2 metals (rare earths)
6.1 Organoberyllium compounds
6.1.1 Homoleptic compounds BeR2
The diorganoberyllium compounds BeR2 are monomeric only with bulky substituents (R = tert-Bu, mesityl) (Fig. 6.2) and are associated as supramolecular dimers
(R = Et, n-Pr, iso-Pr, n-Bu) in benzene solution or polymers (R = Me) in the solid state.
H 3C
CH3
CH3
C Be
C
CH3
CH3
CH3
Fig. 6.2: Structure of monomeric di(tert-butyl)beryllium.
The linear structure of BeMe2 in the solid state (established by X-ray diffractometry)
is in agreement with the sp hybridization (Fig. 6.3).
CH3
Be
Be
CH3
CH3
Be
CH3
H3
C
CH3
Be
CH3
H3
C
Be
C
H3
H3
C
Be
C
H3
C
H3
Fig. 6.3: The structure of dimethylberyllium.
Bis(cyclopentadienyl) beryllium (beryllocene) Be(C5H5)2 displays a rare η1:η5 slipped
sandwich structure, with one η5 and one η1 C5H5 rings connected to the metal [1],
but bis(pentamethylcyclopenadienyl) beryllium has the normal η5:η5 sandwich
structure [2].
Diphenylberyllium has an unusual trinuclear structure with four bridging and
two terminal phenyl groups [3] (Fig. 6.4).
Fig. 6.4: Trimeric structure of BePh2.
The diorganoberyllium compounds are prepared from anhydrous beryllium chloride and phenyl lithium or Grignard reagents. Organolithium reagents can also be
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6.1 Organoberyllium compounds
35
used, but an excess can lead to trisubstituted derivatives. A thermal reaction of beryllium metal with diorganomercurials (e.g., diphenylmercury) can be used. Caution:
avoid dimethylmercury!
Be + HgR2 ! BeR2 + Hg
6.1.2 Hypervalent species [BeR3]– and [BeR4]2–
In the presence of 12-crown-4 macrocycle diphenylberyllium, BePh2 dissociates into
a triphenylberyllium anion [BePh3]– and [PhBe]+ cation entrapped in the macrocycle (Fig. 6.5).
Fig. 6.5: Structure of [PhBe(12-crown-6)]+[BePh3].
With LiPh, diphenylberyllium forms supramolecular chain-like [BePh3Li]x which in turn
can pick up two diethyl ether molecules to form monomeric Li[BePh3].2Et2O] (Fig. 6.6).
Fig. 6.6: Supramolecular structure of [BePh3Li]x.
A new type of compounds with three beryllium–carbon bonds is represented by a
heterocyclic carbene derivative of diphenylberyllium (Fig. 6.7).
Fig. 6.7: A heterocyclic carbene complex of BePh2.
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36
6 Organometallic compounds of group 2 metals (rare earths)
Compounds with four beryllium–carbon bonds can be illustrated with anionic
[BeR4]2–. The tetrahedral tetramethylberyllato anion of Li2[BeMe4] is obtained
from dimethylberyllium and methyl litium in diethyl ether.
6.1.3 Diorganoberyllium donor adducts R2Be.D
The diorganoberyllium compounds are prepared from anhydrous beryllium chloride and phenyl lithium or Grignard reagents in diethyl ether when ether adducts
are obtained [4]:
BeCl2 + 2 RMgX + Et2 O ! BeR2 .OEt2 + 2 MgXCl
The ether can be removed with stronger coordination ligands, for example, fluoride,
but in this case fluoride bridged, inverse coordination anions are formed:
2 BeR2 .OEt2 + KF ! K + ½R2 Be−F−BeR2 − + 2 Et2 O
With amines, phosphines, nitrogen heterocycles and other donor molecules, the diorganoberyllium compounds form tri- and tetra-coordinate adducts (Fig. 6.8).
Fig. 6.8: Adducts of BeR2 compounds with amines.
6.1.4 Organoberyllium halides, RBeX
Organoberyllium halides can be prepared directly from beryllium metal and alkyl
halides in the presence of HgCl2 as catalyst (X = CI, Br):
Be + RX ! R−Be−X
Organoberyllium halides dimerize through halogen bridges and are monomeric in
ethereal solvents, owing to the formation of adducts such as RBeCl.2Et2O. Thus, the
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6.2 Organomagnesium compounds
37
etherate of tert-butylberyllium chloride is dimeric in benzene solution but monomeric in diethyl ether (Fig. 6.9).
Fig. 6.9: Diethyl ether adducts of organoberyllium
chlorides.
6.1.5 Functional organoberyllium compounds, RBeX
The functional monoorganoberyllium compounds, RBeX, with X = NR2, OR, halogen, SR and SeR, are associated in solution and solid state, through donor–acceptor
bonds, as supramolecular oligomers (dimers, trimers, tetramers) (Fig. 6.10)
Fig. 6.10: Supramolecular oligomers [RBeX]n.
Sterically encumbered heteroleptic compounds ArBeX · Et2O (Ar = C6H3–2,6-Mes2; X =
Cl, Br, SMes, NHPh, NHSiPh3, N(SiMe3)2) are monomeric [5].
Further reading
Coates GE, Morgan GL. Organoberyllium compounds. Advan Organomet Chem 1971, 195–257.
6.2 Organomagnesium compounds
The organometallic compounds of beryllium and magnesium are similar in many respects related to structure and composition. However, the beryllium compounds are
somewhat exotic while organomagnesium reagents are common and are routinely
used as reagents in many organic and organometallic chemistry laboratories. Certainly, very few chemists have had in their hands an organoberyllium compound but
probably there is no chemist who has not prepared a Grignard organomagnesium
compound, in his/her undergraduate student years.
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38
6 Organometallic compounds of group 2 metals (rare earths)
6.2.1 Homoleptic compounds, MgR2
Diorgano derivatives, MgR2, are known, but they are much less investigated or
used. Dimethylmagnesium is a supramolecular chain-like array built up from three
center-two electron bonded bridging methyl groups, like dimethylberylium.
6.2.2 Hypervalent anions [MgR3]–
Derivatives with hypervalent trisubstituted magnesium Li+[MgPh3]~ and tetrasubstituted magnesium Li+2[MgMe4]2– can be obtained from diorganomagnesium derivatives.
The apparently five-coordinated Li+3[MgMe5]3– may be a LiMe.Li+2[MgMe4]2– adduct.
6.2.3 Subvalent cations [RMg]+
The subvalent methylmagnesium cation [CH3Mg]+ can be trapped in the cavity of a
tetranitrogen macrocycle with formation of a host–guest complex with Mg–N bonds
(Fig. 6.11).
Fig. 6.11: Macroring complex of [MeMg]+ cation.
6.2.4 Organomagnesium donor adducts MgR2.D
Diorganomagnesium compounds form complexes with various nitrogen donors, for
example, bidentate and tridentate amines, resulting chelate or inverse coordination
complexes (Fig. 6.12).
Fig. 6.12: Complexes of MgMe2 with nitrogen donors.
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6.2 Organomagnesium compounds
39
6.2.5 Inverse organomagnesium compounds
Organomagnesium compounds with the metal doubly connected to a central benzene molecule, described as “inverse crown ether ” complexes, have been described
[6] with a rare benzene core (Fig. 6.13).
Na
Na
N
N
Mg
Mg
N
N
Na
Na
N
Fig. 6.13: Unusual structure of a magnesium inverse complex.
A typical example is the mixed magnesium complex with sodium and tetramethylpyperidine/tetramethylethylenediamine [7]. This uncommon structure is also displayed by toluene and methoxybenzene [8] complexes. A related inverse complex is
known with naphthalene [9] (Fig. 6.14).
Fig. 6.14: More unusual inverse organomagnesium compounds.
6.2.6 Organomagnesium halides
Organomagnesium halides, RMgX, known as Grignard reagents, are the most important organomagnesium compounds. These are very accessible, reactive compounds.
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40
6 Organometallic compounds of group 2 metals (rare earths)
Their structure is much more complex than indicated by the simple formula RMgX. A
redistribution known as Schlenk equilibrium in solution has been demonstrated:
MgR2 + MgX2 *
( 2 RMgX
In solution, there is also a competition between the coordinating capacity of halogen and ether toward magnesium to give either simple monomeric ether solvates or
halogen-bridged dimers (Fig. 6.15).
Fig. 6.15: Diethylether adducts of organomagnesium
halides.
Monomeric species are predominant in strongly coordinating solvents or dilute solution. Dimerization and polymerization are favored by higher concentrations,
weaker donor solvents or non-donating solvents like hydrocarbons. The halides are
monomeric as diethyl ether adducts, for example, R2MgBr.2Et2O (R = Et, Ph).
The Grignard reagents are readily prepared from organic halides and magnesium metal in anhydrous ether or tetrahydrofuran.
ether
RX + Mg ! RMgX
The reactivity of organic halides toward magnesium decreases in the order RI > RBr
> RCl > RF. The fluorides are virtually inert except when they are used with activated
magnesium freshly prepared by reduction of an anhydrous halide with potassium
metal. Usually, the Grignard reagents, being sensitive toward moisture and oxygen,
are used in further reactions without isolation, immediately after preparation. However, the solutions can be stored for a long time and are even commercially available. For the use of Grignard reagents in organic synthesis, vide infra.
6.2.7 Functional organomagnesium compounds RMgX
Of certain importance are functional organomagnesium compounds, [RMgX]n where
X = NR’2, OR’, SR’. The derivatives of secondary amines are supramolecular cyclic
dimers [RMg-NR’2]2 containing a four-membered Mg2N2 ring (Fig. 6.16), while the
alkoxy derivatives are cyclic dimers [RMg-OR’]2 or tetramers [RMg-OR’]4 with cubane structures
Further reading
Cossy J Grignard reagents and transition metal catalysts. Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter Berlin, 2016.
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6.3 Organometallic compounds of calcium
41
Fig. 6.16: Supramolecular dimers with nitrogen donors.
6.3 Organometallic compounds of calcium
The organometallic compounds of heavier group 2 metals are mostly laboratory curiosities rather than common chemicals. These compounds have more pronounced
ionic character than the beryllium and magnesium analogues and are very reactive
and sensitive to oxygen, water and any reagents with mobile hydrogen.
6.3.1 Homoleptic CaR2 compounds
Dimethylcalcium [CaMe2]x was obtained by a reaction of calcium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide and methyllithium in diethyl ether [10].
A general procedure for the preparation of diorganocalcium compounds uses
the reaction of arylcalcium iodides with potassium tert-butoxide [11] (Fig. 6.17).
Fig. 6.17: Synthesis of diarylcalcium compounds.
The ionic cyclopentadienyls of alkaline earths can be obtained by reacting the metals or the metal hydrides with cyclopentadiene.
6.3.2 Hypervalent [CaR3]– anions
Calcium amalgam cleaved hexaphenylethane, Ph3C–CPh3 to form Ca(CPh3)2.nTHF
and reacted with Ph3CCl with formation of hypervalent red [Ca(CPh3)3]– anion.
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42
6 Organometallic compounds of group 2 metals (rare earths)
A hypervalent organocalcium anion with three metal–carbon bonds [Ca(CHPh2)3
(THF)]– has been obtained from Ca{N(SiMe3)2}2(THF)2 and Ph2CHLi.TMEDA in ether
(Fig. 6.18).
N
thf
[Ca{N(SiMe3)2}2 (thf)2]
Et2O,20˚C
+ 3 [Ph2CHLi tmeda]
– 2 LiNi(SiMe3)2
– tmeda
Ph2HC
+
Ca CHPh2
CHPh2
N
Li
N
N
(3)
Fig. 6.18: Hypervalent organocalcium anion.
Another compound with three calcium–carbon bonds, the hypervalent anionic [Ca
{CH(SiMe3)3}2]–, was obtained from the reaction of anhydrous CaI2 with KCH2SiMe3
in benzene (1:3 ratio) (Fig. 6.19).
Fig. 6.19: Structure of [Ca{CH(SiMe3)2}3]– anion.
Hypervalent compounds containing three or six calcium–carbon bonds can be prepared with the aid of phenyl substituents bearing two heterocyclic carbene moieties
[12] (Fig. 6.20).
Fig. 6.20: Hypervalent organocalcium compounds.
6.3.3 Other organocalcium compounds
There is evidence that organocalcium analogues of the Grignard reagents, RCaX, are
formed from calcium metal and organic halides, in diethyl ether, the reactivity order
being again RI > RBr > RCl.
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6.4 Organostrontium and -barium compounds
43
The organocalcium chemistry is recent and rather exotic. This metal was neglected for a long time, and only in the last 20 years, it focused some attention, with
spectacular results. This includes a unique inverse organocalcium sandwich complex [(THF)3Ca{μ-C6H3Ph3}Ca(THF)3] with two calcium atoms at either side of an
arene. It has been obtained by a reaction of activated calcium metal and 1,3,5triphenylbenzene [13] (Fig. 6.21).
Fig. 6.21: A unique organocalcium inverse sandwich compound.
6.4 Organostrontium and -barium compounds
Organostrontium and organobarium compounds are scarce and very similar.
With strontium, the bis(tetraisopropyl-cyclopentadienyl) Sr(η5-C5H3Pri2)2 [14, 15],
and for barium, bis(η5-pentamethyl-cyclopentadienyl) Ba(η5-C5Me5)2 [16] derivatives
can be mentioned as homoleptic diorgano compounds (Fig. 6.22).
Fig. 6.22: Strontium and barium cyclopentadienyls.
There are several diorganostrontium and -barium donor adducts R2M.D. These include, among others, adducts with tetrahydrofuran M(η5-C5Me5)2(THF)2 M = Sr, Ba
[17] and bipyridine M(η5-C5Me5)2.bipy (M = Sr [18], Ba [19].
Crown ether complexes with bis{2-(triphenylsilyl)ethynyl) groups of the type [M
(C ≡ C-SiPh3)2(18-crown-6)] are formed with both strontium and barium atoms incorporated in the macrocycle [20] (Fig. 6.23)
Fig. 6.23: Organostrontium and -barium crown
ether complexes.
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44
6 Organometallic compounds of group 2 metals (rare earths)
Some exotic organometallic compounds are the inverse sandwich complexes
with cyclooctatetraene as centroligand known for both strontium [(μ-C8H8){Sr(N
(SiMe3)2(THF)2}2] [21] and barium [(μ-C8H8){Ba(η5-C5HPri4)2] [22]. (Fig. 6.24).
Fig. 6.24: Strontium and barium inverse sandwich compounds with cyclooctatetraene.
Arylstrontium iodides are obtained from strontium metal with aryl iodides, catalyzed by mercury metal.
Further reading
Smith JD Organometallic compounds of the heavier s-block elements - What next? Angew Chem Int
Ed 2009, 48, 6597–99
Williams RA, Hanusa TP, Huffman JC Solid state structure of bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)
barium, (Me5C5)2Ba; the first X-ray crystal structure of an organobarium complex. J Chem Soc
Chem Commun 1988, 1045.
References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
Fernández R, Carmona E Recent developments in the chemistry of beryllocenes. Eur J Inorg
Chem. 2005, 3197–206.
Del Mar Conejo M, Fernández R, Del Río D, Carmona E, Monge A, Ruiz C, Márquez AM, Sanz JF
Synthesis, Solid-state structure, and bonding analysis of the beryllocenes [Be(C5Me4H)2], [Be
(C5Me5)2], and [Be(C5Me5)(C5Me4H)], Chem-Eur J 2003, 9, 4452–61.
Müller M, Buchner MR. Diphenylberyllium reinvestigated: Structure, properties and reactivity
of BePh2, [(12-crown-4)BePh]+ and [BePh3]−. Chem-Eur J 2020, 26, 9915–22.
Coates GE, Roberts PD Propyl- and t-butyl-beryllium complexes. J Chem Soc A, Inorg Phys
Theor 1968, 2651–55.
Ruhlandt-Senge K, Bartlett RA, Olmstead MM, Power PP Synthesis and structural
characterization of the beryllium compounds [Be(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)2(OEt2)], [Be{O(2,4,6-tert-Bu3
C6H2)}2(OEt2)], and [Be{S(2,4,6-tert-Bu3C6H2)}2(THF)].PhMe and determination of the structure
of [BeCl2(OEt2)2]. Inorg Chem 1993, 32, 1724–28.
Armstrong DR, Kennedy AR, Mulvey RE, Rowlings RB Mixed-metal sodium-magnesium
macrocyclic amide chemistry: A template reaction for the site selective dideprotonation of
arene molecules. Angew Chem Int Ed 1999, 38, 131–33.
Armstrong DR, Clegg W, Dale S, Graham DV, Hevia E, Hogg LM, Honeyman GW, Kennedy AR,
Mulvey RE Dizincation and dimagnesiation of benzene using alkali-metal-mediated
metallation. Chem Commun 2007, 598–600.
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References
[8]
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
[13]
[14]
[15]
[16]
[17]
[18]
[19]
[20]
[21]
[22]
45
Martinez-Martinez AJ, Kennedy AR, Mulvey RE, O’Hara CT Directed ortho-meta’- and metameta’-dimetallations: A template base approach to deprotonation. Science 2014, 346,
834–37.
Martinez-Martinez AJ, Armstrong DR, Conway B, Fleming BJ, Klett J, Kennedy AR, Mulvey RE,,
Robertson SD, O’Hara CT Pre-inverse-crowns: Synthetic, structural and reactivity studies of
alkali metal magnesiates primed for inverse crown formation. Cheml Sci 2014, 5, 771–81.
Wolf BM, Stuhl C, Maichle-Mössmer C, Anwander R. Dimethylcalcium. J Am Chem Soc 2018,
140, 2373–83.
Langer J, Krieck S, Görls H, Westerhausen M An Efficient General Synthesis of Halide-Free
Diarylcalcium. Angew Chem Int Ed 2009, 48, 5741–44.
Koch A, Krieck S, Gŏrls H, Westerhausen M Directed Ortho Calciation of 1,3-Bis(3isopropylimidazol-2-ylidene)benzene, Organometallics 2017, 36, 2811–17.
Krieck S, Görls H, Westerhausen M Mechanistic Elucidation of the Formation of the Inverse Ca
(I) Sandwich Complex [(thf)3Ca(μ-C6H3-1,3,5-Ph3)Ca(thf)3] and Stability of Aryl-Substituted
Phenylcalcium Complexes. J Am Chem Soc 2010, 132, 12492–501.
Westerhausen M, Gärtner M, Fischer R, Langer J, Yu L, Reiher M Heavy Grignard Reagents:
Challenges and Possibilities of Aryl Alkaline Earth Metal Compounds. Chem-Eur J 2007, 13,
6292–306.
Williams RA, Hanusa TP, Huffman JC Structures of ionic decamethylmetallocenes:
Crystallographic characterization of bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)calcium and -barium
and a comparison with related organolanthanide species. Organometallics 1990, 9, 1128–34.
Williams RA, Hanusa TP, Huffman JC Solid state structure of bis
(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)barium, (Me5C5)2Ba; the first X-ray crystal structure of an
organobarium complex. J Chem Soc Chem Commun 1988, 1045–46.
Ihanus J, Hänninen T, Hatanpää T, Aaltonen T, Mutikainen I, Sajavaara T, Keinonen J, Ritala M,
Leskela M Atomic Layer Deposition of SrS and BaS Thin Films Using Cyclopentadienyl
Precursors. Chem Mater 2002, 14, 1937–44.
Kazhdan D, Hu Y-J, Kokai A, Levi Z, Rozenel S (2,2-Bipyridyl)bis(η5pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)strontium(II). Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Reports Online
2008, 64, m1134–m1134.
Kazhdan D, Rozenel S (2,2′-Bipyridyl-κ-2N,N′)bis(η5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)barium.
Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Reports Online 2013, 69, m429–m429.
Green DC, Englich U, Ruhlandt-Senge K. Calcium, Strontium, and Barium Acetylides - New
Evidence for Bending in the Structures of Heavy Alkaline Earth Metal Derivatives. Angew
Chem Int Ed 1999, 38, 354–57.
Sroor FM, Vendier L, Etienne M Cyclooctatetraenyl calcium and strontium amido complexes.
Dalton Trans 2018, 47, 12587–95.
Walter MD, Wolmershäuser G, Sitzmann H. Calcium, Strontium, Barium, and Ytterbium
Complexes with Cyclooctatetraenyl or Cyclononatetraenyl Ligands. J Am Chem Soc 2005, 127,
17494–503.
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7 Organometallic compounds of group 13 metals
In spite of the fact that most treatises and textbooks include organoboron compounds
in the organometallic section, organoboron compounds will not be discussed here.
The nonmetallic character of boron is strongly evident, and its properties are quite
different from those of the rest of group 13 elements. Boron chemistry is rather
unique, and like carbon, boron deserves to have its own discipline and (although we
are boron enthusiasts) we will not include it in this book (maybe to the dismay of
some readers, for which we apologize).
7.1 Organoaluminum compounds
The composition and structure of group 13 organometallic compounds can be rationalized on the basis of the electronic structure shown in Fig. 7.1.
Fig. 7.1: The use of valence orbitals and electrons in the compounds of group 13.
The organometallic chemistry of group 13 elements is determined by the three valence electrons and the vacant p orbitals which tend to be occupied by participation
in an sp2 hybridization to form homoleptic AlR3 compounds, and by accepting additional electrons to form tetrahedral [MR4]– hypervalent anions and MR3.D adducts.
These are isoelectronic with group 14 compounds.
7.1.1 Homoleptic compounds, AlR3
Several methods are available for the preparation of triorganoaluminum compounds.
Trimethylaluminum is obtained industrially in the reaction of aluminum powder with methyl chloride and sodium metal in an autoclave:
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110695274-007
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48
7 Organometallic compounds of group 13 metals
Al + 3 MeCl + 3 Na ! AlMe3 + 3 NaCl
Other large-scale (industrial) preparations include direct synthesis from aluminum
metal powder, olefins and hydrogen under pressure (50–200 bar) and heating
(110–160 °C):
Al + 3=2 H2 + 3 R-CH=CH2 ! AlðCH2 CH2 RÞ3
For aromatic derivatives, the reaction of organomercury compounds with aluminum metal is the method of choice:
2Al + 3HgR2 ! 2AlR3 + 3Hg
The olefins can add to aluminum hydride (AlH3) or lithium alanate (Li[AlH4]) to
form R2AlH, AlR3 or Li[AlR4] (hydroalumination) depending upon the reaction conditions. A similar reaction of Bui2AlH with acetylenes gives a cis-isomer (Fig. 7.2).
Me
R2AIH
+
—
Me—C—C—Ph
—
50 °C
Ph
C—
—C
H
AIR2
Fig. 7.2: Addition of aluminum hydrides to acetylenes.
The addition of olefins to aluminum trialkyls increases the chain length by insertion
of the olefin and may finally result in the polymerization of the alkene:
3nH2 C = CH2
! Al½ðCH2 CH2 Þn R3
AlR3 + H2 C = CH2 ! R2 AlCH2 CH2 R
The phenyl group from Al(C6H5)3 can be cleaved by the acidic hydrogen of acetylenes at moderate temperature (25–50 °C):
AlPh3 + HC ≡ C-Ph ! Ph2 Al-C ≡ C-Ph + PhH
Cyclopentadienyl derivatives of aluminum (also gallium and indium), R2MC5H5, are
prepared from the dialkylmetal chlorides and sodium cyclopentadienide:
R2 AlCl + NaC5 H5 ! R2 AlC5 H5 + NaCl
When aluminum is a heteroatom in a ring, the dimerization is prevented. Such heterocycles can be formed by internal proton abstraction from biphenyl derivatives
on heating (Fig. 7.3).
Trimethylaluminum and other alkyls with nonbulky substituents dimerize through
dielectronic three-center bonds and the aryl derivatives by sharing the phenyl
rings. Only AlR3 compounds with R = iso-Pr, tert-Bu, C6F5, C6Me5 and C6H3Me32,4,6 are planar monomeric molecules (sp2 hybridization) due to steric reasons.
Trimethylaluminum is monomeric only in the vapor phase, with a planar molecule based on sp2 hybridization.
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7.1 Organoaluminum compounds
t
AlPh2
+ PhH
Al
Ph
t
MeN−AlPh2
49
+ PhH
MeN−AlPh
Fig. 7.3: Aluminum as a heteroatom in a ring.
Ethyl groups can also form tricenter bielectron bridges, resulting in the formation of triethylaluminum dimers [Et2Al(µ-CH2CH3)]2. Dimethyl(pentafluorophenyl)
aluminum is a dimer formed with bridging tricenter bielectronic methyl bridges.
Another type of compounds with three aluminum–carbon bonds are the methylene-bridged dialuminum derivatives R2Al-CH2-AlR2, for example, with R = CH(SiMe3)2
or C6H2Pri3-2,4,6 (Fig. 7.4).
Fig. 7.4: Methylene-bridged dialuminum
compound.
The triorganoaluminum derivatives are very sensitive to oxygen (sometimes pyrophoric) and to compounds with active hydrogen (water, alcohols, acids, amines
and thiols). Controlled reactions with such reagents can have a preparative value
for the synthesis of several classes of organolauminum compounds of general composition R2AlX. Other reactions are also possible (Fig. 7.5).
Fig. 7.5: Reactions of organoaluminum compounds.
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50
7 Organometallic compounds of group 13 metals
7.1.2 Hypervalent species (anions), [AlR4]–
Four-coordinated [AlR4]– anions are formed when in the reactions of anhydrous
aluminum halides with Grignard or organolithium reagents an excess of the later is
used. Several tetrahedral anions [AlR4]– with R = Me [1, 2], Et [3, 4] and Ph [5–7] are
illustrations for this type.
The acetylenes react with lithium alanate (Li[AlH4]) and form tetrasubstituted
organoaluminum anions with hydrogen elimination:
4RC ≡ CH + LiAlH4 ! Li½AlðC ≡ CRÞ4 + 4H2
Metallation of benzene is possible with Na[AlEt4] in the presence of sodium ethylate
with formation of the tetraphenylalanate anion:
4C6 H6 + Na½AlEt4 ! Na½AlðC6 H5 Þ4 + 4C2 H6
Cyclopentadiene, thiophene and furan react similarly on heating with M[AlH4] to
form anionic tetraorgano derivatives.
A number of organoaluminum compounds with four metal–carbon bonds are
formed by addition of heterocyclic carbenes to the metal, as in the following adducts of trimethylaluminum [8, 9] and tris(pentafluorophenyl)-aluminum [10] with
heterocyclic carbenes (Fig. 7.6).
Fig. 7.6: Organoaluminum compounds with heterocyclic carbine donors.
7.1.3 Subvalent cations, [MR2]+
The subvalent [MR2]+ cations are isoelectronic with group 12 species and are stabilized by coordination of two donor atoms to form [MR2.2D]+ cations, but [TlR2]+
which are isoelectronic with HgR2 (a compound of group 12) are stable.
7.1.4 Triorganoaluminum donor adducts, AlR3.D
Triorganoaluminum compounds are coordinatively unsaturated, and the tendency
to occupy the fourth valence orbital of the metal results in the formation of AlR3.D
adducts with various donors. There are numerous such binary compounds, for
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7.1 Organoaluminum compounds
51
example, AlMe3.NH3, AlMe3.NMe3, AlMe3.MeCN, AlMe3.PPh3, AlMe3.THF, AlPh3.
Et2O, AlPh3.THF, AlPh3.PMe3, AlEt3.E(CH2SiMe3)3 with E = P or As, But3Al.PPri3, Al
(C6F5)3.H2O, Al(C6F5)3.MeOH, Al(C6F5)3.THF, Al(C6F5)3.amine (amine = Me2NH, Me
(PhCH2)NH, piperidine, [Al(C6F5)3X]– (X = Cl, Br)) and many more, with tetrahedrally coordinated aluminum (sp3 hybridization).
Higher coordination numbers are common in inorganic coordination aluminum
compounds, for example, five in AlH3.bipy, six in [AlF6]3– and Al(acac)3, but are
much rarer in organometallic compounds. Examples can be cited: the adducts of
trimethylaluminum with 2,2-bipyridyl and with tetramethyltetrazene, in which the
metal is five-coordinated (Fig. 7.7).
Fig. 7.7: Five-coordinated aluminum in nitrogen complexes.
The reaction of anhydrous aluminum trihalides with Grignard reagents produces
adducts with diethyl ether, the solvent commonly used:
Et2 O
AlX3 + 3RMgX ! R3 Al · OEt2 + 3MgX2
The adducts are also formed in the reaction of mixtures of aluminum and magnesium
with organic halides in diethyl ether, without previous preparation of a Grignard
reagent:
2AI + 3Mg + 6RX + Et2 O ! 2R3 AI · OEt2 + 3MgX2
A compound with three aluminum–carbon bonds can be obtained by the addition
of a heterocyclic carbene to a dimethylaluminum group, to form in diethyl ether an
adduct with four-coordinated metal [11] (Fig. 7.8).
Fig. 7.8: An adduct with heterocyclic carbine.
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52
7 Organometallic compounds of group 13 metals
Planar triorganoaluminum molecules can add two donor ligands to form complexes with five-coordinated metal centers. Examples are [Al(C6F5)3.2MeCN] [12] and
[Al(C6F5)3{FAl(C6F5)3}2] [13] (Fig. 7.9).
Fig. 7.9: Five-coordinated aluminum.
7.1.5 Inverse organoaluminum compounds
When a number of organoaluminum moieties are attached to a central carbon molecule, compounds described as inverse organometallic will be obtained. An illustrative selection is presented here.
One such compound is a tetrahedral molecule of tetrakis(dimethylaluminum)
methane [C(AlMe2)2(AlMeCl2)2] [14] (Fig. 7.10).
Fig. 7.10: Carbon-centered inverse organometallic compound of
aluminum.
Other examples are the dihydro-9,10-anthrylene derivative [15] and the 1,2,4,5tetrafluorophenylene compound (Fig. 7.11) [16].
Fig. 7.11: Inverse organoaluminum compounds with ring centers.
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7.1 Organoaluminum compounds
53
7.1.6 Organoaluminum inverse coordination complexes
The coordinative unsaturation of AlR3 molecules is the source of some binuclear inverse coordination complexes, where an electron donor anion acts as a bridge between two metal atoms and functions as a coordination center in compounds of the
general type [R3Al-X-AlR3]–. The Al–X bonds are normal donor–acceptor bonds and
examples can be cited with X = F–, Cl–, OH–, PhO–, PhS–, N3–, NO3–, with R = alkyl,
aryl or C6F5 [17, 18]. The complexes [(μ-F)(AlMe3)2]– and [(μ-F){Al(C6F5)3}2]– are linear (Al–F–Al angle 180°) but [(μ-Cl)(AlMe3)2]– [19] and [(μ-E){Al{HC(SiMe3)}2]2– with
E = S, Se, Te are bent (with Al–E–Al angles in the range 110–117°), unlike [(μ-O){HC
(SiMe3)2]2– which is linear (Fig. 7.12) [20].
Fig. 7.12: Fluorine-centered organoaluminum inverse coordination complexes.
The triorganoaluminum molecules are excellent acceptors and with polytopic donor
molecules, which can act as centroligands, they form a broad variety of inverse coordination complexes, that is, compounds in which a nonmetallic centroligand is connected to two or more acceptor organoaluminum moieties. Trimethylaluminum as
electron pair acceptor forms a series of inverse coordination complexes by attachment
to various ditopic nitrogen donors acting as centroligands, for example, pyrazine,
4,4′-bipyridine [21] and heterocycles like 1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazinane and 1,4diazabicyclooctane [22]. An inverse coordination complex with urotropine (hexamethylenetetramine) centroligand and three AlMe3 addends has been described (Fig. 7.13).
The sequential compounds with one and two AlMe3 molecules were also obtained in
the work cited [23]
Fig. 7.13: Organoaluminum inverse coordination complexes.
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54
7 Organometallic compounds of group 13 metals
Some spectacular compounds are the inverse coordination complexes with crown
ethers or azacrowns as centroligands and trimethylaluminum addends (Fig. 7.14).
Fig. 7.14: Organoaluminum inverse coordination complexes with crown ethers as centroligands.
7.1.7 Organoaluminum R2AlH hydrides
The alkylaluminum hydrides are associated supermolecules. In solution, the R2AlH
compounds are cyclic trimers formed through Al . . . H . . . Al electron-deficient bridges,
while in the vapor phase they are dimers, for example, with R = Me (Fig. 7.15).
Fig. 7.15: Alkylaluminum hydrides.
7.1.8 Organoaluminum R2AlX halides
The diorganoaluminum halides (R2Al-X) are supramolecular oligomers, formed by
association through donor–acceptor (coordinative) bonds, as cyclic dimers, trimers,
tetramers and other oligomers with four-coordinated aluminum.
The diorganoaluminum chlorides ([R2AlCl]2) and sesquichlorides (R3Al2Cl3) are cyclic dinuclear compounds, while the fluorides are cyclic tetramers, [R2AlF]4 (Fig. 7.16).
Alkylaluminum halides are formed in the reactions of aluminum trialkyls with
anhydrous aluminum or zinc halides by substituent redistribution:
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7.1 Organoaluminum compounds
55
Fig. 7.16: Diorganoaluminum halides.
2AIR3 + AIX2 ! 2R2 AIX
2AIR3 + ZnX2 ! 2R2 AIX + ZnR2
Equimolecular mixtures of R2AlX and RAlX are formed in the direct reaction of aluminum metal with alkyl halides, and these are associated as dimetallic sesquihalides:
3RX + 2AI ! R2 AIX + RAIX2 ! R3 Al2 X3
Dialuminum sesquichloride is also obtained from aluminum metal, aluminum trichloride, olefins and hydrogen under heating and pressure:
AI + AICl3 + 3C2 H4 + 1, 5H2 ! ðC2 H5 Þ3 Al2 Cl3
These reactions are applied for the industrial production of polymerization catalyst.
7.1.9 Organoaluminum functional derivatives (alkoxides, thiolates and amides)
The diorganoaluminum compounds (R2Al-X, where X = OR, NHR, NR2, PR2, AsR2,
SR or SeR), prepared from trialkyl with alcohols, thiols, selenols and amines, are
supramolecular oligomers containing four-coordinated aluminum, [R2Al-ER]n.
In diorganoaluminum compounds [R2Al-ER]n the metal is four-coordinated. The
association degree, that is, formation of dimers, trimers or tetramers, depends on
the size of the functional organic groups. When in the OR′, SR′ or NR′2 functional
groups, R′ is methyl, the trimers can be formed. With larger groups, dimers are
more common.
Monoorganoaluminum groups with primary amines form tetrameric cubane
structures [RAl-NR′]4, but hexamers [RAl-NR′]6, heptamers [RAl-NR′]7 and octamers
[RAl-NR′])8 have also been reported.
Diorganoaluminum compounds with a donor functional group substituent undergo self-assembly with the formation of supramolecular cyclic dimers [Me2Al-CH2
NPri2]2 and tetramers [But2Al-CN]4 (Fig. 7.17).
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56
7 Organometallic compounds of group 13 metals
Fig. 7.17: Cyclic organoaluminum supermolecular oligomers.
7.1.10 Compounds with Al–Al bonds
Compounds with Al–Al bonds are rare but a few examples with bulky substituents
can be cited, like {(Me3Si)2CH}2Al-Al{CH(SiMe3)2}2 and (C6H2Pri3)2Al-Al(C6H3Pri3)2
[24, 25] (Fig. 7.18).
Fig. 7.18: Structure of a dialane.
The first univalent aluminum compound that is stable at room temperature is
[AlCp*]4, which contains π-bound C5Me5 [26, 27]. It was prepared by the treatment
of [AlCl]x with MgCp*2 or better by reductive dehalogenation of [{Cp*AlCl(µ-Cl)}2]
with potassium. Other neutral organoaluminum(I) compounds of this type, namely,
[Al-C(SiMe3)3]4 [28] and [Al-SiBut3]4 [29] have been reported. The former was prepared by the reaction of (Me3Si)3CAlI3.THF with Na/K alloy.
7.2 Organogallium compounds
There is a similarity of composition and structure between organogallium and organoaluminum compounds but the chemical reactivities can be different.
7.2.1 Homoleptic derivatives, GaR3
Triorganogallium derivatives can be obtained by halogen-alkyl exchange with
Grignard reagents, organolithium, organozinc or organoaluminum compounds and
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7.2 Organogallium compounds
57
from gallium metal with organomercury compounds. In basic solvents (e.g., diethyl
ether), they are obtained as solvates:
GaCl3 + 3 RMgBr ! GaR3 + 3 MgBrCl
GaX3 + 3 RLi ! GaR3 + 3 LiX
2 GaX3 + 3 ZnR2 ! 2 GaR3 + 3 ZnX2
GaX3 + AlR3 ! GaR3 + AlX3
2 Ga + 3 HgMe2 ! 2 GaMe3 + 3 Hg
Note: The reaction with dimethylmercury should be avoided because of the extreme
toxicity of this compound and the hazards associated with its use!
Unlike their trialuminum analogues, the triorganogallium compounds are monomeric, do not form bridged supramolecular dimers and are less reactive. The Lewis
acidity decreases in the order Al > Ga > In, and this influences the comparative
chemistry of these elements.
The cyclopentadienyl derivative, GaMe2C5H5, forms supramolecular chains of
Me2Ga units bridged by C5Hs rings in the solid state.
Triorganogallanes react with water, alcohols, amines, and other active hydrogen
reagents to give the functional derivatives, R2GaX with X = OH, OR, NR2, SR, PR2,
AsR2, etc., which are associated in the solid state with supramolecular arrays and in
solution with cyclic dimeric, trimeric or tetrameric supermolecular oligomers.
The lower gallium trialkyls are pyrophoric, and the higher members of the family fume in air. The ethers, amines, phosphines and thioethers form adducts in
which the coordination number of gallium has been increased to four. Their stability decreases in the order Ν > Ρ > As. With active hydrogen compounds, including
acetylenes, they eliminate a hydrocarbon and form functional derivatives, which
are usually associated as cyclic or linear (R2Ga-ER′)n, supramolecular structures.
A general overview of the typical reactions of triorganogallium derivatives is
presented in Fig. 7.19.
7.2.2 Hypervalent anions
In the reaction with organolithium reagents, the 3:1 molar ratio between LiR and
GaCl3 must be observed, and an excess produces salts of tetrasubstituted anions
Li+[GaR4]–. Otherwise, a deficit of RLi gives disubstituted R2Gal. Several tetraorganogallato anions are known, where R = CH3, C2H5, CH2SiMe3, CF2CF3 and C6F5.
A unique compound with four gallium–carbon bonds is a supramolecular
chain-like C5H5GaEt2 [30] (Fig. 7.20).
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58
7 Organometallic compounds of group 13 metals
Fig. 7.19: Typical reactions of triorganogallium compounds.
HC
Et
Et
Et
Et
Ga
Ga
Ga
Ga
Et
Et
Et
Et
Ga
Fig. 7.20: Supramolecular chain of C5H5GaEt2.
Other compounds with four gallium–carbon bonds are the adducts of heterocyclic carbenes to triorganogallium alkyls [31, 32] (Fig. 7.21).
Fig. 7.21: Triorganogallium adducts of heterocyclic carbenes.
7.2.3 Subvalent cations
The subvalent diorganogallium cations are stabilized and known only as fourcoordinated complexes with ammonia or ethylenediamine, for example, [Me2Ga
(NH3)2]+ and [Me2Ga(H2NCH2CH2NH2)]+.
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7.2 Organogallium compounds
59
7.2.4 Inverse organogallium compounds
Inverse organometallic compounds of gallium are scarce. Examples are (GaMe2)2
C6H4-1,4 [33] and (μ4-C)[Ga(CH(SiMe3)2}(PhPHO2)]4 [34] (Fig. 7.22).
Fig. 7.22: Inverse organogallium compounds.
7.2.5 Diorganogallium halides, R2GaX
Diorganogallium monohalides are prepared by cleavage of a Ga–R bond from GaR3
compounds with hydrogen halides or halogens, by alkylation of gallium trihalides
with organolithium reagents and by redistribution between GaR 3 and gallium
trichloride.
The triorganogallium monohalides, except the fluorides, are dimeric in vapor
phase and solution. The fluorides are supramolecular cyclic trimers or tetramers
(Fig. 7.23).
R2
X
R
Ga
R
R
X
F
F
Ga
R
R2Ga
Ga
R2Ga
GaR2
F
F
R2Ga
GaR2
F
F
GaR2
F
Fig. 7.23: Cyclic supermolecular oligomers of organogallium halides.
The monoorganogallium halides (RGaX2) are less stable. They are prepared by substitution in triorganohalides with mild alkylating reagents (e.g., SiR4, GeR4, SnR4 or
ZnR2), by redistribution between GaR3 and GaX3, by cleavage of Ga–R bonds in
GaR3 with anhydrous HCl, or by addition of HGaCl2 to olefins.
A variety of hypervalent gallium anions, with tetrahedral geometry at the
metal, [R3GaX]– (with R = Me, Et; X = F, Br), [R2GaCl2]–, [RGaCl3]– and [R3Ga-X-GaR3]–
are known, with lesser visibility.
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7 Organometallic compounds of group 13 metals
7.2.6 Diorganogallium hydroxides, R2GaOH
Dimethylgallium hydroxide displays an unprecedented diversity of structures, ranging
from cyclic trimeric, tetrameric, hexameric supermolecular oligomers to a monodimensional helical polymolecular chain, depending on the solvent used for recrystallization
[35] (Fig. 7.24).
Fig. 7.24: Cyclic supramolecular oligomers of dimethylgallium hydroxide.
7.2.7 Diorganogallium functional derivatives
Among the diorganogallium functional derivatives are dimeric alkoxides [R2Ga-OR′]2,
mercaptides [R2Ga-SR′]2, amides [R2Ga-NR′2]2, phosphides, R2Ga-PR′2]2 and arsenides
[R2Ga-AsR2]2. The compounds with small organic substituents, that is, methyl groups,
are trimeric [Me2GaPMe2]3 and [Me2Ga-AsMe2]3 (Fig. 7.25).
Fig. 7.25: More supramolecular organogallium cyclic oligomers.
7.2.8 Organogallium inverse coordination complexes
Two interesting inverse coordination complexes are formed by addition of trimethylgallium to nitrogen centroligands. Sequential addition of GaMe3 molecules to
hexamethylenetetramine (urotropine) affords the isolation of all members of the
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7.3 Organoindium compounds
61
series (CH2)6N4.nGaMe3 with n = 1–4, the tetragallium compound being illustrated
here. Another aesthetically attractive inverse coordination complex is formed by addition of triethylgallium to a hexaaza macrocycle [36] (Fig. 7.26).
Fig. 7.26: Inverse coordination complexes of trialkylgallium.
7.3 Organoindium compounds
Organoindium chemistry is reminiscent of organoaluminum and organogallium
chemistry.
7.3.1 Homoleptic compounds, lnR3
Trisubstituted derivatives, lnR3, are obtained by treatment of indium trihalides with
organomagnesium, aluminum or lithium reagents and from the reaction of indium
metal with organomercury compounds. The lower indium trialkyls are pyrophoric, are
readily oxidized and react vigorously with water and active hydrogen compounds.
The structure of trimethylindium in the vapor phase is monomeric and planar,
but in the solid state it is made of tetrameric units (In4(CH3)12) formed through weak
electron-deficient methyl bridges. Triphenylindium, on the other hand, is monomeric in the solid state, like triphenylgallium.
A monovalent organoindium compound η5-cyclopentadienylindium, η5-C5H5In,
was prepared from indium trichloride and sodium cyclopentadienide. The solid
state structure has an ionic character made of In+ and C5Hs– ions.
The triorganoindium compounds form tetracoordinated adducts, R3In · D, with
D = OR2, SR2, NR3, etc.
7.3.2 Diorganoindium halides, R2lnX
Diorganoindium halides (R2lnX) are formed in reactions of indium trihalides with
Grignard or organolithium reagents in appropriate ratios, or by cleavage of an In–R
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62
7 Organometallic compounds of group 13 metals
bond from InR3 with halogens or haloforms. Organoindium dihalides, RlnX2, are
less well known. Phenyl derivatives can be prepared by the action of the halogens
upon triphenylindium. Both mono- and dihalides, PhnInX3–n (n = 1, 2), are prepared
by oxidative arylation of indium(I) halides with diphenylmercury to give Ph2InX
and PhInX2.
The halides, Me2InX and (C6F5)2InX, form dimers in the vapor phase and in solution through halogen bridges with indium becoming four-coordinated. The phenyl derivatives (Ph2InX) are associated in supramolecular chains through halogens
but Phlnl2 is unexpectedly an ionic compound, [Ph2In]+[InI4]–.
7.3.3 Functional diorganoindium derivatives
Functional derivatives, associated as supramolecular cyclic oligomers (R2In–X)n,
are known with X = OR (n = 2 and 3), NR2 (n = 2), PR2 (n = 2 and 3) and AsR2 (n = 2
and 3). Dimer formation is general, but when R is small, cyclic trimers can also be
formed (Fig. 7.27).
Fig. 7.27: Cyclic supramolecular organoindium oligomers.
7.4 Organothallium compounds
There are fundamental differences between organothallium chemistry and the organometallic chemistry of aluminum, gallium and indium, reflected in the unusual stability of the disubstituted derivatives, [R2Tl]+X′–. The cations [R2Tl]+ are isoelectronic
with the diorganomercury compounds, R2Hg, and possess linear structures. The trisubstituted derivatives (TlR3), particularly the trialkyls, are relatively unstable.
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7.4 Organothallium compounds
63
7.4.1 Homoleptic derivatives, TIR3
Trisubstituted derivatives can be prepared from thallium(III) chloride and Grignard
reagents in tetrahydrofuran; in ether, only the disubstituted derivatives (R2TlX) are
formed. Thallium(I) iodide reacts with organolithium reagents in the presence of
alkyl iodides in ether through the intermediacy of organothallium(I) compounds
which disproportionate to organothallium(III) compounds and thallium metal:
RLi + Tll ! TlR + Lil
3TIR ! TlR3 + 2Tl
2Tl + 2Rl ! R2 Tll + Tll
R2 Tll + RLi ! TlR3 + Lil
Thallium metal has been formed in the synthesis of triphenylthallium from thallium(I)chloride and phenyllithium, confirming the intermediate formation of a
monovalent thallium derivative:
3TlCl + 3PhLi ! 3TlPh ! TlPh3 + 2Tl
Since R2TlX compounds are readily obtained, their alkylation by organolithium reagents is convenient and can produce unsymmetrically substituted compounds,
R2TlR′:
R2 TlX + R'Li ! TlR'R2 + LiX
Hypervalent tetraorganosubstituted thallium compounds are rare. Acetylene derivative anions [Tl(C ≡ CR)4]– are obtained from TlCl3.4NH3 and sodium acetylides in
liquid ammonia. Other tetrasubstituted derivatives are [Tl(C6F5)4]– and [Tl(C6F5)2
(C6Cl5)2]– anions:
NBu4 Br
ðC6 X5 Þ2 TIBr + 2LiC6 X5
! ½NBu4 + ½TlðC6 X5 Þ2 −
X = F, Cl
The trisubstituted TlR3 derivatives with lower alkyl groups are pyrophoric; the
others are also sensitive to oxygen, water and active hydrogen compounds. They
pyrolyze more readily than their gallium and indium analogues, presumably via
free radicals as suggested by the formation of biphenyl in the thermal decomposition of triphenylthallium.
The TlR3 compounds show only weak acceptor properties, but Me3Tl · NMe3 and
TlMe3 · PMe3 have been isolated. TlMe3 does not coordinate arsines and forms only
a very weak adduct with diethyl ether. However, Tl(C6F5)3 forms a stable diethyl
ether adduct.
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7 Organometallic compounds of group 13 metals
7.4.2 Monovalent organothallium compounds, TlR
The only stable organic derivative of monovalent thallium is η5-cyclopentadienyl
thallium (η5-C5H5Tl) obtained by treatment of thallium(I) sulfate with bis(cyclopentadienyl) mercury in alcoholic alkalies. The compound sublimes in vacuo and is
monomeric in the vapor phase. In the molecule, the thallium ion is located above
the C5H5 ring. In the solid state, the structure is supramolecular and consists of a
chain-like array of alternating Tl+ ions and C5H5– rings (Fig. 7.28).
Tl
Tl
Tl
Tl
Fig. 7.28: Monomeric and supramolecular structure of cyclopentadienylthallium.
η5-Cyclopentadienylthallium(I) is stable in air and readily transfers C5H5 groups to
other metals. As such it is important as a reagent for the synthesis of transition
metal cyclopentadienyls (metallocenes).
7.4.3 Diorganothallium halides, R2TlX
The action of Grignard reagents on thallium trichloride stops at the disubstituted
product, and yields are low because of the reducing effect of the organomagnesium
compound upon trichloride. The bromides, R2TlBr, are more readily obtained.
The reaction of thallium trichloride with organolithium and organomercury reagents can also be of use, and a surprising reaction of thallium trihalides with arylboronic acids produces diorganothallium halides:
TlX3 + 2 RBðOHÞ2 + 2 H2 O ! R2 TlX + 2 BðOHÞ3 + 2 HX
Some diorganothallium halides, for example, (C6F5)2TlX are dimerized in solution
via halogen bridges. The disubstituted halides (R2TlX) are ionic in the solid state,
are stable to 200–300 °C and are little soluble in organic solvents but dissolve readily in pyridine, owing to coordination. Thus, Me2Tl–I and Me2TlCl contain linear
[Me–Tl–Me]+ cations and halide anions.
7.4.4 Functional diorganothallium compounds, R2TlX′
The functional derivatives (R2TlX, where X = OMe, OEt, SMe, SeMe, NMe2) obtained
from halides with alkali-metal derivatives of alcohols, thiols or amines are dimers
with cyclic structures (Fig. 7.29).
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References
65
Fig. 7.29: Dimeric [R2TlX]2 supermolecules.
Dimethylthallium hydroxide, Me2TlOH, is a strong base, which in water dissociates into [Me2Tl]+ and OH– ions.
7.4.5 Functional monoorganothallium compounds, RTlX2
An important reaction is the direct thallation reaction of aromatic compounds with
thallium(III) carboxylates:
TIðOCORÞ3 + RH ! RTIðOCORÞ2 + RCOOH
Further reading
Anwar RA, Haque RS, Saleem Z, Iqbal MA Recent advances in synthesis of organometallic
complexes of indium. Rev Inorg Chem 2020, 17, 107–51.
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8 Organometallic compounds of group 14 metals
Of group 14 elements, only the organometallic compounds of tin and lead are treated
here. Silicon and germanium are nonmetals and, contrary to current practice in the
literature, their organic compounds will not be described as organometallics in this
book.
The bonds of tin and lead to carbon bond have a pronounced covalent character. This bond is only moderately reactive, and the organometallic compounds of
these elements (tin in particular) are rather stable to heat, oxygen and moisture and
can be handled in open atmosphere.
Group 14 elements have in their valence shell two s-electrons and two p electrons which undergo a stable sp3 hybridization to form four covalent bonds. However, the participation of d-orbitals is also possible and expands the covalency of
the central atom to five, six and seven in sp3d and sp3d2 hybridizations. The tendency to achieve higher coordination numbers is favored by electronegative substituents like fluorine which contract the diffuse d-orbitals so that they are able to
participate in chemical bonding (Fig. 8.1).
Fig. 8.1: The use of valence orbitals and electrons in the compounds of group 14.
8.1 Organotin compounds
Tetraorganotin compounds are four-coordinated monomers but the functional derivatives R3SnX and R2SnX2 form dimeric or polymeric supramolecular associations
in the solid state and coordinate Lewis bases.
The interest in organotins has been stimulated by their use as stabilizers for
polyvinyl chloride, catalysts for polyurethane formation, as antioxidants and so on.
Their biological activity stimulated their use as pesticides and promise as antitumor
agents.
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110695274-008
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70
8 Organometallic compounds of group 14 metals
The tendency of tin to increase its coordination number beyond four gives rise
to structural peculiarities which greatly limit the analogies between silicon, germanium and tin compounds.
8.1.1 Homoleptic species
Tetrasubstituted organotin derivatives (SnR4) are readily prepared from Grignard reagents with tin tetrachloride for symmetrical derivatives, or with an organotin halide for unsymmetrical derivatives:
SnCl4 + 4RMgX ! SnR4 + 4MgClX
R2 SnCl2 + 2R′MgX ! SnR2 R′2 + 2MgClX
Organolithium reagents work even better, especially, for example, in the preparation of Sn(C6F5)4.
Wurtz reactions, using tin tetrachloride, an organic chloride and sodium metal,
are of only historical interest and seldom used because sodium metal reduces the
tetrachloride to metallic tin:
SnCl4 + 4 RX + 8 Na ! SnR4 + 4 NaCl + 4 NaX
Organoaluminum compounds can serve as alkylating agents and require the presence of complexing agents (tertiary amines, ethers and even sodium chloride) for
the fixation of the aluminum chloride formed. This method also has a limited use:
3SnCl4 + 4AlR3 + 4NaCl ! 3SnR4 + 4NaAlCl4
Organometallic derivatives of sodium are employed for the formation of Sn-C≡C-R
groups since sodium acetylides are readily available.
The tin–carbon bond is rather reactive and the tetraorganotins undergo a variety of specific reactions of cleavage, redistribution and insertion (Fig. 8.2).
A rather extensive series of compounds with four tin–carbon bonds are heterocycles with tin heteroatoms. Organotin heterocycles are prepared with Grignard
and organolithium reagents, and also by hydride addition in some particular cases
(Fig. 8.3).
Tristannacyclohexane has been synthesized in a three-step reaction, from organozinc reagents and magnesium coupling:
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8.1 Organotin compounds
71
Fig. 8.2: Some general reactions of tetraorganotin compounds.
Fig. 8.3: Organotin heterocycles.
Fig. 8.4: Synthesis of tristannacyclohexane ring.
8.1.2 Hypervalent penta- and hexa-organotin compounds
By using d-orbitals, the coordination number of tin can be increased to five and six
and by accepting one or two more electrons and pairing them into covalent bonds,
some hypervalent tin anions with five or six tin–carbon bonds are formed.
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8 Organometallic compounds of group 14 metals
A first example is the square pyramidal pentakis(pentafluoroethyl) anion ([Sn
(C2F5)5]–) obtained from SnCl4 with LiC2F5 in 1:5 molar ratio and from Sn(C2F5)4 in a
succession of reactions [1].
Another compound with five tin–carbon bonds is a spirobifluorene-methyl derivative [{SnMe(C6H4C6H4)2}]–, which was demonstrated crystallographically to
have a distorted trigonal bipyramidal structure with the methyl group in equatorial
position [2] (Fig. 8.5).
Fig. 8.5: Fluorene organotin compounds.
The hypervalent penta(2-furyl)tin anion ([Sn(2-C3H3O)5]–) and hexa(2-furyl)tin dianion ([Sn(2-C3H3O)6]2–) were prepared from 2-furyl-lithium with tetra(2-furyl)tin and
with SnCl4, respectively [3] (Fig. 8.6).
Fig. 8.6: Hypervalent organotin compounds.
Two hexakis(2-pyridyl)tin dianions ([Sn(C5NR)6]2– with R = Me and OBut) have been
prepared as dilithium salts from Sn(2-PyR)4 with Li[2-PyR], where PyR is C5H4NR [4].
8.1.3 Diorganotin species
Compounds of the composition SnR2 are apparently derivatives of divalent tin, but
these compounds are in fact cyclic oligomers [SnR]n or ill-defined species containing SnR2, SnR3 or even SnR units, in polymeric irregular networks whose overall
composition is SnR2.. When treated with elemental iodine, the Sn–Sn bonds in such
materials are cleaved, and R3Snl, R2Snl2 and RSnI3 are identified as products.
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8.1 Organotin compounds
73
Genuine organic derivatives of divalent tin have, however, now been prepared.
These are the organotin(II) compounds such as dicyclopentadienyl (:Sn(η5-C5H5)2)
and bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl] (:Sn[CH(SiMe3)2]2).
Dialkylstannylenes are formed as transient intermediates and can be trapped
with suitable reagents. Thus, transition metal complexes of stannylenes can be generated, either directly from stable stannylenes or by indirect routes, but tin can be
better described as tetravalent in these complexes.
Dicyclopentadienyltin(II) (:Sn(η5-C5H5)2, stannocene) is prepared from tin(II)
chloride and sodium cyclopentadienide:
SnCl2 + 2Na + C5 H5− ! :Sn C5 H5 − η 5 2 + 2NaCl
This compound is a pentahapto complex (:Sn(η5-C5H5)2), both in the vapor phase and
solid state with an angular structure. The mono-η5-cyclopentadienyltin chloride is associated through weak chlorine bridges in the solid state. A pentamethylcyclopentadienyltin(II) cation, [(η5-Me5C5)Sn:]+, has also been obtained from :Sn(η5-C5Me5)2 and
strong acids (Fig. 8.7).
Cl
Sn
Sn
Sn
Fig. 8.7: Organotin cyclopentadienyls.
Bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]tin(II), :Sn[CH(SiMe3)2]2, was prepared from tin(II) chloride and bis(trimethylsilyl)-methyllithium, or with tin(II) bis(trimethylsilyl)amide:
SnCl2 + LiCHðSiMe3 Þ2
Sn NðSiMe3 Þ2 2 + LiCHðSiMe3 Þ2
0 C
!
!
:Sn CHðSiMe3 Þ2 2
:Sn CHðSiMe3 Þ2 2
The compound is monomeric in solution but dimeric in the solid state, with an uncommon Sn=Sn bent double bond and an Sn–Sn distance of 2.76 Ä:
Fig. 8.8: Diorganotin monomer and dimer.
The compound :Sn[CH(SiMe3)2]2 displays reactions typical for a diorganotin(II) compound (Fig. 8.9), that is, oxidative additions and complex formation with metal carbonyls to give, for example, the chromium complex [(Me3Si)2CH]2Sn:Cr(CO)5.
Dialkylstannylenes (:SnR2) are formed in several reactions as transient intermediates and can be trapped by alkyl halides (oxidative addition). In the absence
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8 Organometallic compounds of group 14 metals
Fig. 8.9: Reactions of diorganotin compounds.
of a trapping agent, stannylenes polymerize to cyclopolystannanes. Stannylenes
are formed by photolysis or pyrolysis of polystannanes, by thermolysis of tetraalkyldistannanes, dihalodistannanes, or pentaalkyldistannanes, or by decomposition of
stannylene–transition metal complexes.
Trisubstituted organotin free radicals, ·SnR3, have a trigonal pyramidal structure and can be prepared by irradiation of :Sn[CH(SiMe3)2]2. These free radicals are
unusually stable and can be isolated (Fig. 8.10).
Fig. 8.10: Triorganotin free radical.
Hexaalkyldistannanes, R3Sn–SnR3, with bulky substituents dissociate reversibly at
180 °C (for R = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) or at 100 °C (for R = 2,4,6-triethylphenyl).
8.1.4 Tin π-complexes
Organotin compounds with aromatic groups π-bonded to the metal are known for
tin. One such compound is [Sn(η6-C6H6)Cl2][AlCl4] with a supramolecular chain
structure resulted from association through chlorine bridges [5]. The reaction of the
molten salt Sn[AICI4]2 with benzene yields a dinuclear compound with four η6-C6H6Sn moieties [6] (Fig. 8.11).
Another unusual compound is a complex in which a trigonally planar coordinated Sn(II) atom is encapsulated in the cavity of [2.2.2]paracyclophane [7] (Fig. 8.12).
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8.1 Organotin compounds
75
Fig. 8.11: Organotin-benzene π-complexes.
Fig. 8.12: A trigonal organotin π-complex.
8.1.5 Inverse organotin compounds
Organometallic compounds with organotin moieties as external or terminal groups
attached to a carbon skeleton, that is, inverse organotin compounds, are quite numerous and varied. The simplest is tris(triphenyltin)methane (HC(SnPh3)3) [8]. Related compounds HC(SnPhCl)3, HC(SnPh2I)3, HC(SnPhI2)3, HCH(SnPhCl2)3 and NC-C
(SnMe3)3 have also been described [9]. A typical inverse organometallic compound
is tetrakis(trimethyltin)methane (C(SnMe3)4) prepared from CCl4 and Me3SnCl with
lithium metal in THF [1]. It has a tetrahedral molecular structure with carbon in the
center [11] (Fig. 8.13).
Fig. 8.13: Carbon-centered inverse organotin compounds.
A remarkable family of inverse organotin compounds is the series of composition
Ph3Sn-(CH2)n-SnPh3 with n = 1–8 [12].
Other related compounds include 1,2-bis(trimethylstannyl)acetylene (Me3SnC≡C-SnMe3) and 1,4-bis(triphenyltin)butane-1,3-diyne [13] (Fig. 8.14).
More inverse organotin compounds have been described with aromatic centers,
for example, a bis(triphenyltin) derivative of 4,4′-bis(methylene)-1,1′-biphenyl [14]
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8 Organometallic compounds of group 14 metals
Fig. 8.14: Inverse organotin compounds derived from mono- and di-acetylene.
and two anthracene derivatives with two [15] and four [16] trimethyltin decorating
groups (Fig. 8.15).
Fig. 8.15: More inverse organotin compounds.
A tetrakis(trimethyltin) derivative of cyclopentadiene 2,3,5,5-C5H2(SnMe3)4 [17] and
a bis(triphenyltin)dipyrazolylmethane H2C(C4N2SnPh3)2 [18] are also worth mentioning, to illustrate the diversity of inverse organotin compounds. The former is
obtained from cyclopentadiene with excess of Me3Sn–NMe2 (Fig. 8.16).
Fig. 8.16: Inverse organotin compounds with five-membered rings.
8.1.6 Organotin hydrides, RnSnH4–n
The organotin hydrides are tetrahedral monomers in the gas phase. They are highly
reactive compounds and are used as intermediates in addition reactions and as
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8.1 Organotin compounds
77
reducing reagents in organic chemistry. Their preparation uses the reduction of organotin halides with lithium alanate or sodium borohydride:
4 R3 SnX + Li½AlH4 ! 4 R3 SnH + Li½AlCl4
2 Me3 SnCl + 2 Na½BH4 ! 2 Me3 SnH + 2 NaCl + B2 H6
8.1.7 Organotin halides, RnSnX4–n
There are several ways to prepare organotin halides, RnSnX4–n. On heating a tetraorganostannane with tin tetrahalide, a redistribution of substituents takes place
with formation of organotin halides determined by the molar ratio of the reactants:
3SnR4 + SnX4 ! 4R3 SnX
SnR4 + SnX4 ! 2R2 SnX2
SnR4 + 3SnX4 ! 4RSnX3
In a direct synthesis, tin metal and an organic halide, RX, react at 60–180 °C (in the
order of decreasing reactivity, X = I, Br, CI):
Sn + 2RX
catalyst
!
R2 SnX2
Benzyl chloride reacts with tin metal in boiling water to give tribenzyltin chloride
(PhCH2)3SnCl, or in toluene to give dibenzyltin dichloride (PhCH2)2SnCl2.
In the reaction of tin tetrachloride with aluminum alkyls, only three chlorine
atoms are replaced with formation of trialkyltin chloride:
SnCl4 + AlR3 ! R3 SnCl + AlCl3
Organotin bromides and iodides can also be synthesized by cleavage of organic
groups with halogens:
X2
X2
− RX
− RX
SnR4 ! R3 SnX ! R2 SnX2
The structures of organotin halides have some peculiarities. In the vapor phase, the
triorganotin halides (R3SnX) are tetrahedral monomers, but in the solid state, they
can be associated into supramolecular arrays. Thus, trimethyltin fluoride and trimethyltin chloride are chains in which the tin atoms are five-coordinated with trigonal
bipyramidal geometry and the SnMe3 triangles are bridged by halogens (Fig. 8.17).
Triphenyltin chloride is, however, monomeric and tetrahedral in the solid state.
Diorganotin dihalides, R2SnX2, are tetrahedral monomers in the vapor phase,
and the structure is preserved in the solid state as suggested by their low melting
points but Me2SnCl2 and Et2SnX2 (X = CI, Br and I) show intermolecular Sn . . . X
interactions.
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8 Organometallic compounds of group 14 metals
Fig. 8.17: Supramolecular self-assembly of triorganotin
fluorides.
The fluorides are highly associated and consequently are high melting and insoluble as in Me2SnF2, which has a double fluorine-bridged supramolecular structure containing six-coordinated tin (Fig. 8.18).
Fig. 8.18: Supramolecular self-assembly of
diorganotin difluorides.
The organotin halides can further add halide ions to increase the coordination number to five, like in the hypervalent trigonal bipyramidal complex anions [MeSnCl4]–,
[Me2SnCl3]–, [Ph3SnCl2]– and [Bu3SnCl2]–, and to six, as in the trans-octahedral
anions [Me2SnF4]2–, [Me2SnCl4]2– and [Me3SnCl3]2–.
With donor molecules, the organotin halides form adducts which contain fiveor six-coordinated tin and exhibit bipyramidal, trigonal or distorted-octahedral
geometries.
Halogeno (chloro and bromo)-centered dinuclear inverse coordination complex
anions are also known [19, 20] (Fig. 8.19).
Fig. 8.19: Halogen-centered inverse coordination organotin complexes.
8.1.8 Organostannoxanes (organotin oxides)
Hexaorganotin distannoxanes (R3Sn–O–SnR3) are formed in the hydrolysis of triorganotin halides by the condensation of the hydroxide intermediates. Most distannoxanes are monomeric, some with linear Sn–O–Sn groups (e.g., with R = Bu t,
CH2Ph, CH2CH4X-ortho with X = F, Cl, Br) and others with bent Sn–O–Sn groups
(e.g., with R = Et, Ph, CH2Tol and C6H4CH2NMe2) [21, 22].
Distannoxane dihalides, XR2SnOSnR2X, are obtained by heating a mixture of
the oxide and halide:
1=xðR2 SnOÞX + R′4−n SnXn ! Xn−1 R′4−n SnOSnR2 X.
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8.1 Organotin compounds
79
The dihalides, XR2SnOSnR2X, are dimeric in solution and contain four-membered
Sn2O2 rings in the solid state with five-coordinated tin atoms. In the diorganotin oxide,
[R2SnO]x all the tin atoms are five-coordinated in polycyclic, supramolecular structures.
The tert-butyl derivative, [But2SnO]3, contains a planar Sn3O3 ring (see Fig. 8.20).
Fig. 8.20: Structures of organotin oxides.
Di-tert-butyltin oxide postulated to exist as the cyclic trimer, [But2SnO]3, in solution
is the only other diorganotin oxide with tetracoordinate tin atoms. The cyclotristannoxane ring is essentially planar [23].
8.1.9 Organotin hydroxides, RnSn(OH)4–n
Organotin hydroxides are obtained by alkaline hydrolysis of halides, but they are
readily dehydrated:
R3 SnX + NaOH ! R3 Sn−OH ! R3 Sn−O−SnR3
− NaX
− H2 O
Organotin hydroxides, like their halide precursors, undergo supramolecular selfassembly with increased coordination number at tin. Trimethyltin hydroxide is associated in the solid state but Me3SnOH is a cyclic dimer in solution [24] (Fig. 8.21).
Fig. 8.21: Supramolecular structures of triorganotin hydroxides.
Organotin hydroxides are basic, reacting with organic acids to form organotin carboxylates and with dithiophosphoric acids to form dithiophosphates.
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8 Organometallic compounds of group 14 metals
8.1.10 Organotin alkoxides (RnSn(OR′)4–n) and related compounds
Organotin alkoxides, RnSn(OR′)4–n, are obtained by treatment of organotin halides,
distannoxanes and alcohols:
R3 SnX + R′OH + NR′3 ! R3 Sn−OR′ + HX · NR′′3
R3 SnX + NaOR′ ! R3 Sn−OR′ + NaX
R3 SnOSnR3 + 2R′OH ! 2R3 Sn−OR′ + H2 O
The alkoxy derivatives insert molecules with double bonds forming a series of functional derivatives (Fig. 8.22).
Fig. 8.22: Insertion reactions in triorganotin alkoxides.
In the solid state, Me3Sn–OMe is a supramolecular chain containing trigonal bipyramidal units of Me3Sn groups connected by ΟMe bridges. Triethanolamine reacts
with organotin triethoxide (RSn(OEt)3) to form the so-called stannatranes which are
penta-coordinated organotin compounds. Similar compounds are obtained from
(R2SnO)x with diethanolamine (Fig. 8.23).
Fig. 8.23: Penta-coordinated organotin compounds.
8.1.11 Organotin sulfides, selenides and tellurides
The Sn–S bond is stable to hydrolysis and the organotin sulfides can be synthesized
even in water. The triorganotin sulfides are prepared from the corresponding chlorides and sodium or silver sulfide, or by treatment of oxides or hydroxides with hydrogen sulfide:
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8.1 Organotin compounds
81
2R3 SnCl + Na2 S ! R3 Sn−S−SnR3 + 2NaCl
2R3 SnOSnR3 + H2 S ! R3 Sn−S−SnR3 + H2 O
2R3 SnOH + H2 S ! R3 Sn−S−SnR3 + 2H2 O
Hexaorganotin disulfides, R3Sn–S–SnR3, with R = Ph [25] and R = Cyh [26] are examples. Selenium analogues are also known [27] (Fig. 8.24).
P
Fig. 8.24: Triphenyltin sulfide and selenide.
Diorganotin halides react with sodium sulfide, and diorganotin oxides react with
hydrogen sulfide to form cyclic organotin sulfides (cyclostannathianes) (Fig. 8.25).
Fig. 8.25: Cyclic diorganotin sulfides.
The reaction of diorganotin dichloride with bulky tert-Bu groups with sodium sulfide, selenide or telluride yields four-membered, cyclic dimers (Fig. 8.26).
Fig. 8.26: Cyclic diorganotin dimers with a bulky substituent.
Dimethyltin dihydride reacts with elemental sulfur, selenium or tellurium to give
the cyclic trimers (Me2SnX)3 (X = S, Se, Te).
The reaction of organotin trihalides with sodium sulfide gives tricyclic tetramers R4Sn4S6 (R = Me, iso-Pr, C(SiMe3)3, CH2Ph, para-Tol, C6F5, C6H2Me-2.4.6, ferrocenyl) with adamantane-like structures. Selenium analogues R4Sn4Se6 (R = Me,
CH2Ph, ferrocenyl) are also known (Fig. 8.27).
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8 Organometallic compounds of group 14 metals
Fig. 8.27: Organotin adamantanes.
Tin-rich sulfur- and selenium-containing inorganic heterocycles have also been
prepared (Fig. 8.28).
Fig. 8.28: Tin-rich inorganic heterocycles.
8.1.12 Organotin thiolates, RnSn(SR′)4–n
Organotin thiolato derivatives are prepared by treatment of organotin halides, oxides, alkoxides, hydrides or amines with thiols or alkali metal mercaptides:
R3 SnCl + NaSR′ ! R3 Sn−SR′ + NaCl
R3 SnOSnR3 + 2R′SH ! 2R3 Sn−SR′ + H2 O
R3 Sn − OR + R′SH ! R3 Sn−SR′ + ROH
R3 SnH + R′SH ! R3 Sn−SR′ + H2
8.1.13 Organotin amino-derivatives, RnSn(NR′R″)4–n
The organotin halides do not react with ammonia or primary or secondary amines
to form substitution products, and only addition compounds are formed instead.
Metallated amines are necessary to form compounds containing Sn–Ν bonds:
R3 SnCl + LiNR′2 ! R3 Sn−NR′2 + LiCl
R3 SnCl + R′2 N − MgX ! R3 Sn−NR′2 + MgXC
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8.1 Organotin compounds
83
The Sn–Ν bond is sensitive to active hydrogen reagents such as water, alcohols and
acids, which cleave the Sn–N bonds and yield substitution products.
Fig. 8.29: Some reactions of triorganotin amino derivatives.
Small unsaturated molecules insert into Sn–Ν bonds. These reactions have a preparative value since the organotin group can be removed, leaving a purely organic
compound.
Fig. 8.30: Insertion reactions into Sn–N bonds.
8.1.14 Organostannazanes
Dinuclear stannazane (R3Sn–NMe–SnR3) groups can be obtained by the reaction of
trimethyltin chloride and N-lithiated methylamine:
2Me3 SnCl + 2LiNHMe ! 2Me3 Sn−NHMe
− LiCl
!
− MeNH2
Me3 Sn−NMe − SnMe3
or by transamination of aminostannanes with primary amines:
2R3 Sn−NMe2 + EtNH2 ! Me3 Sn−NEt − SnMe3 + 2Me2 NH
Representatives of this class are [Me3Sn–NH2–SnMe3]+ [28] and ClMe2Sn–NBut–
SnMe2Cl [29].
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8 Organometallic compounds of group 14 metals
Six-membered rings are obtained from diorganotin dichlorides with potassium
amide in liquid ammonia and four-membered rings by successive reactions involving lithiations (Fig. 8.31).
Fig. 8.31: Organotin–nitrogen heterocycles.
A cubane ([Sn4(μ3-NSnMe3)4]4) has been prepared from SnCl2 with [LiN(SnMe3)2]
[30] (Fig. 8.32).
Fig. 8.32: The cubane structure of a tin–nitrogen compound.
8.1.15 Organotin inverse coordination complexes
Open, planar triangular inverse coordination complexes are known with oxygen, nitrogen, halogens and phosphorus as inverse coordination centers.
The planar oxo-centered compound, [(μ3-O)(SnMe3)3]Cl, can be prepared in two
ways:
ðMe3 SnÞ2 O + Me3 SnCl ! μ3 − O ðSnMe3 Þ3 Cl
Me3 SnCl + Li2 O ! μ3 − O ðSnMe3 Þ3 Cl
and in solid state is associated through Sn–Cl→Sn bonds to form a supramolecular
bidimensional structure [31].
Tristannylamines are prepared by the reaction of trialkyltin chlorides and lithium nitride [32] (Fig. 8.33).
A phosphorus-centered analogue is also known [33] (Fig. 8.34).
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8.1 Organotin compounds
R3Sn
3R3SnCl + Li3N
85
SnR3
N
+ 3 LiCl
SnR3
Fig. 8.33: Organotin inverse coordination complex with planar trigonal nitrogen coordination
center.
Fig. 8.34: Organotin inverse coordination complex with planar trigonal
phosphorus coordination center.
Organotin inverse coordination complexes, as substituted ammonium and phosphonium derivatives [34] (Fig. 8.35), can be prepared by two methods:
+
EðSnMe3 Þ3 + M3 SnOTf ! EðSnMe3 Þ4 ½OTf − E = N, P
+
PðSnMe3 Þ3 + Me3 SnF + Na½BPh4 ! PðSnMe3 Þ4 ½BPh4 − + NaF
Fig. 8.35: Organotin inverse coordination complexes with tetrahedral nitrogen and phosphorus
coordination centers.
Some interesting inverse coordination complexes of diorganotin moieties with oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and halogens as coordination centers are triangular compounds that contain SnR2 groups with five-coordinated tin forming an Sn3X3 ring; a
nonmetal atom is embedded in the center and plays a structure-directing role. The
oxygen- and nitrogen-centered rings in the compounds [(μ3-O){But2Sn)3(μ2-OMe)3]
[35] and [(μ3-N)(SnMe2)3(μ2-X)3] with X = Cl, Br, I [36, 37] are planar (Fig. 8.36).
Fig. 8.36: Planar cyclic trinuclear inverse coordination complexes.
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8 Organometallic compounds of group 14 metals
In the sulfur- [38] and chlorine [39]-centered complexes, the six-membered rings
display chair conformation (Fig. 8.37).
Fig. 8.37: Chair-shaped cyclic trinuclear inverse coordination complexes.
Similar structures with a modified external ring have been described with carbonate
[40], silanolate [41, 42] and phosphinate [43] external bridging linkers (Fig. 8.38).
Fig. 8.38: More oxygen-centered organotin inverse coordination complexes.
Organotin derivatives of inorganic oxoanions are inverse coordination complexes,
readily prepared due to the affinity of tin for oxygen groups. Thus, organotin sulfate
[(μ2-SO4){SnMe3(H2O)}2] [44], selenate [(μ2-SeO4){SnMe3(H2O)}2] [45] and nitrate [(μ3NO3)(SnPh3Cl)3]– [46] are shown in Fig. 8.39.
Fig. 8.39: Organotin inverse coordination complexes with inorganic anions as coordination centers.
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8.1 Organotin compounds
87
A very large number of inverse coordination complexes are organotin caboxylates. Practically, any di- or polycarboxylic acid can form organotin inverse coordination complexes with a carboxylato centroligand. A selection is presented here.
Bimetallic carboxylates can be illustrated with the oxalato complex [(μ2-C2O4)
(SnPh3)2] [47] and with the succinato complex [(μ2-OOCCH2CH2COO)(SnPh3)2] [48]
(Fig. 8.40).
Fig. 8.40: Organotin inverse coordination complexes with dicarboxylato coordination centers.
The benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylato anion forms a trinuclear organotin complex [{μ6C6H3(COO)3(SnPh3)3] [49, 50], and a tetrametallic complex [(μ4-C6H2(COO)4(SnPh3)4]
has been prepared with benzene-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylato anion [51] (Fig. 8.41).
Fig. 8.41: Organotin inverse complexes with dicarboxylato coordination centers.
Obviously, carboxylic anions derived from heterocycles can form similar inverse coordination complexes, as shown with an organotin derivative of thiophene-2,5dicarboxylate [(μ2-H2C4S){COOSnPh3)2] [52] (Fig. 8.42).
Fig. 8.42: Organotin inverse coordination complex with
thiophenedicarboxylato coordination center.
Thiolato inverse coordination complexes represented by derivatives of thiols, thiocarboxylic anions and dithiocarbamates are readily formed. Just a few examples
will illustrate this possibility.
Ethene-1,1,2,2-tetrathiolate forms a dinuclear organotin complex [(μ4-C2S4){Sn
(Me3Si)2CH2CH2SiMe3)2}2] [53], and another dinuclear complex can be illustrated
with tetrathiafulvalene-2,3,6,7-tetrathiolate (Fig. 8.43) [54].
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8 Organometallic compounds of group 14 metals
Thiolates derived from heterocycles can also play the role of centroligands in
inverse coordination organotin complexes and derivatives of 1,3,5-triazine [(μ3C3N3)(CH2SnR3)3] (R = Me, Ph) are examples [55] (Fig. 8.43).
Fig. 8.43: Organotin inverse coordination complexes with thiolato coordination centers.
A numerous family of inverse coordination complexes include dithiocarbamates
(Fig. 8.44). Thus, 1,4-bis(dithiocarbamato)-piperazine forms dinuclear complexes
[(μ2-S2C-N(CH2CH2)2N-CS2)(SnPh3)2] [56] and [(μ2-S2C-N(CH2CH2)2N-CS2)(SnPh2Cl)2]
[57]. A rare dithiocarbamate derived from diazepam forms a binuclear complex with
two tricyclohexyltin moieties [58]. A trinuclear complex is formed by a triethylamino centroligand [(μ3-N(CH2CH2NMe-CS2)(SnClPh2)3] [59] (Fig. 8.44).
Fig. 8.44: Organotin inverse coordination
complexes with dithiocarbamato coordination
centers.
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8.1 Organotin compounds
89
Nitrogen heterocycles as centroligands represent another family of organotin
inverse coordination complexes. Examples are derivatives of pyrazine [(μ2-C6H4N2)
(SnCl2Me2)2] [60] and 4,4′-bipyridyl [(μ2-bipy)(SnClPh3)2] [61] (Fig. 8.45).
Fig. 8.45: Organotin inverse complexes with nitrogen heterocycles as coordination centers.
8.1.16 Organodi- and poly-stannanes
In spite of its clear metallic character, the tin atoms have a remarkable ability of
concatenation, that is, formation of compounds with covalent Sn–Sn bond skeletons. Of course, this ability is far from that of the carbon, the top element of group
14, but it is possible to prepare well-defined linear polystannane chains of some
length, also rings and cages. The Sn–Sn bonds are weak and reactive, but compounds with tin–tin bonds are stable toward oxygen and water.
Distannanes can be readily obtained in several ways:
2R3 SnCl + 2Na ! R3 Sn−SnR3 + 2NaCl
R3 SnLi + R3 SnCl ! R3 Sn−SnR3 + LiCl
R3 Sn−NR2 + R3 SnH ! R3 Sn−SnR3 + R2 NH
R3 SnOSnR3 + 2R3 SnH ! 2R3 Sn−SnR3 + H2 O
R3 SnOR + R3 SnH ! R3 Sn−SnR3 + ROH
Excess alkali metal needs to be avoided since it cleaves the Sn–Sn bonds with formation of [SnMe3]– anions:
liq.NH3
2Na
Me3 SnBr + 2Na ! Me3 Sn−SnMe3 ! 2Na + Me3 Sn −
Numerous distannanes (R3Sn–SnR3, e.g., with R = Me, iso-Bu, Ph, CH2Ph, para-Tol,
Cyh, CF2CF3, C6F5) are known, and also Me2PhSi–(SnBut2)2–SiMe2Ph [62].
Other compounds with Sn–Sn bonds are formed by connecting organotin heterocycles 2,2′,3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-octaphenyl-1H, 1′H-1,1′-bistannole [63] and 1,1′-di-t-butyl
-2,2′,3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-octaethyl-1,1′-bistannole [64] and by introducing nitrogen functional substituents bis(2,6–bis(dimethylaminomethyl)phenyl-C,N,N′)-di-tin [65]
(Fig. 8.46).
Distannenes (R2SnSnR2), believed to contain double bonds, have been known
for many years [66]. The composition R2SnSnR2 suggests a structure with Sn=Sn
double bonds, but the situation is different [67]. In the anion [Sn2Ph4]2–, synthesized by the reaction of diphenyltin dichloride with Li in liquid NH3 (and isolated as
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8 Organometallic compounds of group 14 metals
Fig. 8.46: Other distannane compounds.
Li(NH3)4] salt), the Sn–Sn interatomic distance is 2.905(3) Å, compared with the
Sn–Sn distance in the nonionic Sn2Ph6 of 2.77 Å [68]. In the [K(18-crown-6)] salt of
the dianion [Ph2Sn–SnPh2]2–, the Sn–Sn bond length is 2.909(1) Å [69]. These long
interatomic distances rule out a double bond character of the tin–tin bonds. In
group 14, the heavier elements, tin and lead have a strong tendency to increase the
lone-pair character versus the double bond character, with preference for structures
with single Sn–Sn bonds and lone pairs at the metal (Fig. 8.47).
Fig. 8.47: The structure of distannene.
The Sn–Sn single bond character is demonstrated by the geometry of R2SnSnR2 in the
solid state and by the SnSn interatomic distances, which are even longer than the
Sn–Sn single bond lengths, due to repulsion of lone pairs. A result is that the R2SnSnR2
molecules dissociate in solution into pairs of heavy carbene analogues, :SnR2.
An exception was, however, demonstrated with the compound (But2MeSi)2Sn =
Sn(SiMeBut2)2, prepared by reacting SnCl2.dioxane with But2MeSiNa in THF. This is
an authentic distannene and has a planar geometry, a shorter Sn=Sn bond, and is
stable in both solid state and solution [70] (Fig. 8.48).
Fig. 8.48: The structure of an authentic distannene.
Distannynes (RSnSnR), formally tin analogues of alkynes, have been prepared with
very bulky alkyl or aryl substituents. Unlike carbon, tin (and also lead) do not form
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8.1 Organotin compounds
91
authentic triple bonds. In compounds with tin (and lead), the triple bond has been
transformed into a single bond and two nonbonded electron pairs.
The tin compound RSnSnR with R = C6H3-2,6-(C6H3-2,4,6-C6H3Pri2)2 has a transnonlinear structure, with a C–Sn–Sn bond angle of 125.1(2)°. Note that in the lead
compound R–PbPbR with the same R, the C–Pb–Pb bond angle is 94.26(4)°. Another example is the distannyne RSnSnR, where R = 4-Me3SiC6H2(C6H3Pri2-2,6)2,
with Sn–Sn–C having 99.25(14)° and Sn–Sn length is 3.066 Å [71] (Fig. 8.49).
Fig. 8.49: The structure of a distannine.
Oligolinear polystannanes have been obtained with three to six tin atoms in the
chain.
Tristannanes, X–SnR2–SnR2–SnR2–X, are known with R = Me, X = SiMe3; R = But,
X = Cl; X = But; R = Ph, X = But, Ph, Si(SiMe3)3.
1,3-Diclorotristannane, ClSnBut2-SnBut2-SnBut2Cl, was formed in a surprising
reaction of SnCl4 with ButMgCl in hexane (45% yield), whereas the same reaction
carried out in THF gave ClSnBut2Cl and in toluene gave ClBut2SnSnBut2Cl [72].
Tristannane (Ph3Sn–SnPh2–SnPh3) was obtained in a reaction of M(SnPh3)2
with Ph3Sn–SnPh3 (M = Ca,Sr) [12].
Several tetrastannanes X-SnR2-SnR2-SnR2-SnR2-X with R = But, X = Br, I, SPht,
SiMe2Ph, and also Ph3Sn-SnBut2-SnBut2-SnPh3 have been described. A preparation
is available by reduction of organotin dihalides with sodium in liquid ammonia, in
the presence of monohalides. The four polystannanes Ph3Sn(But2Sn)nSnPh3, synthesized from I(SnBut2)nI with Li[SnPh3] are all-trans-configured (Fig. 8.50).
2 Ph3SnLi + I-(But2Sn)n-1
→ Ph3Sn-(But2Sn)n-SnPh3
n = 2-4
n = 1-4
Fig. 8.50: Preparation of chain-like polystannanes.
The halogen-terminated tetrastannane chain X(But2Sn)4X (X = Br, I) has been synthesized by controlled cleavage of the related cyclotetrastannane, (But2Sn)4, with
iodine in toluene. Similarly prepared was PhS(SnPh2)4SPh by the reaction of cyclotetrastannane, (But2Sn)4, with diphenyldisulfide (PhSSPh) [73].
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8 Organometallic compounds of group 14 metals
Silylated tetrastannane (PhMe2Si(SnBut2)4SiMePh) was obtained along with the
tristannane (PhMe2Si(SnBut2)3SiMe2Ph) in a reaction of Cl(But2Sn)3Cl with PhMe2SiLi [74].
Pentastannanes and hexastannanes are zigzag chains of compositions Ph3Sn
(SnBut2)3SnPh3 and Ph3Sn(SnBut2)3SnPh3 and have been described quite early [75]
(Fig. 8.51).
Fig. 8.51: Chain-like penta- and hexastannanes.
More recently, anionic [Ph2SnSnPh2]2–, {Sn4Ph4]4– and hexatin [Sn6Ph12]2– species
(Fig. 8.52) have been obtained in a reaction of Ph2SnCl2 with the Zintl-phase K4Sn9
[76].
Fig. 8.52: A dianionic chain-like hexastannane.
Branched tetrastannanes have been prepared by condensing organotin trihydrides
with trimethylstannylamine:
RSnH2 + 3 Me3 Sn−NEt2 ! R − SnðSnMe3 Þ3 + 3 HNEt2
Branched anions of the type [Sn(SnPh3)3]2– (Fig. 8.53) are formed by redistribution
of phenyl groups in an unusual reaction [12]:
MðSnPh3 Þ2 + 6Ph3 Sn−SnPh3 ! M SnðSnPh3 Þ3 2 + 6 SnPh4 , M = Cs, Sr
A branched-chain pentastannane (R = Ph) (Fig. 8.53) was synthesized and by a succession of reactions and structurally characterized by x-ray diffraction [12, 77, 78]:
Ph3 Sn−SnPh3 + M ! MðSnPh3 Þ2 M = Ca, Sr
MðSnPh3 Þ2 + 6 Ph3 Sn−SnPh3 ! M SnðSnPh3 Þ3 2 + 6 SnPh4
M SnðSnPh3 Þ3 2 + 2 Ph3 SnCl ! SnðSnPh3 Þ4 + 2 MCl2
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8.1 Organotin compounds
93
Fig. 8.53: Branched-chain polystannanes.
Cyclic polystannanes are remarkable tin analogues of cycloalkanes. The compounds of the composition SnR2 were first believed to be derivatives of divalent tin,
but many of these compounds are in fact cyclic polymers, [SnR2]n.
The decomposition of organotin hydrides in the presence of amine or alcohol
catalysts produces cyclopolystannanes and hydrogen (Fig. 8.54).
Fig. 8.54: Formation of some cyclopolystannanes.
Cyclopolystannanes result from the reaction between diorganotin amides and
hydrides:
R2 SnH2 + R2 SnðNEt2 Þ2 ! 2=nðR2 SnÞn + 2Et2 NH
At present time, cyclostannanes with three, four, five and six tin atoms in the ring
have been reported.
Three-membered ring compounds, (R2Sn)3, are known with bulky ligands R = C6H3Et2-2,6 [79] and C6H2Pri-2,4,6 [80] (Fig. 8.53). The Sn3 ring was formed in the reaction of Ar2SnCl2 with lithium naphthalenide.
Four-membered ring cyclic compounds (R2Sn)4 with R = Ph, tert-butyl, tert-amyl
[81], C6H3Mes2-2,6 [82], CH2SiMe3 [83] and Sn4R7X with X = Br [163], Me [84] have been
reported (Fig. 8.55). In the reaction of But2SnCl2 with ButMgCl the main product was
the cyclotetrastannane [SnBut2]4; the chain-like tristannane (But3Sn–SnBut2–SnBut3)
and distannane (But3Sn–SnBut3) were also isolated from the reaction product [85]. Several cyclohexastannanes (R2Sn)6 with R = Me [86], Ph [87], CH2Ph [88], CF2CF3 [89]
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8 Organometallic compounds of group 14 metals
Fig. 8.55: Three-, four- and six-membered ring cyclopolystannanes.
containing the Sn6 ring of chair conformation (Fig. 8.55) have been prepared by reductive reactions of diorganoditin halides.
Apparently, there is no structurally characterized monocyclic pentamer [(R2Sn]5.
Some interesting bicyclic stannanes with propelane structures and R = C6H3Et22,6 [66], C6H3(OPri)2–2,6 [91] and C6H3Mes2-2.6 [92] are known (Fig. 8.56).
Fig. 8.56: Bicyclic pentastannanes with propelane structure.
A bicyclic hexastannane, Sn(SnPh2SnPh2)3Sn [93], and a bicyclic anionic octastannane, (Sn2Ar2)(SnBu)(SnAr)(Sn2Ar2)2 with Ar = C6H3Et2-2,6 [94], contain two fused
rings (Fig. 8.57).
Fig. 8.57: Fused ring bicyclic polystannanes.
Polycyclic stannanes with cubane structure [Sn8(C6H3Et2-2,6)8] [95] and [Sn8(2,6MesC6H3)4] [96] and pentagonal prismatic structure [SnC6H3Et2-2,6]10 and [SnC6H3
{CH(SiMe3)2}]10 have been obtained by reductive elimination of hydrogen from appropriate monoaryltin trihydrides. The pentagonal prismatic cage, Sn10(C6H3Et2)10,
was formed in the pyrolysis of the cyclotristannane, [Sn(C6H3Et2-2,6)2]3, along with
the octamer [97] (Fig. 8.58).
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8.1 Organotin compounds
95
Fig. 8.58: Organotin [RSn]n cages with n = 8 and 10.
A unique heptatin cluster with pentagonal bipyramidal geometry is also worth
mentioning here. It contains in the apical positions two bulky C6H3Pri2-2,6 organic
groups attached to tin [98] (Fig. 8.59).
Fig. 8.59: Pentagonal bipyramidal heptatin cluster.
Further reading
Rabiee N, Safarkhani M, Amini MM Investigating the structural chemistry of organotin (IV)
compounds: Recent advances. Rev Inorg Chem 2018, 38, 13–45.
Caseri W Initial organotin chemistry. J Organomet Chem 2014, 751, 20–24.
Chandrasekhar V, Nagendran S, Baskar V Organotin assemblies containing Sn-O bonds. Coord
Chem Rev 2002, 235, 1–52.
Tiekink ERT Structural chemistry of organotin carboxylates: A review of the crystallographic
literature. Appl Organomet Chem 1991, 5, 1–23.
Sita LR Heavy-metal organic chemistry: Building with tin. Acc Chem Res 1994, 27, 191–97.
Sita LR Structure/property relationships of polystannanes. Adv Organomet Chem 1995,
38, 189–243.
Power PP Bonding and reactivity of heavier Group 14 element alkyne analogues. Organometallics
2007, 26, 4362–72.
Sekiguchi A, Sakurai H Cage and cluster compounds of silicon, germanium, and tin.
Adv Organomet Chem 1995, 37, 1–38.
Sekiguchi A, Lee V Heavy cyclopropenes of Si, Ge, and Sn. A new challenge in the chemistry
of Group 14 elements. Chem Rev 2003, 103, 1429–47.
Schrenk C, Schnepf A Metalloid Sn clusters: Properties and the novel synthesis via a
disproportionation reaction of a monohalide. Rev Inorg Chem 2014, 34, 93–118.
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8 Organometallic compounds of group 14 metals
8.2 Organolead compounds
Because of the lower metal–carbon bond strength, organolead derivatives decompose at moderate temperatures (100–200 °C), are slowly oxidized in air and are
somewhat light sensitive. The Pb–C bond is stable to moisture, although those containing Pb–C6F5 groups are more readily hydrolyzed.
Lead forms the same types of compounds as tin, namely, tetrasubstituted derivatives PbR4 and RnPbX4–n, where X = H, halogen, OH, OR, NRR’, SR, etc., addition compounds with bases in which the lead atom has a coordination number greater than
four and oligomers and polymers with Pb–Pb, Pb–O–Pb, Pb–S–Pb or Pb–NPb backbones. However, the rich diversity of organotin compounds is not matched by lead.
8.2.1 Homoleptic compounds, PbR4
The past industrial interest in tetraethyllead stimulated the intensive investigation
of synthetic methods for tetrasubstituted derivatives.
Grignard and organolithium reagents are of most utility for laboratory purposes. Since lead(IV) chloride is unstable, lead(II) chloride is used as a starting material. Organolead(II) derivatives, PbR2, are intermediates which disproportionate to
either PbR4 or R3Pb–PbR3 as final products. The overall reactions are:
2PbCl2 + 4RMgX ! PbR4 + Pb + 4MgClX
3PbCl2 + 6RMgX ! Pb2 R6 + Pb + 3MgX2 + 3MgCl2
2PbCl2 + 4LiR ! PbR4 + Pb + 4LiCl
The deposition of lead metal is avoided if an alkyl iodide is added. The organic group
R must be the same as that in the Grignard or organolithium reagent (M = MgX
or Li):
2PbCl2 + 6MR + 2RI ! 2PbR4 + 2MI + 4MCI
The use of lead(IV) salts, Pb(OCOCH3)4 or K2[PbCl6], offers no advantage over PbCl2;
however, these are used in the synthesis of acetylene derivatives:
K2 ½PbCl6 + 4LiC ≡ CR ! PbðC ≡ CRÞ4 + 2KCl + 4LiCl
Lead(IV) acetate is employed in the synthesis of tetraethyl- and tetramethyllead:
PbðOAcÞ4 + 4RMgCl ! PbR4 + 4MgClOAc
The large-scale industrial availability of triethylaluminum stimulated its use in the
synthesis of tetraethyllead:
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8.2 Organolead compounds
97
6PbX2 + 4AlEt3 ! 3PbEt4 + 3Pb + 4AlX3
Ethyl iodide in alcoholic alkalies is electrolyzed with lead cathodes to prepare tetraethyllead. The complex Na[Et3Al-F-AlEt3], melting at 35 °C, is used as an electrolyte with lead anodes:
e−
4Na½Et3 Al−F−AlEt3 + 3Pb ! 3PbEt4 + 4NaEt3 AIF
The NALCO industrial process produces tetraethyl- and tetramethyllead by the electrolysis of a Grignard reagent and an alkyl halide with lead anodes:
2RMgX + 2RX + Pb ! PbR4 + 2MgX2
The chemical properties of tetraorganolead derivatives reflect the weak Pb–C bond,
and Pb–C bond cleavage reactions are used in the synthesis of organolead halides.
Tetraorganolead compounds can also transfer organic groups to metals and nonmetals by distribution and act as alkylating agents (Fig. 8.60).
Fig. 8.60: Typical reactions of tetraorganolead compounds.
8.2.2 Heterocycles with lead heteroatoms
Saturated lead heterocycles are prepared by Grignard reagents, and organolithium
reagents are used for the synthesis of tricyclic aromatic compounds (Fig. 8.61).
Fig. 8.61: Organolead heterocyclic compounds.
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8 Organometallic compounds of group 14 metals
Spirocyclic compounds have been prepared with the aid of Grignard reagents
(Fig. 8.62).
Ph2
Pb
S
3 Ph2Pb (OCOCH3)2
+
3 H2S
S
+
Ph2Pb
6 CH3COOH
PhPb2
S
Fig. 8.62: Organolead spirocyclic compound.
8.2.3 Subvalent species
Only the bis-cyclopentadienyllead(II) derivatives, :Pb(η5-C5R5)2, and the purple :Pb
[CH(SiMe3)2]2 are established monomeric derivatives of divalent lead.
Bis(η5-cyclopentadienyl)lead(II) has an angular sandwich structure in the
vapor phase but a polymeric structure in the solid state (Fig. 8.63).
Fig. 8.63: Monomeric and supramolecular Pb(η5-C5H5)2.
Cleavage of :Pb(η5-C5H5)2 with acids leads to mono-cyclopentadienyl derivatives,
C5H5PbX.
The bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl derivative :Pb[CH(SiMe3)2]2 is prepared from PbCl2
and LiCH(SiMe3)2 like the tin analogue and also forms metal carbonyl complexes.
8.2.4 Inverse organolead compounds
A typical inverse organometallic compound is the tetrahedral [(μ4-C)(PbBrPh2)4]
prepared from Ph3PbLi and CCl4 in THF [99]. Similar compounds are Ph3Pb-CCl2PbPh3 and Ph3Pb-CH2-PbPh3 [100] (Fig. 8.64).
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8.2 Organolead compounds
99
Fig. 8.64: Inverse organolead compounds.
8.2.5 Organolead halides, RnPbX4–n
Derivatives with n = 3 and 2 are prepared from tetrasubstituted compounds by Pb–C
bond cleavage. Cleavage with halogens or with the halides of other elements can be
stopped at the R3PbX or R2PbX stages.
Dilead derivatives, R3Pb–PbR3, can be cleaved to give triorganolead halides,
R3PbX.
Monoalkyllead triiodides (RPbI3) are reaction products of lead(II) iodide with RI
in the presence of an SbMe3 catalyst.
Solid organolead halides contain lead in higher than four coordination, as in
diphenyllead dichloride which is a chlorine double-bridged supramolecular array.
Triphenyllead chloride and bromide consist of halogen-bridged chains made up of
trigonal bipyramidal units (Fig. 8.65).
Fig. 8.65: Supramolecular self-assembly of organolead halides.
Hypervalent anionic species containing five-coordinated lead atoms of the type [R3PbX2]– and [R2PbX3]– such as [NMe4]+[Ph3PbCl2]– are known.
The cationic species [Ph4Pb2I2]2+ and [Ph4Pb2I3]+ are formed in methanolic solutions of Ph3PbX and Ph2PbX2 in addition to mononuclear species. The [Me3Pb]+ cations are formed in methylene chloride solutions of [Me3Pb]+[MeAlCl3]– obtained
from Me3PbCl and MeAlCl2.
8.2.6 Organolead hydroxides, RnPb(OH)4–n
The hydroxides are obtained by the hydrolysis of the corresponding halide in alcoholic alkali solutions or by wet silver oxide. These are ionic compounds which form
weakly basic aqueous solutions and react with organic and inorganic acids to form
the corresponding salts.
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8 Organometallic compounds of group 14 metals
Hydroxylated dimethyllead species are formed in aqueous sodium perchlorate
solutions (Fig. 8.66).
OH
Me2Pb2+
OHH+
Me2Pb
OHH+
HO
pH 5-8
pH <5
OHH+
2+
PbMe2
Me2Pb(OH)2
pH 8-10
Me2Pb(OH)3
pH > 10
Fig. 8.66: Organolead hydroxo compounds.
Solid triphenyllead hydroxide consists of associated supramolecular zigzag chains.
8.2.7 Organolead oxides
Diplumboxanes or triorganolead oxides, R3Pb–O–PbR3, are obtained by hydrolysis
of triorganolead halides, followed by condensation of the intermediate hydroxides:
NaOH
2R3 PbCl ! 2R3 Pb−OH ! R3 Pb−O−PbR3
− NaCl
− H2 O
The diorganolead oxides, RPbO, are amorphous, insoluble and infusible, suggesting a polymeric structure. The plumbonic acid, RPbO2H, are also polymeric.
8.2.8 Organolead alkoxides
Triorganolead oxides react with alcohols to form alkoxides:
R3 Pb−O−PbR3 + R′OH ! R3 Pb−OR′ + R3 Pb−OH
but a better procedure starts with the halides:
Me3 PbCl + NaOMe ! Me3 PbOMe + NaCl
Me3 PbBr + NaOSiMe3 ! Me3 Pb−O−SiMe3 + NaBr
The alkoxides undergo insertion reactions (Fig. 8.67).
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8.2 Organolead compounds
R3Pb—S—C—OR
CS2
CO2
R3Pb—OR
101
R3Pb—O—C—OR
S
O
H2C
HC
C O
R3Pb—CH2COOR
CPh
R3Pb—C CPh
Fig. 8.67: Some reactions of organolead alkoxides.
8.2.9 Organolead carboxylates, RnPb(OCOR′)4–n
The only well-defined monoorganolead compounds belong to this class. Along with
RPb(OCOR’)3, di- and triorgano-substituted lead derivatives, R2Pb(OCOR’)2 and
R3Pb(OCOR), are obtained by the cleavage of tetrasubstituted compounds with carboxylic acids:
PbR4 + R′COOH ! R3 PbOCOR′ + RH
These reactions are less vigorous than with halogens and, therefore, easier controlled.
Organolead carboxylates are often preferred over the halides as starting materials, owing to their ready availability through this synthesis.
Organolead dicarboxylates and mercury(II) carboxylates react to produce
monoorganolead derivatives:
R2 PbðOCOR′Þ2 + HgðOCOR′Þ2 ! RPbðOCOR′Þ3 + RHgOCOR′
The tetracarboxylates can also be used with diorganomercury derivatives:
PbðOCOR′Þ4 + HgR2 ! RPbðOCOR′Þ3 + RHgOCOR′
Solid Me3PbOCOCH3 consists of associated supramolecular chains of planar, trigonal
bipyramidal Me3Pb groups bridged by acetato fragments.
8.2.10 Organolead sulfide
Triorganolead sulfides are obtained by the reaction of halides with sodium sulfide:
2R3 PbX + Na2 S ! R3 Pb−S−PbR3 + 2NaX
The diorganolead sulfides are cyclic trimers. The phenyl derivative is prepared from
diphenyllead diacetate and hydrogen sulfide (Fig. 8.68).
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8 Organometallic compounds of group 14 metals
Ph2
Pb
S
3Ph2Pb(OCOCH3)2 + 3H2S
S
Ph2Pb
PbPh2
+ 6CH3COOH
S
Fig. 8.68: Cyclic organolead sulfide.
Heating Ph3Pb–PbPh3 with sulfur in benzene produces Ph3Pb–S–PbPh3 and
[Ph2PbS]3. Carbon disulfide serves as a sulfur source in the conversion of triphenyllead hydroxide to the corresponding sulfide.
8.2.11 Organolead thiolates RnPb(SR’)4–n
The lead–sulfur bond is stable toward water. Mercapto derivatives are prepared
from organolead chlorides, hydroxides or thiolates:
R3 PbSNa + R′I ! R3 PbSR′ + Nal
2R3 PbCl + PbðSR′Þ2 ! 2R3 PbSR′ + PbCl2
py
R3 PbCl + R′SH ! R3 PbSR′ + HCl · py
R3 PbOH + R′SH ! R3 PbSR′ + H2 O
Diorganolead derivatives, R2Pb(SR)2, are prepared similarly.
8.2.12 Organolead compounds with Pb–Pb bonds
Diplumbanes are obtained by the reaction of lead(II) chloride and Grignard reagents:
3PbCl2 + 6RMgX ! 6½PbR2 ! R3 Pb−PbR3 + Pb
or by reduction of triorganolead halides with sodium in liquid ammonia.
The mechanism of the formation of diplumbanes via Grignard reactions is
given by the following sequence:
− 60 °C
PbCl2 + 3But MgCl ! But3 MgCl
− 30 °C
!
+ But PbBr
3
But3 Pb−PbBut3
Simultaneous oxidation and hydrolysis with hydrogen peroxide and ice of Ph3PbLi
yields the branched pentaplumbane (Fig. 8.69).
The PbR2 species may be cyclic polyplumbanes but their structures have not
been established.
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Fig. 8.69: A branched tetraplumbane.
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[95] Sita LR, Kinoshita I. Octakis(2,6-diethylphenyl) octastannacubane. Organometallics 1990, 9,
2865–67.
[96] Eichler BE, Power PP Synthesis and characterization of [Sn8(2,6-Mes2C6H3)4] (Mes = 2,4,6-Me
3C6H2): A main group metal cluster with a unique structure. Angew Chem Int Ed. 2001, 40,
796
[97] Sita LR, Kinoshita I. Decakis(2,6-diethylphenyl)-decastanna[5]prismane: Characterization and
molecular structure. J Am Chem Soc 1991, 113, 1856–57.
[98] Rivard E, Steiner J, Fettinger JC, Giuliani JR, Augustine MP, Power PP Convergent syntheses of
[Sn7{C6H3-2,6-(C6H3-2,6-iPr2)2}2]: A cluster with a rare pentagonal bipyramidal motif. Chem
Commun 2007, 4919–21.
[99] Kroon J, Hulscher JB, Peerdeman AF. The molecular structure of tetrakis
(diphenylbromoplumbyl)methane in the crystal. J Organomet Chem 1970, 23, 477–85.
[100] Willemsens LC, van der Kerk G. Investigations on organolead compounds VIII. Reactions of
(triorganoplumbyl)metal reagents with polychloromethanes; tetrakis(triphenylplumbyl)
methane and related compounds. J Organomet Chem 1970, 23, 471–75.
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9 Organometallic compounds of group 15 metals
9.1 Organoantimony compounds
Antimony forms a very broad diversity of organosubstituted compounds. Homoleptic
species include triorganostibines (tertiary stibines), SbIIIR3, tetrasubstituted cations
(stibonium ions), [SbvR4]+, and pentasubstituted compounds (stiboranes), SbvR5.
Hexasubstituted anions, [SbvR6]–, are also known. Heteroleptic compounds comprise
organoantimony hydrides, halides, oxides and hydroxocompounds (stibinic and stibonic acids), sulfur, nitrogen and other heteroatom compounds, compounds with
Sb–Sb bonds and metal complexes with stibine ligands.
9.1.1 Homoleptic compounds, SbR3
The molecular structure is trigonal pyramidal with stereochemically active lone pair.
Crystallographically confirmed molecular structures are available for several compounds, including SbBut3 [1], Sb(CH2Ph)3 [2], Sb(C6F5)3 [3], Sb{(C6H3(CF3)2-2,4}3 [4]
and SbMes2Ph [5].
Grignard alkylation is frequently employed for synthesis of tertiary stibines, but
the lower alkyl derivatives can be difficult to separate from the solvent:
SbCl3 + 3 RMgCl ! SbR3 + 3 MgCl2
Organoaluminum compounds yield triorganostibines from antimony(III) oxide:
Sb2 O3 + 2 AlR3 ! 2 SbR3 + Al2 O3
Reduction of triorganodihalogenostibines (R3SbX2) with zinc, lithium borohydride
or hydrazine hydrate also gives triorganostibines:
R3 SbX2 + Zn ! SbR3 + ZnX2
This reaction is used to purify stibines prepared with Grignard reagents by conversion to R3SbX2 which is isolated from the ether and then reduced.
The direct synthesis from elemental antimony and organic halides was used for
the preparation of tris(perfluoromethyl)stibine, Sb(CF3)3, from CF3I at 165–170 °C,
and tris(pentafluorophenyl)-antimony, Sb(C6F5)3, from (C6F5)2TIBr.
Trialkylstibines are air sensitive; the lower alkyls are pyrophoric. The aromatic
derivatives are air stable.
With halogens, the triorganostibines undergo oxidative-addition reactions to
form the dihalides, R3SbX2, and with alkyl halides to produce stibonium halides
[R3SbR′]+X–. Mercury(II) chloride cleaves triarylstibines to form R2SbCl and RHgCl,
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110695274-009
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110
9 Organometallic compounds of group 15 metals
but CuCl2, TlCl3, FeCl3 and the phosphorus, arsenic and antimony tri- or pentahalides oxidize them to R3SbCl2.
9.1.2 Organoantimony heterocycles
Dimagnesium compounds give heterocyclic stibines which contain three Sb–C
bonds (Fig. 9.1).
ClMg (CH2)5MgCl + MeSbCl2
−MgCl2
Sb
Me
Fig. 9.1: Six-membered heterocyclic organoantimony compound.
Heterocyclic stiboles were prepared with organolithium reagents (R = Ph) (Fig. 9.2).
Fig. 9.2: Five-membered heterocyclic organoantimony compound.
A reactive dicoordinated organoantimony stibabenzene is obtained by dehydrohalogenation of a heterocyclic chloride (Fig. 9.3).
Fig. 9.3: Stibabenzene ring.
9.1.3 Pentavalent SbR5 compounds
This class of pentavalent organoantimony compounds comprises SbPh5 [6], Sb(C6F5)5
[7] and Sb(C6H4CF3-4)5 [8]. Solid pentaphenylantimony has an unusual square pyramidal trigonal geometry unlike the bipyramidal geometry of AsPh5 and other pentacoordinated compounds. Solid pentamethylantimony and Sb(para-C6H4CH3)5, however,
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9.1 Organoantimony compounds
111
have trigonal bipyramidal structures. The differing molecular geometries of SbR5 compounds are surprising.
The aryl-pentasubstituted derivatives are stable. They can be obtained by reactions
of arylantimony(V) halides with organolithium reagents, organozinc and Grignard
reagents:
Me3 SbBr2 + 2MeLi ! SbMe5 + 2LiBr
½SbEt4 + Cl − + EtLiðor ZnEt2 Þ ! SbEt5 + LiCl ðor EtZnClÞ
ðH2 C = CHÞ3 SbBr2 + 2H2 C = CHMgBr ! SbðCH=CH2 Þ5 + 2MgBr2
Mixed derivatives can be obtained with reagents containing different organic groups:
Et3 SbðC ≡ CMeÞ2
+ LiC ≡ CMe
!
+ LiMe
Et3 SbCl2 ! Et3 SbMe2
Pentaphenylantimony is obtained by the reaction of [SbPh4]+Br– or antimony pentachloride with phenyllithium.
9.1.4 Subvalent stibonium [SbvR4]+ cations
Subvalent tetrahedral antimony(V) cations [SbMe4]+ [9], [SbPh4]+ [10] and Sb(C6F5)4]+
[11] have been structurally characterized.
The tetraorganostibonium salts are prepared by the quaternization of tertiary
stibines with alkyl halides. Aromatic stibines require trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate in liquid sulfur dioxide:
SbPh3 + Me3 o + BF4 − ! Ph3 SbMe + + BF4 − + Me2 O
If the excess of halogen is avoided, the pentaorgano derivatives can be cleaved to
stibonium halides with halogens, but this reaction is not suited as a preparative
procedure:
SbR5 + X2 ! SbR4+ X − + RX
Grignard arylation of triphenylantimony dichloride also yields a stibonium salt:
Ph3 SbCl2
1. PhMgCl
! ½SbPh4 + Br −
2. HBr
Tetraphenylstibonium bromide is obtained from a Friedel–Crafts reaction:
+ AlCl3
SbPh3 + PhBr ! ½SbPh4 + Br −
Five-coordinated, oxygen-containing insoluble R4Sb-OH derivatives are formed
from tetraalkylstibonium halides and moist silver oxide.
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112
9 Organometallic compounds of group 15 metals
The reduction of stibonium halides with Li[AlH4] produces triorganostibines:
4½SbR4 + X − + Li½AIH4 ! 4 SbR3 + 4 RH + LiX + AIX3
9.1.5 Hypervalent SbV anions: hexasubstituted anions, [SbR6]–
The highest degree of organosubstitution is achieved in anions produced from pentaphenylantimony and phenyllithium:
SbPh5 + PhLi ! Li + ½SbPh6 −
9.1.6 Inverse organoantimony compounds
A few inverse organoantimony compounds are shown here: Ph2Sb–CH2–SbPh2 [12],
Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2 [13] and (PhC ≡ C)2Sb(CH2)3Sb(C ≡ CPh)2 [14] (Fig. 9.4).
Fig. 9.4: Inverse organoantimony compounds.
Aromatic derivatives are also known [15] (Fig. 9.5).
Fig. 9.5: Aromatic inverse organoantimony compounds.
9.1.7 Organoantimony(III) halides
Diorganoantimony halides(R2SbX) are molecules with a trigonal pyramidal molecular geometry. The dimethylantimony iodide (Me2SbI) is associated in solid state
with formation of a supramolecular zigzag chain with Sb . . . I 366.7(1) Å, Sb . . . I
171.87(4)° and Sb–I . . . Sb 116.83(3)° [16].
The trigonal pyramidal molecular geometry was established crystallographically for Ph2SbCl [17] and [C6H2(CF3)3]2SbCl [18].
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9.1 Organoantimony compounds
113
Among RSbX2 molecules, the trigonal pyramidal geometry has been established
crystallographically for ButSbCl2 [19], PhSbX2 (X = Cl, Br, I) [20] and [{(Me3Si)2CH}]
SbCl2 [21]. The iodide MeSbI2 is associated into chains with Sb–I . . . Sb–I long and
short interatomic distances.
The syntheses of these compounds are based upon redistribution reactions:
SbPh3 + SbCI3 ! PhSbCI2
3 PhSbCl2 + 2 PBr3 ! 3 PhSbBr2 + 2 PCI3
PhSbCl2 + 2 Nal ! PhSbI2 + 2 NaCI
Organoantimony(III) halides are seldom made by the Grignard synthesis but with
tert-butylmagnesium chloride, the diorgano derivative, R2SbCl, is obtained from antimony(III) chloride.
To achieve partial substitution in SbX3, a reagent of lower reactivity is required;
organolead and organotin compounds are suitable for the chlorides, and organosilicon compounds are satisfactory for the fluorides:
SbCl3 + PbR4 ! R2 SbCI + R2 PbCI2
SbF3 + 2½PhSiF5 2 − ! Ph2 SbF + 2½SiF6 2 −
Pyrolysis of triorganodihalides R3SbX2, the redistribution between inorganic trihalides and tertiary stibines, and the reduction of stibonic and stibinic acids with sulfur dioxide and hydroiodic acid in hydrochloric medium or with tin(II) chloride are
used in the synthesis of organoantimony(III) halides:
Δ
R3 SbX2 ! R2 SbX + RX
SbX3 + SbR3 ! R2 SbX + RSbX2
HCI
RSbOðOHÞ2 + SO2 + Hl ! RSbCl2
HCI
R2 SbðOÞOH + SO2 + Hl ! R2 SbCl
The direct synthesis from alkyl halides and metallic antimony can be used for the
methyl derivatives, Me2SbCl and MeSbCl2.
Convenient preparations of phenylantimony(III) chlorides are the redistribution
reactions:
SbPh3 + SbCl3 ! PhSbCl2
3 PhSbCl2 + 2 PBr3 ! 3 PhSbBr2 + 2 PCl3
PhSbCl2 + 2 Nal ! PhSbI2 + 2 NaCl3
The iodides can be prepared by double exchange with sodium iodide:
Me2 SbCl + Nal ! M2 SbI + NaCl
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9 Organometallic compounds of group 15 metals
Other related SbIII compounds are [PhSbCl4]2– with square pyramidal molecular geometry and [PhSbIIIX3]– (X = Cl, Br) [22]with a psi-trigonal bipyramidal geometry with
the phenyl group in equatorial position [23].
The chlorides can be prepared by addition of chlorine to chlorostibines:
PhSbCl2 + ½NMe4 Cl ! ½NMe4 ½PhSbCl3
PhSbCl2 + 2 ½NMe4 Cl ! ½NMe4 2 ½PhSbCl4
An interesting case is the unique compound [SbMe4]2[MeSbI4] [24] made of a tetrahedral [SbMe4]+ cation and the [MeSbI4]2– anion (the latter with a square pyramidal
geometry with apical methyl) (Fig. 9.6).
Fig. 9.6: Mixed anion–cation organoantimony compound.
Compounds of the [R2SbIIIX2] series with known structures are [Ph2SbIIICl2], [Ph2SbIIIBr2]–
[25], [Ph2SbIIIBr2]– [26] and [Ph2SbI2]– [27] with psi-trigonal bipyramidal geometry and
the phenyl groups in equatorial position:
Ph2 SbCl + ½NMe4 Cl ! ½NMe4 ½Ph2 SbCl2
Tetraorganoantimony(V) halides, R4SbX. The halides Me4SbF, Ph4SbCl [28],
SbPh4Br [29, 30] are molecular compounds with tetragonal pyramidal geometry with
the halogen in axial position. In the solid state, Me3SbF is associated into supramolecular chains with Sb–F–Sb bridges and six-coordinated antimony.
Tetramethylantimony fluoride is prepared from pentamethylantimony and KHF2
or HF:
SbMe5 + KHF2 ðor HFÞ ! Me4 Sb−F
Related pseudohalides are prepared by similar reactions (R = Me, Ph; X = N3, CN, SCN):
SbMe5 + HX ! Me4 Sb−X
Triorganoantimony(V) dihalides, R3SbX2. There are several compounds of this
class whose molecular structures have been established by X-ray diffraction. These
include Me3SbF2 [31], Mes3SbF2 [32], (PhCH2)3SbBr2 [33], Cyh3SbBr2 [34], Ph3Sbl2 [35]
and (Me3SiCH2)3SbI2 [36]. In all, the halogens occupy the axial positions in a trigonal bipyramidal geometry (Fig. 9.7).
Aromatic derivatives, R3SbX2, precipitate on treatment of aromatic stibines with
halogens. Triphenylantimony difluoride is formed in the reaction of Ph3SbO with
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9.1 Organoantimony compounds
115
Fig. 9.7: Trigonal bipyramidal geometry of R3SbX2 compounds.
SF4 or in the fluorination of SbPh3 with XeF2. The reaction of antimony pentachloride with diphenylmercury yields Ph3SbCl2 and PhHgCl.
The dihalides decompose above their melting points with formation of R2SbX.
Hydrolysis yields R3Sb(OH)X and R3Sb(OH). With tertiary phosphines, they form tetracoordinated anionic species by transfer of organic groups to phosphorus:
Me3 SbBr2 + PR3 ! ½R3 PMe + ½Me2 SbBr2 −
Diorganoantimony(V) trihalides, R2SbX3. The compounds Ph2SbCl2Br, Ph2SbClBr2
and Ph2SbBr3 [37] are trigonal bipyramidal molecules with the phenyl groups in
equatorial positions and two axial halogens, associated into supramolecular chains
with halogen bridges.
Dimethylantimony trichloride is prepared by chlorination of Me2SbCl and bis
(chlorovinyl)antimony trichloride by addition of acetylene to antimony pentachloride.
Other alkyl derivatives are obtained by the chlorination of distibines, R2Sb-SbR2.
An ionic dimer of Me2SbCl3, namely [SbMe4]+[SbCl6]–, is obtained from SbCl3 and
Me2InCl.
Solid Ph2SbCl3 is a supramolecular dimer with chloride bridges of unequal
lengths (Fig. 9.8), while Ph2SbBr3, Ph2SbClBr2 and Ph2SbCl2Br are monomeric with
trigonal bipyramidal structures.
Cl Ph Cl aPh Cl
c
Sb
Sb
b
d
Cl Ph Cl Ph Cl
a = 283.9 pm = 2.84 Å
b = 262.0 pm = 2.62 Å
c = 238.8 pm = 2.39 Å
d = 234.6 pm = 2.35 Å
Fig. 9.8: The structure of supramolecular dimeric Ph2SbCl3.
Aromatic derivatives ArSbCl4 are obtained from aryldiazonium salts with antimony
chlorides (SbCl3 or SbCl5), from stibonic acids and hydrochloric acid, by the reaction of
phenylhydrazine hydrochloride with antimony pentachloride in the presence of copper(II) chloride and oxygen, and by chlorination of diarylchlorostibines. The fluoride
Ph2SbF3 is obtained by fluorination of Ph2SbF with xenon difluoride and by treatment
of Ph2Sb(O)OH with SF4.
The tetrahalides react with alkylammonium salts to form arylpentachloroantimonates, [RNH3]+[RSbCl5]–. These anions have been established in octahedral [PhSbvCl5]–
[38] and [PhSbBr5]– [39].
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9 Organometallic compounds of group 15 metals
The tendency of antimony to increase its coordination number from five to six
results in addition of halide and pseudohalide ions:
Ph2 SbCl3 + ½NMe4 + X − ! ½NMe4 + ½Ph2 SbCl3 X −
X = Cl, Br, N3 , NCS
Ionic organoantimony(V) halides. A cation [Mes3SbCl]+ [40] is known, having a
tetrahedral structure with the chlorine in apical position.
Anions of the type [R2SbVX4]2 are represented by [Ph2SbVCl4]2– [41] which is an
octahedral complex with four chlorine atoms in equatorial positions and the two
phenyl groups in axial positions.
9.1.8 Oxygen-containing organoantimony compounds
Organoantimony oxides and hydroxides. The organoantimony oxides RSbO and
R2Sb–O–SbR2 are anhydrides of stibonous RSb(OH)2 and stibinous R2Sb-OH, respectively. The acids cannot be isolated and their anhydrides are obtained by alkaline hydrolysis of organoantimony(III) halides, or by in situ reduction of arylstibonic acids
with sulfur dioxide followed by alkaline hydrolysis. Distiboxanes are also formed by
thermal disproportionation of organoantimony(III) oxides:
4 RSbO ! ðR2 SbÞ2 O + Sb2 O3
or by cleavage of triarylstibines with acids, followed by treatment with alkalies.
The insoluble monoorganoantimony(III) oxides are polymeric. The soluble, low
melting distiboxanes, R2Sb–Ο–SbR2, are monomeric in the solid state.
Treatment of distiboxanes with carboxylic acids leads to diorganoantimony(III)
carboxylates, R2Sb–OCOR′.
Stibine oxides, R3SbO, and triorganoantimony(V) hydroxides, R3Sb(OH)2, are interconvertible. Trialkylantimony hydroxides are formed in the hydrolysis of trichlorides, but the trifluoromethyl derivative (CF3)3SbCl2 on hydrolysis yields the ionic
compound [H3O]+[(CF3)3SbCl2(OH)]–, which can be converted with wet silver oxide
into Ag+[(CF3)3Sb(OH)3]–.
Trimethylantimony(V) hydroxide, Me3Sb(OH)2, is dehydrated in vacuo to form
trimethylstibine oxide, Me3SbO.
Triarylantimony(V) hydroxides are obtained by hydrolysis of dihalides in alkaline
medium, or by oxidation of triarylstibines with hydrogen peroxide in acetone or with
HgO in ether. They are dehydrated to form stibine oxides:
H2 O
R3 SbCl2 ! R3 SbðOHÞ2 ! R3 SbO
− H2 O
The oxides, R3SbO, are polymeric.
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9.1 Organoantimony compounds
117
A dihydroxo compound (CH3)3Sb(OH)2 ·7H2O has been prepared from (CH3)3SbCl2
and NaOH and has a trigonal bipyramidal molecular geometry with the OH groups in
axial positions [42].
Triarylantimony(V) hydroxides, which exist as [R3Sb(OH)3]– anions in aqueous solution, are strong bases and precipitate metal hydroxides in reactions with their salts.
Stibonic acids, RSbO(OH)2. Aliphatic derivatives are unknown but stable derivatives are prepared from aryldiazonium salts with antimony halides or by the precipitation of the [Ar–N2]+[SbCl4]– salt from a hydrochloric solution of the diazonium salt
on treatment with antimony(III) chloride, followed by alkaline treatment (producing
nitrogen evolution) and re-acidification to give the stibonic acid. The hydrolysis of
arylantimony tetrachlorides, RSbCl4, is also used.
The stibonic acids may be polymeric, but a hydrated six-coordinated structure
[RSb(OH)5]–[H+] is possible, analogous to the inorganic anion, [Sb(OH)6]–.
The aromatic stibonic acids form organoantimony(V) tetrachlorides, RSbCl4,
with concentrated hydrochloric acid and are used for the purification of acids. With
sulfur dioxide and hydrogen iodide in hydrochloric acid solution, the acids are reduced to aryldichlorostibines.
Stibinic acids, R2Sb(O)H. Dimethylstibinic acid is prepared by the hydrolysis
of dimethylantimony trichloride, Me2SbCl3, or by the wet oxidation of tetramethyldistibine, Me2Sb–SbMe2.
Aromatic derivatives are formed as a mixture with stibonic acids in the reaction
of arylhydrazines with antimony trichloride in the presence of copper(I) chloride, or
from aryldiazonium salts with monoorgano-antimony(III) compounds:
H2 O
½R − N3 + Cl − + R′SbCl2 ! RR′SbCl3 ! RR′SbðOÞOH
or by oxidation of triarylstibines with hydrogen peroxide in alkaline medium. Pure
compounds are obtained by hydrolysis of diarylantimony(V) trichlorides.
Heterocyclic stibinic acids are formed by cyclodehydration of stibonic acids
(Fig. 9.9).
Fig. 9.9: Heterocyclic stibinic acids from aromatic stibonic acids.
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9 Organometallic compounds of group 15 metals
Stibinous-acid esters, RSb(OR′)2 are prepared from organoantimony dihalides
and sodium alkoxides:
RSbCl2 + 2NaOR′ ! RSb OR′ 2 + 2NaCl
or directly from dihalides and alcohols (diols) in the presence of bases (Fig. 9.10).
Fig. 9.10: Stibinous acid esters.
Stibinous-acid esters, R2Sb-OR′ are obtained from dialkylantimony halides and sodium alkoxides:
R2 Sb − Cl + NaOR′ ! R2 Sb−OR′ + NaCl
Dialkoxyantimony trialkoxides, RnSb(OR′)5–n can be prepared from the corresponding trichlorides and sodium alkoxides at low temperature:
− 40 C
! R2 Sb OR′ 3 + 3NaBr
R2 SbBr3 + 3NaOR′
The Me2Sb(OMe)3 derivative is a supramolecular dimer (Fig. 9.11).
Fig. 9.11: Dimeric Me2Sb(OMe)3 supermolecule.
Tetraorganoantimony alkoxides R4Sb–OR′ can be made by cleavage of pentasubstituted derivatives with alcohols or phenols.
9.1.9 Sulfur-containing organoantimony compounds
Stibine sulfides, R3SbS, are prepared by oxidative addition of sulfur to tertiary stibines, by treatment of trialkylantimony hydroxides with hydrogen sulfide, or by reaction of triorganoantimony dichlorides with hydrogen sulfide in ammonia-alcoholic
solutions (Fig. 9.12).
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9.1 Organoantimony compounds
119
Fig. 9.12: Formation of R3SbS compounds.
Organoantimony(III) sulfides, RSbS and R2Sb–S–SbR2, are prepared by the reaction of chloroorganostibines or the corresponding oxides with hydrogen sulfide.
Arylantimony sulfides are obtained from the oxides with carbon disulfide in the
presence of ammonia, or with dithiocarbamates. The RSbS compounds are polymeric.
Organoantimony(lll) dithiolates, RSb(SR′)2, are diesters of thioacids,obtained
from monoorganoantimony(III) oxides or dihalides with thiols. Heterocyclic esters
are prepared from dithiols (Fig. 9.13).
Fig. 9.13: Synthesis of an organoantimony–sulfur heterocycle.
Diorganoantimony thiolates, R2Sb-SR′, are formed in reactions of halides or oxides
with sulfur reagents:
or by cleavage of triphenylstibine:
50 C
SbPh3 + PhSH ! · Ph2 Sb−SPh + PhH
Triorganoantimony dithiolates R3Sb(SR′)2 result from reactions of triorganoantimony dihalides with thiols:
NEt ′ − 30 C
3
R3 SbCl2 + 2 R′SH ! R3 SbðSR′Þ2 + 2 HCl
Tetraalkylantimony thiolates, R4Sb-SR′ are obtained by cleavage of pentaalkyls
with thiols:
SbMe5 + RSH ! Me4 Sb−SR + CH4
9.1.10 Nitrogen-containing organoantimony compounds
Organodiaminostibines RSb(NR2)2 and diorganoaminostibines R2Sb-NR2 are prepared from the corresponding halides and lithiated amines:
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9 Organometallic compounds of group 15 metals
RSbX2 + 2LiNR′2 ! RSb NR′2 + 2LiX
R2 SbX + LiNR′2 ! R2 Sb−NR′2 + LiX
Four-membered Sb2N2 rings like [But2Sb–NBut]2 (Fig. 9.14) [43] are formed with organoantimony(III) moieties. Using But2SbCl as reagent, a tert-butyl-substituted stibinoamine
But2SbN(H)But, an isopropyl-substituted interpnictogen Bu2SbtN(HiPri, with LiNHR and
a primary stibinoamine But2SbNH2 are obtained. Condensation of But2SbNH2 leads
to a distibazane compound (But2Sb)2NH with elimination of ammonia [44].
Fig. 9.14: A cyclic Sb2N2 ring compound.
The reaction of triorganoantimony dihalides with ammonia gives amino-stibonium
salts [R3Sb–NH2]+X–.
Triarylstibine imines, R3Sb = NR′, are obtained from tertiary stibines and the sodium salt of N-bromacetamide or N-chlorosulfonamides and by treatment of triarylantimony dichlorides with sodium amide [45]. The dimers of R3SbNR′ are cyclic
compounds with Sb2N2 rings, for example, [ClPh2Sb = NCH2Ph]2 [46] (Fig. 9.15).
Fig. 9.15: Dimeric [Ph2ClSb–NCH2Ph]2.
9.1.11 Organoantimony compounds with Sb–Sb bonds
Distibanes. Tetraorganodistibanes, R2Sb–SbR2, are formed by the action of organic
free radicals upon metallic antimony mirrors, by reduction of dialkylantimony bromide with sodium in liquid ammonia or with magnesium in THF, or by the reaction
of alkyl halides with antimony in the presence of sodium or lithium (also in liquid
ammonia).
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9.1 Organoantimony compounds
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A number of tetraorganodistibanes, R2Sb–SbR2 with R = Et, Ph, Mes, CH(SiMe3)2,
have been reported [47]. Aromatic derivatives are formed in the reduction of diaryliodostibines with sodium hypophosphite and tetraphenyldistibane Ph2Sb–SbPh2
[48] is a typical example.
Methyldistibane compounds display an unprecedented diversity. Thus, neutral derivatives with four organic groups, Me2SbIII–SbIIIMe2 [49, 50], monocationic compounds with five organic groups [Me2SbIII–SbVMe3]+ [51, 52] and dicationic compounds
with six organic groups [Me3Sbv–SbvMe3]2+ [53] have been described (Figure 9.16).
Fig. 9.16: The variety of methyl distibane derivatives.
Tetraorganodistibanes are cleaved by halogens and hydrogen halides. On heating
above 200 °C, they disproportionate to form tertiary stibines and metallic antimony.
The connection of two antimony heterocycles through Sb–Sb bonds leads to another type of distibanes [54] (Fig. 9.17).
Fig. 9.17: Antimony heterocycles connected as distibane compounds.
Distibenes, that is, compounds with Sb=Sb double bonds [55–57], are formed with
bulky organic substituents which prevent the oligomer or polymer formation of RSb
moieties (Fig. 9.18).
Longer polyantimony chains are a rarity, and only a tristibane anion [But2Sb–
Sb–SbBut2]– has been structurally characterized (as potassium salt) [58] (Fig. 9.19).
Cyclic stibanes. The insoluble [RSb]n compounds are cyclic oligomers or linear
polymers. The solid tetramer, [Bu’Sb]4 (obtained from Bu2SbLi and iodine or from
Bu2SbCl and magnesium in THF), and the hexamer, [PhSb]6 (prepared from phenylstibine PhSbH2), are cyclic stibanes:
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122
9 Organometallic compounds of group 15 metals
Fig. 9.18: Structure of a distibene.
Fig. 9.19: Structure of a tristibane chain.
THF
2BUt2 SbCl + Mg !
1 t
Bu Sb 4 + SbBut3 + MgCl2
4
Other preparations of [RSb]n derivatives include the reduction of stibonic acids with
sodium dithionite or hypophosphite, the decomposition of arylantimony hydrides or
the condensation of hydrides with aryldichlorostibines. The presence of halogen in the
product is interpreted in terms of a polymeric structure with halogen terminal groups
Cl(SbR)nCl but no crystal structure analysis for this type of compound is available.
A cyclic trimer with trimethylsilyl substituents [Sb(CH(SiMe3)2]3 [59] seems to
be the sole representative of this family (Fig. 9.20).
Fig. 9.20: Structure of a cyclic tristibane.
Several four-membered cyclostibanes are known with various organic substituents,
including [SbBut]4 [60], [Sb(HC(SiMe3)2)]4 [61] and others [62, 63] (Fig. 9.21).
Five-membered [Sb(CH2But)]5 [64] and six-membered [SbPh]6 [65] are rarities
but well-documented cyclostibanes (Fig. 9.22).
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9.1 Organoantimony compounds
123
Fig. 9.21: Four-membered cyclostibanes.
Fig. 9.22: Five- and six-membered cyclostibanes.
Bi- and tricyclic stibanes are mentioned: a pentaantimony bicyclic Sb5{C6H3{CH2NMe2-2,6}2}3 compound [66], a bicyclic Sb4–Sb4 compound (R = CH(SiMe3)2) [67] and
a tricyclic octastibane, Sb8{HC(SiMe3)2}4 [68] (Fig. 9.23).
Fig. 9.23: Bi- and tricyclic polystibanes.
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124
9 Organometallic compounds of group 15 metals
9.1.12 Organoantimony(III) compounds as donor ligands
Having a lone pair, the triorganostibines can act as donors to form a large number
of metal complexes. Only a short list is mentioned, to illustrate the versatility of triorganostibines as ligands, illustrated with just a few chemical diagrams (Fig. 9.24):
CrðCOÞ5 SbPh3 ½69
MðCOÞ5 SbMe3 , M = Cr, W ½70
MðCOÞ5 SbPh3 ½71 M = Mo, W
½MnCOÞ5 SbPh3 + and ReClðCOÞ3 SbPh3 ½72
FeðCOÞ4 SbBut 3 ½73
FeðCOÞ4 ðSbPh3 Þ ½74
RuðCOÞ4 ðSbPh3 Þ ½75
RuðSbMe3 ÞðCOÞ4 ðSbMe3 Þ and OsðSbPh3 ÞðCOÞ4 ½76
CoI3 ðSbPh3 Þ2 ½77
mer-RhCl3 ðSbPh3 Þ3 ½78
trans-PdCl2 SbPri 3 2 ½79
cis-PtBr2 ðSbPh3 Þ2 ½80
PtðSbMe3 Þ4 ½81
cis-PtCl2 ðSbPh3 Þ2 and trans-PtI2 ðSbPh3 Þ2 ½82
+
+
CuðSbPh3 Þ4 and AgðSbPh3 Þ4 ½83
+
AgðSbPh3 Þ4 ½84, 85
AuðSbMe3 Þ2 and Au SbðPh2 MesÞ3 ½86
+
AuðPPh3 Þ4 ½87
All3 ðSbPri3 Þ GaBr3 ðSbEt3 Þ InCl3 ðSbEt3 Þ InCl3 SbPri 3 ½88
GaBut3 ðSbMe 3 Þ ½89
Complexes with distibane ligands can also be prepared and examples are (μ-Me2Sb–SbMe2)[Cr2(CO)5]2 [90], [μ-Me2Sb–SbMe2)(GaBut)2], [(μ-Et2Sb–SbEt2)(MBut3)2] [91]
and [(μ-Ph2Sb–SbPh2){W(CO)5}2] [92].
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9.1 Organoantimony compounds
125
Fig. 9.24: Examples of triorganostibane ligand complexes.
Rare tristibane donor complexes [{μ2-Sb{HC(SiMe3)2}3Fe(CO)4] [93] and a branched
tetrastibane complex [(μ3-Sb){SbAr)3(μ2-TiCp2)3] (Ar = C6H4CH2NMe2) [94] are also
known (Fig. 9.25).
R = C6H4CH2NMe2
Fig. 9.25: Tri- and tetrastibane ligands.
9.1.13 Organoantimony inverse coordination complexes
This category of compounds provides various examples in which a single nonmetallic
central atom is surrounded by a number of organoantimony moieties. The cyclic polystibanes can also serve as centroligands in inverse coordination complexes. Examples
are known with a cyclotristibane cyclo-[Sb{CH(SiMe3)2}3{W(CO)5}] [95], with a cyclotetrastibane, cyclo-[(SbBu)4{W(CO)5}2], and with a cyclo-pentastibane, cyclo-[Sb(CH2SiMe3)5{W(CO)5}] (Fig. 9.26).
The oxo-centered cation [(μ3-O)(SbMe2)3]+ [96], molecular azo-centered [(μ3-N)
(SbR2)3] (R = Me, Ph) [97] and iodo-centered (μ4-I)(SbI2Ph)4]– anion [98] also illustrate
this category (Fig. 9.27).
Organoantimony derivatives of inorganic oxoacids represent a second family of
inverse coordination complexes and examples include nitrato [(μ2-NO3)(SbPh4)3]–,
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126
(Me3Si)2CH
9 Organometallic compounds of group 15 metals
CH(SiMe3)2
Sb
Sb
But
(CO)5W
Sb
(Me3Si)2CH
Sb
But
Sb
W(CO)5
But
Me3SiCH2
But
Sb
CH2SIMe3
Sb
Sb
Me3SiCH2
(CO)5W
W(CO)5
Sb
CH2SiMe3
Sb
Sb
Sb
W(CO)5
CH2SiMe3
Fig. 9.26: Organocyclostibanes as centroligands in inverse coordination complexes.
Fig. 9.27: Organoantimony inverse coordination complexes.
sulfato [(μ2-SO4)(SbPh4)2] [99] and carbonato [(μ2-CO3)(SbMe4)2] [100] and [(μ3-CO3)
(SbPh4)3] [101] compounds (Fig. 9.28).
Fig. 9.28: Organoantimony inverse coordination complexes with inorganic centroligands.
Carboxylato anions are versatile centroligands and form numerous organoantimony
inverse coordination complexes. A selection of illustrative examples include oxalato
[μ2-C2O4)(SbPh2)2] [102], succinato [(μ2-OOC–CH2CH2COO)(SbPh4)] [103], phthalato
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9.2 Organobismuth compounds
127
[(μ2-C6H4(COOSbPh4-1,2)2] [104] and pyridine dicarboxylato [(μ2-C6H3N(COOSbPh42,6)2] [105] compounds (Fig. 9.29).
Fig. 9.29: Organoantimony inverse coordination complexes with carboxylato centro-ligands.
Further reading
Breunig HJ, Rösler R Organoantimony compounds with element-element bonds. Coord Chem Rev
1997, 163, 33–53.
Copolovici DM, Bojan RV, Raț CI, Silvestru C. New chiral organoantimony(III) compounds containing
intramolecular N→Sb interactions – Solution behaviour and solid state structures. Dalton
Transactions 39, 6410–18.
Said MA, Kumara-Swamy KC, Poojary DM, Clearfield A, Veith M, Huch V Dinuclear and tetranuclear
cages of oxodiphenylantimony phosphinates: Synthesis and structures. Inorg Chem 1996, 35,
3235
9.2 Organobismuth compounds
Bismuth has more metallic character than its higher congeners in group 15. The bismuth–carbon bond is less thermally stable and is readily cleaved. Thus, organobismuth hydrides decompose at −50 °C, as do the compounds containing Bi–Bi bonds,
and the hydrolysis products of organobismuth halides are better described.
Nitrogen- and sulfur-containing organobismuth compounds are little known.
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128
9 Organometallic compounds of group 15 metals
9.2.1 Homoleptic BiR3 compounds
Bismuth metal or bismuth tribromide reacts with diorganomercury compounds.
Grignard or organolithium compounds are effective, and organosodium compounds
are used for the preparation of acetylenic derivatives. Organoaluminum reagents
react with bismuth(III) oxide to form triorganosubstituted compounds. Other methods include the electrochemical synthesis of BiR3 derivatives by electrolysis of the
salt Na+[R3Al-Et]– with a bismuth anode, and the decomposition of the aryldiazonium salts, [ArN2]+[BiCl4]–, in the presence of metallic copper.
Solid triphenylbismuth is trigonal pyramidal with different angles of rotation of
the phenyl groups about the Bi–C bonds.
The trialkylsubstituted bismuth derivatives are pyrophoric in air, decompose on
distillation, and are readily cleaved by halogens. The aromatic derivatives are more
stable in air. Strong acids cleave all organobismuth derivatives to inorganic bismuth
(III) compounds, but weak acids lead to partial cleavage of aromatic groups to R2BiX
and RBiX2 derivatives. The triorganobismuth compounds (bismuthines) are weaker
donors than tertiary arsines and stibines, but some transition metal complexes of triphenylbismuth are known.
9.2.2 Pentaorgano-substituted derivatives, BiR5
Pentaphenylbismuth is prepared from phenyllithium with triphenylbismuth dichloride:
− 75 C
R3 BiCl2 + 2RLi ! BiR5 + 2LiCI
R = Ph
The product decomposes at ca. 100 °C and is converted to tetraphenylbismuthonium salts with bromine in CCl4 or HCl in ether. With excess of phenyllithium, it
forms a hypervalent hexaphenyl anion [BiPh6]–.
9.2.3 Subvalent bismuth cations, [BiVR4]+
Aromatic bismuthonium derivatives can be prepared from pentaphenylbismuth by
bromine cleavage at −78 °C:
BiPh5 + Br2
− 78 C
!
½BiPh4 + Br − + PhBr
Tetraphenylbismuthonium chloride is prepared by cleavage of pentaphenylbismuth
with hydrogen chloride and can be converted to a more stable tetraphenylborate:
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9.2 Organobismuth compounds
BiPh5 +
129
NaBPh4
! ½BiPh4 + Cl −
! ½BiPh4 + ½BiPh4 −
HCl
− 78 C
− phH
9.2.4 Organobismuth halides
Organobismuth(III) mono- and dihalides, RnBiX3–n, have been obtained by redistribution between trisubstituted derivatives and bismuth(III) halides:
2BiR3 + BiX3 ! 3R2 BiX ðX = CI, Br, IÞ
BiR3 + 2BiX3 ! 3RBiX2
or by arylation of bismuth(III) bromide with tetraphenyllead. Organolead reagents
are also used for the synthesis of vinylbismuth dichloride:
CCl4
PbðCH=CH2 Þ4 + 2BiCl3 ! 2H2 C=CH−BiCl2 + ðH2 C=CHÞ2 PbCl2
and an organotin heterocycle is employed to prepare a halide which is the precursor of the unstable bismabenzene (Fig. 9.30).
Fig. 9.30: Formation of the bismabenzene ring.
Organobismuth halides are also obtained by cleavage of trisubstituted derivatives
with hydrogen halides, iodine chloride, phosphorus or arsenic trichlorides, acyl chlorides, mercury(II) and thallium(III)chlorides.
The reactive organobismuth(III) halides are sensitive to moisture and alcohols
and pyrophoric in air. Diarylbismuth halides are biologically active, showing strong
sternutatory action, and are toxic.
The hydrolysis of dihalides leads to oxides, RBiO, but dimethylbismuth bromide forms a hydroxide, R2Bi–OH.
The halides react with sodium ethoxide and thiols to give ethoxy derivatives,
R2Bi–OEt, and thiolates, R2Bi–SR′, respectively.
The anions [Ph2BiX2]” are formed by addition of halide or pseudohalide anions
(X = CI, Br, CN, SCN, N3) to a diphenylbismuth halide.
Triorganobismuth(V) dihalides. The R3BiX2 compounds are prepared by addition
of halogens – in stoichiometric amounts and under controlled conditions to avoid
Bi–C bond cleavage – to trisubstituted derivatives:
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130
9 Organometallic compounds of group 15 metals
0 C
BiR3 + X2 ! R3 BiX2
CHCl3
Sulfuryl chloride, sulfur monochloride, thionyl chloride and iodine trichloride are
also used.
Solid triphenylbismuth dichloride is trigonal bipyramidal with organic groups
in equatorial position and the halogens in axial position. Conductivity measurements in acetonitrile show no dissociation as [R3BiX]+X–.
The thermal stability of the triorganobismuth dichlorides decreases in the order
F > CI > Br > I, the iodides decomposing as low as −60 °C.
The dihalides are reduced with hydrazine to triorganosubstituted compounds.
9.2.5 Oxygen-containing organobismuth compounds
The triarylbismuth hydroxyhalides, R3Bi(OH)X, are formed by treatment of dihalides with aqueous ammonia, and dihydroxides, R3Bi(OH)2, by treatment with wet
silver oxide.
The solid, oxygen-containing salt, [Ph3Bi–O–BiPh3]2+[ClO4]2, contains four-coordinated bismuth.
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10 Organometallic compounds of group 12 metals
10.1 Organozinc compounds
Organozinc compounds played an important role as intermediates in synthetic organic
chemistry before the discovery of Grignard reagents. The first organozinc compounds
were prepared by Frankland in 1849, and they are among the first organometallic compounds known. Interest in organozinc compounds was recently revived, and new applications as intermediates in organic synthesis have brought them again into use.
Disubstituted compounds, ZnR2, and monosubstituted functional derivatives,
RZnX (X = halogen, OR, NR2, SR, etc.), are all well known, and hypervalent threecoordinated [ZnR3]– and four-coordinated [ZnR4]2– derivatives are also described.
10.1.1 Homoleptic compounds, ZnR2
Diorganozinc compounds can be prepared from zinc metal, or better zinc–copper
alloy, and alkyl iodides:
2Zn + 2Rl ! 2RZnl ! ZnR2 + Znl2
Zinc halides react with Grignard reagents, organolithium or aluminum compounds
to form diorganozinc compounds (Fig. 10.1)
Fig. 10.1: Preparations of diorganozinc compounds.
For aryl derivatives, the reaction of organomercury compounds with zinc metal in
refluxing xylene is a convenient procedure:
HgR2 + Zn ! ZnR2 + Hg
Compounds with R = Me, Et [1], C6F5 [2] and C6H3(CF3)2-2,4,6 [3] can serve as examples for their linear structure.
The cyclopentadienyl zinc compound (η5-C5H5)Zn-CH3 (prepared from Zn(CH3)I
and NaC5H5) is monomeric in vapor phase but in the solid state, it displays a unique
supramolecular chain structure in which the η5-cyclopentadienyl groups alternate
with zinc atoms.
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110695274-010
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10 Organometallic compounds of group 12 metals
The pentamethylcyclopentadienyl compounds (η5-C5Me5)Zn-R with R = Me, Et,
Ph, Mes (prepared by comproportionation of Zn(η5-C5Me5)2 with ZnR2) are monomeric half sandwich complexes [4].
The diorganozinc compounds (ZnR2) are very sensitive to oxygen; the lower alkyls
are spontaneously flammable and the higher alkyls fume in air. Unlike organomagnesium compounds, the organozinc compounds do not react with carbon dioxide; hence,
this gas served in earlier years of organometallic chemistry as a protective atmosphere.
10.1.2 Hypervalent anions [ZnR3]– and [ZnR4]2–
Alkali metal organometallics react with disubstituted zinc derivatives to form hypervalent anions with three and four organic groups attached to the metal. Thus,
diphenylzinc reacts with phenyllithium to form Li+[ZnPh3]– and Li3[Zn2Ph7]3– of unknown structure. Similarly, dimethylzinc forms the compounds Li2[ZnMe4 · OEt2]
and Li2[ZnMe4] with methyllithium in ether. In both Li2[ZnMe4] and Li2[Zn(C≡CH)4],
a tetrahedral arrangement of organic groups about the metal was found by X-ray
diffraction.
Triorganozinc anions [ZnR3]– with R = Et [5], tert-Bu [6], Ph [7], Mes, C6F5 [8],
CH2SiMe3 [9], C≡CPh [10] with various counter ions have been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction as trigonal planar compounds. Tetraorganozinc anions
[ZnR4]2– with R = Me [11] and C≡CPh [12] display tetrahedral geometry.
10.1.3 Diorganozinc donor adducts, R2Zn.D
The zinc atom can make use of its available p-orbitals, by accepting lone electron
pairs from donor molecules to form weak complexes. Simple ethers form relatively unstable complexes, but cyclic ethers (THF, dioxane, etc.) and chelating diethers such as
dimethoxyethane increase the stability (Fig. 10.2).
Fig. 10.2: Diether complexes of ZnMe2.
With dioxane, a supramolecular chain is formed by dimesitylzinc [13], which also
forms an adduct with 4,4′-bipyridyl [14] (Fig. 10.3).
The diamines form similar complexes, for example, ZnPh2.NMe3, Zn(C6F5)2.2Py
[15], as well as chelates with bidentate amines [16, 17] (Fig. 10.4).
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10.1 Organozinc compounds
139
Fig. 10.3: Adducts of dimesitylzinc.
Fig. 10.4: Diamine adducts of dimethylzinc.
A unique inverse coordination complex is formed by dimethylzinc with an azacrown as exodonor centroligand [18] (Fig. 10.5).
Fig. 10.5: Azacrown inverse coordination complex of
dimethylzinc.
The complexes with phosphines, arsines and sulfides are unstable. Electron withdrawing groups at zinc increase the acceptor power of the metal and its tendency to form
complexes. Thus, stable tertiary phosphine complexes such as Zn(C6F5).2PPh3 can be
obtained [19].
10.1.4 Organozinc hydrides, RZnH
Simple organozinc hydrides (RZnH) are difficult to obtain. Reducing diorganozincs
with lithium alanate gives RZnH in THF, but conversion to RZn2H3 occurs:
THF
20 C
ZnR2 + LiAIH4 ! RZnH ! RZn2 H3 , R = Me, Ph
Diorganozinc derivatives, ZnR2, react with zinc hydride in the presence of pyridine to
form a cyclic trimer (Fig. 10.6).
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10 Organometallic compounds of group 12 metals
Fig. 10.6: Trimeric organozinc hydride.
10.1.5 Organozinc halides, RZnX
The formation of organozinc analogues of Grignard reagents by a reaction of zinc
metal and alkyl halides can be achieved only in strongly polar solvents, such as
dimethylformamide, diglyme or dimethylsulfoxide:
Zn + RX ! RZnX ðX = BrÞ
For the synthesis of ketones from acyl halides, compounds with a lower reactivity
than Grignard reagents are often useful. The latter are transformed into organozinc
halides and are used without isolation:
Et2 o
ZnCl2 + RMgX ! RZnCl + MgXCl
Organozinc halides can also be prepared by the reaction of disubstituted derivatives
and zinc halides. The equilibrium:
ZnR2 + ZnX2 Ð 2RZnX
is strongly shifted to the right.
The structure of organozinc halides in solution probably involves both coordinative solvation (in suitable solvents) and intermolecular association (in noncoordinating solvents). The RZnX derivatives are polymerized in the solid state. For
example, ethylzinc iodide is a supramolecular structure consisting of macromolecular chains involving Zn3I3 rings with the metal four-coordinated and the iodine
atoms three-coordinated.
10.1.6 Organozinc alkoxides
The disubstituted organozinc compounds are sensitive to the action of reagents
containing active hydrogen. Water and alcohols cleave only one of the organic
groups, forming, respectively, bridged dimers [RZn–OH]2, and tetramers [RZn–OR′]4
with cubane structures. These tetramers are cleaved by pyridine to form cyclic dimers
(Fig. 10.7). When the alcohol contains a bulky organic group, cyclic dimers and trimers
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10.1 Organozinc compounds
141
containing three-coordinated zinc are formed, such as [EtZn–OCPh3]2, [EtZn–OCHPh2]3,
[EtZn–OC6F5]2 and [EtZn–OC6Cl5]2.
Fig. 10.7: Organozinc alkoxides.
Disubstituted ZnR2 compounds and thiols give insoluble polymers, [RZn–SR′]n (R = Me)
or oligomers (n = 5, 6 or 8), containing unusual ZnnSn polyhedral cages.
10.1.7 Organozinc amides
Primary and secondary amines can cleave Zn–R bonds to form amino derivatives associated through coordination into supermolecules, as the cyclic dimer [(MeZn–NPh2].
The compound obtained from dimethylzinc and triphenylphosphinimine is a
tetramer [(MeZn–N = PPh3)4 with a cubane structure (Fig. 10.8).
Fig. 10.8: Organozinc amino derivatives.
Amino derivatives react with carbon dioxide, phenylisocyanate and phenylisothiocyanate to form addition compounds by insertion of the reagent molecule into the
Zn–Ν bond (Fig. 10.9).
Fig. 10.9: Insertion reactions of organozinc amino derivatives.
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10 Organometallic compounds of group 12 metals
These products are associated supermolecules. Thus, EtZn–NPhC(O)R (where
R = OMe, NPh2) are cyclic trimers and the compound with R = Me is a tetramer.
With pyridine, the trimers are degraded to dimers (Fig. 10.10).
Fig. 10.10: Cyclic supramolecular oligomers.
10.1.8 Compounds with Zn–Zn bonds
Such type of compounds are rare, but a few examples can be cited: bis(cyclopentadenyl)dizinc (η5-C5Me5)Zn-Zn(η5-C5Me5) [20] and a cyclo-trizinc compound with the
same η5-C5Me5 units [21] (Fig. 10.11).
Fig. 10.11: Cyclic trizinc compound.
10.1.9 Inverse coordination organozinc complexes
A curiosity in organozinc chemistry is represented by the oxo-centered inverse coordination complexes formed by diethylzinc with sodium oxide [(μ5-O)Na2(ZnEt2)3] [22],
and heavier metal oxides [(μ6-O)M2(ZnEt2)3] (M = K, Rb) [23]. In these complexes, the
zinc atoms occupy equatorial positions, and the alkali metal atoms are in axial positions (Fig. 10.12).
10.2 Organocadmium compounds
Organocadmium compounds are less thoroughly investigated than those of zinc and
magnesium; however, they are sometimes used as reagents in organic syntheses, for
example, for the preparation of ketones from acyl halides. Unlike those of magnesium and zinc, organocadmium reagents do not react with the carbonyl group of the
ketone formed.
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10.2 Organocadmium compounds
143
Fig. 10.12: Inverse coordination complexes with diethylzinc ligands and alkali metal oxides as
coordination centers.
Organo-disubstituted derivatives, CdR2 and CdRR′, and monosubstituted derivatives, RCdX (X = halogen, OR, SR, etc.), are known. The coordinative unsaturation
of cadmium makes possible the formation of adducts with donors, the association
of the functional derivatives RCdX, and the formation of hypervalent anionic species with three and four Cd–R bonds of the type [CdR3]– and [CdR4]2–.
10.2.1 Homoleptic compounds, CdR2
Diorganocadmium (CdR2) compounds, structurally investigated with X-ray diffractometry, with R = Me [24], Ph [25] and C6F5 [26], display a linear molecular geometry.
The bis(alkylcyclopentadienyl)cadmium has a particular structure with antiparallel
orientation of the η1-five-membered rings [27] (Fig. 10.13).
Fig. 10.13: Two unusual organozinc compounds.
There are several methods of preparing CdR2 compounds.
The reaction of free cadmium (unlike zinc and magnesium) metal with organomercury derivatives cannot be used, since the organocadmium compounds are difficult to separate from the equilibrium mixture formed:
Cd + HgR2 Ð CdR2 + Hg
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10 Organometallic compounds of group 12 metals
Divinylcadmium has been obtained by an exchange reaction between divinylmercury and dimethylcadmium.
The CdR2 compounds are prepared from organomagnesium or lithium reagents
and anhydrous cadmium halides:
CdX2 + 2RMgX ! CdR2 + 2MgX2
CdX2 + 2RLi ! CdR2 + 2LiX
Adding hexamethylphosphortriamide (HMPA), which precipitates the magnesium
halide as a complex, facilitates the isolation of the organocadmium derivative.
Organolithium reagents are particularly suitable for the synthesis of aromatic
compounds of cadmium, for example, phenyl and pentafluorophenyl derivatives.
Bis(pentafluorophenyl)- and bis(pentachlorophenyl)cadmium can be prepared
by thermal decarboxylation of organic salts:
CdðOCOC6 F5 Þ2 ! CdðC6 F5 Þ2 + 2CO2
and allyl derivatives by exchange between dimethylcadmium and the appropriate
boron compounds:
3CdMe2 + 2B CH2 CR = CHR′ 3 ! 3Cd CH2 CR = CHR′ 2 + 2BMe3
Thallium can also transfer organic groups to cadmium, as in the following preparation of bis(pentafluorophenyl)cadmium:
160 C
ðC6 F5 Þ2 TlBr + Cd ! CdðC6 F5 Þ2 + TlBr
Dialkylcadmium derivatives are distillable, monomeric liquids, decomposing thermally at temperatures above 150 °C. They are less reactive than the analogous zinc
compounds and are not spontaneously flammable in air, although they are oxidized
to peroxides, Cd(OOR)2. The Cd–C bond is easily cleaved by halogens, with formation
of cadmium halides.
10.2.2 Hypervalent anions, [CdR3]–
The tendency to increase the coordination number and to reduce the coordinative
unsaturation of CdR2 compounds is reflected in the formation of anions containing
three and four organic groups attached to cadmium. Thus, diphenylcadmium reacts
with phenyllithium to form an unstable salt:
CdPh2 + LiPh ! Li + ½CdPh3 −
and the tetrahedral [Cd(C≡CR)4]2– anion has been prepared:
CdðSCNÞ2 + 4KC ≡ CR + BaðSCNÞ2 ! Ba CdðC ≡ CRÞ4 + 4KSCN
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10.2 Organocadmium compounds
145
10.2.3 Diorganocadmium donor adducts, CdR2.D
The direct synthesis with alkyl iodides and cadmium metal in HMPA yields a complex:
HMPA
2Rl + 2Cd ! CdR2 · 2HMPA + Cdl2
The acidity of organocadmium compounds is much less than their organozinc analogues. Thus, the 2,2′-bipyridyl complex, [CdMe2,bipy] [28], is unstable and the dioxane complex, [CdMe2.dioxane]x, is dissociated in solution (Fig. 10.14).
Fig. 10.14: Two adducts of dimethylcadmium.
10.2.4 Organocadmium halides, RCdX
Organocadmium halides, RCdX, have only been recently isolated pure, although
they have long been used in ethereal solutions for preparative purposes as reagents
in organic chemistry. Adding anhydrous cadmium chloride to Grignard reagents in
ether yields CdR2 and RCdX, depending upon the reagent ratio. The RCdX derivatives do not play a role comparable to that of Grignard reagents, since it is more
convenient to use solutions of CdR2 compounds in organic preparations. They are,
however, important for the preparation of the asymmetric derivatives, RCdR′, through
reactions between RCdX and R′MgX compounds.
Organocadmium halides are obtained by redistribution reactions of cadmium
dialkyls with dihalides:
CdR2 + CdX2 ! 2RCdX
and by the reaction of Grignard reagents with cadmium halides:
CdX2 + RMgX ! RCdX + MgX2
The halides, RCdX, are infusible crystalline solids, decomposing at ca. 100 °C, monomeric in dimethylsulfoxide solution.
The trimethylsilyl derivatives [CdX{C(SiMe2Ph)}] with X = Cl [29] and Br [30] are
self-assembled supramolecular dimers (Fig. 10.15).
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10 Organometallic compounds of group 12 metals
Fig. 10.15: Dimeric organocadmium halides.
10.2.5 Organocadmium functional compounds, RCdX′
Cadmium, like zinc, can form associated functional derivatives, RCdX′. Dimethylcadmium reacts with alcohols to form dimers, [(MeCd–OR]2 (R = tert-Bu), and tetramers, [MeCd–OR]4, and with thiols to form insoluble polymers, [MeCd-SR]n, or
low-molecular-weight oligomers (n = 4 when R = tert-Bu and n = 6 when R = iso-Pr).
The tetramers have cubane structures (Fig. 10.16).
The phosphide derivatives, for example, MeCd-PBut2, are cyclic trimers [31].
Other examples are [C6F5Cd-OH]4 [32] and [ButCd-OBut]4 [33].
Fig. 10.16: Self-assembled organocadmium compounds.
10.3 Organomercury compounds
The first organomercury compound was obtained in 1853 by E. Frankland by the
action of methyl iodide on mercury metal under sunlight irradiation. A large number of organomercury compounds were synthesized for pharmacological purposes,
but their role in chemotherapy has now been completely superseded. The use of
organomercurial fungicides is also on the decline, owing to their high toxicity. Interest in the biological activity of organomercury compounds, particularly methylmercury species, has been focused in recent years, after the world famous poisoning
accident in Japan, known as Minamata disease, in which biomethylation of inorganic
mercury salts was implicated.
The great synthetic utility of organomercury compounds is based upon the ability of mercury to transfer organic groups to other metals and nonmetals.
The major types of organomercury compounds include HgR2, RHgX and their addition compounds, but the acceptor ability of mercury in its organic derivatives is only
moderate.
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10.3 Organomercury compounds
147
10.3.1 Homoleptic compounds, HgR2
The monomeric diorganomercury compounds, HgR2, are linear, reflecting sp hybridization.
One of the most versatile laboratory procedures for the disubstituted derivatives
uses Grignard reagents, for example, for the synthesis of bis(pentafluorophenyl) mercury, Hg(C6F5)2:
HgX2 + 2RMgX ! HgR2 + 2MgX2
Organolithium reagents can be used equally successfully, and the use of organoaluminum compounds facilitated by sodium chloride is also possible:
3HgCl2 + 2AlR3 + 2NaCl ! 3HgR2 + 2NaAlCl4
Cyclopentadienyl derivatives of mercury are prepared by treating cyclopentadienyl
sodium or thallium(I) with mercury(II) chloride.
Treating red mercury(II) oxide with triethylboron in aqueous alkali yields
diethylmercury.
The original method of Frankland, based upon the reaction of alkyl and aryl
halides or sulfates with sodium amalgam, is now seldom used:
2RX + Na + Hg ! HgR2 + 2NaX
Thermal decarboxylation of some mercury(II) carboxylates with elimination of carbon
dioxide can be used for compounds containing rather electronegative organic groups,
for example, bis(pentafluorophenyl)mercury:
HgðOCOC6 F5 Þ2 ! HgðC6 F5 Þ2 + 2CO2
Acetylenic derivatives can be mercurated directly with inorganic complexes:
2R − C ≡ CH + K2 Hgl4 + 2KOH ! HgðC ≡ CHÞ2 + 4Kl + 2H2 O
Disubstituted organomercury compounds are also prepared by reduction of organomercury halides, RHgX, with sodium, copper, alkali metal stannites and hydrazine
hydrate, or by their disproportionation in reactions with tertiary phosphines, alkali
metal iodides and other reagents:
2RHgX + 2Na ! HgR2 + Hg + 2NaX
2RHgX + 2PR3 ′ ! HgR2 + HgX2 PR3 ′
2
2RHgl + 2KI ! HgR2 + K2 ½Hgl4
The reduction with sodium iodide in ethanol or acetone is a standard procedure.
Unsymmetrically substituted diorganomercury derivatives, RHgR′, can be prepared
by Grignard reactions (RHgX + R′MgX) or by redistribution of differently substituted
symmetrical compounds:
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10 Organometallic compounds of group 12 metals
HgR2 + HgR′2 Ð 2R−Hg−R
The distribution is statistical when R and R′ are similar and nonstatistical when R
and R′ are different.
Dialkylmercury derivatives are very toxic, volatile liquids exhibiting moderate
thermal stability. The analogous aromatic derivatives are stable solids; some are
light sensitive. The chemical reactivity of the diorganomercury compounds is much
lower than with their zinc and cadmium analogues, for example, in not being sensitive to moisture and air.
10.3.2 Organomercury heterocycles
Some organomercury compounds were formulated with nonlinear C–Hg–C groupings.
One such example is ortho-phenylene mercury prepared from ortho-dibromobenzene
and sodium amalgam. First, a dimeric structure was assigned, and then an early Xray investigation suggested a hexameric structure in which all mercury atoms would
be coplanar and the C–Hg–C bonds are collinear. A more accurate redetermination
showed that this compound is trimeric and has a trinuclear structure (Fig. 10.17).
Fig. 10.17: Organomercury heterocyclic structures.
The trimeric structure was also found in the perfluorophenylene similarity, [Hg
(ortho-C6F4)]3 [34, 35], and numerous derivatives of this compound are known.
The compound prepared from ortho-,ortho′-dilithiobiphenyl and mercury(II)
chloride is not a heterocyclic monomer with bent C–Hg–C bonds as suggested earlier, but a tetramer (Fig. 10.18).
10.3.3 Diorganomercury donor adducts, HgR2.D
The tendency of mercury to increase its coordination number is only moderate; sp
hybridization is more stable, for example, disubstituted derivatives do not form
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10.3 Organomercury compounds
149
Fig. 10.18: A tetrameric organomercury heterocyclic structure.
complexes with tertiary amines and phosphines. Perfluoro- and perchlorophenyl
derivatives are exceptions with enhanced acceptor ability, and bis(pentafluorophenyl) mercury forms adducts with bipyridyl and tetraphenyldiphosphinoethane
(diphos), while diphenylmercury does not (Fig. 10.19).
Fig. 10.19: Adducts of Hg(C6F5)2.
The trifluoromethyl derivative, Hg(CF3)2, behaves similarly. Four-coordinated mercury has also been reported in the salts of the complex anion [Hg(CF3)2I2]2–.
10.3.4 Organomercury halides
Monosubstituted organomercury derivatives are readily obtained. Alkyl iodides
react with mercury metal after photochemical initiation to form organomercury halides. The method can be applied to the synthesis of perfluoroalkyl derivatives:
RI + Hg ! RHgl
By appropriate adjustment of the reagent ratio and reaction conditions, some methods
cited for disubstitution can also be used for the preparation of monosubstituted compounds, for example, the reaction of mercury(II) chloride with Grignard reagents:
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150
10 Organometallic compounds of group 12 metals
HgCl2 + RMgCl ! RHgCl + MgCl2
or the reaction of sodium amalgam with alkyl halides or sulfates:
3RX + 2HgNa ! RHgX + HgR2 + 2NaX
Organomercury halides are formed by redistribution of diorgano derivatives with
mercury(II) halides:
HgR2 + HgX2 ! 2RHgX
A specific synthesis of aromatic derivatives involves the reduction of diazonium
and iodonium salts (R = aryl) with elimination of nitrogen or iodobenzene:
½R − N ≡ N + Cl − + Hg ! RHgCl + N2
½R − N ≡ N + HgCl3 − + Cu ! RHgCl + N2 + CuCl2
½R − l − R + Cl + Hg ! RHgCl + Rl
The analysis of arylboronic acids is based upon the quantitative transfer of aromatic
groups to mercury:
RBðOHÞ2 + HgX2 + H2 O ! RHgX + BðOHÞ3 + HX
The action of sulfinic acids on mercury(II) chloride was popular in the past:
RSO2 H + HgCl2 ! RHgCl + SO2 + HCl
The RHgX compounds are also formed in reactions of mercury(II) halides with organic
derivatives of tin, lead, antimony, bismuth, cadmium, thallium and other metals. The
transfer of organic groups from these metals to mercury proceeds easily.
Monosubstituted organomercury compounds, RHgX, are crystalline solids, sometimes vacuum sublimable. They are water-soluble when X = F, NO3, ½ SO4, ClO4, etc.,
with formation of RHg+ cations.
Mercuration is an important synthesis for monosubstituted, mainly aromatic organomercury derivatives. In this long-known reaction, aromatic compounds act on mercury(II) acetate or perchlorate. Aromatic amines, phenols and ethers are all more
reactive than unsubstituted benzene, while nitro- and halogeno-substituted benzenes
react very slowly:
RH + HgX2 ! RHgX + HX
Mercury salts undergo addition to olefins, in the presence of alcohols (oxymercuration):
H2 C = CH2 + HgX2 + ROH ! ROCH2 CH2 HgX + HX
or amines (aminomercuration):
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10.3 Organomercury compounds
151
H2 C = CH2 + HgX2 + HNR2 ! R2 NCH2 CH2 HgX + HX
These two reactions have been widely applied in organic synthesis.
10.3.5 Organomercury hydroxides, RHgOH
The older literature contains references to organomercury hydroxides, RHgOH (prepared by the reaction of halides with silver oxide or potassium hydroxide in alcohol). These are actually mixtures of tris(organomercuryl)-oxonium hydroxides, [O
(HgR)3]+OH–, and bis(organomercury) oxides, RHg–O–HgR.
Fig. 10.20: Supramolecular trimeric organomercury alkoxides.
10.3.6 Organomercury alkoxides, RHg-OR′
The trimeric organomercury alkoxides [RHg–OR′]3 have a cyclic structure (Fig. 10.20).
The trimethylsiloxy derivative, [MeHg–OSiMe3]4, is, however, monomeric in solution, unlike zinc and cadmium analogues, but in the solid state is tetrameric, with a
cubane-type structure.
10.3.7 Organomercury sulfides
The reaction of methylmercury bromide with sodium sulfide produces methylmercury sulfide, which can be converted to a tris(methylmercuryl)sulfonium salt (R = Me)
(Fig. 10.21).
Fig. 10.21: Formation of organomercury sulfides.
The arylmercury dithiophosphates, RHg–SP(S)(OR’)2, represent another class of the
little investigated mercury–sulfur derivatives.
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10 Organometallic compounds of group 12 metals
10.3.8 Inverse organomercury compounds
Some inverse organomercury compounds are formed in mercuration reactions of aromatic compounds. The mercuration of benzene with mercury(II) acetate proceeds
in acetic acid in an autoclave, and thiophene can be easily mercurated with an
aqueous solution of mercury(II) acetate. The reaction is used to eliminate thiophene
from benzene, since the dimercurated product is insoluble. Furan forms a tetramercury derivative (Ac = OCOCH3) (Fig. 10.22).
Fig. 10.22: Inverse organometallic compounds derived from thiophene and furan.
Other inverse organomercury compounds are 1,3,5-tris(chloromercury)benzene [19],
1,2-bis(chloromercury)tetrafluorobenzene [36, 37] and tetrakis(nitrato-mercury)methane (Fig. 10.23) [38].
Fig. 10.23: More inverse organomercury compounds.
10.3.9 Organomercury inverse coordination complexes
Halogeno-centered inverse coordination complexes, with nearly planar molecular
geometry, are known with bis(pentafluorophenyl) moieties connected to the central
halogen (Fig. 10.24) [39].
Fig. 10.24: Organomercury inverse coordination
complexes with halogeno coordination centers.
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A planar molecule of 1,3,5-triazine centroligand decorated with methylthiolato
mercury moieties is another example of inverse coordination complex [40] (Fig. 10.25).
Fig. 10.25: Organomercury inverse coordination complex
derived with 1,3,5-triazine trithiolato centroligand.
10.3.10 Compounds with Hg–Hg bonds
Surprisingly, very few structurally characterized representatives are known. Examples of RHg–HgR compounds with bulky aromatic substituents [41, 42] can be cited
(Fig. 10.26).
Fig. 10.26: A dimercury compound with bulky substituents.
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[29] Al-Juaid SS, Eaborn C, Habtemariam A, Hitchcock PB, Smith JD, Tavakkoli K, Wietelmann U.
The preparation and crystal structures of the compounds (Ph2MeSi)3CMCl (M = Zn, Cd, or
Hg). J Organomet Chem 1993, 462, 45–55.
[30] Al-Juaid SS, Buttrus NH, Eaborn C, Hitchcock PB, Smith JD, Tavakkoli K. The preparation
and crystal structures of the sterically hindered lithium alkylchloroacadmate [Li(thf)4][Li(thf)2
(µ-Cl)4{CdC(SiMe3)3}2].thf (thf = tetrahydrofuran), the alkylcadmium halides [{Cd[C(SiMe3)3]
Cl}4] and [{Cd[C(SiMe2Ph)3]2. J Chem Soc, Chem Commun 1988, 1389–91.
[31] Benac BL, Cowley AH, Jones RA, Nunn CM, Wright TC. Potential precursors to electronic
materials: Three coordinate cadmium in [MeCd(μ-tert-Bu2P)]3, the first cadmium
diorganophosphide. J Am Chem Soc 1989, 111, 4986–88.
[32] Weidenbruch M, Herrndorf M, Schäfer A, Pohl S, Saak W. Pentafluorphenylverbindungen
des Zinks and Cadmiums: Bildung und Strukturen von (C6F5)2Zn(thf)2 und von tetramerem
C6F5CdOH. J Organomet Chem 1989, 361, 139–45.
[33] Nöth H, Thomann M. Metal tetrahydroborates and tetrahydroborato metalates. 20.
Reactions of cadmium tetrahydroborate with alcoholates and phenolates - X-ray structure
of [MeCd(OCMe3)]4. Chem Ber 1995, 128, 923–27.
[34] Shubina ES, Tikhonova IA, Bakhmutova EV, Dolgushin FM, Antipin MY, Bakhmutov VI,
Sivaev IB, Teplitskaya LN, Chizhevsky IT, Pisareva IV, Bregadze VI, Epstein LM, Shur VB.
Crown compounds for anions: sandwich and half-sandwich complexes of cyclic trimeric
perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury with polyhedral closo-[B10H10]2− and closo-[B12H12]2− Anions.
Chem-Eur J 2001, 7, 3783–90.
[35] Haneline MR, Gabbaï FP. Polymorphism of trimeric perfluoro-ortho-phenylene mercury,
[Hg(o-C6F4)]3. Z Naturforsch B 2004, 59, 1483–87.
[36] Beckwith JD, Tschinkl M, Picot A, Tsunoda M, Bachman R, Gabbaï FP. Interaction of the
bifunctional Lewis acid 1,2-Bis(chloromercurio)-tetrafluorobenzene with aldehydes, nitriles,
and epoxides. Organometallics 2001, 20, 3169–74.
[37] Yakovenko AA, Gallegos JH, Antipin MY, Masunov A, Timofeeva TV. Crystal morphology as
an evidence of supramolecular organization in adducts of 1,2-bis(chloromercurio)
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[38] Grdenić D, Korpar-Čolig B, Matković-Čalogovíć D. Synthesis and crystal structures of
tetrakis(nitratomercurio) methane monohydrate and bis(sulphatomercurio)bis(aquamercurio)
methane. J Organomet Chem 1996, 522, 297–302.
[39] Naumann D, Schulz F. Strukturen von neuen Bis(pentafluorophenyl)-halogenomercuraten
[{Hg(C6F5)2}3(μ-X)]- (X = Cl, Br, I). Z Anorg Allg Chem 2005, 631, 715–18.
[40] Cecconi F, Ghilardi CA, Midollini S, Orlandini A. Organomercury derivatives of the 2,4,6trimercaptotriazine (H3TMT). X-ray crystal structure of (HgMe)3(TMT). J Organomet Chem
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[41] Zhu Z, Brynda M, Wright RJ, Fischer RC, Merrill WA, Rivard E, Fettinger JC, Olmstead MM,
Power PP. Synthesis and characterization of the homologous M-M bonded series Ar′MMAr′
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Part III: Organometallic compounds of transition
metals
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General
The transition metals are elements with partly filled d or f orbitals, either as atoms or
in the zero, positive or negative oxidation states. In the third period, the 3d-level is
being populated starting with scandium (3d1) and ending with copper (3d10). The elements from scandium to nickel (3d9) are thus transition metals. Copper is also considered a transition metal because it is d9 in some derivatives. The general chemical
behavior of copper justifies its inclusion among transition metals.
The electronic structure of transition metals is shown in Tab. 10.1. In the series
from Sc to Cu (Z = 21–29) and from Y to Ag (Z = 39–47), the 3d- and 4d-levels are being
occupied stepwise. In the lanthanide family (Z = 57–71), the 4f-level is being occupied
by 14 electrons, followed by the filling of the 5d-level in the series from Hf to Au (Z =
72–79). These metals are grouped in three transition series, corresponding to the 3d, 4d
and 5d levels; the lanthanides (4f-level) and the actinides (5f-level) are inner-transition
metals.
The formation of the organometallic derivatives of the transition elements is
dominated by the tendency of the metals to achieve a noble gas configuration by
the full occupation of (n-1)d, ns and np electron shells. This is achieved by accepting additional electrons from the ligands. As a result the formation of MR, or
MRmΧn type compounds where R is a σ-bonded organic group is not typical, because the formation of n covalent bonds (n = the valence of the metal) does not fill
the (n-1)d levels. The formation of compounds with organic ligands able to donate
enough π-electrons to complete a noble gas configuration is required.
In Chapter 2 the bonds between transition metals and electron-donating organic ligands were discussed. The valence electrons are shared by the metal and
the ligand, and back donation from occupied d-orbitals of the metal into vacant orbitals (usually antibonding) of the ligand plays an important role.
In principle, any unsaturated or aromatic organic molecule or radical can act as
a π-ligand. A potentially planar network of sp2-hybridized carbon atoms possessing
unhybridized pz-orbitals with π-electrons can bond to a single transition metal
atom. This condition is satisfied by a number of molecules with the planar skeletons
(Fig. 11.1). Most of these are known to form transition metal complexes.
Molecules with large dimensions or with branched structures (Fig. 11.2) can bond
either partially to a single metal atom, or entirely to a set of two or more atoms of transition metal atoms, usually connected by metal-metal bonds. These units are rather
diversified but less used in the formation of π-complexes.
The simple monoolefins form only a single bond, while the polyolefins can use
all or just a part of their pz-orbitals and π-electrons to form bonds. The number of
electrons accepted from the ligand depends upon the number required to achieve the
next higher noble gas configuration (see the “effective atomic number” or the “18
electron rule” in Section 2.6).
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160
Part III Organometallic compounds of transition metals
Fig. 11.1: Schematic representation of polycarbon planar molecules capable of π-bonding.
Fig. 11.2: Schematic representation of branched planar molecules capable of π-bonding.
The structure and chemical behavior of transition-metal organometallic compounds is determined largely by the ligand, but it is useful to compare the properties
of different metal derivatives of the same ligand. It is thus more convenient to classify
the transition-metal derivatives according to the nature of the ligand, or more exactly,
according to the number of electrons contributed by the ligand to attaining the noble
gas configuration of the central atom. In the π-complexes known, this number varies
from two to eight. The ligands are classified as follows:
a) Two-electron ligands: carbon monoxide: (:CO), carbon monosulfide (:CS), carbon monoselenide (:CSe), organic isocyanides (:C = N-R), carbenes (:CR2), cyanide (:CN-), monoolefins or isolated double bonds.
b) Three-electron ligands: η3-allyl (η3-C3H5), carbyne (:C-R), cyclopropenyl (η3C3R3) groups.
c) Four-electron ligands: cyclobutadiene, butadiene, cyclopentadiene (as η4-C5H6),
hexadiene-1,3, other molecules containing a butadiene fragment, and the trimethylenemethyl radical.
d) Five-electron ligands: cyclopentadienyl (η5-C5H5), cyclohexadienyl, etc.
e) Six-electron ligands: benzene and other aromatic molecules, borazine (inorganic benzene) B3N3H6.
f) Seven-electron ligands: tropyllium cation (η7-C7H7).
g) Eight-electron ligands: cyclooctatetraene (η8-C8H8).
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General
161
The formation of a σ-metal-carbon bond, metal-metal bond or any other single covalent bond (for example, Μ-X, where X = halogen, OR, OH, SR, NRR’, etc.) contributes a single electron to the metal. Therefore, σ-alkyl and σ-aryl groups, as well as
other groups attached to the metal through a single covalent bond, are considered
in computing the electron balance as one-electron ligands.
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11 Organometallic compounds with two electron
ligands
11.1 Metal carbonyls
The metal carbonyls are compounds containing various combinations of transition
metal atoms with carbon monoxide molecules. In these compounds, carbon monoxide is attached through a metal–carbon bond to a transition metal atom in a low oxidation state (usually zero or ±1).
This class includes binary mononuclear compounds M(CO)x, polynuclear compounds, of the general formula Mx(CO)y and heterobimetallic carbonyls (containing
two different metals) of the type MxM’y(CO)z. Anionic and cationic species are also
formed when some CO ligands are replaced by electron pairs.
The binary metal carbonyls which can be isolated as stable compounds are
listed in Tab. 11.1. Other compositions are known, which have been identified by
low-temperature matrix isolation.
Tab. 11.1: Stable binary metal carbonyls.
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
V(CO)
Cr(CO)
Mn(CO)
Fe(CO)
Co(CO)
Ni(CO)
Mo(CO)
Mn(CO)
Fe(CO)
Co(CO)
W(CO)
Tc(CO)
Fe(CO)
Co(CO)
Re(CO)
Ru(CO)
Rh(CO)
Ru(CO)
Rh(CO)
Ru(CO)
Rh(CO)
Os(CO)
Ir(CO)
Os(CO)
Ir(CO)
Os(CO)
Os(CO)
Os(CO)
Os(CO)
Os(CO)
Os(CO)
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11 Organometallic compounds with two electron ligands
There are numerous heterobimetallic metal carbonyls, illustrated in Tab. 11.2.
Tab. 11.2: Heterobimetallic metal carbonyls.
Binuclear
MnRe(CO)
MnCo(CO)
ReCo(CO)
Trinuclear
MnFe(CO)
MnRu(CO)
FeRu(CO)
MnReFe(CO)
MnOs(CO)
FeRu(CO)
ReFe(CO)
ReOs(CO)
RuOs(CO)
CoRh(CO)
RuOs(CO)
Tetranuclear
CoRh(CO)
CoRh(CO)
CoRh(CO)
RhIr(CO)
Hexanuclear
ReFe(CO)
CoRh(CO)
11.1.1 The structure of metal carbonyls
The molecular structures of most metal carbonyls have been established by X-ray
diffraction and investigated by spectroscopic techniques.
All metal carbonyls obey the 18-electron rule, with each CO molecule contributing a pair of electrons to the effective atomic number. The metals of odd atomic number cannot form neutral, mononuclear metal carbonyls; these metals form dinuclear
or polynuclear carbonyls containing metal–metal bonds, or metal–carbonyl anions.
The only exception is vanadium, which forms paramagnetic V(CO)6, a compound
with only 17 electrons in the valence shell of vanadium. The [V(CO)6]– anion is preferred and diamagnetic.
Carbon monoxide acts as a ligand in several different ways. The common ones
are as follows:
a) as terminal group, M–CO, with each carbon monoxide molecule attached to a
single metal atom;
b) as symmetrical bimetallic bridge, with a carbon monoxide molecule connecting
two metal atoms;
c) as symmetrical trimetallic bridge, centered above a triangular face of a polyhedral cluster (Fig. 11.3).
Some unsymmetrical modes involve the participation of the π-system of the CO unit
in bonding (Fig. 11.4).
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11.1 Metal carbonyls
165
Fig. 11.3: Terminal bonding and symmetrical bridging of CO.
Fig. 11.4: Unsymmetrical bonding of CO.
These seldom occur in binary metal carbonyls, but were identified in metal carbonyl anions or in substituted derivatives. Unsymmetrical M–CO . . . Μ bridges observed in Fe3(CO)12 or Fe4(CO)12 are sometimes described as “semibridging.”
Head-to-tail bridging of carbon monoxide, M-C≡O→M, in which the coordinated CO molecule can further act as a donor through its oxygen, not observed in
binary metal carbonyls, may occur when a strong acceptor of oxygen is available,
as illustrated with organoaluminum compounds (Fig. 11.5).
Fig. 11.5: Head-to-tail bridging of carbon monoxide.
The molecular geometries of mononuclear metal carbonyls are as expected for a
metal atom surrounded by n carbonyl groups: Ni(CO)4 tetrahedral, Fe(CO)5 trigonal
bipyramidal and Cr(CO)6 octahedral (Fig. 11.6).
The structures of binuclear metal carbonyls such as Mn2(CO)10, Fe2(CO)9 and
Co2(CO)8 were less logically predictable. The manganese compound Mn2(CO)10 is
made up of two Mn(CO)5 groups joined by a metal–metal bond oriented in the solid
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11 Organometallic compounds with two electron ligands
Fig. 11.6: Molecular geometries of mononuclear metal carbonyls.
with staggered CO groups. The binuclear carbonyls of iron and cobalt contain carbonyl bridges in addition to metal–metal bonds (Fig. 11.7).
Fig. 11.7: Binuclear metal carbonyls.
The trinuclear carbonyls, Fe3(CO)12, Os3(CO)12 and Ru3(CO)12, contain metal–metal
bonded triangles. The structures are, however, different with and without bridges, despite similar compositions. The structure of Fe3(CO)12 can be deduced from that of Fe2
(CO)9 by replacing a CO bridge in the latter with a Fe(CO)4 bridge. The CO bridges in
Fe3(CO)12 are unsymmetrical. The ruthenium and osmium compounds are isostructural
(Fig. 11.8).
Fig. 11.8: Trinuclear metal carbonyls.
The structures of the tetranuclear carbonyls, Co4(CO)12 and Rh4(CO)12, are built
upon a tetrahedral cluster of metal atoms. The triangle at the base of the pyramid
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11.1 Metal carbonyls
167
has three CO bridges on the edges. The iridium compound, Ir4(CO)12, also has a tetrahedral structure, but without CO bridges. The hexanuclear carbonyl, Rh6(CO)16,
contains an octahedral cluster of rhodium atoms and four trimetallic bridges, in addition to two terminal CO groups at each rhodium atom (Fig. 11.9).
Fig. 11.9: Tetranuclear and hexanuclear metal carbonyls.
The polynuclear carbonyls, Os5(CO)16, Os6(CO)18 and Os7(CO)21, are bridge-free and
contain only terminal-carbonyl ligands, attached to the polymetallic clusters.
Some unusual heterobimetallic cadmium–iron carbonyls with cyclic structures
and the CO ligand at the iron sites are also known, namely [CdFe(CO)4]4 tetramer
and the [(bipy)CdFe(CO)4]3 trimer (bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) (Fig. 11.10).
Fig. 11.10: Heterobimetallic cadmium–iron carbonyls.
The analogues MFe(CO)4 (M = Zn, Hg, Pb) are also known. Some are polymers with
chain structures.
11.1.2 Preparation of metal carbonyls
In general, the preparation of metal carbonyls requires high pressures of carbon
monoxide, but some normal pressure syntheses have also been developed. The
most important metal carbonyls are now available commercially.
Direct reactions of metals with CO are used for the synthesis of iron and nickel
carbonyls.
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168
11 Organometallic compounds with two electron ligands
The reductive carbonylation of metal oxides, salts, etc. is the most common procedure for the preparation of metal carbonyls. In metal carbonyls the oxidation
state of the metal is zero, therefore their synthesis from metal oxides, sulfides, salts
or other compounds, requires a reducing agent. This can be an active metal (sodium, magnesium, aluminum, zinc), an aluminum or zinc alkyl and hydrogen.
Since the reactions are usually carried out under carbon monoxide pressure, this
can also serve as a reducing agent. Examples are the syntheses of chromium, tungsten and rhenium carbonyls:
CrCl3 + Al + 6 CO ! CrðCOÞ6 + AlCl3
WCl6 + 6 CO + 2 AlðC2 H5 Þ3 ! WðCOÞ6 + 2 AlCl3 + 3C4 H10
Photolytic and thermal reactions of mononuclear carbonyls are used for the synthesis of polynuclear carbonyls. Thus, UV photolysis of Fe(CO)5 is used for the preparation of Fe2(CO)9 and thermolysis of Os3(CO)12 leads to osmium carbonyl clusters of
higher nuclearity like Os4(CO)13 and Os6(CO)18:
2 FeðCOÞ5 ! Fe2 ðCOÞ9 + CO
Double exchange (salt metathesis) of metal carbonylate salts with metal carbonyl
halides are applied in the preparation of heterobimetallic metal carbonyls:
4 KCoðCOÞ4 + RuðCOÞ3 Cl2 2 ! 2 RuCo2 ðCOÞ11 + 4 KCl + 11 CO
11.1.3 Metal–carbonyl anions
The metal–carbonyl anions are isoelectronic with neutral metal carbonyls and formally result by replacing a carbon monoxide ligand by an electron pair, thereby satisfying the 18-electron rule.
Metal carbonyl anions are prepared by reacting dinuclear metal carbonyls with
alkali metals or their amalgams:
−
Mn2 ðCOÞ10 + 2Na ! 2Na + MnðCOÞ5
−
Re2 ðCOÞ10 + 2Na ! 2Na + ReðCOÞ5
−
Co2 ðCOÞ8 + 2Na ! 2Na + COðCOÞ4
The reduction of iron pentacarbonyl by sodium amalgam in liquid ammonia produces a mononuclear anion:
2 −
+ CO
FeðCOÞ5 + 2Na ! FeðCOÞ4
Iron carbonyls react with alcoholic alkalis or organic bases to form anions conserving the cluster size:
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11.1 Metal carbonyls
−
−
−
−
−
−
169
FeðCOÞ5 + 4OH − ! FeðCOÞ24 + 2H2 O + CO23 Fe2 ðCOÞ9 + 4OH −
! Fe2 ðCOÞ28 + 2H2 O + CO23 Fe3 ðCOÞ12 + 4OH −
! Fe3 ðCOÞ211 + 2H2 O + CO23
Reduction of iron pentacarbonyl by sodium amalgam in THF forms a dinuclear anion:
2 FeðCOÞ5 + Na=Hg ! Fe2 ðCOÞ8 2 − + 2CO
The reduction of nickel tetracarbonyl with sodium in liquid ammonia and with lithium amalgam in THF yields bi- and trinuclear species:
2 NiðCOÞ4 + Na ! Ni2 ðCOÞ6 2 − + 2 CO
3 NiðCOÞ4 + Li=Hg ! Ni3 ðCOÞ8 2 − + 4 CO
Group 16 metal carbonyls are reduced with sodium amalgam or in liquid ammonia,
to form binuclear anions:
2 MðCOÞ6 + Na=Hg ! M3 ðCOÞ10 2 − + 2 CO, M = Cr, Mo, W
Heterobimetallic metal–carbonyl anions can be prepared by the reaction of neutral
metal carbonyls with anionic carbonyls in photochemical condensation reactions:
FeðCOÞ5 + MnðCOÞ5− ! FeMnðCOÞ9− + CO
hν
2Fe2 ðCOÞ5 + MnðCOÞ5− ! MnFe2 ðCOÞ212 + CO
−
FeðCOÞ5 + COðCOÞ4− ! FeCoðCOÞ8− + CO3
hν
11.1.4 Metal–carbonyl cations
Binary metal–carbonyl cations are rare and include binary compounds [Mn(CO)6]+,
[Tc(CO)6]+, [Re(CO)6]+, [Cu(CO)n]+ (with n = 1, 3 and 4) and [Ag(CO)2]+.
The cations are prepared from metal carbonyl halides with Lewis acids:
+
100 o C
! MnðCOÞ6 ½AlCl4 −
MnðCOÞ5 Cl + AlCl3 + CO
300 bar
+
85 − 95 o C
ReðCOÞ5 Cl + AlCl3 + CO ! ReðCOÞ6 ½AlCl4 −
300 − 350 bar
Copper–carbonyl cations are formed when Cu2O in HFSO3 or CF3SO3H absorbs CO
to form [Cu(CO)4]+; addition of sulfuric acid yields unstable [Cu(CO)3]+ in equilibrium with [Cu(CO)]+. Under similar conditions, silver oxide forms only [Ag(CO)2]+.
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170
11 Organometallic compounds with two electron ligands
The copper–carbonyl cation [Cu(CO)]+ has been obtained by the reaction of Cu
[AsF6] with carbon monoxide.
More common are triphenylphosphine-substituted metal carbonyl cations and
hydride derivatives.
11.1.5 Metal carbonyl halides
There are numerous compounds containing CO and halogen atoms coordinated to a
metal atom. Interestingly, some metals which do not form stable binary carbonyls
(e.g., gold, copper and palladium) are able to form metal carbonyl halides.
Metal carbonyl halides can be prepared by reactions of metal carbonyls with
halogens. A reaction of choice is the cleavage of metal–metal bonds in polynuclear
metal carbonyls with halogens, but direct substitution of CO is also possible. Paramagnetic Cr(CO)5I is obtained by the oxidation of the [Cr2(CO)10]2– anion with iodine
and Mn2(CO)10 is also cleaved by halogens:
Δ
Mn2 ðCOÞ10 + X2 ! 2MnðCOÞ5 X ! MnðCOÞ4 X 2 .
− CO
Iron carbonyls, Fe(CO)5 and Fe3(CO)12, react with iodine to form the compounds Fe
(CO)4I2, Fe2(CO)8I and Fe(CO)4I.
In some cases, the reactions of noble metal halides with CO produce metal carbonyl halides. Thus, carbonylation of platinum(II) chloride forms Pt(CO)2Cl2, which on
heating dimerizes to [Pt(CO)Cl]2. A gold derivative, Au(CO)Cl, is formed from AuCl3 and
CO in SOCl2. Most metal carbonyl halides are mononuclear, but some are associated
through halogen bridging, for example, [(CO)4MnCl]2 and [(CO)3RuF2]4 (Fig. 11.11).
Fig. 11.11: Metal carbonyl halides associated through halogen bridging.
Carbonyl halide anions of the type [M(CO)5X]-, where Μ = Cr, Mo, W and X = halogen,
are obtained by substitution of carbon monoxide in M(CO)6 with halide anions:
MðCOÞ6 + ½NR4 + X − ! ½NR4 + ½MðCOÞ5 X − + CO
M = Cr, Mo, W; X = Cl, Br, l
Mn2 ðCOÞ10 + 2½NR4 + X ! ½NR4 2+ ½Mn2 ðCOÞ8 X2 2 − + 2CO
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11.2 Metal thiocarbonyls
171
It seems that this reaction can be more general and can be applied to anions other
than halides, for example, for a difluorodithiophosphinate:
−
CrðCOÞ6 + ½PS2 F2 − ! CrðCOÞ4 PS2 F2 + 2CO
The procedure was also applied to form [M(CO)5(NO3)]1– (M = Cr, W), [M(CO)5
(RCOO)]– (M = Cr, Mo, W) and [M(CO)5SH]1– (M = Mo, W) but surprisingly it was little
used with other anions.
11.2 Metal thiocarbonyls
Carbon monosulfide can replace carbon monoxide in metal carbonyls to form thiocarbonyl complexes.
Only a single binary compound, Ni(CS)4, prepared by co-condensation of nickel
atoms with carbon monosulfide has been reported. All other derivatives contain carbon
monoxide, cyclopentadienyl groups, phosphines, phosphites or a combination of
these, as in the carbonyl-thiocarbonyls, M(CO)5(CS) (M = Cr, Mo, W), Fe(CO)4(CS) and
the cyclopentadienyl derivatives (η5-C5H5)Mn(CO)3–n(CS)n (n = 1–3) and η5-C5H5Co(CS)2.
An osmium compound containing a phosphine, Os(CS)Cl2(CO)2(PPh3)2, is known [1].
The thiocarbonyl group acts as a bridging ligand in [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)(CS)]2 and
5
[(η -C5H5)Mn(CS)(NO)]2 (Fig. 11.12).
Fig. 11.12: Metal thiocarbonyl dimers with CS bridging.
Bridging thiocarbonyl is also found in a heterobimetallic manganese–iron compound [Mn(CO)4Fe(η5-C5H5)(NO)(μ2-CS)2(NO)] [2] and in a dinuclear ruthenium compound (RuCp*)(μ2-CS)(μ2-NPh) [3].
A trimetallic thiocarbonyl bridge is present in (η 5 -C 5 H 5 ) 3 Co 3 (μ 3 -CS) 2 and
5
(η -C 5H 5)3 Ni 3(μ 3-CS)(CO) [4] (Fig. 11.13).
Theoretical calculations suggest that CS is both a better σ-donor and π-acceptor
than CO, and this is confirmed by the selective replacement of CO rather than CS by
phosphines. Also, Μ–CS bonds are shorter than Μ–CO bonds, indicating a higher
degree of metal–ligand double bonding.
Carbon monosulfide could be a versatile ligand, but the syntheses of its complexes
are not very attractive due to the reagents used. Metal–carbonyl anions, for example,
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11 Organometallic compounds with two electron ligands
Fig. 11.13: Trimetallic thiocarbonyl bridging.
[M2(CO)10]2– (M = Cr, W), react with thiophosgene to produce M(CO)5(CS), and [Fe
(CO)4]2– gives Fe(CO)4(CS). The CS ligand can also be introduced by carbon disulfide:
η 5 − C5 H5 MðCOÞ2 THF + CS2 + PPh3
!
− SPPh3
− THF
η 5 − C5 H5 MðCOÞ2 ðCSÞ
M = Mn, Re
11.3 Metal selenocarbonyls
The third chalcogenide, CSe, can also form transition metal complexes, as in
(η 6 -C 6 H 5 COOMe)Cr(CO) 2 (CSe) [5], RuCl 2 (CO)(SCe)(PPh 3 ) 2 [6] and Cr(CO) 5 (CSe).
The CSe molecule is an even stronger π-acceptor ligand than either CS or CO,
and forms shorter metal–carbon bonds in (η6-C6H5COOMe)Cr(CO)2(CSe).
Other selenocarbonyl complexes include a carbene ligand compound, RuCl2
(CSe)(PCyh3){C3NMes2) [7], and dimethylpyrazolylborato complex anion, [W(CO)2
(CSe){HB(N2C3Me2)]–. Bridging selenocarbonyl is found in a W-C = Se-M (with M = Cu,
Au) complexes with the dimethylpyrazolylborato ligand M(CO)2{HB(N2C3Me2}(μ2-CSe)
Cu(PPh3)2 and M(CO)2{HB(N2C3Me2}(μ2-CSe)Au(PPh3) [8], and Mo(CO)2{HB(N2C3Me2}
(μ2-CSe)RuCp*(CO)2 [9].
11.4 Metal–isocyanide complexes
Organic isocyanides:C = N-R are formally analogous to carbon monoxide and form
some similar transition metal complexes. In many respects, the isocyanide metal
complexes are analogous to metal carbonyls, for example, M(CNR)6 (M = Cr, Mo, W),
Fe(CNR)5 or Ni(CNR)4. However, there are important differences:
a) The tendency to form metal–isocyanide cations is stronger.
b) No metal isocyanide anions are known.
c) Few polynuclear, metal–isocyanide complexes are known (only for nickel,
while this metal does not form neutral polynuclear carbonyls).
d) Copper, silver and gold, which do not form stable metal carbonyls, coordinate
up to four isocyanide molecules.
e) Isocyanide complex species are known, which have no carbonyl analogues.
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11.4 Metal–isocyanide complexes
173
Mixed compounds containing carbonyls, halides and cyclopentadienyls are known,
as listed:
– Metal-carbonyl isocyanides
MðCOÞ6 − n ðCNRÞn ,
M = Cr, Mo, W; n = 1, 2, 3
FeðCOÞ5 − n ðCNRÞn , n = 1, 2
NiðCOÞ4 − n ðCNRÞn , n = 1, 2, 3
–
Metal-isocyanide halides
MnðCNRÞ5 Br , FeðCNRÞ4 X2
CoðCNRÞ4 X2 , X = CI, Br, I
PdðCNRÞ4 X2 , X = CI, Br, I
–
Metal-isocyanide phosphine complexes
FeðCNRÞ3 f PMe3 Þ2 , R = Ph, NCC6 H3 Me2 −2, 6; CNCH2 But ½10
ReðCNMeÞ4 ðPMePh2 Þ2 ½11
–
Cyclopentadienylmetal isocyanides:
TiCp*2 ðCNMesÞ2 ½12
η 5 − C5 Me5 WðCNButÞ2 ½13
η 5 − C5 H5 MnðCNRÞ3 , η 5 − C5 H5 CoðCNRÞ2
η 5 − C5 H5 FeðCNRÞ2 X, X = CI, Br, I
η 5 − ½C5 H5 FeðCNRÞ2 2
η 5 − ½C5 H5 NiðCNRÞ2
Like carbon monoxide, isocyanide can coordinate as bridging groups (Fig. 11.14).
Fig. 11.14: Isocyanide bridging in dinuclear compounds.
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174
11 Organometallic compounds with two electron ligands
The structures of mononuclear isocyanides are analogous to those of the metal carbonyls, for example, Fe(CNBu’)5, Ru(CNBu’)5, Co2(CNBu’)8 and Cr(CNPh)6.
The isocyanides are formed by replacement of carbon monoxide in metal carbonyls and their derivatives, or by direct reaction of a metal salt with an isocyanide.
Complexes with zero-oxidation state of the metal can be obtained from an anhydrous metal halide, the isocyanide and sodium amalgam.
An alternative route is the alkylation of metal-cyano complexes, for example,
ferricyanide, with ethyl iodide or dimethyl sulfate.
The reduction of mononuclear isocyanide cations can lead to dinuclear
compounds:
+
K=Hg in THF
COðCNRÞ5 PF6− ! Co2 ðCNRÞ8 , R = But
11.5 Metal–carbene complexes and related compounds
Divalent-carbon compounds (carbenes):CR2 were for many years postulated as intermediates in organic reactions. Such species can be stabilized by coordination to
a transition metal through an sp2-hybridized orbital with an electron pair available
for donation and a vacant dz-orbital available for back-donation. An important
event occurred after the isolation of the first stable heterocyclic carbenes, which allowed the synthesis of metal carbene complexes by direct reactions.
The carbene ligand is a monohapto, two-electron donor; related complexes are
known in which the ligand is a cumulated polyene attached to a metal through a
terminal carbon atom (Fig. 11.15).
Fig. 11.15: Carbene ligand complexes.
In (a), X and Y can be identical (H, R, OR, NR2, SR) or different. In (b), frequently X
= Y = CN (dicyanovinylidene complexes).
The first metal–carbene complex was prepared by treatment of tungsten hexacarbonyl with organolithium reagents, followed by protonation and then reaction with
diazomethane, or alkylation with trialkyloxonium tetrafluoroborate (Fig. 11.16). This
reaction has been extended to Cr, Mo, Mn, Tc, Re, Fe and Ni carbonyls.
A less-common carbene is formed in the reaction of a 1,1-dichlorocyclopropene
with sodium carbonyl dichromate to give complex of diphenylcyclopropenylidene
[14] (Fig. 11.17). A ruthenium complex with a cyclopropylidene has also been described [15].
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11.5 Metal–carbene complexes and related compounds
175
Fig. 11.16: Formation of metal–carbene complexes.
Fig. 11.17: A rare carbene complex.
The addition of alcohols to isocyanide complexes also yields carbene complexes
(Fig. 11.18).
Fig. 11.18: Conversion of isocyanide into a carbene ligand.
and has been extended to the synthesis of complexes containing four carbene ligands attached to the same metal atom:
Mð:CNMeÞ4
2 +
+ 4MeNH2 ! fM :CðNHMeÞ2 4 g2 +
Coordinated carbon disulfide can be converted into a carbene ligand by electrophilic attack with alkyl halides:
OsðCS2 ÞðCOÞ2 ðPPh3 Þ2 + 2 MeI ! OsI2 ðCOÞ2 ðPPh3 Þ2 :CðSMeÞ2
+ −
PtðCS2 ÞðPPh3 Þ2 + 2 MeI ! ðPh3 PÞ2 Pt :CðSMeÞ2
I
Diphenylcarbene complexes are known for chromium [Cr(CO)5(:CPh2)] [16] and rhodium [Rh(η5-C5H5)(:CPh2)] [17] Fig. 11.19).
The first difluorocarbene complex resulted by fluorine abstraction from a σtrifluoromethyl derivative:
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176
11 Organometallic compounds with two electron ligands
Fig. 11.19: Diphenylcarbene complexes.
liq.SO2
η 5 − C5 H5 ðCOÞ3 Mo − CF3 + SbF5 !
5
+
η − C5 H5 ðCOÞ3 MO : CF2 SbF6−
The trigonal planar carbene ligands are better σ-donors and weaker π-acceptors
than carbon monoxide.
Carbene complexes in which at least one of the carbon substituents is an atom
with electron pairs (X = OR, SR, NR2) are stabilized by (ρ–ρ) π-interaction (Fig. 11.20).
Fig. 11.20: Stabilized carbene complexes.
Compounds with vinylidene and allylidene ligands, closely related to carbene complexes, are illustrated in Fig. 11.21.
Fig. 11.21: Vinylidene and allylidene complexes.
Addition, substitution, rearrangement, and other reactions can occur in the carbene
ligand without cleavage from the metal, for example, the conversion of a phenylmethoxycarbene into a diphenylcarbene ligand (Fig. 11.22).
Two general features of metal carbenes should be noted: a) only few compounds
with more than one carbene ligand are known, and b) the carbene complexes are
usually neutral (seldom cationic or anionic).
An important development in the chemistry of carbene complexes was the isolation of stable carbene derived from nitrogen heterocycles, that is, imidazolin-2-
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11.5 Metal–carbene complexes and related compounds
177
Fig. 11.22: Reaction of coordinated carbene.
ylidenes. This lead to the synthesis of numerous main group [18] and transition
metal complexes, including lanthanides [19] and uranium [20–22] by various methods, in which the stable carbene was used as a ligand (Fig. 11.23), or was generated
in the process of complex formation [23, 24] (Fig. 11.24).
Fig. 11.23: Metal complexes with a nitrogen heterocyclic carbene ligand.
Fig. 11.24: Generation of carbene ligands in the coordination process.
A convenient method for the synthesis of carbene complexes is the cleavage of electron-rich olefins [25] (Fig. 11.25).
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178
11 Organometallic compounds with two electron ligands
[(Et3P)PtCl2]2
Ph
Ph
N
N
N
N
2 Et3P Pt • C
N
Cl
Ph
Ph
Ph
+
Ph
Cl
140°C
N
Fig. 11.25: Formation of carbene complex by cleavage of an electron-rich olefin.
11.6 Olefinic complexes
Transition metals are able to form complexes with olefins in which a C = C double
bond contributes two electrons to the metal.
The first compound between a transition metal and an olefin, a platinum complex of ethylene, K[PtCl3(C2H4)], was obtained in 1827 by Zeise. In 1938, olefinic complexes of palladium with olefins were also obtained. The nature of these platinum
and palladium complexes remained obscure for a long time. It was not until 1951 that
the first satisfactory explanation of the metal–olefin bond was made by Dewar, and
in 1953, the Chatt-Duncanson model was suggested. In Zeise’s salt, K[PtCl3(C2H4)],
the olefin is situated perpendicular to the plane formed by the central platinum atom
and the chlorine ligands (Fig. 11.26).
CH2
Cl
Cl
Pt
CH2
Cl
Fig. 11.26: The anion of Zeise’s salt, K[PtCl3(C2H4)].
The mono- and polyolefins form complexes with almost all transition metals. Their
stability varies with the nature of the metal and olefin and is strongly influenced by
both the metal and the olefinic carbon atom substituents.
The monoolefins occupy a single coordinative site, as monodentate ligands. In
polyolefins with nonconjugated (isolated) double bonds, each C = C bond acts as an
independent donor, and two situations can arise (Fig. 11.27):
Fig. 11.27: Coordination modes of mono- and diolefins.
–
–
the two isolated C = C bonds of the polyolefin act as a bidentate ligand;
isolated C = C groups bridge different metal atoms (doubly monodentate ligand).
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11.6 Olefinic complexes
179
Examples of tridentate or tetradentate olefins (i.e., with three or four isolated double bonds attached to the same metal atom) are known.
Olefin complexes can be prepared using one of the following procedures:
– addition of the olefin to a metal salt (usually halide):
MXn + k ! k ! MXn
–
substitution of carbon monoxide or other ligands (L = : CNR, PR3, etc.):
MLn + k ! k ! MLn − 1
–
reduction of a metal cation in the presence of the olefin and an additional ligand (usually a phosphine):
Mn + + k + ne − + xL ! k ! MLx
–
by the gas-phase reaction of the olefin with metal-atom vapors:
M + k ! M
–
k
hydride abstraction from σ-alkyl derivatives of the metal by the triphenylmethyl
cation (Fig. 11.28).
Fig. 11.28: Formation of olefin complexes by hydride abstraction.
11.6.1 Monoolefin complexes
Binary complexes containing only monoolefins attached to the metal atom include
the ethylene complexes, M(C2H4)n with Μ = Co (n = 1 and 2), Μ = Ni (n = 1, 2 and 3),
Μ = Pd (n = 1, 2 and 3), Μ = Cu (n = 1, 2 and 3), Μ = Au (n = 1) or Ni(CF2 = CF2)n (n = 1,
2 and 3), prepared by the metal vapor synthesis technique, with the complexes isolated in a low-temperature matrix.
Cyclic monoolefins coordinate as monoolefins and form various complexes, for
example, cyclooctene coordinated to copper [26] and gold [27], cyclooctene coordinated to tungsten [28], platinum [29], copper [30], silver [31] and cyclocta-1,5-diene
coordinated to gold [32].
Heteroleptic olefin complexes. The olefin is often accompanied by additional ligands, forming heteroleptic olefin complexes, as in olefin–metal carbonyl complexes,
cyclopentadienylmetal carbonyl olefin complexes or metal–halide olefin complexes
(Fig. 11.29).
Examples can be cited with monometallic titanium [Ti(η5-C5Me5)2(η2-C2H4) [33],
niobium and tantalum [(η2-C2H4)M{OSiBut3)3}] (M = Nb, Ta) [34] compounds and
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180
11 Organometallic compounds with two electron ligands
Fig. 11.29: Various heteroleptic olefin complexes.
bimetallic zirconium [(μ-C2H4)({ZrRCp2)2] (R = Me, Et) [35], hafnium [(μ-C2H4){Hf{Br3
(PEt3)2}2] [36] compounds (Fig. 11.30).
Get e-alerts.
Fig. 11.30: Monoolefin complexes.
Ethylene–carbonyl derivatives of manganese are formed by the reaction of ethylene
and manganese–pentacarbonyl chloride, or by hydride abstraction from the σ-ethyl
derivative (Fig. 11.31).
Fig. 11.31: Formation of a manganese–olefin complex.
More compounds of this class with other transition metals are described, namely,
with rhenium [(η2-C2H4)Re(CO)(NO)(PPri3)2] [37],
iron ½ðη 2 − C2 H4 ÞFeðR2 PCH2 CH2 PR2 Þ ðR = Et, PhÞ ½38, 39,
ruthenium η 2 − C2 F4 RuðCOÞ2 ðPPh3 Þ2 ½40,
osmium η 2 − C2 H4 OsðCOÞ4 ½41,
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11.6 Olefinic complexes
181
cobalt f η 2 − MeOOC − HC = CH − COOMe CoðPMe3 Þ3 ½42,
rhodium ½ðη 2 − C2 H4 ÞRhF PPri 3 2 ½43
iridium trans −
2
η − C2 H4 IrFðacacÞ PPri 3 2 ½44
Nickel tetracarbonyl reacts with the activated olefins, acrylonitrile, acrolein, fumaronitrile, to form Ni(olefin)2. The reduction of nickel(II) acetylacetonate in the presence of ethylene and triphenylphosphine yields a diphosphine–ethylene complex
[45] (Fig. 11.32).
Fig. 11.32: Formation of a mixed nickel olefin–phosphine complex.
Other ethylene–nickel complexes are [(η2-C2H4)Ni(PPri3)2] [46],
2
η −C2 H4 Ni But 2 PCHCH2 PBut 2 ½47and η 2 −C2 H4 NifMeCðCH2 PPh2 Þ3 ½48.
The starting material of choice for palladium π-olefin complexes is the benzonitrile
derivative, (PhCN)2PdCl2 (Kharasch reagent), in which the weakly bonded nitrile is
replaced by olefins. Palladium also forms anionic [Pd(olefin)Cl3]– and neutral [Pd
(olefin)2Cl2] and [Pd(olefin)(PR3)2 complexes. Some more recent palladium–olefin
complexes are [Pd(C2H)(C6F5)3] [49], [Pd(C2F4)(PPh3)2] [50] and [Pd{C2(NC)2C = C
(CN)2}(PPh3)2 [51] (Fig. 11.33).
Fig. 11.33: Various palladium–olefin complexes.
The platinum π-olefin complexes, M[PtX3(olefin)] (X = Cl [52, 53], Br [54] [PtX2(olefin)]2
and trans-[PtX2(olefin)2] were prepared long before the understanding of the nature
of metal–olefin bond. The platinum–ethylene triphenylphosphine complex [(μ-C2H4)
PtCl2(PPh3)] [55] has also been prepared.
A rare gold complex with mixed olefin–pyrazolylborato ligands, [(μ-C2H4)Au
[(BPz2R3)3] R = Pri [56], has been reported [56] (Fig. 11.34).
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182
11 Organometallic compounds with two electron ligands
Fig. 11.34: An olefin–gold complex.
11.6.2 Bis(olefin) complexes
Numerous complexes with two olefin molecules have been described. As examples
are cited, some molybdenum trans-[Mo(η2-C2H2)2(PMe3)4] [57], tungsten trans-[W(η2C2H2)2(PMe3)4] [58] and trans-[W(η2-C2H2)2(CO)4] [59] complexes (Fig. 11.35).
M = Mo, W
Fig. 11.35: Molybdenum and tungsten bis(ethylene) complexes.
A manganese complex is formed by ligand transfer with ethylene, replacing η5-C5H5
and biphenyl ligands in a surprising reaction [60] (Fig. 11.36).
Fig. 11.36: Unusual formation of a bis(ethylene)manganese complex.
Rhenium–pentacarbonyl chloride reacts with ethylene (250 bar) to form a disubstituted derivative, [Re(η2-C2H4)2(CO)4]+. An unstable technetium cation, [Tc(η2-C2H4)2
(CO)4]+, is also known:
2
Rh η − C2 H4 2ClðPMe3 Þ2 ½61
2
Rh η − C2 H4 2ðacacÞ ½62, 63
2
Ir η − C2 H4 2ðacacÞ ½64
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11.6 Olefinic complexes
183
2
Ni η − C2 H4 2 ðPCy3 Þ ½65
cis − ½Ptðη 2 − C2 H4 Þ2 Cl2 ½66
½Agðη 2 − C2 H4 Þ2 f NðSO2 CF3 Þ2 ½67
More bis(olefin) complexes are known (Fig. 11.37).
Ni
Ag
PCy3
N(SO2CF3)2
H2N
Rh
Pt
NH2
Os
Me3P
Cl
Cl
Me
Cl PMe3
Me
O
O
M
H2N
NH2
M = Rh, Ir
Fig. 11.37: More bis(olefin) complexes.
Palladium(II) chloride reacts with liquid olefins, for example, ethylene under pressure, to form the dimers [Pd(C2H2)Cl(μ2-Cl)]2 [68]. Another dinuclear compound is
the platinum complex or Zeise’s dimer [Pt(C2H2)Cl(μ2-Cl)]2 (Fig. 11.38).
Cl
Cl
Cl
Pd
Pd
Cl
Fig. 11.38: Chlorine-bridged palladium–diethylene complex.
Rhodium salts catalyze the oligomerization and hydrogenation of olefins, via intermediate formation of complexes. The dimers, [RhCl(C2H4)2]2, containing four-coordinated
rhodium (with a square planar geometry) and chlorine bridges have been prepared
from RhCl3 · H2O and olefins (Fig. 11.39).
Fig. 11.39: Chlorine-bridged rhodium–tetraethylene complex.
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11 Organometallic compounds with two electron ligands
11.6.3 Tris(olefin) and tetrakis(olefin) complexes
Three olefin molecules can coordinate to the same metal atom in some cases, and
triolefin complexes are known with rhodium [69], iridium and platinum [70, 71]
(Fig. 11.40), copper [72, 73], silver [74] and gold [75].
Ph3P
M
PPh3
M = Rh, Ir, Pt
Fig. 11.40: Tris(olefin) complexes.
Cationic tris(olefin) gold(I) complexes are formed with ethylene [Au(η2-C2H4)3]+ [76]
and cyclooctene [Au(η2-C8H14)]+ [77] (Fig. 11.41).
Fig. 11.41: Tris(olefin) gold complexes.
Substituted ethylenes, for example, stilbene (1,2-diphenylethylene) and the p-tolyl derivative also form similar compounds with nickel [78, 79] (Fig. 11.42). Complexes with
four olefins are rare. A compound with four η2-coordinated ethylene molecules is
known as tetrakis(η2-ethylene)-cobalt (2.2.2-cryptand)-potassium salt [80] (Fig. 11.42).
R
R
R
Ni
Co
R
R
R
R = Ph, p-Tol
Fig. 11.42: Nickel– and cobalt–olefin complexes.
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11.6 Olefinic complexes
185
11.6.4 Bidentate diolefin complexes
The polyolefins containing isolated double bonds can act as bidentate ligands. Nonconjugated diolefins like Dewar benzene and cyclooctadiene act as bidentate ligands in metal complexes (Fig. 11.43).
Fig. 11.43: Bidentate diolefin complexes.
Group 16 metal hexacarbonyls form substitution products with cyclooctadiene by
replacement of carbon monoxide in which the diene acts as a bidentate ligand.
Nonconjugated diolefins undergo isomerization in the presence of transition
metals to become conjugated (as four-electron donors). However, cyclooctadiene
and norbornadiene react with the dinuclear iron carbonyl, Fe2(CO)9, to form complexes of the bidentate diolefins (Fig. 11.44).
Fig. 11.44: Iron–carbonyl complexes of cyclooctadiene-1,5 and norbornadiene.
Reduction of nickel(II) acetylacetonate with Et2AlOEt in the presence of cyclooctadiene produces the complex [Ni(C8H12)2] (Fig. 11.45).
M = Ni, Pt
Fig. 11.45: Nickel complex of cyclooctadiene.
Palladium(II) chloride forms the diene complexes, [Pd(diene)X2], with cyclooctadiene and 1,5-hexadiene. The Kharasch reagent, [Pd(PhCN)2Cl2], reacts with allyl
chloride to yield a complex of hexadiene-1,5 formed by coupling of the olefin.
Platinum forms complexes with nonconjugated diolefins in both oxidation
states, +2 and 0. Thus, [Pt(diene)X2] complexes have been obtained with cyclooctadiene, 1,5-hexadiene and cyclooctatetraene. Reduction of the complex [Pt(cyclooctadiene-1,5)Cl2] with isopropylmagnesium bromide in the presence of additional
cyclooctadiene-1,5 gives [Pt(C8H12)2].
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186
11 Organometallic compounds with two electron ligands
Rhodium(III) chloride and the rhodium complex of butadiene react with cyclooctadiene to form the binuclear dimer, [RhX(diene)]2. Norbornadiene and cyclooctadiene-1,5 combine with the salt Na[IrCl6] · 6H2O to form [Ir(diene)Cl]2 complexes. A
norbornadiene complex [Cu(diolefin)Cl]2 is formed by reduction of copper(II) chloride with sulfur dioxide in the presence of norbornadiene (Fig. 11.46).
Cl
M
M
Cl
Μ = Rh, Ir, Cu
Fig. 11.46: Chlorine-bridged dinuclear complexes with cyclooctadiene-1,5 ligand.
Cyclooctadiene-1,5 and norbornadiene form [Ru(diolefin)X2] compounds [81, 82]
with ruthenium(II) halides and Ir(diolefin)[HC(CButCO)2] [83] in which the diolefin
is attached as a bidentate ligand. Palladium also forms a complex with a bent cycloocta-1,5-diene molecule [84].
The larger ring, cyclodecadiene-1,6 derivative is obtained either directly from
the diolefin and rhodium(III) chloride, or by isomerization of cyclodecadiene-1,5
(Fig. 11.47).
Cl
M
M
Cl
Fig. 11.47: Chlorine-bridged dinuclear complexes with
cycloodecadiene-1,5 ligand.
11.6.5 Bridging diolefin complexes
In the previous examples, both double bonds of a diolefin were attached to the
same metal atom. Even in some conjugated olefins the C=C groups can act independently, for example, in butadiene, cyclohexadiene-1,3 or fulvenes, to form bridges
(Fig. 11.48). Bridging complexes are also known with norbornadiene and cyclooctatetraene. These are compounds could be described as inverse organometallic complexes since the metal is not the coordination center.
M
M
M
M
M
M
R
Fig. 11.48: Bridging coordination mode of conjugated diolefins.
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R
11.6 Olefinic complexes
187
Butadiene forms manganese and diiron derivatives with a bridged structure by
replacement of carbon monoxide from the corresponding metal carbonyl complexes, and a manganese cyclohexadiene complex is also known (Fig. 11.49).
CO
OC
CO
CO OC
OC
Fe
OC
CO
Mn
CO
Mn
Fe
OC
CO
CO
Fig. 11.49: Manganese– and iron–diene complexes.
The diolefins react with platinum chlorides to form bridged butadiene and cyclohexadiene-1,3 complexes (Fig. 11.50).
Fig. 11.50: Platinum–diene complexes.
The monovalent metals of the copper–silver–gold triad form bridged complexes, since
they can coordinate only one double bond. Thus, copper(I) chloride reacts with butadiene to form [C4H6(CuCl)2], with cyclohexadiene-1,3 to form the unstable [C6H10(CuCl)2],
and with norbornadiene to form [C7H8(CuBr)2] and [C7H8(CuCl)2] (Fig. 11.51).
Fig. 11.51: Copper–diene complexes.
Silver ion forms bridged-butadiene complexes in 1:1 and 2:1 ratios by absorption of
butadiene by aqueous silver nitrate (Fig. 11.52).
Gold forms the bridged complex [C8H12(AuCl)2] on ultraviolet irradiation of cyclooctadiene-1,5 with tetrachloroauric acid, H[AuCl4].
Molecules with several C = C bonds like cyclooctatetraene, can form a doubly
bidentate bridge (Fig. 11.53).
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188
11 Organometallic compounds with two electron ligands
Fig. 11.52: Silver–diene complexes.
Fig. 11.53: Bridging coordination of cyclooctatetraene as tetraolefin.
Cyclooctatetraene reacts photochemically with the cyclopentadienyl-metal dicarbonyls, (η5-C5H5)M(CO)2 (M = Co, Rh), to form a cyclooctatetraene complex [(μ-C8H8)
{M(η5-C5H5)}2] (Fig. 11.54).
M
M
M = Co, Rh
Fig. 11.54: Cobalt and rhodium cyclooctatetraene complexes.
The nickel complex, [Ni(C12H18)], reacts with cyclooctatetraene to form polymeric
[Ni(C8H8)]n, with doubly bidentate-cyclooctatetraene bridges (Fig. 11.55).
Ni
Ni
Ni
Ni
Fig. 11.55: Nickel cyclooctatetraene complex.
11.6.6 Tridentate olefin complexes
Unconjugated triolefins can act as tridentate ligands: thus, cyclononatriene-1,4,7 reacts with molybdenum hexacarbonyl to form [Mo(C9H12)(CO)3] (Fig. 11.56).
Fig. 11.56: Molybdenum complex of cyclononatriene-1,4,7.
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References
189
The reduction of nickel(II) acetylacetonate with Et2Al–OEt in the presence of cyclododecatriene-l,5,9 results in the formation of [Ni(C12H18)] (Fig. 11.57). In this compound the nickel atom is coordinatively unsaturated and readily accepts a carbon
monoxide molecule, to form [Ni(C12H18)(CO)].
Fig. 11.57: Nickel complex of cyclododecatriene-l,5,9.
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12 Compounds with three-electron ligands
12.1 Allylic complexes and related compounds
The η3-connectivity can be achieved in several ways. The prototype is the allyl
group but cyclic olefins can have allylic fragments acting as three-electron ligands
(Fig. 12.1).
Fig. 12.1: Allylic coordination of various cyclic olefins.
The most important three-electron ligand is the π-allyl group (bonded trihapto), which
has an open chain of three sp2 hybridized carbon atoms, each having a π-electron
available for metal–ligand bond formation (Fig. 12.2).
Fig. 12.2: The electronic structure of the π-allyl ligand.
The preparative methods for π-allylic complexes are as follows:
(a) Allyl halides or alcohols react with metal halides or metal carbonyls.
(b) Alkali metal salts of a metal carbonyl anion react with an allyl halide to give a
σ-bonded derivative followed by UV irradiation to promote σ–π rearrangement
(Fig. 12.3).
Fig. 12.3: Formation of allyl complexes by σ–π rearrangement.
(c) Allyl Grignard reagents react with metal halides:
MX + H2 C = CHCH2 MgX ! M η3 −C3 H5 + MgX
(d) Metal hydrides add to dienes (Fig. 12.4).
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110695274-013
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196
12 Compounds with three-electron ligands
Fig. 12.4: Addition of dienes to metal hydrides.
12.1.1 Homoleptic allyl metal complexes
Homoleptic η3-allyl metal complexes, that is, containing only allylic groups as ligands, have been described with two, three and four allyl ligands (Fig. 12.5).
M
M
M
ML2
ML3
ML4
M=Ni,Pd,Pt
M=V,Cr,Fe,Co,Rh
M=Zr,Nb,Ta,Mo,W
Fig. 12.5: Homoleptic η3-allyl complexes.
Most of the binary metal–allyl complexes are mononuclear compounds (Tab. 12.1). No
cluster compounds containing only π-allylic ligands are known.
Tab. 12.1: Binary π-allyl metal complexes.
Group IV
Group V
Group VI
Group VII
Group VIII
**
V(CH)
Cr(CH) Cr(CH)
–
Fe(CH) Co(CH) Ni(CH)
Zr(CH)
Nb(CH)
Mo(CH)
Mo(CH)
–
Rh(CH) Pd(CH)
Hf(CH)
Ta(CH)
W(CH)
Re(CH)
Ir(CH) Pt(CH)
Recent examples include bis(allyl) metal complexes [M(Me3Si-C3H3-SiMe3)2] with M =
Co, Ni [1] and [M(Me3Si-C3H3-SiMe3)2] M = Y, Tm [2] (Fig. 12.6).
Fig. 12.6: Bis(allyl) metal complexes.
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12.1 Allylic complexes and related compounds
197
The tris(allyl) iron complex [Fe(η3-C3H5)3 is formed in a Grignard reaction with
iron(III) chloride at low temperature (−78 °C):
FeCl3 + 3C3 H5 MgCl ! Fe η3 −C3 H5 3 + 3MgCl
Pentadiene-1,4 forms a bis(η3-allylic) compound with nickel chloride by reduction
with triethylaluminum reacts. The dimer [Rh(CO)2Cl]2 with allylmagnesium chloride
to form tris(η3-allyl)rhodium, Rh(η3-C3H5)3:
H2 O
½RhðCOÞ2 Cl2 + C3 H5 Cl ! ½ðη3 −C3 H5 Þ2 RhCl2
# + C3 H5 MgCl
Rhðη3 −C3 H5 Þ3
Tetrakis(allyl) metal complexes include [Sm(η3-C3H5)4] [3], tetrakis(η3-phenylpropargyl)
-zirconium [Zr(η3-PhC3H4-)4] [4] and tetrakis(η3-1-(trimethylsilyl)allyl)-thorium [Th(Me3Si-C3H4-SiMe3)4] (Fig. 12.7) [5]. Thorium and uranium also form binary tetraallyl
derivatives, M(η3-C3H5)4, from Grignard reactions.
Fig. 12.7: Tetrakis(allyl) metal complexes.
12.1.2 Complexes with bridging allylic ligands
Bridging allylic ligands are present in some palladium complexes and in dichromium and dimolybdenum tetraallyls. Pentadiene-1,4 forms a bis(η3-allylic) compound with nickel chloride by reduction with triethylaluminum and 1,6-diphenyl
hexadiene forms a palladium complex [6] (Fig. 12.8).
12.1.3 Heteroleptic mixed allyl–ligand metal complexes
There is a large number and variety of heteroleptic, mixed ligand allyl metal complexes. A first family includes mixed allyl halide complexes, sometimes also containing additional carbon monoxide (Fig. 12.9).
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12 Compounds with three-electron ligands
Fig. 12.8: Bridging allylic ligands.
Fig. 12.9: Mixed allyl metal halide complexes.
The rhodium dimer, [(η3-C3H)2RhCl]2, has been obtained from the carbonyl chloride, [Rh(CO)2Cl]2, with allyl chloride.
Dimeric [η3-C3H5NiX]2 (X = halogen) forms on heating nickel tetracarbonyl with
allyl halides which replace completely the carbon monoxide ligands.
Highly active forms of nickel and palladium, prepared by reduction of the anhydrous dihalides with potassium, react with allyl halides to produce [(η3-C3H5)MX]2
(M = Ni, Pd).
Palladium(II) chloride forms monomeric (η3-C3H5)PdCl(Cyh) [7]. Monoolefins
react with palladium(II) chloride to form the η3-allylic dimers, [(η3-C3H4R)PdCl]2.
The dimeric compound [(η3-C6H9)PdCl]2 is also formed in the reaction of cyclohexene with PdCl2 in acetic acid or from cyclohexadiene-1,3 with [Pd(CO)Cl]2.
Numerous π-allyl derivatives are known for the metals of this triad. Iron pentacarbonyl forms (η3-C3H5)Fe(CO)3X (X = halogen) with allyl halides.
Another family of mixed complexes are allyl–phosphine metal compounds with
iridium [8], nickel [9] and platinum [10] (Fig. 12.10).
The association of allyl ligands with tetrahydrofuran produces a series of mixed
complexes with scandium [11], yttrium [12] and lanthanides [12] (Fig. 12.11).
Allyl cyclopentadienyl metal complexes are numerous. The dichloride, (η5-C5H5)2TiCl2, reacts with allylmagnesium bromide to give (η5-C5H5)2Ti(η3-C3H5) [13]. The
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12.1 Allylic complexes and related compounds
199
Fig. 12.10: Mixed allyl–phosphine metal complexes.
M = Sc, Y
M = Y, Ce, Pr
M = La, Nd
Fig. 12.11: Mixed allyl–tetrahydrofuran metal complexes.
analogous zirconium compound yields a diallyl derivative, (η5-C5H5)2Zr(η3-C3H5)2. A
related binary cobalt complex, (η5-C5Me5)Co(η3-C3H5), is also known [14] (Fig. 12.12).
The 18-electron compound, Ni(η5-C5H5)(η3-C3H5) (Fig. 12.12), can be obtained by
treatment of nickelocene with allylmagnesium chloride, treatment of [(η3-C3H5)
NiBr]2 with sodium cyclopentadiene, or by treatment of nickel(II) chloride with allylmagnesium chloride and lithium cyclopentadienide:
Niðη 5 − C5 H5 Þ2 + C3 H5 MgCl )
½η 3 − C3 H5 NiBr2 + NaC2 H5
! ðη 5 − C5 H5 ÞNiðη 3 −C3 H5 Þ
NiCl2 + C3 H5 MgCl + LiC5 H5
C
Fig. 12.12: Mixed allyl–cyclopentadienyl metal
complexes.
A known scandium derivative is the mixed ligand complex, [(η5-C5H5)2Sc(η3-C3H5)],
prepared from (η5-C5H5)2ScCl and C3H5MgCl. Yttrium and lanthanide derivatives
(Fig. 12.13) of the type [(η5-C5H5)3Ln(η3-C3H5)] [15–119] were also prepared from
((η5-C5H5)3)LnCl and C3H5MgCl.
Some cylopentadienyl complexes with two [20] and three [21] allyl ligands are
also known with lanthanide central atoms (Fig. 12.14).
A number of substituted allyl ligands also form mixed cyclopentadienyl metal
complexes. These include zirconium [22], tantalum [23], ruthenium [24] and palladium [25] complexes with various substituted allyl groups (Fig. 12.15).
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12 Compounds with three-electron ligands
M = Y, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Yb, Lu,
Fig. 12.13: Mixed allyl–cyclopentadienyl lanthanide complexes.
Fig. 12.14: Cyclopentadienyl mixed lanthanide complexes with two and three allyl ligands.
Fig. 12.15: Metal complexes with substituted allyl ligands.
Carbonyl ligands may accompany the coordinated allyl groups in a variety of
compositions. Some examples are illustrated here. Thus, η3-allylvanadium pentacarbonyl, η3-C3H5V(CO), is obtained from allyl chloride and sodium hexacarbonylvanadate. Sodium pentacarbonylmanganate reacts with allyl chloride under UV
irradiation to form η3-allymanganese tetracarbonyl:
−
MnðCOÞ5 Na + + H2 C = CHCH2 X ! 3 η3 −C3 H5 MnðCOÞ4 + NaX + CO
Manganese pentacarbonyl hydride adds to butadiene to form a η3-allylic complex
(Fig. 12.16).
Fig. 12.16: Addition of butadiene to (CO)5MnH.
The dimer [(η3-C3H5)Fe(CO)3]2 is formed by elimination of iodine from (η3-C3H5)Fe
(CO)3I during chromatography over alumina, or in the reaction shown in Fig. 12.17.
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12.1 Allylic complexes and related compounds
201
Fig. 12.17: Formation of the [(η3-C3H5)Fe(CO)3]2 dimer.
The reaction of Na[Co(CO)4] with allyl halides produces an unstable η3-allyl derivative which readily isomerizes to the η3-allylic (η3-C3H5)Co(CO)3, The η3-methylallyl,
(η3-MeC3H4)Co(CO)3, is formed by addition of the hydride HCo(CO)4 to butadiene. The
cation, [(η3-C5H5)Co(CO)(η3-C3H5)]+ is formed by reacting (η5-C5H5)Co(CO)2 and an allyl
halide. A binuclear compound 2,3-dimethylenebuta-1,4-diyl)-hexacarbonyl-dicobalt is
also known [26] (Fig. 12.18).
Fig. 12.18: A binuclear cobalt complex.
Many other mixed allyl metal carbonyl complexes of various compositions are
known and some [27, 28] are illustrated in Fig. 12.19.
Fig. 12.19: More allyl metal complexes.
Finally, a rare uranium complex with cyclooctatetraene and 2-methylprop-1-en-3-yl
[29] is mentioned (Fig. 12.20).
Fig. 12.20: A uranium complex.
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12 Compounds with three-electron ligands
12.1.4 Allylic fragments in cyclic polyolefins
Allyl groups can be fragments of various organic ligands, like η3-cyclopentadienyl,
η3-cyclohexenyl, η3-cycloheptatrienyl or, η3-cycloheptadienyl groups, which can
act as π-allylic ligands to form allylmetal complexes. Selected examples are presented here.
Chromocene is reduced by a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide to a
complex in which one of the five-membered rings becomes a η3-ligand (Fig. 12.21).
Fig. 12.21: Cyclopentene as allylic ligand in a chromium complex.
The tungsten complex, (η5-C5H5)2W(CO)2, contains a bent trihapto-cyclopentadienyl
ligand. The 18-electron rule requires one of the C5H5 groups to be bonded as an η3allyIic fragment) (Fig. 12.22).
Fig. 12.22: Allylic η3-coordination of a cyclopentadiene molecule.
The η5-C5H5Ni group requires only three electrons to achieve a noble-gas configuration; consequently, it forms η3-allylic complexes, as in the η5-cyclopentadienyl-η3cyclopentenylnickel complex, Ni(η3-C5H5)(η3-C5H7) (Fig. 12.23).
Ni(CO)4 + C5H6
Ni(π - C5H5)2 + Na/Hg/EtOH
(π-C5H5)Ni
NiBr2 + NaC5H5 + C5H7MgBr
Fig. 12.23: Preparation of a nickel η3-coordinated cyclopentadiene.
A compound of nickel with allylic coordination of the central unit is formed by cyclopentenyl [30] (Fig. 12.24).
Tris(η3-cyclopentadienylmetal) compounds are rare but known for tin(II) and
lead(II) as dinegative anions [M(η3-C5H5)3]2– [31] (Fig. 13.25).
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12.1 Allylic complexes and related compounds
203
N
Fig. 12.24: Dinickel complex of cyclopentenyl.
Some six-membered rings can also act as η3-ligands. Cyclohexa-1,3-diene reacts with molybdenum hexacarbonyl to form a complex in which one of the rings is a five-electron and
M = Sn, Pb
Fig. 12.25: Tris(η3-cyclopentadienylmetal) compounds.
the other is a three-electron donor (Fig. 12.26). Cyclohexene forms monocyclic chromium
[32], molybdenum [33] and ruthenium [34] complexes with η3-connectivity (Fig. 12.26).
Fig. 12.26: Six-membered rings as η3-ligands.
Seven-membered rings: As the (η5-C5Ht)Fe(CO) group requires only a three-electron ligand, a cycloheptatrienyl group attaches to it as a trihapto ligand. The dinuclear iron
carbonyl, Fe2(CO)9, reacts with cycloheptatriene-1,3,5 to yield a product in which a dimetallic, Fe2(CO)6 unit is attached to the ring through two η5-allylic fragments (Fig. 12.27).
Fig. 12.27: Cycloheptatriene coordination as η3-ligand in iron complexes.
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204
12 Compounds with three-electron ligands
Since the Co(CO)3 group requires only three electrons to acquire a noble gas
configuration in the cycloheptatriene complex, η7-C7H7Co(CO)3, prepared from Co2
(CO)8 and cycloheptatriene under UV irradiation, the cyclic ligand must be bonded
as a η3-allylic fragment leaving a butadiene fragment in the ring not involved in
coordination. Complexes with cycloheptatriene connected in η3-allylic mode are
also known for ruthenium, osmium [35], palladium [36], platinum [37] and palladium [38, 39] (Fig. 12.28).
M = Ru, Os
M = Pd, Pt
Pd(PPh3)2
(Ph3P)2Pd
Fig. 12.28: Cycloheptatriene as η3-ligand in various complexes.
Eight-membered rings. Niobium forms a mixed ligand complex, (η5-C5H5)2Nb(η3-C8H9),
in which a cyclooctatrienyl group is bonded trihapto to satisfy the 18-electron
rule. Similar complexes are known for molybdenum [40] and palladium [41, 42]
(Fig. 12.29).
Fig. 12.29: Cyclooctatriene as η3-ligand.
12.2 Cyclopropenyl complexes
The unsaturated three-membered cyclopropenyl ring can act as a three-electron ligand in transition metal complexes (Fig. 12.30). The starting materials are the trialkyl(aryl)-cyclopropenium salts, [C3R3]+X–.
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12.2 Cyclopropenyl complexes
205
Fig. 12.30: Cyclopropenyl as η3-ligand.
Metal carbonyl or other anionic complexes react with cyclopropenium salts to
give products other than η3-cyclopropenyl complexes. Thus, triphenylcyclopropenium cation form a salt with the hexacarbonylvanadate anion [(η3-C3Ph3)V(CO)]–
which is converted by UV irradiation to a cyclopropenium complex (Fig. 12.31).
Fig. 12.31: Vanadium complex of
triphenylcyclopropenium.
A molybdenum-carbonyl derivative containing the triphenylcyclopropenyl ligand
has been obtained from the chloride (Fig. 12.32).
Fig. 12.32: Synthesis of a molybdenum complex.
Dicobalt octacarbonyl also reacts with a triphenylcyclopropenium salt (Fig. 12.33).
Fig. 12.33: Cobalt complex of
triphenylcyclopropenium.
The dimeric nickel compound satisfies the 18-electron rule (Fig. 12.34).
Fig. 12.34: Dimeric nickel compound.
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206
12 Compounds with three-electron ligands
The η3-bonding is found in [Ni(η3-C3Ph3)Cl(py)2] · py and (η5-C5H5)Ni(η3-C3Ph3).
The latter is prepared as shown in Fig. 12.35.
Fig. 12.35: Preparation of a mononuclear nickel triphenylcyclopropenyl complex.
Other nickel derivatives containing the trialkylcyclopropenyl ligand are similarly
prepared by ligand replacement (Fig. 12.36).
Fig. 12.36: Replacement reactions of nickel tri-tert-butylcyclopropenyl complexes.
Triarylcyclopropenium salts behave similarly with zero-valent platinum and palladium compounds.
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13 Compounds with four-electron ligands
Cyclic polyolefins having two or more double bonds can participate in tetrahapto-bonding (η4-connectivity). The four carbon atoms of an sp2-hybridized butadiene fragment must be coplanar. Virtually all conjugated cyclic dienes are
able to form η4-complexes, contributing the four π-electrons of their butadiene
fragment. Some seven- and eight-membered polyenes can behave in a similar
manner when the metal atom requires four electrons (or a multiple of four) to
achieve a noble gas configuration. Some typical four-electron ligands and their
attachment to the metal atom are shown in Fig. 13.1.
Fig. 13.1: Various ligands capable of tetrahapto-bonding.
13.1 Butadiene complexes and related compounds
Butadiene reacts as a chelating four-electron donor.
Vanadium forms a butadiene complex photochemically from cyclopentadienylvanadium tetracarbonyl, (η5-C5H5)V(CO)4, and butadiene by replacement of two carbonyl molecules to yield (η5-C5H5)V(CO)2(η4-C4H6).
Irradiation of cyclopentadienylvanadium tetracarbonyl with cyclohexadiene-1,3
yields (η5-C5H5)V(CO)2(η4-C6H8).
The unstable chromium complex, (η4-C4H6)Cr(CO)4, is obtained by reacting
chromium vapor with butadiene and carbon monoxide (Fig. 13.2).
Fig. 13.2: Formation of a cobalt-butadiene complex.
Molybdenum hexacarbonyl reacts with butadiene by replacement of two carbonyl
molecules to form (η4-C4H6)2Mo(CO)4 and (η4-C4H6)Mo(CO)2. The metal-atom synthesis affords tris(η4-butadiene) complexes of molybdenum and tungsten [1] (Fig. 13.3).
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13 Compounds with four-electron ligands
Fig. 13.3: Molybdenum and tungsten complexes of
butadiene.
Chromium, molybdenum and tungsten form the cyclobutadiene complexes
(η4-C4H4)M(CO)4 by reaction of 1,2-dichlorocyclobutenes with the metal hexacarbonyls in the presence of sodium amalgam. Molybdenum hexacarbonyl reacts
similarly to form (η4-C4H4)Mo(CO)4 and (η4-C4H4)2Mo(CO)2.
Cyclopentadienylmanganese tricarbonyl reacts with butadiene photochemically to
replace two carbon monoxide groups and form [(η5-C5H5)Mn(η4-C4H6)(CO)] (Fig. 13.4).
Fig. 13.4: Mixed manganese-butadiene
cyclopentadienyl complex.
The electronic requirements of the Fe(CO)3 group favor butadiene complexes, as in
butadiene–iron tricarbonyl η4-C4H6Fe(CO)3 (Fig. 13.5). This was the first transition
metal complex of butadiene, prepared in 1930 by the reaction of butadiene and iron
pentacarbonyl. Cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl bromide, (η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2Br, reacts with butadiene in the presence of aluminum bromide to form a butadienecontaining cation (Fig. 13.5).
Fig. 13.5: Iron-butadiene complexes.
α,α′-Dibromoxylene reacts with Fe2(CO)9 to form a butadiene fragment following
bromide elimination and π-electron redistribution (Fig. 13.6). Irradiation of the
product in the presence of iron pentacarbonyl results in complex formation with
the second butadiene fragment of the molecule to yield two isomers (syn and anti)
(Fig. 13.6).
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13.1 Butadiene complexes and related compounds
213
Fig. 13.6: Iron complexes containing butadiene moieties derived from a benzene ring compound.
Vinylbenzene and para-divinylbenzene form butadiene complexes with iron
carbonyls by perturbing the aromatic conjugation in the six-membered ring on association of a ring double bond with the exocyclic vinyl group (Fig. 13.7).
Fig. 13.7: Iron complexes derived from divinylbenzene.
Organic molecules which initially do not contain a butadiene fragment can react
with iron carbonyls to form butadiene complexes as a result of rearrangement.
Thus, tetramethylallene reacts with Fe2(CO)9 to form a trimethylbutadiene complex
in addition to the expected tetramethylallene derivative (Fig. 13.8).
Fig. 13.8: Conversion of tetramethylallene into trbutylbutadiene by complexation.
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13 Compounds with four-electron ligands
Cobaltocene reacts with butadiene to form the complex [(η5-C5H5)Co(η4-C4H6)],
and dicobalt octacarbonyl forms the bimetallic complexes [Co2(CO)6(η4-C4H6)] and
[Co2(CO)4(η4-C4H6)2] (Fig. 13.9).
Fig. 13.9: Cobalt-butadiene complexes.
The reaction of rhodium(III) chloride with butadiene yields the compound (η4-C4H6)2RhCl, and an analogous iridium complex is formed in the reaction of Na 2[IrCl4]
with butadiene. The compound (η5-C5H5)Ir(η4-C4H6) has been prepared by treating
(η4-C4H6)2IrCl with TlC5H5 (Fig. 13.10).
Fig. 13.10: Rhodium- and iridium-butadiene
complexes.
Uranium forms a complex with 1,4-diphenylbutadiene [2] (Fig. 13.11).
Fig. 13.11: A rare uranium-butadiene complex.
13.2 Cyclobutadiene complexes
Cyclobutadiene itself cannot be isolated but coordination to a transition metal stabilizes many derivatives. Because of the nonexistence of the free ligand, reactions
in which the cyclobutadiene ligand is formed simultaneously with the complex
must be used for the synthesis of cyclobutadiene complexes. The precursors are
usually compounds containing a four-membered ring (e.g., 1,2-dichlorocyclobutene
and photo-α-pyrone). The most convenient procedures start from acetylenes, since
these readily available reagents can often be converted into cyclobutadiene complexes by reaction with transition metal carbonyls or halides.
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13.2 Cyclobutadiene complexes
215
Of the group 14 element triad, only the titanium cyclobutadiene complex is known.
Titanium(III) chloride with cyclooctatetraene and diphenylacetylene in the presence of isoPrMgCl gives a mixed ligand complex containing tetraphenylcyclobutadiene (Fig. 13.12).
Fig. 13.12: Mixed titanium-cyclobutadiene cyclooctatetraene complex.
Vanadium and niobium form η4-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene complexes starting
from diphenylacetylene (R = Ph) (Fig. 13.13).
Fig. 13.13: Vanadium- and niobium-cyclobutadiene complexes.
Chromium, molybdenum and tungsten form the cyclobutadiene complexes, (η4-C4R4)
M(CO)4, by reaction of 1,2-dichlorocyclobutenes with the metal hexacarbonylsand sodium amalgam.
A bis(η4-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene) complex ofmolybdenum has been obtained
from Mo(CO)6 and diphenylacetylene (Fig. 13.14).
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13 Compounds with four-electron ligands
Fig. 13.14: Molybdenum complex with tetraphenylcyclobutadiene.
The first complex of unsubstituted cyclobutadiene was [(η4-C4H4)Fe(CO)3 prepared in 1965 by the action of 1,2-dichlorocyclobutene-3,4 on Fe2(CO)9 (Fig. 13.15).
Fig. 13.15: Preparation of the cyclobutadiene iron
complex [(η4-C4H4)Fe(CO)3.
In [(η4-C4H4)Fe(CO)3], the planar four-membered ring is coordinated to iron. Many
other cyclobutadiene complexes have now been prepared. This compound can also
be prepared via photochemical transformation of α-pyrone, followed by coordination to iron and elimination of carbon dioxide. The procedure has been extended to
vanadium-, cobalt- and rhodium-cyclobutadiene complexes (Fig. 13.16).
Fig. 13.16: Formation of cyclobutadiene complexes from α-pyrone.
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13.2 Cyclobutadiene complexes
217
Friedel–Crafts acetylation, aminomethylation, mercuration and other metallations, aromatic substitution reactions of the iron-coordinated cyclobutadiene ring
of η4-C4H4Fe(CO)3 reflect the aromatic character of this complex (Fig. 13.17).
Fig. 13.17: Aromatic reactions of η4-C4H4Fe(CO)3.
Oxidation of (η4-C4H4)Fe(CO)3 with Fe3+, Ce4+ or Ag+ generates transient, free cyclobutadiene which can be trapped with various organic compounds. This is cleverly
exploited for the preparation of many unusual compounds which are not available
by other methods.
Diphenylacetylene acts on iron pentacarbonyl at 240 °C to yield a tetraphenylcyclobutadiene complex, (η4-C4Ph4)Fe(CO)3, in addition to a tetraphenylcyclopentadienone complex (Fig. 13.18).
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13 Compounds with four-electron ligands
Fig. 13.18: Formation of an iron-cyclobutadiene complex from diphenylacetylene.
Macrocyclic diacetylenes also react with iron carbonyls to form cyclobutadiene
complexes, among other products [3] (Fig. 13.19).
Fig. 13.19: Reactions of macrocyclic diacetylenes with iron pentacarbonyl.
Cobalt forms cyclobutadiene complexes, especially when the metal atom is part of a
η5-C5H5Co fragment which requires four electrons to fulfill a noble gas configuration. Thus, 1,2-dichlorocyclobutene forms a cyclobutadiene complex by reaction
with Na[Co(CO)4]; the primary product can be converted to a cyclopentadienylcobalt derivative (Fig. 13.20). A rhodium complex, (η5-C5H5)Rh(η4-C4Ph4), has been
prepared similarly.
With macrocyclic diacetylenes, transannular ring closure occurs to form cyclobutadiene derivatives (Fig. 13.21).
The binuclear nickel complex [(η4-C4Me4)NiCl2]2 was the first-ever cyclobutadiene complex synthesized. It was obtained in 1959 by reacting 1,2-dichlorotetramethylcyclobutene
with nickel tetracarbonyl. Bis(tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)nickel is obtained from
(η4-C4Ph4)NiBr2 and dilithio-tetraphenylbutadiene (Fig. 13.22).
Disubstituted acetylenes form the palladium complexes [(η4-C4Ph4)PdBr2]2 by
reacting with the Kharasch reagent, which can transfer the cyclobutadiene ligand
to other metals (Fig. 13.23).
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13.2 Cyclobutadiene complexes
Fig. 13.20: Formation of cobalt-cyclobutadiene complexes.
Fig. 13.21: Reaction of macrocyclic diacetylenes with a cobalt carbonyl compound.
Fig. 13.22: Formation of nickel-cyclobutadiene complexes.
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13 Compounds with four-electron ligands
Fig. 13.23: Transfer of cyclobutadiene ligand from palladium to other metals. (a) Fe(CO)5; (b) Ru3
(CO)12; (c) Co2(CO)8; (d) Mo(CO)6; (e) Ni(CO)4; (f) C5H5V(CO)4; (g) Co(C5H5)2.
The chemistry of the cyclobutadiene complexes of transition metals is a beautiful illustration of the role which complexation by transition metals can play in stabilizing organic molecules incapable of independent existence, and in modifying
the chemical reactivity of a coordinated organic group.
13.3 Complexes with cyclic dienes and polyenes
13.3.1 Cyclohexadiene
Since the Fe(CO)3 group requires only four electrons, it readily forms η4-complexes
with cyclohexadienes. Thus, heating iron pentacarbonyl with cyclohexadiene-1,3
yields η4-C6H8Fe(CO)3. The same compound is formed even if a non-conjugated cyclohexadiene such as the 1,4-isomer is used. By heating with Fe(CO)5, cyclohexadiene-1,4 undergoes isomerization, and the complex of the conjugated diene is
formed. Thus, complex formation can be a driving force strong enough to produce
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13.3 Complexes with cyclic dienes and polyenes
221
isomerization of a cyclic diolefin. The bis(η4-cyclohexadiene) complex (η4-C6H8)2Fe
(CO) is also known (Fig. 13.24).
Fig. 13.24: Cyclohexadiene as η4-ligand in iron complexes.
13.3.2 Cycloheptadiene-1,3
This diolefin can form the same type of complexes as cyclohexadiene-1,3 but few
examples are known. With iron pentacarbonyl, cycloheptadiene-1,3 forms the expected (η4-C7H10)Fe(CO)3 (Fig. 13.25).
Fig. 13.25: Iron complex of cycloheptadiene-1,3.
Cycloheptatriene uses only two of its three double bonds to coordinate a Fe(CO)3
fragment. The product can be hydrogenated in the presence of Raney nickel to form
a tetrahapto cycloheptadiene-1,3 complex (Fig. 13.26).
Fig. 13.26: Iron complexes from cycloheptatriene-1,3.
13.3.3 Cyclooctatriene
With cyclooctatriene-1,3,5-triene as a tetrahapto ligand, a ruthenium complex is
known [4] (Fig. 13.27).
Fig. 13.27: Cyclooctatriene as η4-connected ligand.
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13 Compounds with four-electron ligands
13.3.4 Cyclooctatetraene
The reaction between cyclooctatetraene and iron pentacarbonyl yields several compounds, depending upon the conditions, two of which are of the η4-diene type. In η4C8H8Fe(CO)3, two double bonds act as a conjugated-diene system, leaving the other two
double bonds free. The complex (μ-C8H8){Fe(CO)3}2 obtained from cyclooctatetraene
and Fe2(CO)9 contains two Fe(CO)3 units attached to the two butadiene fragments. A η4ruthenium complex of cyclooctatetraene) has also been reported (Fig. 13.28).
Fig. 13.28: Cyclooctatetraene as η4-ligand in iron complexes.
13.3.5 Complexes with heteroatom molecules as four-electron ligands
Some divinylboranes, boron-containing heterocycles and carboranes can also act as
four-electron ligands. Thus, alkoxydivinylboranes react with Fe2(CO)9 to form irontricarbonyl complexes on UV irradiation (Fig. 13.29).
Fig. 13.29: Divinylborane moiety as a four-electron donor.
The five-membered heterocycle, thiadiborolene, also behaves as a four-electron ligand and forms an iron-tricarbonyl complex. Two electrons come from the olefinic
double bond and another two from the sulfur atom, while the boron atoms having
vacant pz-orbitals seem to permit delocalization in the ring (Fig. 13.30).
Fig. 13.30: Thiadiborolene heterocycle as four electron donor.
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13.4 Trimethylenemethyl radical as a four-electron ligand
223
Several η4-complexes derive from five-membered heterocyclic ligands containing a butadiene fragment. Typical is a group of silacyclopentadiene complexes of
iron (Fig. 13.31).
Fig. 13.31: Iron complex of silacyclopentadiene.
Thiophene dioxide forms a η4-complex with iron on UV irradiation with iron carbonyl (Fig. 13.32).
O2
S
Fe(CO)5
UV
S
O2
Fe(CO)3
Fig. 13.32: Iron complex of thiophene dioxide.
13.4 Trimethylenemethyl radical as a four-electron ligand
In trimethylenemethyl free radical, each carbon atom is sp2 hybridized and has a πelectron, available for donation. The four carbon atoms are nearly coplanar and all
three C–C bonds are equivalent. Such a species cannot exist free, but by coordination to a transition metal it can act as a four-electron donor and can be stabilized.
Chromium- and molybdenum-carbonyl derivatives are formed from l-chloro2-chloromethylpropene-2 and an iron derivative has been prepared by reacting
l-chloro-2-chloromethylpropene-2 with Fe2(CO)9 (Fig. 13.33).
Fig. 13.33: Metal complexes with η4-trimethylenemethyl.
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13 Compounds with four-electron ligands
References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
Kaupp M, Kopf T, Murso A, Stalke D, Strohmann C, Hanks JR, Cloke FGN, Hitchcock PB.
Trigonal prismatic structure of tris(butadiene)- molybdenum and related complexes revisited:
diolefin or metallacyclopentene coordination? Organometallics 2002, 21, 5021–28.
Pagano JK, Erickson KA, Scott BL, Morris DE, Waterman R, Kiplinger JL. Synthesis and
characterization of a new and electronically unusual uranium metallacyclocumulene,
(C5Me5)2U(η4-1,2,3,4-PhC4Ph). J Organomet Chem 2017, 829, 79–84.
King RB, Haiduc I, Eavanson CW, Reactions of transition metal compounds with macrocyclic
alkadiynes. III. Intramolecular transannular cyclizations and related processes with iron. J Am
Chem Soc 1973, 95, 2508–16.
Komiya S, Planas JG, Onuki K, Lu Z, Hirano M. Versatile coordination modes and
transformations of the cyclooctatriene ligand in Ru(C8H10)L3 (L = tertiary phosphine).
Organometallics 2000, 19, 4051–9.
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14 Compounds with five-electron ligands
There are several organic molecules able to furnish five π electrons. In addition to
cyclopentadienyl, the acyclic pentadienyl, cyclohexadienyl, cycloheptadienyl and
other groups can act as pentahapto five-electron ligands (Fig. 14.1).
Fig. 14.1: Various ligands capable of pentahapto-bonding.
The η5-cyclopentadienyl group is the best one and the most popular. Alone or in
association with other ligands, this ligand forms a large number of compounds
with a variety of structures. Depending upon electronic requirements, a metal atom
may bond one, two or sometimes more η5-cyclopentadienyl groups (Fig. 14.2).
Fig. 14.2: Several types of cyclopentadienyl metal complexes.
Binary cyclopentadienyl–metal compounds, that is, derivatives containing only
C5H5 groups and metal atoms in the molecule, are known for almost all transition
metals. When several C5H5 groups are present in a molecule, they may be bonded
in different ways (e.g., pentahapto and monohapto). Simple metallocenes of early
transition metals are difficult to obtain, and for some (e.g., “titanocene”), the structure was found to be more complicated than believed initially.
The η5-cyclopentadienyl derivatives of most transition metal are stable thermally, but their oxidative stability varies from metal to metal. Several derivatives,
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14 Compounds with five-electron ligands
M(η5-C5H5)2, are paramagnetic and do not obey the effective atomic number rule,
having either an electron deficit or an electron excess. However, the compounds
which have 18 electrons in their valence shell, for example, Fe(C5H5)2, Ru(C5H5)2 and
Os(C5H5)2, among binary compounds, are the most stable and exhibit aromatic character, obvious in numerous aromatic substitution reactions.
Many mixed-ligand complexes have also been prepared, and these include cyclopentadienylmetal carbonyls, cyclopentadienylmetal halide, cyclopentadienyl
metal sulfides and several others.
14.1 Metallocene complexes
The most common metallocenes are bis(η 5-cyclopentadienyl) metal sandwich
compounds, M(η5-C5H5)2, in which the two C5H5 rings are in parallel planes, in
either eclipsed or staggered orientation. Thus, in solid V(C 5H5) 2, Cr(C5H5) 2 and
Ru(C5H5)2, the parallel rings are eclipsed and Fe(C5H5)2 and Co(C5H5)2 are in staggered conformation.
14.1.1 Ferrocene
Bis(cyclopentadienyl)iron or ferrocene, Fe(η5-C5H5)2, is the subject of a huge volume
of literature systematized in numerous reviews and monographs. It was the discovery of ferrocene that initiated an explosive growth in organic transition metal chemistry after the peculiar type of bonding in this compound was recognized.
The ferrocene molecule has an antiprismatic structure with parallel, staggered
C5H5 rings with all carbon atoms equidistant from metal. In the ferrocenium salt [Fe
(η5-C5H5)2]+[BiCl4]‒, the rings are eclipsed.
Almost all the ferrocene preparations have in common the conversion of cyclopentadiene to the [C5H5]‒ anion by a base (dimethylamine, sodium metal, Grignard
reagents, etc.), followed by the reaction between the anion and an iron(II) salt, usually the chloride (Fig. 14.3).
Fig. 14.3: Synthesis of ferrocene.
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14.1 Metallocene complexes
227
A simple preparation involves treatment of cyclopentadiene with KOH and
FeCl2 in tetrahydrofuran in the presence of [18]-crown-6 ether; the method can also
be applied to substituted derivatives. Ferrocene is obtained industrially from cyclopentadiene with iron oxides at elevated temperatures.
Substituted ferrocenes are obtained either by substitution reactions on the ferrocene molecule, or by starting from substituted cyclopentadienes with iron carbonyls or iron(II) chloride.
Due to its aromatic character, observed shortly after its discovery, ferrocene is
an extremely interesting compound. Ferrocene can be acylated in the presence of
aluminum chloride, can be mercurated, sulfonated and, by indirect methods, nitrated or halogenated. These aromatic substitution reactions have been extensively
investigated (Fig. 14.4).
Fig. 14.4: Aromatic substitution reactions of ferrocene.
The electron density in ferrocene is higher than in benzene, and thus ferrocenylamine is a stronger base than aniline, and the ferrocenylcarboxylic acid is weaker
than benzoic acid.
Ferrocenyllithium is a versatile starting material for the preparation of many
substituted derivatives (Fig. 14.5).
Further reading
Okuda J. Ferrocene – 65 years after. Eur J Inorg Chem 2017, 217–19.
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14 Compounds with five-electron ligands
Fig. 14.5: Substitution reactions of lithioferrocene, a versatile reagent.
14.1.2 Other metallocenes
After the discovery of ferrocene attempts were made to prepare similar bis- and tris(cyclopentadenyl) metal compounds with other metals. Many were successful,
some of them being sandwich compounds, others having cyclopentadienyl ligand
in bent structures, particularly when additional cooperating ligands (e.g., halogens,
carbon monoxide) were present.
The compound first reported as “titanocene”, Ti(C5H5)2, prepared from TiCl4
and sodium cyclopentadienide, by reducing the resulting (η5-C5H5)2TiCl2, exists in
several forms described as green, black and metastable titanocenes. Two of these
are now known to be dimers. The green form is μ-(η5-fulvalene)di-hydrido-bis(η5cyclopentadienyl) dititanium while the black form contains a η1:η5-bridge (Fig. 14.6).
Zirconium and hafnium tetrachlorides reacting with Na[C5H5)] form bis(cyclopentadienyl) metal dichlorides, (η5-C5H5)2MCl2, (M = Zr, Hf), which can be converted to
tetrasubstituted derivatives, M(C5H5)4, by reaction with excess Na[C5H5)]. In Zr
Fig. 14.6: Titanium an zirconium cyclopentadienyls.
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14.1 Metallocene complexes
229
(C5H5)4 only three cyclopentadienyls are pentahapto while the fourth is monohapto
(Fig. 14.6).
Vanadium tetrachloride and sodium cyclopentadienide form (η5-C5H5)2VCl2,
and with excess reagent, V(η5-C5H5)2 (vanadocene). The latter can be conveniently
prepared from VCl2 · 2THF with Na[C5H5)]. Niobocene, Nb(η5-C5H5)2 can be obtained
by reducing (η5-C5H5)2NbCl2 but exists only in solution. A solid described earlier as
“niobocene” was found to be a dimeric hydride with (η1:η5-C5H4) bridges (Fig. 14.7).
Fig. 14.7: Dimeric niobocene cyclopentadienyl compound.
Chromocene, Cr(η5-C5H5)2 is prepared by the reaction of anhydrous chromium(III)
chloride with sodium cyclopentadienide, or better from CrCl2.THF. With only 16
electrons in its valence shell, this compound is unstable and air-sensitive. Chromocene is also obtained from chromium hexacarbonyl and cyclopentadiene.
Molybdenum and tungsten analogues could not be prepared, forming instead
the hydrides, (η5-C5H5)2MH2.
Manganocene, Mn(η5-C5H5)2, from anhydrous manganese(II) chloride and sodium
cyclopentadienide, is a supramolecular array formed of alternating Mn2+ cations and
[C5H5]‒ anions in a chain. This is the only metallocene of a first row transition element
having an ionic structure. The substituted 1,1-dimethylmanganocene contains two molecular forms: an ionic high-spin form (with a Mn-C5H5 distance of 2.433 A) and lowspin η5-complex (with a Mn-C5H5 distance of 2.144 A) (Fig. 14.8).
Fig. 14.8: A variety of manganese cyclopentadienyls.
Ruthenocene, Ru(η5-C5H5)2, which is prepared from ruthenium(III) chloride and
sodium cyclopentadienide is even more stable thermally than ferrocene, but its
aromatic-substitution reactions are more difficult to carry. Lithiation is possible
with BuLi.TMEDA, and the product can be further converted to iodoruthenocene
(Fig. 14.9).
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14 Compounds with five-electron ligands
Fig. 14.9: Ruthenocene cyclopentadienyl complexes.
Mercuration products of ferrocene (e.g., mono- and dimercurated derivatives),
ruthenocene and η5-cyclopentadienylmanganese tricarbonyl can be obtained, indicating aromatic properties of these π-complexes (Fig. 14.10).
Fig. 14.10: Mercuration derivatives of some metallocenes.
Osmocene, Os(η5-C5H5)2, prepared form osmium tetrachloride and sodium cyclopentadienide, can be acetylated in a Friedel–Crafts reaction to form a monosubstituted derivative.
Cobaltocene, Co(η5-C5H5)2, is prepared form cobalt(II) chloride and sodium cyclopentadienide. With 19 electrons in the valence shell, one electron more than the
noble-gas configuration, this compound is readily oxidized to the 18 electron cation, [Co(η5-C5H5)2]+. This tendency to achieve the 18 electron configuration also
manifests in the addition of carbon tetrachloride, reduction with lithium alanate
and addition of alkyl halides, in which one of the cyclopentadienyl rings in the
products becomes attached to the metal as a four-electron donor (Fig. 14.11).
Fig. 14.11: Cobaltocene derivatives.
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14.1 Metallocene complexes
231
Rhodium and iridium behave otherwise. Thus, rhodium(III) and iridium(III)
chlorides form compounds with Na[C5H5] in which only one of the two rings is a
five-electron donor (Fig. 14.12).
M = Rh, Ir
Fig. 14.12: Rhodium and iridium cyclopentadienyl compounds.
Nickelocene, Ni(η5-C5H5)2 can be made from anhydrous nickel bromide, cyclopentadiene and diethylamine, or from the complex [Ni(NH3)4]Cl2 and sodium cyclopentadienide. It has 20 electrons which makes it sensitive to oxidation to the cation, [Ni
(η5-C5H5)2]+, but removal of a second electron leads to decomposition, rather than
to formation of an 18 electron dication.
Cyclopentadiene and nickel tetracarbonyl produce a dicyclopentadienyl derivative
in which the second ring is bonded through a η3-allylic fragment, since the η5-C5HNi
group requires only three electrons to achieve a noble-gas configuration. Nickelocene
itself can be reduced with sodium amalgam to form the same compound (Fig. 14.13).
Fig. 14.13: Nickel cyclpentadienyl compounds.
The lanthanides form air-sensitive, but thermally stable tris(cyclopentadienyl)
derivatives, M(C5H5)3. Europium and ytterbium form bis(cyclopentadienyl) complexes,
M(C5H5)2, by the reaction of cyclopentadiene with the metals.
Cyclopentadienyl derivatives of actinides have also been prepared. Thorium tetrachloride forms the tetrakis derivative, Th(C5H5)4, with sodium cyclopentadienide.
The uranium compounds U(C5H5)4 and U(C5H5)3 have similarly been prepared.
For the synthesis of transuranium cyclopentadienyls such as (C5H5)3NpCl, Pu(C5H5)4,
Am(C5H5)3, Cm(C5H5)3 and Bk(C5H5)3, the reaction between bis(cyclopentadienyl)
beryllium and metal trichlorides has been used (sometimes on a microgram scale).
For the preparation of Cm(C5H5)3, the reaction of CmCl3 with bis(cyclopentadienyl)
magnesium can also be used.
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232
14 Compounds with five-electron ligands
Recent work describes compounds containing substituted cyclopentdienyl ligands, including derivatives of neptunium [Np(η5-C5H4SiMe3)3]‒ [1], plutonium
[{PuII{η5-C5H3(SiMe3)2}3]− [2], americium Am(η5-C5Me4H)3] [3] and californium [Cf
(η5-C5Me4H)2Cl2K(OEt2)]n [4].
14.1.3 Cyclopentadienylmetal carbonyls and carbonyl halides
There is a variety of compounds of this type (Fig. 14.14).
Fig. 14.14: Cyclopentadienylmetal carbonyl complexes.
The reaction of TiCl4 with Na[C5H5] yields (η5-C5H5)2TiCl2. If the reaction between
titanium tetrachloride and sodium cyclopentadienide is carried out under carbon
monoxide, the product is (η5-C5H5)Ti(CO)2; the same sandwich compound is obtained by reducing (η5-C5H5)2TiCl2 with aluminum powder in THF, in a carbon monoxide atmosphere. Cyclopentadienylmetal carbonyls, (η5-C5H5)2M(CO)2 (M = Zr, Hf),
are among the few carbonyl derivatives of these two elements.
Stable cyclopentadienyl vanadium tetracarbonyl, (η5-C5H5)V(CO)4, with a noblegas electronic configuration, is formed in the reaction between sodium hexacarbonyl
vanadate and cyclopentadienylmercury chloride.
Na½VðCOÞ6 + η1 − C5 H5 HgCl ! η5 − C5 H5 VðCOÞ4 + Hg + 2CO + NaCl
Irradiation or heating of (η5-C5H5)V(CO)4 yields (η5-C5H5)2V2(CO)5, which is a prototypal example of a compound with semibridging carbonyl groups (Fig. 14.15). Refluxing in THF leads to a tetranuclear compound [(η5-C5H5)V(CO)]4.
Fig. 14.15: The structure of (η5-C5H5)2V2(CO)5.
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14.1 Metallocene complexes
233
Cyclopentadienylniobium tetracarbonyl (η5-C5H5)Nb(CO)4 is obtained by the reaction of Na[C5H5] with the [Nb(CO)6]- anion, or by reduction of (η5-C5H5)2NbCl2 with
an Na/Cu/Al alloy under carbon monoxide.
Irradiation of (η5-C5H5)Nb(CO)4 by UV yields a trinuclear compound, (η5-C5H5)3
Nb3(CO)7, which contains a novel carbonyl bridge (Fig. 14.16).
Fig. 14.16: Trinuclear niobium complex.
Chromium and molybdenum hexacarbonyl, heated with cyclopentadiene yield
dimers, [(η5-C5H5)M(CO)3]2, containing metal–metal bonds and no carbonyl bridges.
Unlike cyclopentadiene, which forms the Mo–Mo bonded dimer, pentamethylcyclopentadiene forms with molybdenum hexacarbonyl, a dimer which contains a triple
Mo≡Mo bond with two fewer carbonyl groups (Fig. 14.17).
Fig. 14.17: Binuclear molybdenum cyclopentadienyls.
The metal–metal triple-bonded compounds, [(η5-C5H5)M(CO)2]2 (M = Cr, Mo, W), are
formed on refluxing the metal–metal single-bonded dimers [(η5-C5H5)M(CO)3]2 in toluene. Both the chromium and molybdenum compounds contain metal–metal triple
bonds, but the molecular geometry is different: the chromium derivative is a transisomer, while the molybdenum compound contains a linear C5H5-Mo≡Mo-C5H5 fragment (Fig. 14.18).
Carbon monoxide converts manganocene to cyclopentadienyl-manganese tricarbonyl, (η5-C5H5)Mn(CO)3, which can also be obtained from sodium cyclopentadienide and Mn2(CO)10, or [Mn(py)2Cl2] with cyclopentadiene, magnesium metal
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234
14 Compounds with five-electron ligands
Fig. 14.18: Cyclopentadienyl compounds with metal-metal triple bonds.
and carbon monoxide. The compound, known as cymantrene, has a noble gas configuration for the metal, and undergoes aromatic substitution reactions (Fig. 14.19)
Fig. 14.19: Manganese cyclopentadenyl compounds.
Technetium and rhenium derivatives of the type (η5-C5H5)M(CO)3, prepared by coupling the pentacarbonylmetal chlorides with sodium cyclopentadienide:
MðCOÞ5 Cl + NaC5 H5 ! η5 − C5 H5 MðCOÞ3 + NaCl + 2 CO
The dimer [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2]2 is reduced by sodium amalgam to give a strongly nucleophilic anion [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2]- which is a useful starting material (Fig. 14.20).
Fig. 14.20: Reactions of cyclopentadienyl iron dicarbonyl anion.
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References
235
A dimer analogous to that of iron, [(η5-C5H5))Ru(CO)2]2 has been prepared from
the dimeric carbonyl chloride [Ru(CO)2Cl2]2 and sodium cyclopentadienide.
The metal-metal bonded dimer, [(η5-C5H5)Os(CO)2]2, prepared from Os(CO)3Cl
and sodium cyclopentadienide, contains no carbonyl bridges. Thus there is a remarkable difference between the iron and osmium compounds.
Rhodium and iridium cyclopentadienylmetal complexes were reported as mononuclear (η5-C5H5)M(CO)2, binuclear (η5-C5H5)2M(μ2-CO)(CO)2 (M = Rh, Ir) and trinuclear [(η5-C5H5)Ir(CO]3 compounds [5].
References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
Dutkiewicz MS, Apostolidis C, Walter O, Arnold PL, Reduction chemistry of neptunium
cyclopentadienide complexes: from structure to understanding. Chem Sci 2017, 8, 2553–61.
Windorff CJ, Chen GP, Cross JN, Evans WJ, Furche F, Gaunt, AJ, Janicke MT, Kozimor SA, Scott
BL. Identification of the formal +2 oxidation state of plutonium: Synthesis and
characterization of [PuII[C5H3(SiMe3)2}3]−. J Am Chem Soc 2017, 139, 3970–73.
Conrad A. P. Goodwin CAP, Su J, Albrecht-Schmitt TE, Blake AV, Batista ER, Daly SR, Dehnen
S, Evans WJ, Gaunt AJ, Kozimor SA, Lichtenberger N, Scott BL, Yang P. [Am(C5Me4H)3]: An
organometallic americium complex. Angew Chem Int Ed. 2019, 58.
Goodwin CAP,Su J, Stevens LM, White FD, Anderson NH, Auxier II JD, Albrecht-Schönzart TE,
Batista ER, Briscoe SF, Cross JN, Evans WJ, Gaiser AN, Gaunt AJ,James MR,Janicke MT,Jenkins
TF, Jones ZR, Kozimor SA, Scott BL, Sperling JM, Wedal JC,Windorff CJ, Yang P, Ziller JW.
Isolation and characterization of a californium metallocene, Nature 2021, 599, 421–24.
Hashikawa Y, Murata Y. Synthesis and oligomerization of CpM(CO)2. ACS Omega 2021,
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c05739
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15 Six-electron ligands
Six π electrons, able to ensure η6-hexahapto connectivity, are offered by benzene,
cycloheptatriene, cyclooctene, cyclooctadiene (Fig. 15.1),
Fig. 15.1: Various ligands capable of hexahapto-bonding.
15.1 Homoleptic sandwich complexes
The most important six-electron ligand is benzene which forms homoleptic sandwich complexes (Fig. 15.2). Polyphenyls and condensed polyarenes can use one or
more of their aromatic rings in metal bonding.
M = Ti, V, Cr, Mo, W, Fe, Ru, Os
Fig. 15.2: Homoleptic bis(benzene) sandwich
complexes.
Bis(benzene)titanium is formed in the reaction of the metal vapor with benzene at
77 K, and the reaction can be extended to other arenes (toluene, mesitylene, etc.).
Paramagnetic bis(benzene)vanadium, V(η6-C6H6)2, obtained by the reaction of
vanadium tetrachloride with benzene, in the presence of aluminum chloride and
aluminum powder, followed by alkaline hydrolysis, has 17 electrons and can be
readily reduced with alkali metals to the 18 electron anion, [V(η6-C6H6)2]‒. Vanadium hexacarbonyl reacts with benzene and its substituted derivatives to also form
benzene complexes. Bis(benzene)vanadium can be metallated with n-BuLi, to give
[V(η6-C6H6Li)2]. Niobium vapor and benzene, toluene or mesitylene give bis(arene)
niobium derivatives.
The group 16 elements require 12 electrons, and can achieve a noble-gas configuration by coordinating two benzene molecules. Thus, bis(benzene)chromium Cr
(η6-C6H6)2, the compound which historically opened this class, was obtained from a
reductive Friedel–Crafts reaction with chromium chloride and benzene in the presence of aluminum chloride and aluminum powder, followed by reduction with sodium dithionite
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238
15 Six-electron ligands
+
3CrCl3 + 2Al + AlCl3 + 6C6 H6 ! 3 η6 − C6 H6 Cr
AlCl4−
Na2 S2 O4
!
Cr η6 − C6 H6 2
−
OH
Substitution reactions are difficult, but metallation is possible, and further reactions of the metallated derivatives can lead to various products. The coordinatedbenzene molecule retains its aromaticity as shown by substitution reactions. Bis
(benzene) chromium can be metalated with the n-BuLi · TMEDA complex (Fig. 15.3).
Fig. 15.3: Lithiation of bis(benzene) chromium.
The less stable bis(benzene) derivatives of molybdenum and tungsten, M(η6-C6H6)2
(M = Mo, W) are obtained by reductive Friedel–Crafts reactions or from metal atom
vapor and benzene.
Iron, ruthenium and osmium chlorides heated with aromatic hydrocarbons in
the presence of aluminum chlorides and aluminum powder, after hydrolysis, yield
[M(η6-C6H6)2]2+ cations, which can be precipitated as hexafluorophosphates. The
hexamethylbenzene derivative can be reduced to a monopositive cation, [Fe(η6arene)2]+ and to the unstable, neutral [Fe(η6-arene)2]. Similarly, the complex salt,
[Fe(η6-arene]2+[PF6]2 is reduced with Na[BH4] to a cyclohexadienyl complex, and
with sodium dithionite to a monopositive cation (Fig. 15.4).
Fig. 15.4: Bis(benzene iron and its reactions.
Further reading
Pampaloni G. Aromatic hydrocarbons as ligands. Recent advances in the synthesis, the reactivity
and the applications of bis(η6-arene) complexes. Coord Chem Rev 2010, 254, 402–419.
Seyferth D. Bis(benzene)chromium. Its discovery by E.O. Fischer and W. Hafner and subsequent
work by the research groups of E.O. Fischer, H. H. Zeiss, F. Hein, C. Elschenbroich, and others.
Organometallics 2003, 21, 2800–2820.
Kündig EP. Synthesis of transition metal η6-arene Complexes. Topics Organomet. Chem. 2004, 7, 3–20.
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15.2 Heteroleptic, mixed ligand sandwich compounds
239
15.2 Heteroleptic, mixed ligand sandwich compounds
Numerous sandwich compounds are formed by associating different hydrocarbons
as ligands. The number of possible combinations seems unlimited and only a selection is presented here, leaving the imagination of the reader to search for more.
Manganese(II) chloride reacts with sodium cyclopentadienide and phenyl magnesium bromide to give a mixed derivative, along with a bimetallic compound derived from biphenyl (Fig. 15.5).
Fig. 15.5: Mixed manganese benzene cyclopentadienyl sandwich complex.
Similarly, (η5-C5H5)Re(η6-C6H6) forms from rhenium(V) chloride, C5HηMgBr and cyclohexadiene, under UV irradiation.
The cation [(η5-C5H5)Fe(η6-C6H6)]+ is obtained from (η5-C5H5Fe(CO)2Cl and benzene with aluminum chloride, or from ferrocene and benzene in the presence of aluminum chloride and aluminum metal powder (Fig. 15.6).
Fig. 15.6: Mixed benzene cyclopenadienyl sandwich complex.
Like in ferrocene, one of the cyclopentadienyl rings of ruthenocene can be replaced
by an aromatic ring (mesitylene, hexamethylbenzene, etc.) by heating with an aluminum chloride–aluminum metal powder mixture (Fig. 15.7).
Fig. 15.7: Mixed ruthenium complex.
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240
15 Six-electron ligands
A cation of the type [(η5-C5H5)Co[(η6-C6H6)]2+ can be obtained by hydride abstraction of the η5-cyclopentadienyl-cobalt cyclohexadiene complex with trityl tetrafluoroborate (Fig. 15.8).
Fig. 15.8: Mixed cobalt benzene cyclopentadienyl sandwich.
15.3 Sandwich ηn-complexes of some heterocyclic ligands
Borabenzene ligands form several transition metal complexes. In these ligands, the
boron atom contributes no electrons, but its vacant pz orbital permits cyclic conjugation in the ring (Fig. 15.9).
Fig. 15.9: Borabenzene sandwich complexes.
A typical preparation is shown (Fig. 15.10).
Fig. 15.10: Synthesis of an iron borabenzene sandwich complex.
The silacyclopentadiene heterocycles forms a mixed cobalt cyclopentadienyl complex (Fig. 15.11).
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15.3 Sandwich ηn-complexes of some heterocyclic ligands
241
Fig. 15.11: Mixed silacyclopentadiene-cobalt
cyclopentadienyl complex.
The pyrrole ring can form an azaferrocene and bis(pyridine) chromium complexes
can be prepared by reactions with metal vapor (Fig. 15.12).
Fig. 15.12: Pyrrole and pyridine sandwich complexes.
Phosphaferrocenes iron complexes and arsole analoges are also known (Fig. 15.13).
Fig. 15.13: Phospha- and arsaferrocenes.
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242
15 Six-electron ligands
Diphosphaferrocenes have been obtained with the aid of lithiophospholes. Iron
complexes of arsoles are also known (Fig. 15.14).
Fig. 15.14: Diphosphaferrocenes.
Thiophene behaves like benzene in its reaction with ferrocene and an aluminum
metal–aluminum bromide mixture, to give a mixed cyclopentadienyliron thiophene
complex (Fig. 15.15).
Fig. 15.15: Cyclopentadienyliron thiophene complex.
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16 Complexes with seven-electron ligands
The η7 connectivity is provided by cycloheptatriene. Homoleptic cycloheptatriene
complexes can be obtained. Cycloheptatriene reacts with several vaporized metals
(Ti, V, Fe, Co) to yield η7-cycloheptatrienyl complexes with titanium, vanadium and
chromium while iron gives Fe(η5-C7H7)(η7-C7H9) imposed by the 18 electron rule
(Fig. 16.1).
M(η7-C7H7)(η5-C7H9)
Cr(η7-C7H7)(η4-C7H10)
Fe(η5-C7H7)(η5-C7H9)
M = Ti, V
Fig. 16.1: Homoleptic cycloheptatriene complexes.
Several cycloheptatriene complexes are heteroleptic compounds.
Cycloheptatriene reacts with cyclopentadienyl vanadium tetracarbonyl to yield
the η7-complex, V(η7-C7H7)(η5-C5H5), but the reaction of vanadium metal vapor with
cycloheptatriene produces η6-complexes (Fig. 16.2).
Fig. 16.2: Vanadium complexes withcycloheptatriene.
The mixed η7-cycloheptatrienyl-η5-cyclopentadienyl complex of chromium has been
prepared by the reaction of anhydrous chromium(III) chloride withcyclopentadiene,
cycloheptatriene and iso-PrMgBr or by treatment of (η5-C5H5)Cr(η6-C6H6) with a cycloheptatrienyl salt, followed by reduction with an alkali metal dithionite. Related η7cycloheptatrienyl–molybdenum complexes with a η6-ligand as second substituent,
must be in cationic form in order to preserve the 18 electron configuration (Fig. 16.3).
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244
16 Complexes with seven-electron ligands
Fig. 16.3: Heteroleptic chromium and molybdenum complexes with
cycloheptatriene.
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17 Complexes with eight-electron ligands
Cyclooctatetraene is the eight-electron donor ligand capable of η8-connectivity. Cyclooctatetraene forms η8-complexes only with the early transition metals which require a large number of electrons to achieve a noble-gas electronic configuration.
No η8-cyclooctatetraene complex of a transition metal beyond group 16 is known.
In the titanium compound Ti(η8-C8H8)(η5-C5H5), the cyclooctatetraene ring is
bonded in octahapto-fashion and both rings are coplanar (Fig. 17.1).
Fig. 17.1: Cyclooctatetraene as η8 ligand.
The bis(cyclooctatetraene)vanadium complex V(C8H8)2 was obtained by reacting K2
C8H8 with VCl3.THF. Only one of the ring is connected as η8-C8H8 while the second
one is in a η4-C8H8 fashion [1] (Fig. 17.2)
Fig. 17.2: Vanadium complex with two differently connected
cyclooctatetraene ligands.
The mixed ligand complex of chromium with cyclooctatetraene and cyclopentadienyl exists in two equilibrium forms, and is readily converted to a cation, the
eight-membered ring becoming a six-electron donor (Fig. 17.3).
C5H5CrCl2 + C8H8
i - PrMgBr
THF
Cr
Cr +
Cr
Fig. 17.3: Chromium complex with cyclooctatetraene.
Scandium derivatives of cyclooctatetraene can be prepared according to the sequence shown in Fig. 17.4.
K2C8H8
ScCl3 ∙ 3 THF
K2C8H8
η8
K+[Sc(η8–C8H8)2]–
–C8H8ScCl ∙ THF
NaC5H5
(η8–C8H8)Sc(η5–C5H5)
Fig. 17.4: Formation of scandium cyclooctatetraene complexes.
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17 Complexes with eight-electron ligands
The lanthanides and actinides (uranium thorium, protactinium, neptunium
and plutonium) form η8–cyclooctatetraene complexes, since the η8-C8H8 ligand has
molecular orbitals able to interact with the f-orbitals of the metals.
The pyrophoric bis(cyclooctatetraene) complex, U(η8-C8H8)2, (“uranocene”) is
obtained from uranium(IV) chloride and K2C8H8. Both rings are coplanar and act as
eight-electron donors; f-orbitals participate in the bonding. The uranium derivative
can be anodically oxidized to an air-stable cation [U(η8-C8H8)2]+, but anions like
[M(η8-C8H8)2]+ with lanthanides M = La, Ce, Nd, Er and actinides M = Np, Pu, Am,
have also been prepared.
The tetraphenylcyclooctatetraene complex, U(η8-C8H4Ph4)2, prepared from UCl4
and K2C8H4Ph4-1,3.5.7 is air-stable and sublimes at 400 °C (!) in vacuo. It has a
nearly eclipsed configuration with the phenyl groups tilted away from the C8-plane.
Reference
[1]
Gourier D, Samuel E, Bachmann B, Hahn F, Heck J. Bis(cyclooctatetraene)vanadium: X-ray
structure and study of molecular motions by EPR and ENDOR spectroscopy in frozen solution.
Inorg Chem 1992, 31, 86–95.
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18 Inverse sandwich complexes
Traditional sandwich complexes refer to those organometallic complexes composed
of one metal center and two planar conjugated ligands located in parallel on both
sides of the metal center. Inverse sandwich complexes consist of one planar aromatic
ligand and two metal centers binding on opposite sides of the ligand plane. This type
of compound is also known under the term of “triple decker” sandwiches [1].
18.1 Cyclobutadiene center
Inverse sandwich structures with a cyclobutadiene center have been first reported
with iron in [μ -C4H4))Fe{Cp(CO)2}2] [2] (Fig. 18.1)
Fig. 18.1: Inverse sandwich with cyclobutadiene center.
Dinickel inverse sandwich complexes with cyclobutadiene centers were prepared
from NiBr2 with appropriate dilithio reagents [3].
18.2 Cyclopentadiene center
In these anti-bimetallic compounds, the metals are found to be bridged by a single carbocyclic ring. Examples include [(THF)3Ca]2(1,3,5-triphenylbenzene) and [ArSn]2(C8H8).
A typical inverse sandwich complex is the cyclopetadienyl triple decker cation
[{μ-C5C5){Ni(C5H5)}2]+ [4, 5] (Fig. 18.2).
Fig. 18.2: Inverse sandwich with cyclopentadiene center.
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18 Inverse sandwich complexes
Coordination of two metal atoms on opposite sides of the arene leads to the formation of quite unusual inverse sandwich complexes and was found to stabilize low
oxidation states of magnesium and calcium in [(thf)2Mg(Br)-C6H2-2,4,6-Ph3] and
[(thf)3Ca{μ-C6H3-1,3,5-Ph3}Ca(thf)3] [6] and of gallium and indium [7] in compounds
of the type [M(μ,η5-C5Me5)M]+ (M = Ga [8] and In [9]. Quantum chemical calculations
also corroborated the particular stability of such “inverse” sandwich cations [10].
18.3 Benzene center
Titanium forms a benzene-centered inverse sandwich compound [{μ-C5H(SiMe3)4}
{Ti(η5-C5Me5)5}] [11], and a divanadium complex [(μ-C6H6){V(η5-C5H5)}2 [12] was prepared by reacting (η5-C5H5)V(C3H5)2 with 1,3-cyclohexadiene in refluxing heptane
(Fig. 18.3).
Fig. 18.3: Inverse sandwich with benzene ring as center.
It is worth mentioning that the titanium compound readily undergoes arene exchange
reactions with other aromatics, for example, toluene and mesitylene, with retention of
the triple-decker sandwich structure.
Another divanadium(I) inverse sandwich complex with a toluene bridge, [(µ-η6:
6
η -C7H8)[V(Nacnac)]2, has a bulky ligand and was prepared by reduction of VCl2
(Nacnac) (Nacnac=HC(C(Me)NC6H3-iPr2)2) with KC8 in toluene [13]. Similar complexes with bulky ligands are known with chromium [14, 15] (Fig. 18.4).
An unprecedented monovalent transition metal complex, [(µ-η6:η6-C6H6)(MnAr)2]
(Ar = C6H-2,6-(C6H2-2,4,6-Pri3)2–3,5-Pri2), with η6-arene coordination, was synthesized
by reduction of the corresponding metal halide ArMn-X with potassium graphite in
THF [16] (Fig. 18.5). Similar bulky ligands were needed to build dicobalt [17] and dirhodium [18] inverse sandwich compounds.
Nickelocene in benzene reacts with the Brønsted acid H2O.B(C6F5)3 to give salt of
5
[(η -C5H5)Ni(η6-C6H6)Ni(η5-C5H5)]+ which is the first example of a triple-decker nickel
sandwich with a bridging benzene ligand [19] (Fig. 18.5).
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18.3 Benzene center
249
Fig. 18.4: Inverse sandwich complexes with bulky external ligands.
Several diuranium inverse sandwich compounds have been reported including
[(μ-C6H6)(UCp*2)2] and [(μ-C6H6)(UCp*X)2 where X = N(SiMe3)2, OC6H4But2-2,6 and
CH(SiMe3)2 [20, 21], [(μ-C6H6)(UX2)2] where X = N(SiMe3)2 [22], [(μ-C6H6)(UX3)2], with
X = OSi(OBut)3 [23] and others [24, 25] (Fig. 18.5).
Fig. 18.5: More inverse sandwich complexes.
Unusual divalent lanthanides are stabilized in inverse sandwich complexes [(μC6H6)(LnCpR)2] (where Ln = La, Ce, R = C5H4SiMe3) prepared by reduction of Ln(CH2
SiMe3)3 with potassium graphite in benzene. In these complexes, the bridging C6H6
center is non-planar (Fig. 18.6).
Fig. 18.6: Unusual lanthanide inverse sandwich.
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250
18 Inverse sandwich complexes
18.4 Cyclooctatetraene center
Cycloctatetraene replaces the benzene bridge in the inverse sandwich complex [(μC6H6){U(C5Me5)2}2] to form [(μ-C8H8){U(C5Me5)2}2] and maintaining the triple decker
structure (Fig. 18.7).
Fig. 18.7: Formation of a uranium inverse sandwich with cyclooctatetraene center.
A triple decker compound containing non-planar central cycloctatetraene molecule
[(μ-C8H8){Ti(C8H8)}2] has also been reported[26] (Fig. 18.8).
Fig. 18.8: Nonplanar cyclooctatetraene in a dititanium inverse sandwich.
18.5 Fused arene rings as centers
The vanadium inverse sandwich with naphalene bridge [(μ-C10H8){V(η5-C5H5)}2] was
obtained from V(η5-C5H5)2 by ligand transfer from Yb(C10H8)(THF)3 [27]. A heterobinuclear inverse sandwich compound with naphthalene central bridge [(μ-C10H8){η4MnCO)3{Fe(η5-C5H5)}] [28] was formed from [(η6-C10H8)Mn(CO3]+ with [(η5-indenyl)Fe
(CO)3]+ (Fig. 18.9).
Fig. 18.9: A rare heterobinuclear inverse sandwich.
The reactions of [FeCl(η5-C5Me5)(TMEDA)] with potassium arenes produced inverse
sandwich compounds [(η-arene){Fe(η5-C5Me5)}2] (where arene = naphtalene and
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18.5 Fused arene rings as centers
251
anthracene). With anthracene the sandwich with one Fe(η5-C5Me5) unit located over
the central ring is formed first and this migrates to the outer ring on heating in the
solid state [29] (Fig. 18.10).
Fig. 18.10: Iron inverse sandwich compounds.
Inverse sandwiches with phenanthrene and pyrene decorated with Cr(CO)3 units
have also been obtained [30] (Fig. 18.11).
Fig. 18.11: Chromium inverse sandwich complexes.
The phenanthrene compound was formed in the reaction of Cr(CO)6 with phenanthrene during a prolonged reaction time or with [NH4]3[Cr(CO)3]. The pyrene complex was prepared in a similar way.
A series of inverse sandwich complexes have been reported with pentalene, symindacene and asym-indacene These include [(μ-pentalene){M(η5-C5Me5)}2 with M =
Fe,Co,Ni,Ru, RuandFe:Ru, Fe:Co pairs, [(μ-(sym-indacene){M(η5-C5Me5)}2 and [(μ(asym-indacene){M(η5-C5Me5)}2 with M = Fe, Co, Ni (Fig. 18.12).
M = Fe, Ru, Co, Ni
Fig. 18.12: Inverse sandwich complexes with pentalene and isomeric indacenes.
The componds were prepared in reactions of M(η5-C5Me5(acac) (where M = Fe, Co,
Ni or Ru) with LiC5Me5 and Li2(arene) [31, 32].
Alkaly metals form unexpected inverse sandwich complexes with tetraphenylpentalene [33] (Fig. 18.13).
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252
18 Inverse sandwich complexes
M = Li, Na, K
Fig. 18.13: Inverse sandwich complexes with alkali metals.
A last inverse sandwich to be mentioned here is a triindenyl trinuclear iron
compound syn,syn,anti-[(μ-tri-indenyl){Fe(η5-C5H5)}.] obtained by exchange reaction
between K3[tri-indenyl] and [Fe(η5-C5H5)(fluorene)] [34] (Fig. 18.14).
Fig. 18.14: A trimetallic inverse sandwich with tri-indenyl.
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19 Organometallic compounds with σ-transition
metal–carbon bonds
19.1 General
The organometallic compounds containing σ-transition metal–carbon bonds have
been considered, for a long while, less stable than the main group metal organometallics. The presence of unoccupied d-orbitals in the valence shell is a source of kinetic
lability. There was a much slower development of the chemistry of homoleptic σ-transition metal organometallics compared to other classes of compounds described in
previous chapters. However, there are early examples of σ-transition metal organometallics: (CH3)3PtI (1909) [1] (with the tetrameric structure [(CH3)3PtI]4 reported later in
1998 [2]), and Li[Cu(CH3)2], (1952) [3] (the crystal and molecular structure determined
in 1998 along with other organocuprates), the anions [CuMe2]–, [CuPh2]– and the intermediate, monosubstituted species [Cu(Br)CH(SiMeI)]– [4] obtained as salts with Li(12crown-4]+ counterion.
The kinetic lability of the σ-bonded transition metal organometallics can be
caused by several mechanisms of decomposition. The most relevant are β-hydride
elimination, β-alkyl elimination and α-hydrogen abstraction. The hydrogen atom in
the β-position of an organic ligand is interacting with the empty d-orbitals of the
transition metals (agostic bond), and the result is the formation of an olefin and
transition metal hydride (Fig. 19.1).
Fig. 19.1: β-Elimination.
Organic groups such as CH2SiR3, CH(SiR3)2, CH2Ph, CH2CMe3 lacking a β-hydrogen,
form rather stable σ-derivatives. Such groups are also bulky and, therefore, exhibit
a favoring steric influence as well.
Another mechanism of decomposition, sometimes in competition with β-hydride
elimination, is β-methyl elimination:
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110695274-020
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256
19 Organometallic compounds with σ-transition metal–carbon bonds
Fig. 19.2: β-Methyl elimination.
α-Abstraction might be viewed as the analogue of α-hydride elimination in instances where the alkyl group possesses no β-hydrogen atoms (Fig. 19.3).
Fig. 19.3: α-Abstraction.
It is worth mentioning that all three mechanisms are relevant for synthetic applications
in organic chemistry.
The stability of σ-bonded transition metal organic derivatives is increased when
stabilizing factors are involved:
– by use of organic groups of appropriate structures to avoid β-elimination,
– steric protection with the aid of bulky substituents,
– chelate ring formation (participation of the transition metal as a heteroatom in a
metallacycle),
– coordination of certain ligands to the transition metals to block the d-orbitals
and prevent the decomposition via mechanisms involving empty d-orbitals.
The σ-bonded group R can be alkyl, aryl, σ-vinyl or σ-allyl, alkynyl, perhalogenated
alkyls or aryls (CF3, C3F7, C6Cl5, C6F5, etc.), acyl or σ-alkynyl groups (-C≡C-R). The
most favored are those unable of β-elimination.
The electronegative character of the organic group also increases the stability
of the σ-bonded compounds. Thus, aromatic derivatives and polyfluorinated or polychlorinated groups yield more stable compounds.
Ligands with π-donor properties facilitate the use of both occupied and vacant
metal d-orbitals to achieve noble gas configurations. Thus, metal carbonyl or cyclopentadienyl metal moieties lacking only one electron form σ-bonded organic derivatives.
Very often, the role of these ligands is only secondary in determining the structure and
properties of the organometallic compound.
Based on the stabilizing factors the following types of compounds with σ-metal–
carbon bonds have been described:
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19.1 General
257
a) Homoleptic alkyl and aryl derivatives (neutral or ionic), that is, compounds
containing exclusively σ-metal–carbon bonds;
b) Heteroleptic compounds, containing σ-transition metal–carbon bonds and additional ligands. These may include:
– adducts of homoleptic derivatives with donor ligands, such as neutral CrPh+
–
3.3THF, cationic [CrPh2(bipy)2] , or anionic [R3AuX] ;
– compounds with monofunctional ligands, for example, halide R-MX, alkoxy
R-M(OR)n, amino R-M(NR’2)n or mercapto derivatives, R-M(SR’)n;
– metal carbonyl derivatives, RnM(CO)x;
– cyclopentadienylmetal derivatives, (η5-C5H5)mMRn and cyclopentadienylmetal carbonyl derivatives, (η5-C5H5)MRn(CO)x.
c) Chelate rings and metallocycles with σ-carbon and M–X (X = O, N, S, P, As, etc.)
bonds.
A comparison of the thermodynamic parameters like the metal–carbon bond energy
(or bond dissociation enthalpy) suggests no significant differences between transition
metal and main group organometallics. The bond strengths of second-row transition
metal-carbon bonds was studied for different hybridizations on carbon using the set
of molecules M-CH3, M-CH = CH2, and M-C ≡ CH without additional ligands. The transition metal–carbon bond strength depends on the hybridization of the carbon atoms
(decreases in the order sp > sp2 > sp3) and on the electronic structure of the metal (decreases from left to right in the periodic table). For alkyl chains of different lengths
and with different numbers of substituents on the bonding carbon, M-CH3, M-C2H5,
M-n-C3H7, and M-iso-C3H7 (the same type of hybridization, sp3) the strength of the
transition metal–carbon bond decreases in the order M-methyl > M-ethyl > M- n-propyl > M-iso-propyl. The difference between the metal-alkyl bond strengths is larger to
the left in the Periodic Table while the difference essentially disappears to the right
[5]. There is a significant difference in the trend of the transition metal–carbon bond
strength for transition metals compared to main group metals: the bond energy increases down the transition metal group, for example, Ti(CH2CMe3)4 (185 kJ/mol), Zr
(CH2CMe3)4 (226 kJ/mol), Hf(CH2CMe3)4 (243 kJ/mol) [6], while for the main group
metals the bond energy is decreasing, for example, Si–Me (290 kJ/mol) and Pb–Me
(130 kJ/mol). If we consider that the bond energy of Ti–Me bond is 200 kJ/mol and
Ge–Me is 240 kJ/mol (same period), it is clear that the transition metal–carbon bonds
are thermodynamically in the same range as the main group–carbon bonds.
The syntheses of σ-bonded derivatives are no different from those used in main
group organometallic chemistry. Among the most important are:
– Reaction of a metal halide or halogeno complex with organolithium, organomagnesium or other organometallic reagents able to transfer an organic group:
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258
19 Organometallic compounds with σ-transition metal–carbon bonds
–
Reaction of a metal hydride with an olefin (addition). This reaction is the reverse of β-elimination:
–
Reaction of a metal hydride with diazomethane to give σ-methyl derivatives:
-
–
Reaction of an anionic metal complex anion (metal carbonyl or cyclopentadienylmetal carbonyl) with a halogenated organic compound:
–
Oxidative addition of polar organic substrates to 16-electron metal complexes
(Fig. 19.4).
Fig. 19.4: Oxidative addition.
A particular oxidative addition specific for aryl derivatives is the ortho-metallation. A
C–H bond of the phenyl group, part of a ligand coordinated to the metal, is cleaved
by the metal to form a new M–C bond and a C–H bond:
– nucleophilic attack on coordinated ligands (Fig. 19.5);
Fig. 19.5: Nucleophilic attack on coordinated olefins.
–
reaction of metal vapor with organic halides:
19.2 Homoleptic compounds
The use of organic ligands lacking hydrogens in the β-position led to first examples
of homoleptic organometallic compounds with σ-transition metal–carbon bonds
with R = CH(SiMe3)2 and R = CH2SiMe3, CH2CMe3 and CH2SnMe3 [7].
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19.2 Homoleptic compounds
259
The perhalophenyl groups (C6X5, X = F, Cl) were proved to be the most suitable
ligands to form homoleptic anions [M(C6X5)n]z− with the first-row transition metals,
as well as with a number of the heavier ones (M = Zr, Hf, Rh, Ir, Pd, Pt, Ag, Au). The
stability, molecular geometry and other properties are determined by the nature of
the ligand, the electronic configuration of the M(n−z)+ ion and its size. Their stoichiometry is related to a compromise between electronic and steric factors. An important
mechanism to gain stability is to reduce the electronic unsaturation of a metal ion
(Lewis acid) by binding the highest number of C6X5 ligands (Lewis bases) allowed by
interligand repulsions: maximum four pentachlorophenyl ligands, [M(C6Cl5)4]z− but
up to six for the less bulky pentafluorophenyl group in the case of larger sized and/or
electron poorer metals: [M(C6F5)5]2− (M = Ti, V, Cr, Rh) and [M(C6F5)6]2− (M = Zr, Hf).
Most of the [M(C6X5)n]z− compounds have an open-shell electronic structure (<18 electrons, effective atomic number rule) [8]. A list of pentahalogenophenyl homoleptic
species is provided below. Most are hypervalent anions, that is, compounds in which
the number of M–C bonds is larger than the formal valence of the metal:
d0
d1
d2
d3
d4
d5
d6
d7
d8
d9
[TiIV(C6Cl5)4] (8 e–), [ZrIV(C6F5)6]2– (12 e–), [HfIV(C6F5)6]2– (12 e–);
[TiIII(C6Cl5)4]– (9 e–), [TiIII(C6F5)5]2– (11 e–), [VIVR4] (9 e–), R = C6Cl5, C6F5;
[VIII(C6Cl5)4]– (10 e–), [CrIV(C6Cl5)4] (10 e–);
[CrIII(C6Cl5)4]– (15 e–), [CrIII(C6F5)5]2– (13 e–);
[CrII(C6Cl5)4]2– (12 e–), [CrII(C6F5)4]2– (12 e–), [MnIII(C6F5)4]– (12 e–);
[FeIII(C6Cl5)4]– (13 e–);
[FeII(C6F5)4]2– (14 e–), [CoIII(C6Cl5)4]– (14 e–) R = C6Cl5, C6F5, [RhIII(C6Cl5)3] (18 e–),
[RhIII(C6Cl5)4]– (18e–), [RhIII(C6F5)4] (16 e–), [PtIV(C6Cl5)4] (18 e–);
[CoIIR4]2– (15 e–) R = C6Cl5, C6F5, [RhII(C6Cl5)4]2– d7 (15 e–), [IrII(C6Cl5)4]2– (15 e–),
[NiIIIR4]– (15 e–) R = C6Cl5, C6F5, [Pt(C6Cl5)4]– (15 e–);
[NiIIR4]2– (16 e–) R = C6Cl5, C6F5, [PdIIR4]2– (16 e–) R = C6Cl5, C6F5, [PtII(C6Cl5)4]2–,
(16 e–), [AuIII(C6Cl5)4]–, [AuIII(C6F5)4]– (16 e–);
[CuIR2]– (14 e–) R = C6Cl5, C6F5, [AgIR2]– (14 e–) R = C6Cl5, C6F5, [AuIR2]– (14 e–)
R = C6Cl5, C6F5.
A special case is the unsaturated empty-shell compound [TiIV(C6Cl5)4] with only eight
valence electrons, prepared by oxidation of organotitanium(III) anion [TiIII(C6Cl5)4]– [9].
Unprecedented dimetallated benzene compounds have been obtained by stoichiometric 1,4-double deprotonation of the aromatic ring to form a peculiar type of
inverse sandwich complexes in which the benzene rings are embedded in cyclic structures formed by tetramethylpyperidine ligands alternating with metal pairs of chromium–sodium [10], manganese–sodium [11] and iron–sodium [10] (e.g., Figure 19.6).
Similar complexes were obtained by manganation of naphthalenes, anthracene
and phenathrene [12].
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260
19 Organometallic compounds with σ-transition metal–carbon bonds
Fig. 19.6: Dimetallated benzene derivative.
19.2.1 Titanium, zirconium, hafnium
The homoleptic TiR4 are prepared from titanium tetrachloride and alkyllithiums. The
unstable tetramethyltitanium can be stabilized in the orthophenanthroline or bipyridyl complexes. The fully substituted TiMe4 can be further converted to Li[TiMe5].
Tetrasubstituted derivatives, M(CH2SiMe3)4 (M = Ti, Zr, Hf) and Ti(CH2Ph)4, are
stable, and the trisubstituted complexes (Ti(CH2SiMe3)3 and Ti[CH(SiMe3)3) are also
known. The compound, Ti[CH(SiMe3)3, forms from TiCl4 and LiCH(SiMe3)2. Titanium
tetrachloride and phenyllithium form tetraphenyltitanium, which polymerizes to give
(TiPh2)x).
Tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)zirconium, Zr(C6F5)4, and tetrabenzylzirconium, Zr
(CH2Ph)4, are known, but tetraphenylzirconium is unstable. Six Zr–C bonds are
formed - in the hypervalent anion, [ZrMe6]2–.
Ylide derivatives are known for titanium and zirconium:
19.2.2 Vanadium, niobium, tantalum
Vanadium trichloride forms the hypervalent anionic, hexasubstituted Li4[VPh6],
with phenyllithium and triphenylvanadium is obtained from VCl3.3THF and phenyllithium in THF. Both trimethylsilylmethyl derivatives, V(CH2SiMe3)n with n = 3 and
4 are known. 2,4,6-Trimethylphenyl (Mes) derivatives of the neutral MR3 and anionic [MR4]– are also known.
The reaction of [VCl3(thf)3]– with LiC6Cl5 in a 1:8 molar ratio followed by the appropriate treatment allows the isolation of [NBu4][VIII(C6Cl5)4]. This complex is air- and
moisture-stable in the solid state. This behavior is in contrast with the observation of
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19.2 Homoleptic compounds
261
the ease with which the related compound [Li(thf)4][V(Mes)4] is air oxidized to give
neutral [V(Mes)4] [13].
The arylation of [VCl3(thf)3] with organolithium derivatives, LiR, of polychlorinated
phenyl group [R = 2,4,6-trichlorophenyl or 2,6-dichlorophenyl gives four-coordinate,
homoleptic organovanadium(III) derivatives of the [VIIIR4]– anions. The arylation of
[VCl3(thf)3] with LiC6F5 also gives a homoleptic organovanadium(III) compound, but
with a different stoichiometry: [VIII(C6F5)5]2–. In this five-coordinated species, the C6F5
groups define a trigonal bipyramidal environment for the vanadium atom [14].
High-spin and redox-active tetrahedral complexes of V(III), Fe(II) and Mn(II)
were prepared with substituted phenylacetylide ligand 2,6-bis(trimethylsylyl)phenylacetylene, for example, the anion [(2,6-(Me3Si)2Ph-CC)4VIII]–.
The pentamethylniobium and -tantalum obtained from the corresponding methylmetal chlorides and methyllithium decompose by α-hydrogen abstraction. The hexamethyl derivative, TaMe6, explodes even in vacuo. Highly substituted hypervalent
phenyl anions, [NbPh6]4–, [TaPh6]– and [NbPh7]3– are also known.
19.2.3 Chromium, molybdenum, tungsten
Tetra-alkyl chromium compounds, CrR4 (R = neopentyl, neophyl, tritylmethyl, and
methyl), have been prepared by the interaction of the Grignard or lithium with the
tetrahydrofuran adduct of chromic chloride, CrCl3.3THF, or in the case of tetramethylchromium by an exchange reaction between methyllithium and chromium(IV)
tert-butoxide. Chromium(III) chloride gives the trisubstituted CrPh3 · 3THF from
phenylmagnesium bromide in THF, which is readily converted to the η6 -complexes of
benzene and biphenyl. Excess of phenyllithium gives the hexasubstituted anion, Li3
[CrPh6] · nEt2O. A tetraphenylchromium compound Li2[CrPh4] · 4THF is also known.
Disproportionation of Li3[CrPh6] · nEt2O with CrCl3 leads to Li[CrPh]3 · nEt2O or
Li[CrPh4],
The pentaphenylchromium derivative forms an adduct with Na(OEt2)2 of composition [CrPh5]Na2(Et2O)3.THF, which contains a trigonal bipyramidal CrPh5 unit
with interactions between sodium and the phenyl substituents (Fig. 19.7).
Fig. 19.7: Pentaphenylchromium complex.
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19 Organometallic compounds with σ-transition metal–carbon bonds
Benzylmagnesium bromide forms with CrCI3 a trisubstituted derivative, Cr(CH2
Ph)3, which decomposes to form η6-arene complexes.
A binuclear compound containing a chromium–chromium triple bond is obtained from CrCl2 and methyllithium (Fig. 19.8).
Fig. 19.8: A tetramethyldichromium anion.
Multiple metal–metal bonding is also found in Cri(CH2SiMe3)5(PMe3)2, which contains both bridging and terminal CH2SiMe3 groups (Fig. 19.9).
Fig. 19.9: A unique dichromium compound.
Six Mo–C σ-bonds are found in the [MoPh6]3– anion, while tungsten forms [WMe8]2–
anions. The reaction of WCli with methyllithium or trimethylaluminum gives WMe6
which is explosive. Excess methyllithium forms the [WMe8]2– anion.
Molybdenum forms the binuclear, metal–metal triple-bonded compound Mo2
(CH2SiMe3)6 (Fig. 19.10) from MoCl6 and Me3Si–CH2MgCl.
Fig. 19.10: A binuclear molybdenum compound.
A quadruple Mo–Mo bond is found in Li2[Mo2Me8] · 4THF. Related tungsten compounds are also known, including Li2[W2Me8] · 4Et2O and W2(CH2SiMe3)6, which
contain multiple metal–metal bonds.
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19.2 Homoleptic compounds
263
19.2.4 Manganese, technetium, rhenium
The thermally stable manganese(II) derivatives, MnR2 (R = CH2SiMe3, CH2Bui, CH2CMe2Ph), are prepared using alkylmetal intermediates. The hypervalent anionic species, [MnIIR3]– and [MnIIR4]2–, are obtained with R = Me, and C ≡ C-R’ (R’ = H, Me, Ph).
The rhenium anion [Re2Me8]2– is prepared from ReCl5 and LiMe and contains a
quadruple Re–Re bond.
19.2.5 Iron, ruthenium, osmium
A rare homoleptic dimesityliron derivative is prepared from FeCl2 by a Grignard
route, and lithium tetrasubstituted ferrate anions and [FeR4]– (R = Me, Ph) can be
isolated. Six σ-Fe–carbon bonds are found in the hypervalent alkynyl–iron anions,
[Fe(C ≡ CR)6]2– (R = H, Me, Ph).
19.2.6 Cobalt, rhodium, iridium
With Co(II), only hypervalent anions are formed and tetrasubstituted cobalt anions,
[CoR4]2– with R = CH2SiMe3, Ph, C6F5, C6Cl5, Me are known. Hexasubstitution is
achieved in the ethynyl derivatives, [Co(C ≡ CR)6]3– and [Co(C ≡ CR)6]4–.
Apparently, rhodium and iridium compounds of this category are unknown.
19.2.7 Nickel, palladium, platinum
A six σ-alkyl platinum complex, the hexamethylplatinate, [PtMe6]2–, is obtained
from (Me3PtI)4 or (NR4)2[PtCl6] with methyllithium.
19.2.8 Copper, silver, gold
With excess phenyllithium, copper(I) iodide forms the unstable tetrasubstituted
anion as lithium salt Li[CuPh4] · nEt2O.
Polymeric monovalent RCu compounds are obtained from copper(I) halides with
organolithium, organozinc or Grignard reagents. The tetrameric pentafluorophenyl
derivative, (C6F5Cu)4 [15], is more stable than the alkyls. The trimethylsilylmethyl derivative is a tetramer and contains alkyl bridges and weak Cu–Cu bonding interactions.
For the applications of organocopper compounds in organic synthesis, the solubility is crucial [16] and it was found that mesitylcopper, (MesCu)n (n = 4, 5; Mes = 2,4,6trimethylphenyl) is soluble in benzene, ether, THF and partially soluble in hexane. It
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19 Organometallic compounds with σ-transition metal–carbon bonds
can be readily prepared by a metathesis reaction between copper(I) chloride and mesitylmagnesium bromide in THF. Mesitylcopper represents an ideal approach to a readily
soluble, stable, and versatile organocopper(I) synthon in organic synthesis. The tetrameric structure, similar with the structure of trimethylsilylmethyl derivative and the
pentameric structure [17] are presented in Fig. 19.11. Bulkier complexes 2,4,6-triisopropylphenylcopper, 2,4,6-triethylphenylcopper, and 2,4,6-triethylphenylsilver have also
tetrameric structures. Monomeric mesityl complexes were prepared, starting with the
oligomeric framework of mesitylcopper in reaction with stronger σ-donor coligands or
π-acceptors. Mesitylcopper with a N-heterocyclic carbene ligand yields a monomeric
complex with a linearly coordinated CuI center (Fig. 19.11) [18].
Fig. 19.11: Tetrameric and pentameric copper compounds.
Bis(alkynyl)titanocene π-accepting metalloligands (the so-called “organometallic πtweezers”) have the appropriate geometry to coordinate a [CuMes] unit within the
Ti(C ≡ CSiMe3)2 binding pocket (Fig. 19.12) [19].
Fig. 19.12: Unusual mesitylcopper compound.
With crowded terphenyl ligand, Mes2(C6H3), a organocopper dimer, was prepared
and structurally characterized (Fig. 19.13) [20].
This complex shows two copper(I) centers with the formal coordination number 1
but each CuI ion lies close to the aromatic system of one mesityl substituent of the
neighboring terphenyl ligand in a η2-binding mode.
The disubstituted anionic complexes, [CuR2]–, serve as reagents in synthetic organic chemistry. Anionic alkynyl derivatives, [CuI(C = CR)2]– (R = Me, Ph) and [CuI
(C = CR)3]2– (R = H, Me, Ph), are also known.
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19.3 Heteroleptic compounds
265
Fig. 19.13: Organocpper(I) dimer.
Organolead, tin and bismuth compounds form with silver nitrate the compound
[RAg]2 · AgNO3. The polymeric phenylsilver and other σ-aryl derivatives, [AgR]x, are
prepared from silver(I) salts and organozinc reagents. The dimeric, disubstituted silver derivatives, which contain aryl groups bridging silver and lithium atoms, are obtained from lithium aryls.
Di– and tetramethylaurate anions, [AuMe2]– and [AuMe4]–, are prepared from
organolithium reagents:
The former is linear, while the latter is square planar. The anions are more thermally stable than neutral species but less stable to oxygen.
Anionic species [Au(C6F5)n]– (n = 2 or 4) are also known.
19.3 Heteroleptic compounds
The σ-bond organic derivatives of transition metals may be stabilized by a variety of
additional ligands (co-ligands like halogens, amines, phosphines, halogens, etc.)
which form heteroleptic compounds.
19.3.1 Organometallic halides
A class of heteroleptic compounds includes organometallic halides, known for several
transition metals.
Titanium tetrachloride forms organotitanium halides, MeTiCl3 and Me2TiCl2, in
the reaction with organoaluminum and organolead reagents.
Zirconium and hafnium tetrachloride with LiCH(SiMe3)2 yield the triorganometal chlorides, [(Me3Si)2CH2]3MCI (M = Zr, Hf).
Niobium and tantalum pentachlorides react with dimethylzinc to form the unstable trimethyl dichlorides, Me3MCl2.
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19 Organometallic compounds with σ-transition metal–carbon bonds
The tetrasubstituted anions, [NiR4]2 (with R = Me, Ph), and halogen-bridged dinuclear anions, [(C6F5)2NiX2Ni(C6F5)2]2– (X = Cl, Br, also CN), are also known.
The square planar palladium compounds (PR3)2PdRX, and (PR3)2PdR2 are prepared from the dihalides with Grignard reagents as both cis- and trans-isomers.
Platinum forms cubic, tetrameric (Me3PtX)4 (X = Cl, I) derivatives (Fig. 19.14)
from the reaction of platinum(II) chloride with Grignard reagents.
Fig. 19.14: Tetrameric organoplatinum chloride.
The dimeric compounds, (R2AuX)2, are prepared from [Au(py)Cl3] and methylmagnesium iodide.
19.3.2 Nitrogen donors
Efficient co-ligands are the nitrogen donors. The reaction of VCl3(THF)3 with one
equivalent of R2NLi (R = iso-Pr, Cy) formed the tetravalent (R2N)2VCl2 which can be
alkylated with RLi to yield the corresponding (R2N)2VR2 derivatives in good yield [21].
Stable CoR2(bipy) and Ni(CH2SiMe3)2 (Fig. 19.15) are prepared from the metal(II)
acetylacetonates, bipyridyl and aluminum trialkyls.
Fig. 19.15: Bipyridyl adducts.
Dimethylglyoximato chelates of cobalt, CoRL(DMG) (L = pyridine, H2, etc.), have been
investigated as B12 vitamin models, since the coenzyme of this vitamin also contains
a Co-C bond in a similar coordinative environment (Fig. 19.16).
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19.3 Heteroleptic compounds
267
Fig. 19.16: Dimethylglioximato organocobalt complex.
19.3.3 Phosphines
Other versatile co-ligands are the phosphines. The adduct WMe6 · PMe3 obtained from
the components decomposes thermally or on photolysis to give trans-[WMe2(PMe3)4]
(Fig. 19.17).
Fig. 19.17: Orgnotungsten tetraphosphine adduct.
Stable di- and tetraphenyl derivatives of cobalt, CoPh2(PEt3)2, are known. Phosphino derivatives of cobalt CoR2(PR3)2 (Fig. 19.18) are formed when the phenyl
group attached to cobalt is ortho-substituted.
Fig. 19.18: Organocobalt diphosphine adducts.
–
The treatment of a phosphine rhodium or iridium halide with Grignard reagents:
Stable bis(phosphine)metal dialkyls, MR2(PR3)2, can be isolated from the corresponding dihalides with organolithium reagents.
The pentafluorophenyl derivative, Ni(C6F5)(PPh3)2, is a very stable compound.
Gold(I) derivatives, stabilized by complexation with tertiary phosphines, AuR(PR3),
are obtained from the halides, R3P · AuX, with organolithium or Grignard reagents.
Trimethylgold, prepared from gold(lII) bromide and methyllithium, is stabilized by
complexation with amines or tertiary phosphines, as Me3Au · L. The pentafluorophenyl
derivatives of gold include the neutral species Au(C6F5)n(PR3) (n = 1 or 3). Other examples are (Me3Si)2CH-AuL (L = PPh3, AsPh3).
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268
–
19 Organometallic compounds with σ-transition metal–carbon bonds
Titanium complexes of bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane are known as transTiMeCl(dmpe)2 and trans-TiMe2(dmpe)2. A trans-geometry was evidenced by
spectroscopic methods and X-ray diffraction, trans-MMe2(dmpe)2 for M = V, Cr
or M, while the iron species obtained is cis-FeMe2(dmpe)2 [19].
19.3.4 Metal carbonyl derivatives, (CO)mMRn
Anionic species, [R-M(CO)5]‒ (R = Me, Et, PhCH2), are formed in the reaction of Na2
[Cr(CO)5] with the corresponding organic halides.
For group VII metals the pentacarbonyl alkyls are typical. The sodium salt of the
anion [Mn(CO)5]– with methyl iodide forms the carbonyl compound (CO)5Mn-CH3.
This absorbs carbon monoxide reversibly, to form an acetyl derivative, also available
by an alternative route (Fig. 19.19).
Fig. 19.19: Formation of a manganese acetyl derivative.
Other alkylmetal carbonyls, (CO)5M-R (M = Mn, Re), are formed by the decarbonylation
of acyl derivatives, (CO)5M-CO-R (R = Ph, perfluoroalkyl).
Hydrometallation, as the addition of perfluoroethylene to a carbonyl hydride, can
also be used:
Tetracarbonyliron diiodide, Fe(CO)4I2, reacts with pentafluorophenyllithium to give
(η5-C6H5)Fe(CO)4I, and analogous compounds are formed from iron pentacarbonyl
with perfluoroalkyl iodides.
19.3.5 Cyclopentadienylmetal derivatives, (η5-C5H5)mMRn, and
cyclopentadienylmetal carbonyl derivatives, (η5-C5H5)MRn(CO)m
The stable bis(cyclopentadienyl) titanium derivatives, (η5-C6H5)2TiR2, are prepared
from the corresponding dichloride with organolithium reagents. [TiPh2]x reacts with
cyclopentadiene to give (η5-C6H5)2TiPh2.
Bis(cyclopentadienyl)vanadium chloride with phenyllithium yields (η5-C6H5)2V-Ph.
Li3[CrPh6] · nEt2O reacts with cyclopentadiene to give the complex Li[(η5-C5H5)
CrPh3].
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19.3 Heteroleptic compounds
269
The cyclopentadienylmetal tricarbonyl alkyls of molybdenum and tungsten are
prepared from the corresponding anions and alkyl halides:
Cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl derivatives are obtained by the reaction of the nucleophilic anion, [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2]–, with alkyl halides, hexafluorobenzene or substituted perfluorobenzenes (Fig. 19.20). This anion also reacts with acyl halides to form
the acyliron derivatives, [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2]CO-R, which can be decarbonylated to (η5C5H5)Fe(CO)2R (R = perfluoroalkyl, Ph, etc.).
Fig. 19.20: Preparation of an iron compound.
The fluxional mixed (η5-C5H5)(η1-C5H5)Fe(CO)2 derivative is prepared from the corresponding halide and sodium cyclopentadienide (Fig. 19.21).
Fig. 19.21: Preparation of fluxional (η5-C5H5)(η1-C5H5)Fe(CO)2.
Metal-hydride addition to olefins leads to σ-derivatives of iron (Fig. 19.22).
Fig. 19.22: Metal hydride addition to butadiene.
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19 Organometallic compounds with σ-transition metal–carbon bonds
Cyclopentadienylnickel derivatives are obtained from the dimer with perfluoroalkyl iodides:
[(η5-C5H5)Ni(CO)]2 + RFI
(η5-C5H5)Ni
RF + (C5H5)Ni(CO)
CO
Ferrocene and other η -cyclopentadienylmetal derivatives form compounds in which
a ring carbon atom is bonded to two gold atoms. These structures involve polycenter
Au . . . Au . . . C-bonds. Their relation to σ-bonded compounds is illustrated by the
interconversions shown in Fig. 19.23.
5
Fig. 19.23: Aurated ferrocene compounds.
The cyclopentadienylmetal derivatives of lanthanides (η5-C5H5)2M-R (M = Y, Dy, Ho,
Er, Yb, Gd, Tm; R = Me, Ph, C ≡ CPh) are prepared from the corresponding halides
and LiR, while the dimeric halides, (η5-C5H5)2MCl]2, react with Li[AlR4] or Mg[AlR4]2
to give the alkyl-bridged compounds, (η5-C5H5)2M(µ-R)2AlR2 with M = Sc, Y, Dy, Ho,
Er, Tm, Yb; R = Me and M = Sc, Y, Ho, R = Et (Fig. 19.24).
Fig. 19.24: Alkyl bridged heterobimetallic compounds.
Uranium forms the σ-derivatives (η5-C5H5)3U-R (R = -CC, etc.).
In this context, some arene metal complexes can be also mentioned. Thus, cobalt
and nickel vapor react with bromopentafluorobenzene to afford Co(C6F5)2 and unstable Ni(C6F5)Br, respectively. These interact further with toluene to give π-arene complexes (Fig. 19.25).
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19.3 Heteroleptic compounds
271
Fig. 19.25: Formation of cobalt and nickel π-arene complexes.
19.3.6 Metallacycles and chelate rings
Titanium forms a chelate ring with a bis(dimethylphosphino)amine ligand (Fig. 19.26).
Fig. 19.26: Titanium chelate ligand.
Titana metallocycles are prepared from diphenylacetylene and organodilithium
compounds (Fig. 19.27).
Fig. 19.27: Titanium heteroatoms in five-membered rings.
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19 Organometallic compounds with σ-transition metal–carbon bonds
Chromium–carbon σ-bonds can be part of a metallocycle in the following two
structures shown in Fig. 19.28.
Fig. 19.28: Rings with chromium heteroatoms.
Chromium compounds containing four-membered chelate rings derived from phosphorus ylides are also obtained (Fig. 19.29).
Fig. 19.29: Four-membered rings with chromium heteroatoms.
Cyclic σ-carbon ruthenium metallacycles are derived from phosphorus ylides and
polymethylene reagents (Fig. 19.30).
Fig. 19.30: Rhodium heteroatom in metallacyles.
With the phosphorus ylide [Me P(CH2)z]– two Ni2[Me2P(CH2)z]4 isomers have been
prepared (Fig. 19.31).
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19.3 Heteroleptic compounds
273
Fig. 19.31: Two nickel-containing isomers.
Double ylides of phosphorus react with metal halides to form nickel, palladium
and platinum spirocyclic compounds (Fig. 19.32).
Fig. 19.32: Spirocyclic nickel, palladium and platinum compounds.
Several metallacyclic compounds containing gold have been described (Fig. 19.33).
Fig. 19.33: Gold-containing ring compounds.
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19 Organometallic compounds with σ-transition metal–carbon bonds
Heterocyclic gold compounds can be obtained by replacement of tin from a tetraphenylstannole with AuCl3 (Fig. 19.34).
Fig. 19.34: Formation of auracyclopentadiene compounds.
Rare earth cationic complexes, [M(CH2)2PMe2)3]Cl (M = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Ho, Er,
Lu), have been reported, in which the positive charge is localized at phosphorus
rather than at the metal; these deprotonate to give neutral compounds containing
chelate rings (Fig. 19.35).
Fig. 19.35: Lanthanide ring compounds.
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Part IV: Application of organometallics in organic
synthesis
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20 Polar organometallics in organic syntheses
The contribution of organometallic chemistry to organic synthesis was open by polar
organometallics and, in time, they became key reagents for the preparation of practically all classes of organic compounds. As it was described in the chapter dedicated to
the formation of metal–carbon bonds, this class of compounds includes the organometallic derivatives of group 1 and 2 elements, together with the elements of group 12,
mainly organozinc. The organomagnesium (Grignard) and organolithium reagents
were the stars for a long while [1–3] but, in time, other polar organometallics joined
the two in providing, in most of the cases, new and surprising synthetic paths [4–8].
The following selection of examples is intended to illustrate the significance of the
polar organometallics in organic synthesis.
20.1 Reactivity of polar organometallics
20.1.1 General
The reactivity of polar organometallics is strongly related to the degree of polarity.
Both the metal and the organic moiety containing the carbon involved in the formation of the organometallic species influence the degree of polarity. The nucleophilicity
and/or basicity, on the other hand, need to be evaluated for each polar organometallics in relation not only with the two components mentioned above but the organic
substrate to be reacted with. A wise choice, based on previous results, will help to
fine-tune the organometallic contributions to organic synthesis.
In a polar organometallic, the organic backbone is not behaving as a free carbanion. The bond can be regarded as a combination of a covalent bond and an ionic
interaction. This can explain the attenuation of the carbanion basicity by the metal
[9]. Therefore, to select the most suitable reagent for a given transformation, the relative chemical potential of any individual organometallic reagent must be evaluated. The degree of polarity/ionicity can be derived based on Pauling’s formula and
electronegativities [10]: C–H 4%, C–Hg 10%, C–Zn 18%, C–Mg 30%, C–Li 43%,
C–Na 47%, C–K 51%. We can assume, at this stage, that the carbanionic reactivity
is somewhere around these values.
As already mentioned, the reactivity potential of an organometallic reagent depends also on the organic backbone and is causally related to the stability of the
metal–carbon bond. The stability of a polar organometallic compound is strongly
dependent on the type of the carbon involved in the bonding to the metal. The most
stable compounds are formed by alkynes (sp C) followed by alkenes (sp2 C) and alkyls (sp3 C), in accordance with the acidity of the respective C–H bond. Less thermodynamic stability means a high reactivity potential. The intrinsic stability of the
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organic moiety due to extended conjugation (the negative charge dispersed over
several carbon atoms) (i.e., benzyl, cyclopentadienyl) is another factor to be considered. A good example is the reaction of phenylsodium (colorless) with toluene to
give bright red benzylsodium and benzene [11]:
C6 H5 − Na + + C6 H5 − CH3 ! C6 H6 + C6 H5 − CH2 − Na +
colorless
colorless
colorless
bright red
A more complex example of the influence of the degree of polarity on the resonance stabilization is the rearrangement of diphenylcyclopropylcarbinyl-/ϒ,ϒdiphenylallylcarbinyl-lithium, sodium, potassium and magnesium organometallic
compounds (Fig. 20.1) [12, 13].
Fig. 20.1: Rearrangement of diphenylcyclopropylcarbinyl-/ϒ,ϒ-diphenylallylcarbinyl-metals (Li, Na,
K, MgBr).
The stabilization of diphenylcyclopropylcarbinyl anion increases with the ionicity
of the carbon–metal bond as the gain in stability brought by resonance overcompensates the strain of the cyclopropyl. The higher the separation of the carbanion
and the metal cation, the more stable is the cyclic isomer. The diphenylcyclopropylcarbinyl methyl ether (I) (Fig. 20.1) was readily cleaved by sodium–potassium alloy
in diethyl ether with the formation of a deep red precipitate almost quantitatively.
No rearranged products could be detected. The reactions of diphenylcyclopropylcarbinylpotassium (II) with Na[BPh4] and the reaction of diphenylcyclopropylcarbinylmethyl ether (I) (Fig. 20.1) with metallic sodium in ether gave the same product,
diphenylcyclopropylcarbinylsodium (III) (Fig. 20.1). When diphenylcyclopropylcarbinylpotassium (II) was treated with lithium bromide in diethylether, the deep red
color disappeared as the open-chain isomer ϒ,ϒ-diphenylallylcarbinyllithium (V)
(Fig. 20.1) was formed, while the same reaction in THF led to the deep red diphenylcyclopropylcarbinyllithium (IV) (Fig. 20.1). When tetrahydrofuran was added to the
colorless open-chain lithium compound prepared in diethyl ether, the deep red
color of the cyclic anion immediately reappeared. A retro-cyclopropylcarbinyl-
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281
allylcarbinyl rearrangement was achieved simply through a solvent change. In a 2:1
mixture ether:tetrahydrofuran, the equilibrium between the closed and open forms
lies more than 90% on the side of the cyclic anion. The reaction of diphenylcyclopropylcarbinylpotassium (II) with magnesium bromide in tetrahydrofuran gave exclusively an open-chain product (VI) [12, 13].
It is often observed that reactions with polar organometallic reagents may take
totally different courses with different metal counterions, even with the alkali metals
[9]. The reaction of phenyl-M (M = Li, Na, K, MgBr) derivatives with acetophenone can
yield two different products, the carbinolates as a result of the nucleophilic addition
to the carbon–oxygen double bond and enolates by α-deprotonation (Fig. 20.2) [11].
Fig. 20.2: Metallation of acetophenone with phenylmetal compounds.
The enolate:carbinolate ratio strongly depends on the metal. The enolate:carbinolate ratio found experimentally was 10:1 for phenylpotassium (mainly results in
enolate formation), a 2:1 mixture was formed in reaction with phenylsodium, a 1:23
mixture was formed with phenyllithium (mainly the carbinolate formation), and for
Grignard reagent, the carbinolate was obtained almost quantitatively. The regiospecificity can be related with the higher polarity of the C–M bond of the heavier alkali
metals and thus stronger basicity than the Li and Mg derivatives [11].
The driving force of the reaction for the chemical transformations described in
this chapter is the conversion of a polar organometallic compound into an essentially covalent hydrocarbon and a salt-like metal derivative, a process accompanied
by a substantial gain in free reaction enthalpy.
20.1.2 Ortho-metallation
A reaction with significant applications in organic synthesis is directedorthometallation (DoM), the deprotonation of a site ortho to a heteroatom-containing
functional group in the presence of a strong base. The first reports on ortho-metallation
go back to the works of Gilman [14] and Wittig [15] and refer to the lithiated intermediate obtained on the treatment of anisole with n-BuLi in ether. The use of orthometallation became very important and, although organolithium bases are still the
most used, other organometallic systems have been applied [16].
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20 Polar organometallics in organic syntheses
Organolithium derivatives, especially alkyllithiums, are known for their reactivity, and, as a consequence, for many applications in organic synthesis, including
ortho-lithiation, as well as in the synthesis of many other organometallic compounds.
Most of the organolithium compounds are aggregated in solution, and the degree of
aggregation is strongly dependent on carbanion structure, solvent polarity and the
presence of donor ligands like N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA), N,N,
N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDTA) or hexamethylphosphoramide
(HMPA) [17]. Sometimes the observed aggregates are the actual reactive species; at
other times, lower aggregates seem to be active. These observations raised the interesting question as to the role the various aggregates and mixed aggregates play in
reactivity and selectivity. The substituents able to orient the metallation in the
ortho-position are known as direct metallation groups (DMG). A DMG is usually a
Lewis basic group that interacts with the Lewis acidic lithium cation through a heteroatom with coordinating ability to form the adduct II (Fig. 20.3). This step is helpful in planning organic syntheses, and it was treated as such and complex-induced
proximity effect (CIPE) in deprotonation of aryl and heteroaryl organic substrates
[18]. The lithium-proton exchange is facilitated by the proximity of the basic alkyllithium to the proton in ortho-position. An agostic metal–hydrogen interaction facilitates the proton removal [19]. The metallated intermediaries are usually reacted
with an electrophile to afford the final products (IV).
Fig. 20.3: Directed ortho-metallation, DoM.
Strong alkyllithium bases are needed for these metallations, the most common
being MeLi, n-BuLi, sec-BuLi and tert-BuLi. Taking into account the result of the
ortho-lithiation followed by the reaction with an electrophile, the product is the
same as that of a traditional electrophilic substitution. The particularity of using
this sequence of reactions is the regioselectivity: only the ortho-substitution is
achieved compared to the mixture of ortho- and para-substitution formed in the
aromatic electrophilic substitution.
The DMGs can be classified, according to their strength in directing metallation,
as strong, moderate and weak. Examples of carbon- or heteroatom-based strong
DMGs are CON-R, CSN-R, CONR2, CH = NR, N-COR, N-CO2R, OCONR2 and OCH2OMe;
moderate DMGs are CF3, NC, OMe, NR2, F, Cl, O-(CH2)2-OMe and O-(CH2)2-NMe2; and
weak DMGs are CH(OR)2, CH2O–, O– and S– [20].
Inductive and steric effects as well as other functional groups on the arenes
may also influence, in some cases, the reactivity of the proton in the ortho-position
or even the site of metallation. CIPE can be used to control the regioselectivity of
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Fig. 20.4: Regioselective DoM with BusLi in TMEDA (N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine) (I) and
α-ethoxyvinyllithium in HMPA (hexamethylphosphoramide) (II).
DoMs by altering the balance of inductive and association effects. The directed lithiation of p-methoxy carboxamide (Fig. 20.4) with two different lithiation reagents is
BusLi in TMEDA (Fig. 20.4 (I)) or α-ethoxyvinyllithium in HMPA (Fig. 20.4 (II)) [21].
The reaction with BusLi/TMEDA provides the product of lithiation adjacent to
the strongly complexing carboxamide (I), while α-ethoxyvinyl lithium/HMPA affords the kinetic product of lithiation adjacent to the methoxy group (II). Formation
of (II) is related to a favorable inductive effect of the methoxy group.
Following the same concept, a benzylic position may be metallated more rapidly even in the presence of a DMG. An example is the lithiation reactions of tertiary
benzylic esters (Fig. 20.5) and carbamates, where lithium precomplexation – the
rate-determining step – precedes the proton transfer and the lithiation occurs at the
benzylic methylene [22].
Fig. 20.5: Lithium precomplexation providing selective DoM of tertiary benzylic esters with BunLi.
When two DMGs are in a 1,3-relative position on the arene, the lithiation will be
directed to the position between them through a cooperative coordination of the alkyllithium. In case of a 1,4-disposition of two DMGs, the metallation will be directed
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20 Polar organometallics in organic syntheses
to the ortho-position closer to the stronger DMG. The lithiation of N,N-dimethyl-panisidine can, theoretically, take place in the adjacent position to either of the substituents but the decisive factor is the stronger dipolar interaction of oxygen with
lithium in (A), more favorable than the dipolar interaction between nitrogen and
lithium in (B) (Fig. 20.6) [19].
Fig. 20.6: Lithium precomplexation as a determining step in DoM of N,N-dimethyl-p-anisidine.
If the two DMGs have comparable (close or similar) strengths, a mixture is to be
expected.
The heteroatoms in the heterocycles act as a directed metallation group. For the
synthesis of 2-substituted saturated nitrogen heterocycles, the deprotonation of a
sp3 C–H bond next to nitrogen by ortho-lithiation is one of the methods (Fig. 20.7).
To get very good results, additional functionalities were added, which proved effective in directed metallation adjacent to nitrogen in heterocycles [23].
Fig. 20.7: Directed metallation of 2-substituted saturated nitrogen heterocycles.
The subsequent reaction of the ortho-lithiated compounds with electrophiles is usually straightforward. In case the electrophile contains an acidic proton, complications can occur due to the possible deprotonation as a competitive reaction to the
nucleophilic attack.
Another process where the ortho-lithiated intermediates are used is the transmetallation reaction with transition metals, resulting in compounds having wide
applications in catalysis.
Nature of base and solvent. As mentioned before, the alkyllithiums exist as aggregates in solution. For most of the reactions, the breakup of the aggregates by a
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strong donor, mainly an amine, is necessary to accelerate reactivity by an increased basicity. TMEDA is an excellent ligand and is therefore more commonly
employed. A mechanistic approach based on experiments and computations is
presented in Fig. 20.8 [19]. The first step is the breaking of the hexamer (BunLi)6
and the coordination of a BunLi tetramer by anisole (1). Next, the TMEDA breaks the
tetramer with the formation of the dimer (2) and free anisole, followed by the loss of
one molecule of TMEDA in two steps, through dimer (3), leaving two free coordination
sites open at one lithium (4). These could be coordinated by the anisole oxygen and
by agostic Li–H interaction as a chelating ligand. The lithium-activated ortho-proton is
removed subsequently by the adjacent strongly basic α-carbon atom of n-BuLi [19].
Fig. 20.8: Breakup of the organolithium aggregates by a strong donor to perform ortho-lithiation.
The choice of the appropriate solvent (ethers or amines) for a given reaction will
take into account not only the lithiation but also the substrate for the subsequent
reactions. In search for better yields and friendlier reaction conditions, experimental protocols were permanently improved [24].
To get optimal results, it is important to control the degree of aggregation and the
structure of the solvates formed in a particular solvent and in the company of a given
organic substrate [17, 25]. Although most of the reactions were performed in ethers
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20 Polar organometallics in organic syntheses
during the years, attempts have been made to replace them, even if not entirely, with
hydrocarbon solvents to avoid the problems linked to the sensibility of organolithiums
to the water traces in ethers, their reaction with some of the ethers or the incompatibility of some organic substrates with the ethers. As the alkyllithium reagents are highly
associated in hydrocarbons, a compromise has been found to improve the yields and
to reduce the inconvenience of using ethers. The addition of measured amounts of
ethers (usually THF) or bis-chelating amines (like TMEDA) able to activate alkyllithium reagents by promoting the disassociation of the aggregates to more reactive
species in hydrocarbon solutions afforded good reagents for DoM reactions [24].
Hydrocarbon-based media metallation procedures involving “deficiency catalysis” can be applied for the ortho-lithiation of properly substituted aryls. To maximize
the extent of metallation, a controlled deoligomerization of the n-BuLi hexamer
found in hydrocarbons was achieved by the use of substoichiometric ratio of equivalent TMEDA to n-BuLi (0.1–0.2:1.0). In some cases, ether was necessary to obtain the
expected results (Fig. 20.9). The proposed unsaturated TMEDA dimer has structure 4
in Fig. 20.8. If ether is added in the reaction mixture, the TMEDA can be replaced
and a new unsaturated dimer can be formed. The two molecules of ether can coordinate to the same lithium atom in the dimer or one to each lithium atoms. As the generation of the coordinately unsaturated intermediates with either one molecule of
TMEDA or two molecules of ether at the same lithium, it is crucial to maximize their
concentration in the doped hydrocarbon media to achieve the greatest metallation
efficiency (Fig. 20.9) [24].
Fig. 20.9: Ortho-lithiation in hydrocarbon-based media.
20.1.3 Organomagnesium reagents
Organomagnesium halides, RMgX, known as Grignard reagents were named
after Victor Grignard who received Nobel Prize in 1912 for the contribution to
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their synthesis and the use as synthetic reagents in organic synthesis. Grignard
reagents are solvated by ethers or, sometimes, by amines not only in solution but
also in solid state (examples in [26]). There is a rapidly established equilibrium
between the organomagnesium halide, RMgX, and the corresponding dialkylmagnesium, R2Mg (Schlenk’s equilibrium):
2RMgCl Ð MgR2 + MgCl2
The Schleck equilibrium plays an important role in the reactivity of Grignard reagents not only in the classic nucleophilic addition to double carbon–oxygen bond
[3, 27]. Both the substrate and the nucleophile are in the coordination sphere of Mg
centers during the reaction. Different forms of the Grignard reagents may be involved in the process as it was found that the mononuclear and dinuclear species
react with very similar activation energies. Also, the solvent has an important
role in the reaction: the more solvated Mg species are more reactive, probably
due to their flexibility which allows the structural reorganization from the reactant to the transition state [3, 27].
The well-known applications of Grignard reagents are permanently enriched
with new synthetic protocols or new types of substrates to react with.
Nucleophilic addition of Grignard reagents to ketones in combination with
various additives with catalytic properties is one possibility. Tertiary alcohols can
be prepared in good-to-excellent yields in THF with bis(2-methoxyethyl) ether (diglyme) as an additive and tetrabutylammonium chloride ([NBu4]Cl) as a catalyst
(Fig. 20.10). The additive is expected to increase the nucleophilic reactivity of
Grignard reagents by coordination to magnesium, while the catalyst is shifting
the Schlenk equilibrium toward the dimeric Grignard reagents able to favor a sixmembered transition state and to form tertiary alcohols [28].
Fig. 20.10: Nucleophilic addition of Grignard reagents to carbonyls in the presence of the additive
(diglyme) and catalyst (Bun4NCl).
Generation of aryl ketones without transition metal catalysts by reacting acid chlorides with Grignard reagents in the presence of bis[2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl]
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20 Polar organometallics in organic syntheses
ether was achieved in high yields (Fig. 20.11). The role of the tridentate additives
(i.e., bis[2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl] ether or PMDTA) is to moderate the nucleophilicity of the Grignard reagents, preventing its addition of newly formed ketones
by coordinating the magnesium [29].
Fig. 20.11: Preparation of functionalized ketones using Grignard reagents.
The reaction of sodium methyl carbonate (SMC) (obtained from MeONa and CO2) with
primary and secondary aliphatic or alkynyl Grignard reagent is a source of carboxylic
acids in excellent yields (Fig. 21.12). The reaction conditions afford pure carboxylic
acids that require no further purification. These results demonstrate SMC as an
effective CO2 surrogate electrophile (the carboxylations with CO2 often require
low-temperature (−78 or −45 °C) conditions [30].
Fig. 20.12: Preparation of carboxylic acids from the reaction of sodium methyl carbonate with
Grignard reagents.
An alternative to conventional transformations of Grignard reagents into esters was developed: the one-carbon homologative esterification of Grignard reagents with O-alkyl
S-pyridin-2-yl thiocarbonates. The first step in the synthesis of esters using Grignard
reagents is the formation of chelation-stabilized intermediates (Fig. 20.13) [31].
The reactivity of organolithium and Grignard reagents, important for organic
synthesis, was extended by building new metallation systems described in the next
paragraph.
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20.1 Reactivity of polar organometallics
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Fig. 20.13: Synthesis of esters using Grignard reagents.
20.1.4 Alkali-metal-mediated reactions
The monometallic organometallic compounds described in the previous paragraphs
fail to be active in some reactions like the metal–hydrogen exchange by deprotonation of the C−H bonds of aliphatic compounds or even in aromatic molecules. Even
the metal–halogen exchange reactions are not always successful for functionalized
or less reactive substrates. A tool to widen the use of polar organometallics is the
combination of an alkali or alkaline earth metal compound with another alkali metal
compound (Li, Na, K) or with a compound containing a group 2 (Mg, Ca), group 4
(Ti), group 5 (V), group 6 (Cr), group 7 (Mn), group 8 (Fe), group 9 (Co), group 10
(Ni), group 11 (Cu), group 12 (Zn) or group 13 (Al) element. Important progress was
made in the use of polar organometallics in metal–hydrogen exchange by using the
alkali-metal-mediated metallation [32]. This category of compounds can cover many
of the requirements of organic synthesis: high reactivity (in most of the cases avoiding low-temperature reactions), high selectivity and high functional group tolerance
in the metallation step and in the following transformations. As monometallic compounds already described, most of these mixed compounds are found in solution as
aggregates. The metallating agent can contain only one metal but different ligands,
such as those employed for enantioselective ligand transfers or as unimetal superbases, like “Caubere reagent,” the complex alkyllithium–lithium aminoalkoxide,
nBuLi–Me2N(CH2)2OLi [33], or at least two different metals. The best known examples
are mixed alkali metal superbases and ate compounds (ate complexes are salts
formed from the stoichiometric reaction of a Lewis base and Lewis acid, wherein the
acidic moiety formally increases its valence and becomes anionic, i.e., Na[ZnR3],
lower ate complexes, or Na2[ZnR4], higher ate complexes) [4, 5, 32, 34–36]. The bimetallic complexes thus formed often exhibit unique chemistry that can be interpreted
in terms of synergistic effects [32, 34]. Although the alkali metal is essential in most
cases, the second metal performs the synthetic transformation. The reactivity of a
given metallate complex depends on the involvement of the two metals in the
transition states of the reaction intermediates as contacted ion pair structures or
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in separated charge structures. The charge separation is achieved by the transfer
of the valence electron of the monovalent alkali metal to the more electronegative
softer metal. To assess the synergistic effects in the reactivity of such complexes,
comparisons between the behavior of the bimetallic compound and the parent monometallic compounds from which the bimetallic compound is constructed are useful.
Different reactivity was noticed depending on the number of ligands around the nonalkali metals such as Mg, Al, Fe, Co or Zn present in a lower or higher order ate compounds. The higher order (or highly coordinated) ate compounds are generally more
reactive than the lower order ones. An example is the deprotometallation of toluene
by Na magnesates, a reaction possible using diazabicycloctane-activated Na2[Bu4Mg]
but not using diazabicycloctane-activated Bu3MgNa (ion-pair structure) [37].
The reactivity of the mixed polar organometallics covers deprotometallation,
halogen/metal exchange, nucleophilic transfer of a ligand from the organometallic complex to a carbon site or oxidation/reduction processes (with one- or twoelectron transfer).
The metallation reactions (through metal–hydrogen or metal–halogen exchange)
leading to the formation of carbon–magnesium or carbon–zinc bonds are an important step for the preparation of functionalized organic compounds. The transmetallation reactions of organomagnesium and organozinc derivatives with catalytically
active transition metal species (i.e., Pd, Ni, Ir, Cu) afford transition metal intermediates relevant in cross-coupling with the formation of new carbon–carbon bonds
(Kumada–Tamao–Corriu cross-coupling of organomagnesium compounds (see Section 21.2.2), and Negishi cross-coupling of organozinc compounds (see Section 21.2.3)):
catalyst
R − X + R′M ! R − R′ + MX
Fig. 20.14: Mixed metal RMgCl•LiCl-mediated preparation of magnesium alkoxides followed by the
reaction with benzaldehyde.
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20.1 Reactivity of polar organometallics
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where R, R′ are organic fragments; M is Mg, Zn, or Mg- or Zn-containing groups; X
is halogen or other leaving groups.
The nucleophilic addition promoted by mixed metal RMgCl•LiCl systems led to
magnesium alkoxides, further oxidized in the presence of benzaldehyde, as hydride acceptor, to form aryl and metallocenyl ketones (Fig. 20.14). The good results
were correlated with the enhanced solubility of Mg alkoxides [38, 39].
The treatment of benzaldehyde with chiral BINOL-derived Li/Mg reagents allowed the enantioselective alkylation (Fig. 20.15). The dilithium (S)-binolate and
Et2Mg in 1:1 THF DME (1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone) gave the expected (S)alcohol in an enantiomeric excess (ee) of 92% [40].
Fig. 20.15: Enantioselective alkylation with chiral BINOL-derived Li/Mg reagent.
A comparison of the reactivity of BunLi, BunMgCl and Bun2Mg with Bun3MgLi and
Bun3MgLi.LiCl toward acetophenone and benzophenone is a good example of the increased nucleophilicity of the mixed reagents (Fig. 20.16). The method was extended
to various ketones and proved suitable for mixed lithium triorganomagnesates [41].
M
Fig. 20.16: Relative reactivity of BunMgCl, Bun3MgLi
and Bun3MgLi.LiCl toward acetophenone.
Application in the chemistry of heterocycles is also described in the literature. An
example is the preparation of the symmetrically 3,3-dialkylated derivatives of 3,6dihydro-1H-pyridin-2-one in a one-pot and a single-step procedure using magnesium
“ate” complexes. One equivalent of [Bu3Mg]Li used as the base allowed double proton
abstraction from 3,6-dihydro-1H-pyridin-2-one. Deprotonation in the conditions described in Fig. 20.17 yielded stable magnesiates which on treatment with more than
2 equiv of alkyl halides provided 3,3-dialkylated products in good yield. In some
cases, minor 3,5-dialkylated lactams were formed due to allylic conjugation [42].
Group 1/group 3 metallate complexes, lithium alkynyl trimethylaluminates in
the presence of BF3.OEt2, have been used to stereospecifically and regioselectively
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20 Polar organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 20.17: One-pot single-step procedure for the preparation of the symmetrically 3,3-dialkylated
derivatives of 3,6-dihydro-1H-pyridin-2-one (6).
alkynylate trisubstituted epoxides at the more hindered carbon, introducing an alkyne and an alkyl substituent in the same reaction (Fig. 20.18) [43].
Fig. 20.18: Alkynylation of epoxide using lithium alkynyl trimethylaluminates.
20.1.4.1 Metal–hydrogen exchange reactions: superbases
In the early search for better deprotometallating agents, the reactivity of mixed Li, Na
and Li, K bases was the answer. An alternative to the activation of organolithiums by
using polar solvents is the addition of stoichiometric amounts of K or Na alkoxide. A
classic example of a mixed alkali metal synergistic reagent obtained starting from
polar organometallic is the Lochmann–Schlosser superbase, a binary mixture of nbutyllithium and potassium t-butoxide [44, 45]. The binary mixture [{(BunLi)(tBuOK)}n]
(commonly written as LIC-KOR) designated “superbase” exhibits a reactivity intermediate between that of n-butyllithium and n-butylpotassium: enhanced reactivity
compared to n-butyllithium but not so aggressive as n-butylpotassium. Changing n-Bu
with tert-Bu, a solvent-free heterometallic tetralithium–tetrapotassium alkoxide, [(But
O)8Li4K4], was obtained and structurally characterized, although its chemistry is not as
impressive as that of LIC-KOR [46].
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20.1 Reactivity of polar organometallics
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An example of site selectivity control using LIC-KOR is the metallation of Npivolyl-2-(3-methoxyphenyl)ethylamine (Fig. 20.20). Different reaction products are
obtained depending on the metallation reagent used: with t-butyllithium, the benzylic position is deprotonated; with BunLi, the classic ortho-metallation is observed
while with the “superbase” mixed metal reagent LIC-KOR, the hydrogen–metal exchange occurs at the aromatic para-position which is adjacent to the methoxy
group but distant from the alkyl side chain (Fig. 20.19) [47].
Fig. 20.19: Reagent-controlled site selectivity in metallation of N-pivolyl-2-(3-methoxyphenyl)
ethylamine.
It was shown that it is not always necessary to prepare the LIC-KOR separately: mixing
of equimolar amounts of BtuOK, BunLi and TMEDA (the order is not essential) in hexane or pentane at temperatures below −40 °C gives an extremely efficient metallating
reagent. This mixture was successfully used for the metallation of ethene [48].
This new combination readily deprotonates weakly or nonactivated benzene
derivatives, while exhibiting exceptional regioselectivity [49–51].
20.1.5 Turbo-Grignard reagents and related salt-supported complexes
The best introduction to the next paragraph is the quotation: “One class of reagent
that stands head and shoulders above all others is the so-called ‘turbo-reagents’.
Bona fide synergistic reagents, their utility is so vast, greater than all others combined” – R.E. Mulvey [5].
Combinations of magnesium and zinc bases, (R2NMX), or bis-amides [(R2N)2M]
(M = Mg, Zn) having a limited solubility with molecules of lithium chloride result in
soluble species with very good properties as selective deprotonating agents for a
huge variety of aromatic and heterocyclic substrates or for metal–halogen exchange
[7, 36, 52–55]. The turbo-Grignard reagents, the prototype being PriMgCl . LiCl, were
found to give excellent results in metal–halogen exchange reactions [6]. The use of
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20 Polar organometallics in organic syntheses
halomagnesium amides as metallating agents goes back to the works of Hauser [56,
57]. The further development of this class of compounds is related to the complexes
of sterically demanding amido ligands, most notably 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide
(TMP). The TMP-active Hauser bases like TMPMgX (X = Cl, Br) with extension to
“turbo-Hauser bases” opened the way for a reach and beautiful chemistry [58]. The
LiCl-solubilized 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl, TMPMCl.LiCl, and TMP2M.2LiCl (M =
Mg, Zn) metal amides do not affect sensitive functional groups (ester, nitrile, aldehyde, aryl or methyl ketone, azide, nitro) and react with heterocycles; hence, the
preparation of polyfunctional aryl and heteroaryl organometallic species is possible.
To understand the reactivity of the new reagents and their use in organic synthesis, molecular structures offer valuable information like connectivity or aggregation
[4, 5, 35]. For example, the molecular structure of the Hauser base, TMPMgCl,
and the corresponding turbo-Hauser base TMPMgCl.LiCl [58]. The Hauser base,
TMPMgCl, was prepared from BunMgCl and TMP(H) in THF [59] and the turboHauser base, TMPMgCl . LiCl, was obtained in the reaction of iPrMgCl . LiCl with
TMP(H) in THF (Fig. 20.20) [60]. The position of the ligands was determined after
the appropriate workup procedures when crystals suitable for the determination
of the molecular structure were obtained: Hauser base, [TMP(THF)Mg(µ-Cl)2Mg
(THF)TMP], and turbo-Hauser base, [(THF)2Li(µ-Cl)2Mg(THF)TMP] [58].
Fig. 20.20: Synthesis of Hauser base and turbo-Hauser base.
20.1.5.1 Metal–hydrogen exchange
The selectivities (chemo-, regio-, stereo-) and the reaction conditions of the
metal–hydrogen exchange using turbo-reagents allowed the metallation of a
huge variety of substrates.
The solubility of various turbo-reagents is important for their use in organic
synthesis not in terms of yield but the reaction conditions. The reaction of the soluble TMPMgCl . LiCl compared to the less soluble Pri2NMgCl . LiCl with isoquinoline
(Fig. 20.21) led to the organomagnesiate with almost the same yield (~90%) but
much faster in case of TMPMgCl.LiCl [60].
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20.1 Reactivity of polar organometallics
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Fig. 20.21: Comparative magnesiation of isoquinoline reactions with TMPMgCl . LiCl and
Pri2NMgCl . LiCl.
The metallation of 3,5-dibromopyridine with lithium diisopropylamide proceeds selectively at the 4-position [61], while with TMPMgCl . LiCl, regioselectively
orients the metallation in the 2-position with a high yield (Fig. 20.22) [60].
Fig. 20.22: Regioselective metallation of 3,5-bibromopyridine with lithium diisopropylamide (I) and
TMPMgCl . LiCl (II) and subsequent reactions with electrophiles.
In some cases, the synthetic protocol is relevant for the process. For the metallation
of pyrimidines, even the halogen-substituted ones, the inverse addition of the pyrimidine to the THF solution of TMPMgCl . LiCl afforded the magnesiated intermediates with complete regioselectivity (Fig. 20.23) [60].
Fig. 20.23: The reaction of TMPMgCl . LiCl with substituted pyrimidines: the pyrimidines are added
to the magnesium reagent.
Heterocycles, even those bearing more acidic protons such as thiazole, thiophene,
furan, benzothiophene and benzothiazole, are magnesiated in mild conditions [60].
The combination of mild reaction conditions and appropriate basicity of
TMPMgCl . LiCl allowed the metallation of all the available positions of a benzene ring by consecutive metallations. A hexasubstituted benzene was obtained
with ~30% overall yield (Fig. 20.24) [62]. For the metallation of 2 with TMPMgCl .
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20 Polar organometallics in organic syntheses
LiCl, a less polar solvent was necessary; therefore, a 1:2 mixture of THF:Et2O was
used to avoid the competitive deprotonation of proton H2. The mixture of solvents changed the ratio of about 90:10 to 98.5:1.5 (Fig. 20.24) [62].
Fig. 20.24: Preparation of a hexasubstituted benzene derivative by a quadruple consecutive
magnesiation with TMPMgCl . LiCl followed by reactions with electrophiles.
For reactions with less reactive substrates or aromatic compounds substituted with
electron-donating groups or weakly electron-withdrawing groups, a stronger base,
TMP2Mg . 2LiCl, is used. The treatment of TMPMgCl . LiCl with TMPLi in THF affords TMP2Mg . 2LiCl in very good yield [63]. The magnesiation of dimethyl-1,3benzodioxan-4-one, an electron-rich aromatic ring, can be successfully performed and
subsequently transformed in 6-hexylsalicilic acid, a natural product (Fig. 20.25) [64].
Sensitive functional groups like ketone, carbonate (OBoc. Boc = tert-butoxycarbonyl)
or bis(dimethylamino) phosphonate group (OP(O)(NMe2)2) are not affected in the reaction with TMP2MgCl.2LiCl (Fig. 20.26). Using Boc group as a directing group and to
enhance the metallation, unsymmetrical benzophenone (1) was magnesiated (2) and
.
further transformed in the 1,2-diketone (3) in 72% yield [64].
Another sensitive group, OP(O)(NMe)2, orients the metallation in the 4-position,
and it is not affected during the reaction with TMP2MgCl.2LiCl (Fig. 20.27) [64].
The bulky bis(dimethylamino)phosphonate selectively directs the metallation
to position 4, leading to the magnesiated reagent and after the reaction with iodine
to aryl iodide in 91% yield [64].
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20.1 Reactivity of polar organometallics
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Fig. 20.25: Selective ortho-metallation of dimethyl-1,3-benzodioxan-4-one followed by
transmetallation with ZnCl2, Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling with (E)-1-hexenyl iodide, hydrogenation
of double bond and dioxanone cleavage.
Fig. 20.26: Metallation of Boc-protected (3-hydroxy) benzophenone followed by catalytic coupling
with benzoyl chloride.
Fig. 20.27: Selective metallation followed by quenching of the magnesiate with iodine.
The selective deprotonative generation of the strained cyclohexynes from a cyclohexenyl triflate using (TMP)2Mg · 2LiCl is illustrated in Fig. 20.28 [65]. The success of this transformation is the law nucleophilicity of the turbo-base.
Fig. 20.28: Deprotonative generation of cyclohexine.
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The best result was, as expected, in the generation of cyclooctyne, the less strained
cycles included in the experiment. The yields refer to the cycloaddition of the transient cycloalkyne with 1,3-diphenyl benzofuran [65].
The base-induced halogen migration, referred to as halogen dance, was found to
occur by sequential deprotonation and halogen–metal exchange [66]. For aromatic/
heteroaromatic chemistry, the halogen dance/Negishi coupling reactions allow the
formation of two chemical bonds in one pot as an alternative to electrophilic aromatic substitution. The magnesium amide-mediated halogen dance (not effective
with lithium amides) of bromothiophenes under mild reaction conditions is presented in Fig. 20.29.
Fig. 20.29: The magnesium amide-mediated halogen dance of dibromothiophene.
A suggested mechanism implies not only the magnesium–hydrogen exchange but
also magnesium–bromine exchange [66].
In a route to metal–hydrogen exchange on substrates containing a Lewis basic
group or atom, the assistance of another Lewis acid can change the regioselectivity
of a reaction. Following this idea, the C–H activation of various polyfunctional pyridines and related heterocycles by a stepwise activation with BF3 · OEt2 followed by
metallation with the appropriate TMP base was experimented successfully. The reactions in Fig. 20.30 are examples for the change in regioselectivity of 3-fluoropyridine
(1) and the electron-deficient 3-bromo-4-cyanopyridine (2). To assess the regioselectivity, the metallated intermediaries are transmetallated with ZnCl2 and crosscoupled with an electrophile (Negishi cross-coupling – see Section 21.2.3). The reaction of 3-fluoropyridine and 3-bromo-4-cyanopyridine with TMPMgCl.LiCl affords the
magnesiated compounds at position 2 (A) and (F). Precomplexation with BF3 · OEt2
(C) and (H) and metallation with TMPMgCl · LiCl provide different metallated pyridines (D) and (I). The coordination of BF3 · OEt2 sterically blocks the 2-position, directing the metallation to positions 4 and 5, respectively [67].
The zinc-containing turbo-reagents allowed the metallation of more sensitive
substrates than already selectively described for the magnesium base. High tolerance to nitro, aldehyde, methyl ketone or electron-poor N-heterocycles was achieved
with TMPZnCl · LiCl and (TMP)2ZnCl · 2LiCl. Treatment of TMPLi with ZnCl2 in THF
produces the LiCl-solubilized base TMPZnCl · LiCl in quantitative yield [68]. One of
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20.1 Reactivity of polar organometallics
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Fig. 20.30: Regioselective metallation of substituted pyridines with and without protecting/
directing group (BF3) on nitrogen.
the advantages brought by the zinc reagents is the possibility to perform metallations at elevated temperatures [69]. To support the last statement, the selective zincation of the dichloropyrimidine in position 5 followed by a copper(I)-catalyzed
allylation with cyclohexenyl bromide leading to the fully substituted pyrimidine is
presented in Fig. 20.31 [69].
Fig. 20.31: Metallation of dichloropyrimidine with TMPZnCl · LiCl.
Direct zincation of 1-morpholino-6-chlorophthalazine using TMPZnCl · LiCl requires
48 h at 25 °C and produced the zincated species in low yield. The microwave-assisted
procedure (a green chemistry approach) led to a complete zincation within 45 min
(Fig. 20.32). The metallated chlorophthalazine derivative was further treated with
2-iodothiophene in the Negishi cross-coupling conditions [70].
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20 Polar organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 20.32: Microwave-assisted zincation of 1-morpholino-6-chlorophthalazine.
The presence of a nitro group, very sensitive, is tolerated when TMPZnCl · LiCl
was used for metallation, an example being the preparation of 2-zincated benzothiazole starting from 6-nitrobenzothiazole (Fig. 20.33) [68].
Fig. 20.33: Zincation of 6-nitrobenzothiazole followed by trapping with iodine.
A more powerful base able to zincate relatively unreactive unsaturated substrates
was prepared starting from TMPMgCl · LiCl with ZnCl2 in THF resulting in TMP2Zn · 2MgCl2 · 2LiCl. As for the other turbo-reagents, LiCl ensures a good solubility
of the base. The additional presence of MgCl2 (2 equiv) considerably enhances its kinetic basicity. The zincation of 1,3,4-oxadiazole and the 1,2,4-triazole, sensitive heterocycles are prone to undergo fragmentation during the metallation process, is
described in Fig. 20.34 [71].
Fig. 20.34: Metallation of 1,3,4-oxadiazole and 1,2,4-triazole with TMP2Zn · 2MgCl2 · 2LiCl.
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20.1 Reactivity of polar organometallics
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The reaction of TMP2Zn · 2MgCl2 · 2LiCl with 2-pyridone and 2,7-naphthyridone
(heterocycles with pharmaceutical relevance) succeeded to prevent their decomposition or the complex mixture of products observed during the lithiation or magnesiation (Fig. 20.35). Zincations of the methoxyethoxymethyl-protected compounds
followed by trapping with electrophiles provided functionalized 2-pyridones and
2,7-naphthyridones [72].
Fig. 20.35: Metallation of protected 2-pyridone and 2,7-naphthyridone with TMP2Zn · 2MgCl2 · 2LiCl.
Air-stable solid reagents, RZnOPiv · Mg(OPiv)X · nLiCl (where OPiv = OCOtBu; R = aryl,
heteroaryl or benzyl; X = Cl, Br or I), can be prepared by the transmetallation of a
range of organomagnesium species with zinc pivalate which, after solvent removal,
displays significantly improved air and moisture stability [36, 73–76]. The solid aryl-,
heteroaryl- and benzylic zinc pivalates show very similar reactivity in cross-couplings,
allylations or acylations compared with standard organozinc halides. Example for the
preparation of air-stable solid-functionalized aryl, heteroaryl and benzyl organozinc
reagents is presented in (FG = functional group) Fig. 20.36 [73].
Fig. 20.36: Metallation of aryl, heteroaryl and benzyl with air-stable solid reagents, RZnOPiv · Mg
(OPiv)X · nLiCl (OPiv = OCOtBu).
Solid allylic zinc reagents obtained from allylic chlorides or bromides with zinc
dust in the presence of lithium chloride and magnesium pivalate (Mg(OCOBut)2) in
THF, after evaporation of the solvent, also display excellent thermal stability (t1/2 is
the half-lives when the reagents were stored at −24 °C, Fig. 20.37) [74].
The zinc allylic reagents, (R*)ZnOPiv · Mg(OPiv)X · nLiCl (where R* = various allylic groups; X = Cl, Br or I), can add readily to aldehydes and methyl ketones with
high diastereoselectivity (Fig. 20.38).
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20 Polar organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 20.37: Preparation of solid allylic zinc reagents.
Fig. 20.38: Addition of allylic zinc pivalate to formyl group.
In reaction with acid chlorides, β,γ-unsaturated ketones are formed with high regioselectivity [75].
Another base, TMPZnOPiv · Mg(OPiv)Cl · LiCl, compatible with nitro group,
aldehyde or sensitive heteroaromatic rings, was prepared in solid state after removal of the solvent with significant tolerance toward hydrolysis or oxidation
after air exposure. TMPZnOPiv · LiCl (Mg(OPiv)Cl is omitted for clarity) is prepared
by the addition of solid Zn(OPiv)2 to a solution of TMPMgCl · LiCl in THF [76]. In
most cases, the metallation proceeded with excellent regio- and chemoselectivity.
N-Methyl-3-formylindole was successfully zincated at position 2 (25 °C, 30 min) providing indolylzinc pivalate (Fig. 20.39) [76].
Fig. 20.39: Metallation of N-methyl-3-formylindole with TMPZnOPiv · LiCl (Mg(OPiv)Cl.
The synergistic reactivity of these salt-supported zinc reagents is due to the presence of magnesium pivalate and lithium chloride in the reaction mixtures. The solubility is explained by the molecular structure of [(THF)2Li2(μ-Cl)2(μ-OPiv)2Zn] obtained
when the Zn(OPiv)2 barely soluble in THF was dissolved on addition of 1 equiv of LiCl
and crystals were deposited (Fig. 20.40). Solubility can, therefore, be attributed to form
this molecular complex through the amphoteric Lewis acidic–Lewis basic resource of
the salt, which completes the coordination of both the Lewis basic OPiv group and
Lewis acidic Zn atom in the presence of lithium chloride [75].
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20.1 Reactivity of polar organometallics
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Fig. 20.40: Molecular structure of [(THF)2Li2(μ-Cl)2(μ-OPiv)2Zn]
[75].
As mentioned before, the contribution of turbo reagents in metal–hydrogen exchange reactions is more than impressive. To illustrate their performances, a limited
number of examples have been chosen for the scope of this book but more examples
can be found in the cited literature.
20.1.5.2 Magnesium–halogen exchange
Another path to organometallic compounds useful in organic synthesis is the metal–
halogen exchange. For the preparation of substrates bearing highly sensitive functional groups, the less polar Mg–C bonds and the covalent Zn–C bonds were exploited with good results as a first step in preparative chemistry in combination with
the reactions mediated by transition metals. The traditional Grignard reagents are
still important and are effective in Mg–I exchange, faster than Mg–Br exchange. The
challenge is to extend the applicability of M–X exchange to Mg–Cl exchange in mild
conditions and to find the conditions to perform this type of reaction in nonpolar
non-ethereal solvents (as described earlier for the lithiation reactions [24, 77]).
For metal–halogen exchange turbo-Grignard reagents, the representative is
PriMgCl · LiCl [78]. Other combinations of ligands and ratios of the metals led to
very effective reagents for magnesium–halogen exchange such as sBus 2Mg ·
2LiCl, BusMg(OR) · LiOR and Bus2Mg · 2LiOR [6].
The metallation capacity of PriMgCl · LiCl to discriminate the most electron-poor
bromine substituent in polybromides is an example of its regioselectivity (Fig. 20.41).
The next step is a classic addition of organomagnesium compound to carbonyl derivatives (pivaldehyde in this case) to afford alcohols [78, 79].
Fig. 20.41: Regioselective magnesiation of 1,2,4-tribromobenzene with PriMgCl · LiCl followed by
nucleophilic addition to pivaldehyde.
The treatment of 1-bromo-3,5-difluorobenzene with PriMgCl · LiCl leads to a complete
Mg–Br exchange within 1 h (Fig. 20.42). Transmetallation with ZnCl2, followed by the
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20 Polar organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 20.42: Selective magnesiation of 1-bromo-3,5-difluorobenzene with PriMgCl · LiCl, intermediate
in the synthesis of α-hydroxyacetophenone.
addition of CuCl and acetoxyacetyl chloride and acidic deprotection, leads to αhydroxyacetophenone in 62% yield on a 100 g scale [80].
Cycloalkenyl bromides such as 1,2-dibromocyclopentene react with PriMgCl · LiCl
to provide β-bromocyclopentenylmagnesium by a single Mg–Br exchange (Fig. 20.43).
In the presence of a secondary alkylmagnesium halide and Li2CuCl4, these 2-bromoalkenylmagnesium compounds undergo bromine substitution and can then further react
with electrophiles to give 1,2-difunctionalized cyclopentenes [81].
Fig. 20.43: Preparation of β-bromocyclopentenylmagnesium by selective reaction with PriMgCl · LiCl.
The triazine group is compatible with the magnesium–halogen exchange conditions. An example is the selective Mg–I exchange, leading to the polyfunctionalized
Grignard reagent, which by heating cyclizes, leading to carbazole in 75% yield
(Fig. 20.44) [82].
Fig. 20.44: Selective Mg–I exchange followed by cyclization.
Better exchange rates are obtained with dialkylmagnesium complexed with 2 equiv
of LiCl, the first of the series being Pri2Mg · LiCl. The dialkyl magnesiates proved to
have a general synthetic value [79]. The displacement of the Schlenk equilibrium
toward the formation of PrI2Mg · LiCl was achieved by the treatment of 2 equiv of Pri
MgCl · LiCl chelating additives (1,4-dioxane, PEG250, dimethoxyethane (DME) [15],
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20.1 Reactivity of polar organometallics
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crown-5 ether, N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-propyleneurea (DMPU) or TMEDA). A 100% conversion was obtained with the addition of 1,4-dioxane to a solution of iPrMgCl · LiCl
in THF [79].
The presence of the lithium chloride was found to be essential for achieving high
exchange rates. The influence of the chelating additives was tested in the reaction
of electron-rich 4-bromoanisole (Fig. 20.45). The Mg–Br exchange was 100% with
1,4-dioxane or [15] crown-5 ether, 77% with [18] crown-6 ether or TMEDA, 70% with
DME, 60% with DME and DMPU, 55% with PEG250 while with the corresponding
Grignard reagent, only 31% conversion was obtained [80].
Fig. 20.45: Chelating additive-assisted magnesium bromide exchange in the reaction of 4-bromoanisole with Pri2Mg · LiCl.
The reaction of 1-bromo-4-trimethylsilylbenzene with PrI2Mg · LiCl (generated by
adding 10% 1,4-dioxane to PrIMgCl · LiCl) is completed within 24 h (for the same
reaction with PrIMgCl · LiCl in THF, the conversion was only 36%; Fig. 20.46 (I)).
The classical Grignard addition to furfural led to the corresponding alcohol in 92%
yield [79].
An even more impressive increase in Mg–Br conversion, from 16% to more than
96%, was obtained for aryls substituted with strong electron-donating groups like
N,N-dimethylamine (Fig. 20.46 (II)) [79].
Fig. 20.46: Magnesium bromide exchange in reaction of 1-bromo-4-trimethylsilylbenzene (I) and 1bromo-4-(dimethylamino)benzene (II) with PrI2Mg · LiCl.
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The change of organic group in dialkyl magnesiates was also experimented.
The reagent Bus2Mg · LiCl was prepared from BusLi (1 equiv) and BusMgCl (1 equiv)
in THF and used as 1 M solution in THF. A fast Mg–Br exchange was reported for
highly electron-rich 1-bromo-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzene (Fig. 20.47) [79].
Fig. 20.47: Magnesium bromide exchange in the reaction of 1-bromo-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzene with
Bus2Mg · LiCl followed by nucleophilic addition to benzaldehyde.
For substrates sensitive to ethers or to avoid the reaction of the metallation reagents
with the ethers, compounds soluble in nonpolar solvents were prepared as shown for
ortho-lithiation reactions [24]. The preparation of aryl- and heteroaryl-magnesium reagents soluble in toluene can be realized by adding a long aliphatic chain in magnesium reagents. The replacement of chloride in readily available organometallics such
as (Bus2Mg, BusLi) with alcoholates led to BusMg(OR) · Li(OR) and Bus2Mg(OR) · 2Li
(OR) (Fig. 20.48), which are considerably more active than PriMgCl · LiCl or Bus2Mg
LiCl [77].
Fig. 20.48: Preparation of alkoxy-substituted organomagnesium reagents.
The mild conditions for the reaction of BusMg(OR).Li(OR) with functionalized aryl
bromides allow magnesiation of a variety of substrates. The TMEDA added in 1:1
ratio with the metallating reagent is, most probably, coordinating lithium in the metallation species (I) in Fig. 20.49.
Various heterocyclic bromides are readily converted to toluene-soluble Grignard
reagents for subsequent carbon–carbon cross-coupling transformations (Fig. 20.50)
[77].
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20.1 Reactivity of polar organometallics
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Fig. 20.49: Metallation of functionalized aryl halides with BusMg(OR).Li(OR).
Fig. 20.50: Mg–Br exchange on heterocyclic bromides using BusMg(OR) · Li(OR) in toluene.
The Mg–Cl exchange is performed with the more powerful Bus2Mg(OR) 2Li(OR) reagent in reaction with aryl chlorides bearing an ortho-chlorine substituent, providing the soluble Grignard reagents (Fig. 20.51) [77].
Fig. 20.51: Magnesium–chlorine exchange using Bus2Mg(OR).2Li(OR) and subsequent nucleophilic
addition to the carbonyl group.
20.1.5.3 Zinc–halogen exchange
The zinc–halogen exchange is another important tool for the preparation of alkyl,
alkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl zinc organometallics bearing highly sensitive functional groups. Several types of zinc reagents are used with good results for a given
substrate: R2Zn, R2Zn.2Li(OR), R3ZnLi, R4ZnLi2 [7]. The use of dialkylzinc, although
useful for metallation of substrates as secondary alkyls, is highly pyrophoric and
somehow limited. The iodine–zinc exchange of secondary alkyl iodides proceeds
using Pri2Zn but when the reagent is prepared from 2 PriMgBr and ZnBr2, leading to
Pri2Zn · 2MgBr2, the exchange reaction proceeds up to 200 times faster due to the
presence of this magnesium salt [83]. This may be explained by the formation of the
dibromozincate [Pri2ZnBr2]2–[Mg2Br2]2+. Another reactive combination is Pri2Zn and
Li(acac) (acac = acetylacetone) (10 mol%) in Et2O:NMP (NMP = 1‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone), which is efficient for Zn–I exchange on aryl and heteroaryl and heterocyclic
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substrates bearing sensitive functional groups such as isothiocyanates or aldehydes
(Fig. 20.52) [84].
Fig. 20.52: Preparation of functionalized aryl and heterocyclic diorgano zinc compounds using R2Zn
and Li(acac)[84].
It is important to reiterate that zinc reagents serve as reagents for Negishi crosscoupling reactions (Section 21.2.3) [85].
Bimetallic combination of Bus2Zn · 2LiOR is a useful reagent for Zn–X (X = Br, I)
exchange in toluene. The applicability was experimented for the preparation of a wide
range of polyfunctional aryl- and heteroaryl compounds. The preparation of Bus2Zn ·
2LiOR is resumed in Fig. 20.53. The solution of (ROZnEt · ROH) in toluene reacted with
BusLi (2.0 equiv, in cyclohexane) to get, after removal of the solvents and subsequent
redissolution in toluene a very stable solution of Bus2Zn · 2LiOR [86].
Fig. 20.53: Preparation of Bus2Zn · 2LiOR.
The alcohol accompanying the two metals plays a very important role in the reactivity of the reagent. The efficiency of the Zn–I exchange is improved by alcohols bearing N-coordination site as found for the metallation of 3-iodoanisole with Bus2 Zn ·
2LiOR: with HO–CH(CH3)–(CH2)5–CH3, 23% yield in 30 min; with HO–CH2CH2 N(Et)2,
95% yield in 30 min; and with HO–CH2CH2N–(CH3)CH2CH2N(CH3)2, 99% yield in
1 min. The presence of nitrogen atoms is important, and the coordination to lithium
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20.1 Reactivity of polar organometallics
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atoms prevents the formation of higher oligomeric lithium zincate. In the molecular
structure of [Me2Zn · LiOR] (R = CH2CH2N-(CH3)CH2CH2N(CH3)2) (Fig. 20.54), lithium
atoms are coordinated by two oxygen and two nitrogen atoms of the alkoxide while
zinc atoms are tricoordinated by the two methyl groups and the oxygen of the alkoxy
moiety [86].
Fig. 20.54: The molecular structure of [Me2Zn · LiOR]
(R = CH2CH2N-(CH3)CH2CH2N(CH3)2).
Functionalized aryl iodides are easily zincated using Bus2Zn · 2LiOR, in mild conditions, with very good yields and the metallated species reacted with electrophiles
under transition metal catalytic conditions (Fig. 20.55) [86].
Fig. 20.55: Zinc iodide exchange using Bus2Zn · 2LiOR.
Both zincate-type compounds, lower order triorganozincate (R3ZnLi) and higher
order tetraorganozincates (R4ZnLi2) are efficient reagents for zinc–halogen exchange.
Saturated [87] and unsaturated [88] geminal dibromoderivatives are selectively metallated in good yield. Thus, when 1,1-dibromoalkenes are treated with triorganozincate,
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20 Polar organometallics in organic syntheses
a bromine–zinc exchange takes place, leading to alkenylzinc reagents [88]. After hydrolysis, monobromoalkenes are obtained in 82–97% yield (Fig. 20.56).
Fig. 20.56: Zn–Br exchange on dibromoalkanes and dibromoalkenes.
Highly reactive zincates, R4ZnLi2, are functional group tolerant and allow smooth
zinc–halogen exchange reactions in the presence of a chiral acetal or an unprotected
hydroxyl group if an excess of reagent is used in the last case (Fig. 20.57) [89].
Fig. 20.57: Zn–I exchange using R4ZnLi2.
20.2 Organotitanium reagents in organic synthesis
The organotitanium reagents are an alternative to polar organometallics in terms of
chemoselectivity and tolerance of functional groups in C–C bond formation in addition
(Grignard, aldol and Michael, including enantioselective C–C bond-forming reactions
induced by stoichiometric amounts of chiral titanium compounds) or substitution reactions. The capacity of Ti(IV) to accommodate up to six substituents/ligands was exploited in organic synthesis. Examples of Wittig-type or Knoevenagel olefination
reactions will be further presented.
The are several types of titanium and organotitanium reagents with relevance
in organic syntheses [1]:
– chlorotitanium reagents, RTiCl3 and R2TiCl2;
– alkoxytitanium reagents, RTi(OR’)3 and titanium ate complexes, RTi(OR)4Li;
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20.2 Organotitanium reagents in organic synthesis
–
–
311
aminotitanium reagents, RTi(NR’2)3;
cyclopentadienyltitanium reagents containing Cp group(s) in combination with
chlorine, alkyl, alkoxy or amino group(s), organoaluminum fragments.
There is a general scheme for the preparation of organotitanium reagents involving
the conversion of classical carbanions such as RMgX, RLi and R2Zn into titanium
analogues:
RLi + TiCI4 ! RTiCI3
RMgX
RZnX
The most common organotitanium reagents are prepared via the intermediates obtained by the redistribution reaction (alkoxy) or the reaction of TiCl4 with lithium
amides [90]:
TiCl4 + 3 TiðOiPrÞ4 ! 4 CITiðOiPrÞ3
TiCl4 + 3 LiNR2 ! ClTiðNR2 Þ3 R = Me, Et
RLi
RMgX +
RZnX
CITiðOiPrÞ3
CITiðNMe2 Þ3
!
RTiðOiPrÞ3
RTiðNMe2 Þ3
It is important to mention that, for some reactions, the isolation of RTiCl3 is not always necessary: a stoichiometric mixture of TiCl4 and RLi, for example, added to the
reaction with the organic substrate is acting as the organotitanium reagent. The standard alkoxy titanating agent is chlorotriisopropoxytitanium, ClTi(OPri)3, its reaction
with polar organometallics affording a huge variety of alkoxy organotitanium reagents of the type RTi(OiPr)3: R = alkyl (Me, Et, n-Bu), cyclopropyl, alkynyl, aryl, benzyl, vinyl, allyl, 3-furyl, etc.
20.2.1 Reactivity of organotitanium reagents
The steric and electronic properties (mainly the Lewis acidity) of the reagents can be
adjusted in a predictable way by an interplay of the ligand X and the R group at titanium. The type of ligand is important for the stereoselectivity control. The alkoxy or
amino groups are decreasing the Lewis acidity due to their electron donation effect
while steric properties can be tuned by the appropriate choice of their size.
One of the first and significant contributions of a organotitanium reagents was
the chemoselectivity in nucleophilic additions of triisopropoxymethyltitanium to
carbonyl compounds. The chemoselective addition of triisopropoxymethyltitanium
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20 Polar organometallics in organic syntheses
to aldehydes in the presence of ketones compared to reactivity of methyl lithium is
illustrated by their reactions with benzaldehyde and acetophenone in a 1:1:1 ratio
(Fig. 20.58). In the reaction with triisopropoxymethyltitanium, only the aldehyde
adduct was detected while the methyllithium afforded a 1:1 mixture of the adducts
to both carbonyl compounds [90].
Fig. 20.58: Chemoselective addition of CH3Ti(OPri)3 and CH3Li to a 1:1 mixture of adehyde:ketone.
The same chemoselectivity was observed when both the aldehyde and ketone are in
the same substrate (Fig. 20.59) [90].
Fig. 20.59: Chemoselective addition of CH3Ti(OPri)3 within the same molecule.
Functional groups such as alkyl and aryl halides, esters, amides as well as nitro
and cyano moieties are tolerated.
20.2.2 Titanium-based reagents for carbonyl methylenation and alkylidenation
The organotitanium reagents described in the previous paragraph are better alternatives for the polar organometallics. There is another class of reactions – alkylidenations – where the organotitanium reagents make a difference. The best known
methylenation methods of aldehydes and ketones – the Wittig reaction – fail to
react with the carbonyl group sterically hindered or base-sensitive substrates.
Tebbe’s reagent and other Cp2Ti-containing reagents succeed not only in these
cases but also have the ability to alkylidenate carboxylic and carbonic acid derivatives [91–93].
The titanium reagents are chemoselective and have a good functional group tolerance. Chemoselectivity is related to what functional groups are tolerated in the
substrates containing the carbonyl group and to what functional groups are tolerated in the titanium reagents.
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20.2 Organotitanium reagents in organic synthesis
313
Tebbe’s reagent, Cp2TiCH2AlClMe2, a titanium–aluminum metallacycle [94],
the Petasis reagent, Cp2TiMe2 [95], and Grubbs’ reagents, dicyclopentadienyltitanacyclobutane (including substituted at C2) [96], are olefination reagents for carbonyl
groups in organic synthesis. The first two can be prepared in toluene according to
Fig. 20.60.
Fig. 20.60: Preparation of the Tebbe and Petasis
reagents.
The molecular structure of the “illustrious Tebbe’s reagent” was determined by X-ray
diffraction as a cocrystal of [Cp2Ti(μ2-Cl)(μ2-CH2)AlMe2] and [Cp2Ti(μ2-Cl)2AlMe2] [97].
To achieve a good reactivity with the less reactive substrates, Tebbe’s reagent is
treated with a Lewis base like pyridine or THF to generate reactive titanocene methylidene, Cp2Ti = CH2. Dicyclopentadienyltitanacyclobutane provides the same intermediate, Cp2Ti = CH2, on heating (Fig. 20.61) [92]. Titanocene methylidene is a
typical Schrock, electron-deficient (16e), carbene characteristic for the early transition metals in a high formal oxidation state.
Fig. 20.61: Generation of the active Cp2Ti = CH2 intermediate and the olefination of the C = O bond.
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20 Polar organometallics in organic syntheses
The methylenation takes place via oxatitanacyclobutane to give alkenes in several minutes at room temperature or even below. It is accepted that the driving force
is the formation of the strong titanium oxygen double bond. The Schrock carbenes
are nucleophilic at the carbene carbon atom and electrophilic at titanium, and their
reactivity toward carbonyl groups is dominated by their high-energy HOMOs. Thus,
titanium alkylidenes would be expected to react readily with the most electrophilic
carbonyl groups.
Tebbe’s reagent methylenated esters and lactones to give enol ethers. In some
cases, the ester and ketone in the same molecule are methylenated (Fig. 20.62) [98].
Fig. 20.62: Methylenation of esters (I) and a ketone-containing ester (II) with Tebbe’s reagent.
Using the appropriate protocol, Tebbe’s selective methylenation of aldehydes and ketones in the presence of esters or amides is possible, and it is used for the preparation
of complex molecules. Examples include methylenation of the ketone in Fig. 20.63 in
high yield, and stirred in toluene in the dark at 75 °C for 5 days[99].
Fig. 20.63: Selective olefination of the ketone in the presence of an ester.
Methylenation of the less hindered methyl ester group in the diester containing a tertiary hydroxy group and a carboxylic acid protected with tert-butyldimethylsilyl
(TBDMS) triflate using only 1 equiv of Tebbe’s reagent at −78 °C followed by warming
up to room temperature afforded the targeted enol ether (Fig. 20.64). This was the first
example of a regioselective diester olefination [100].
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20.2 Organotitanium reagents in organic synthesis
315
Fig. 20.64: Methylenation of less hindered ester group in a diester compound.
As would be expected from a nucleophilic reagent, aldehydes and ketones can be
selectively methylenated in the presence of less electrophilic carbonyl groups such
as esters and amides.
The Petasis reagent, Cp2TiMe2, more stable and easier to handle, is used in the
selective olefination reactions of highly functionalized substrates. An example is
the selective methylenation of the formate ester, leaving the sterically hindered
ethyl ester unchanged (Fig. 20.65) [101].
Fig. 20.65: Olefination of formate ester in the presence of ethylester using the Petasis reagent.
Petasis methylenation of highly strained β-lactones proceeds in 20–86% yield with excellent chemoselectivity (Fig. 20.66), while Tebbe’s methylenation is unsuccessful [102].
Fig. 20.66: Methylenation of strained β-lactones using the Petasis reagent.
The change from methyl to methylene-substituted groups in the Petasis reagent allowed
the preparation of substituted olefins, enol ethers and enamines (Fig. 20.67) [103].
Fig. 20.67: Olefination using the modified Petasis
reagent.
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316
20 Polar organometallics in organic syntheses
An example is dibenzyltitanocene, a stable compound readily prepared from titanocene dichloride and benzylmagnesium chloride, which reacts with carbonyl compounds to give phenyl-substituted olefins (Fig. 20.68), in some cases with quantitative
conversion as a single geometrical isomer [103].
Fig. 20.68: Olefination using dibenzyltitanocene.
Another stereoselective method for the alkylidenation of esters to prepare Z-enol
ethers is the reagent prepared from 1,1-dibromoalkane, zinc, titanium(IV) chloride
and TMEDA in THF [104]. All reactions are Z-selective, and stereoselectivities are
generally over 89%. An example is the alkylidenation of an α,β-unsaturated ester,
as shown in Fig. 20.69.
Fig. 20.69: Preparation of Z-enol ethers by olefination of the ester with 1,1-dibromoalkane, zinc,
TiCl4 and TMEDA in THF.
Bulky groups in the ester are reducing the stereoselectivity, while a branched one
in the α-position to the carbonyl group ensures total Z-selectivity. The reaction is
not very sensitive to the bulk of the group on the RCHBr2 reactant. For example,
tert-butyl ester gives modest selectivity for the corresponding Z-enol ether but isobutyrate gives solely Z-enol ether (Fig. 20.70) [104].
The alkylidenation catalyzed by PbCl2 is another way to enol ether preparation (Fig. 20.71) [105].
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References
317
Fig. 20.70: Z-Selective alkylidenation using 1,1-dibromoalkane, zinc, TiCl4 and TMEDA in THF.
Fig. 20.71: PbCl2-catalyzed alkylidenation.
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic
syntheses
The transition metal organometallics are involved in organic synthesis in two ways:
as reactants (i.e., nucleophilic attack to π-unsaturated ligands coordinated to transition metals and olefination of carbonyl derivatives) and in catalytic cycles (i.e.,
cross-coupling reactions, Heck reactions, homogeneous hydrogenation, carbonylation, olefin metathesis and polymerization). Most of the transition metal catalysts
which changed for the better organic synthesis are not organometallic but coordination complexes. However, the key of the catalytic processes we will further discuss
is the binding of the organic substrate to the transition metal with the formation of
a transition metal–carbon bond, hence, they are within the scope of this book. The
selection of reactions is meant to give an image on the huge contribution the organometallic chemistry has on organic chemistry and it is not comprehensive.
The transition metal–carbon bonds are formed during the catalytic cycles by
specific reaction types not found in organic chemistry like oxidative addition, migratory insertion or nucleophilic attack to coordinated ligands.
21.1 Specific reaction types involving transition metal
organometallics
21.1.1 Oxidative addition–reductive elimination
Oxidative addition is, usually, the first step of the catalytic cycle while the reverse
reaction – reductive elimination – is the last step resulting in the release of the reaction product along with the catalyst in its active form. Oxidative addition of an organic substrate to a transition metal is one of the most important ways to build
reactive intermediates for further transformations. At least one carbon–metal
σ-bond is formed in the process (Fig. 21.1) [1]. These reactions are possible due
to the ability of the transition metals to exist in different oxidation states and to
change the coordination number.
Fig. 21.1: Oxidative addition/reductive elimination.
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110695274-022
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
The transition metal in a low oxidation state (0, + 1) and coordinatively unsaturated reacts with a A–B substrate to form two new bonds, M–A and M–B, with the
increase of the oxidation state and the coordination number [2]. Electron-rich metals
in the low oxidation state, electron-poor organic compound with low A–B dissociation
energy and stable compound in the new oxidation state are important for the success
of the oxidative addition. To fulfill the requirements for oxidative addition – coordinative unsaturation and low oxidation state – it is important to correlate the coordination numbers with the electronic structure of the metal: six-, five- and four-coordinate
complexes are usually saturated, while five-, four-, three- and two-coordinate complexes are unsaturated for d6, d8 or d10 electronic configurations [2]. Eighteen electron
complexes do not undergo oxidative addition. The systems going from d10 to d8 (Ni(0),
Pd(0) to Ni(II), Pd(II)), or d8 to d6 (Rh(I), Ir(I) to Rh(III), Ir(III)) are used more commonly for oxidative addition.
As the transition metals in low oxidation state act as nucleophiles, the ligands
have an important role: the σ-donor ligands enhance the nucleophilicity, increasing
the reaction rate, while the π-acceptor ligands decrease the electron density on the
metal. The ease of dissociation of the ligand in order to free the coordination sites
for the new M–A and M–B bonds is also to be taken into consideration. Some ligands should be avoided, irrespective of their donor properties, due to their propensity to form bridged compounds blocking the potential reactive site (i.e., hydroxide
or sulfur ligands).
The best examples for coordinative unsaturation are square planar complexes
(Fig. 21.2) [2]:
Fig. 21.2: Oxidative addition to a square planar complex.
Complexes of the type M(PPh3)4 (M = Ni(0), Pd(0), Pt(0)) are good catalysts in processes where oxidative addition is the first step (e.g., cross-coupling reactions). The
active catalytic species, usually M(PPh3)2, are formed via dissociative mechanisms.
Phosphine ligands are good σ-donor, increasing the electron density on the metal
and at the same time are prone to dissociation. In most of the cases, the steric effects are much more important than electronic effects in determining the dissociation of phosphine ligands from transition metal complexes. The greater the size of
the ligand cone, the greater is the tendency for dissociation [3].
Oxidative addition can proceed through a variety of mechanisms. The systems
participating in the oxidative addition reactions to transition metal complexes are
organic, organometallic or inorganic molecules. The polarity of the A–B bond is
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21.1 Specific reaction types involving transition metal organometallics
325
responsible for the relative position, cis or trans, of A and B in the oxidative addition product. The nonpolar bonds like hydrogen–hydrogen (H2), halogen–halogen
(X2) and carbon–hydrogen bonds (including aldehydes) form mainly cis-products,
although sometimes other electronic or steric factors can orient the two fragments
in the trans-relative position. The polar A–B bonds (polar electrophiles) like hydrogen–halogen (H–X) and carbon–halogen (organic halides and acyl halides) usually
form the trans-isomers. The substrates containing multiple bonds, like O2, S2, carbon–carbon double or triple bonds and ortho-diketones, form cyclic compounds.
For the nonpolar systems, the mechanism of the oxidative addition suggests
the prior attachment of A–B bond to the metal through an agostic interaction followed by insertion (Fig. 21.3). The oxidative additions of H–H, C–H or Si–H bonds
are the most common examples.
Fig. 21.3: Oxidative addition of nonpolar bonds via agostic interaction.
Oxidative addition is one of the best methods for C–H activation.
Oxidative additions of aryl and alkenyl halides or triflates proceed through concerted mechanisms analogous to oxidative additions of nonpolar systems (Fig. 21.4).
The equivalent of the agostic interaction is the η2-coordination intermediate.
Fig. 21.4: Oxidative addition of polar bonds via
η2-coordination intermediate.
The oxidative addition of polar systems is following SN2 and ionic mechanisms
in two steps as shown in Fig. 21.5: (1) the nucleophilic metal center reacts with
the electrophilic atom, displacing the halide (A), and (2) the halide bonds to the
metal (B):
As in classical SN2 reactions, the primary halides are the most reactive, followed
by secondary and tertiary halides and the order of reactivity of halides is I > Br > Cl.
The phosphine ligands are good ligands in oxidative addition of polar electrophiles,
that is, L = P(Et3)3 > P(Et2)Ph > PEt(Ph)2 > PPh3 Negatively charged metal complexes
will react very fast.
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 21.5: Two-step oxidative addition of CH3I to a square planar complex: A – the electrophile
(CH3+) attacks the metal center to form an ionic complex; B – the iodine coordinates the metal
to form the final neutral complex.
Radical mechanisms are also possible for the oxidative addition (Fig. 21.6).
Nonchain radical mechanism involves single-electron transfer from the metal complex to the organohalide (the homolytic dissociation of C–X bond) followed by combination of the resulting radicals. For the radical reactions, solvents that do not
react with the intermediate radicals should be used.
Fig. 21.6: Radical oxidative addition.
The rate of reactivity depends on the stability of the intermediate radical species:
tertiary > secondary > primary carbon. Electron-rich metal centers react more rapidly
since they can more easily donate the electron to the organic substrate. Chain radical mechanisms involve reactions between radical intermediates and even-electron
starting materials resulting in the continuous regeneration of radicals as products.
Reductive elimination is an important step in many catalytic cycles, leading to
the formation of the final product, in some cases, even the turnover-limiting step.
Reductive elimination is the reverse of oxidative addition (Fig. 21.7). The oxidation
state of the metal decreases by two units as the new bond in the product is formed,
and two new open coordination sites become available.
Fig. 21.7: Reductive elimination.
A cis-disposition of the eliminating ligands is an absolute requirement for reductive
elimination. As expected, the reductive elimination is favored by factors opposite to
those mentioned before for oxidative addition: electron-rich ligands bearing electron-donating groups, electron-poor metal centers bearing π-acidic ligands and/or
ligands with electron-withdrawing groups and bulky ancillary ligands. The rates of
reductive eliminations of alkanes are parallel to the steric demands of the eliminating ligands: C–C > C–H > H–H. The mechanisms of the reductive elimination are the
same as for oxidative addition: nonpolar and moderately polar ligands react by
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327
concerted or radical mechanisms; highly polarized ligands and/or very electrophilic
metal complexes react by ionic (SN2) mechanisms.
21.1.2 Migratory insertion and β-hydride elimination
Another mechanism important for organic synthesis is the migratory insertion. This
reaction involves the formal insertion of a neutral ligand (usually unsaturated) into
another metal–ligand bond on the same complex (Fig. 21.8). The two groups involved in the migratory insertion must be cisoidal to one another. The empty coordination site left behind from where the fragment A originally was located is fastly
occupied by another ligand.
Fig. 21.8: Migratory insertion followed by complexation.
Common examples of ligands that can do migratory insertion reactions with one another are:
Neutral (A) = CO, CO, alkenes, alkynes, carbenes, NO, CR2, CNR, RCN, O2, CO2
Anionic (B): H–, R– (alkyl), Ar– (aryl), acyl-, RO-, R2N-, O2– (oxo) . . .
The M–B bond is generally polarized toward the ligand, making it nucleophilic
and prone to interact with the electrophilic unsaturated ligand in the organometallic
complex. There is no change in formal oxidation state of the metal (unless the ligand
is an alkylidene/alkylidyne) but the total electron count of the complex decreases by
2 during the insertion. The coordination of an added ligand to the empty coordination
site generated in the process is important to avoid the back-elimination reaction.
Thermodynamically, the newly formed A–B and covalent M–A bonds must be more
stable than the broken M–B and dative M–A bonds for insertion to be favored or the
reverse reaction will prevail. Starting from a given organometallic compound, the reverse reaction is also important for organic synthesis: an example we can mention is
the elimination of an olefin – the process known as β-hydride elimination.
There are two types of migratory insertions which differ in the number of atoms
in the unsaturated ligand involved. Insertions of η1-unsaturated ligands (i.e., CO, or
carbenes) are referred to as 1,1-insertions because the anionic ligand moves from its
current location one bond further from the metal. For η2-ligands (i.e., alkenes, alkynes), one considers a 1,2-insertion as the anionic ligands are bonded two atoms
further the metal to the distal atom of the unsaturated ligand.
Migratory insertion of CO in a metal–carbon bond (a 1,1-insertion) is a useful
way to prepare various classes of carbonyl derivatives, depending on the neighboring ligands in the molecule: aldehydes, ketones or carboxylic acid derivatives
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
(esters and amides) (Fig. 21.9). Also, with the appropriate combination of metals
and ligands, the acyl can be decarbonylated.
Fig. 21.9: Migratory insertion of CO into a metal–
alkyl bond.
The classical example of the migratory insertion of CO into a metal–alkyl bond is
presented in Fig. 21.10 [4].
Fig. 21.10: Migratory insertion of CO into M–CH3 bond followed by coordination of a ligand to the
vacanted site.
Electron-deficient metals are recommended to increase the electrophilicity of the
CO and increase the susceptibility to nucleophilic attack. The donor properties of
the newly formed acyl ligand are not as good as the ones of the alkyl group; therefore, to shift the equilibrium toward the migratory insertion product, a better donating ligand than the CO should block the emptied coordination site. Phosphines are
the ligands of choice to fulfill this task.
Migratory insertions of a π-system into M–B bonds (B = hydride, alkyl) results in
the formation of two new σ-bonds in one step, in a stereocontrolled manner (Fig. 21.11).
An alkene and a hydride usually react via migration of the hydride to the coordinated
alkene ligand in a syn fashion. The transition state for this process is essentially an
agostic interaction of the hydride with the emerging alkyl:
Fig. 21.11: Migratory insertion of the olefin into a metal–hydride bond.
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21.1 Specific reaction types involving transition metal organometallics
329
The 1,2-migratory insertion thermodynamic, in this case, depends strongly on
the relative strength of the alkene–metal bond compared to the alkyl–metal bond.
The driving force is the stronger alkyl–metal bond formed after migratory insertion.
The presence of electron-withdrawing substituents, such as carbonyls or fluorine,
known to stabilize the M–C bond, will have a positive influence on the migratory insertion. The migratory insertions of alkenes into M–H bond is faster than the migratory insertion in an M–R (R = alkyl) bond (both thermodynamically favored). The
same order of reactivity was observed for the reversed reaction, β-elimination: β-hydride elimination is much faster than the alkyl elimination. For β-elimination, the
eliminating moiety and the metal must have the ability to align in a syn-fashion.
Although insertion into M–R is relatively slow, this elementary step is critical
for olefin polymerizations (Ziegler–Natta polymerization).
21.1.3 Nucleophilic attack on coordinated substrates
The formation of M–C bonds brings fundamental changes in the reactivity of the carbon containing moieties opening synthetic possibilities unknown in classic organic
chemistry. Direct nucleophilic attack is possible to unsaturated ligands – carbon
monoxide, alkenes, alkynes, arenes – coordinated by transition metals. Factors favoring nucleophilic attack at coordinated ligands are the coordinately saturated metal
center, π-accepting ancillary ligands (e.g., CO), electron-poor or cationic metal centers and soft nucleophiles (hard nucleophiles usually attack the metal first).
The coordination of carbon monoxide or isonitriles to transition metals will
allow the nucleophilic attack on the carbon atom involved in the M–C bond. The
carbon monoxide reacts with strong nucleophiles like organolithium compounds to
afford the two structures, A and B (Fig. 21.12).
Fig. 21.12: The nucleophilic attack of organolithium compounds on coordinated carbon monoxide.
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
The subsequent reactions of A with electrophiles lead to precursors for carbonylcontaining organic compounds (aldehydes, ketones or derivatives of carboxylic acids).
Reaction of B with electrophiles is a way to Fischer carbenes (Fig. 21.12).
The attack of softer nucleophiles, like hydroxide and alkoxides, to coordinated
carbon monoxide (Fig. 21.13) affords transition metal hydrides and precursors for
the synthesis of ester derivatives via reductive elimination, respectively.
Fig. 21.13: The nucleophilic attack of hydroxide and alkoxide anions on coordinated carbon
monoxide.
The elimination of carbon dioxide from the product of the nucleophilic attack of hydroxy anion to form hydrides is an important step in the water-gas shift reaction
(the conversion of a CO/H2O mixture to CO2/H2 mixture).
Nucleophilic attack on coordinated π-ligands is a perfect example for the contribution of organometallic chemistry to organic synthesis. Systems normally susceptible to electrophilic attack, π-unsaturation containing substrates, change their
behavior when coordinated to a transition metal. The order of reactivity and the
stereoselectivity were generally correlated with the number of carbon atoms in the
π-system (even and odd). Also there are differences in reactivity closed-loop or
open-ended π-systems. It was observed that the even unsaturated ligands are more
reactive than odd, while open structures are more reactive than the closed ones:
Regarding the stereochemistry, the open even polyenes are attacked at the terminal
position while open odd polyenes are not normally attacked at a terminal carbon
atom unless the metal fragment is strongly electron withdrawing. Cyclopentadienyl is
not very reactive; therefore, it is used as a spectator ligand in organometallic compounds involved in organic synthesis.
The nucleophilic attack on the complexed monoolefins from the face opposite
to the metal results in the formation of a new carbon–carbon bond and a carbon–
metal bond (Fig. 21.14).
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21.2 Carbon–carbon bond formation reactions
331
Fig. 21.14: Nucleophilic attack on coordinated monoolefins.
In the reaction of η3-allyl complexes with nucleophiles (Fig. 21.15), the terminal
carbon forms a new carbon–carbon bond with the nucleophile accompanied by the
formation of a π-olefin complex.
Fig. 21.15: Nucleophilic attack on coordinated η3-allyl.
The two chosen examples illustrate the principles followed by all π-coordinated ligands when attacked by nucleophiles.
Examples of nucleophilic attack on π-coordinated alkenes, alkynes and arenes
can be found in [5].
21.2 Carbon–carbon bond formation reactions
The formation of new C–C bonds is of outmost importance in organic and organometallic synthesis for the preparation of both new (like pharmaceuticals) as well as
known compounds (like natural products). In the last four decades, significant
progress has been made in this field mainly due to the wise use of the transition
metals. The contributions of researchers to the development of synthetic methods
afford now reactions difficult to imagine in what we can call the classical organic
chemistry. To cite one of the Nobel Prize winner, Ei-ichi Negishi, now the ultimate
goal of organic synthesis is “to be able to synthesize any desired and fundamentally
synthesizable organic compounds (a) in high yields, (b) efficiently (in as few steps
as possible, for example), (c) selectively, preferably all in ˃98–99% selectivity, (d)
economically, and (e) safely, abbreviated as the y(es)2 manner”[6].
There are several ways to build new carbon–carbon bonds we address in this paragraph: cross-coupling reactions and Heck reactions. Due to the crucial contribution
to the synthetic organic chemistry, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to
Akira Suzuki, Ei-ichi Negishi and Richard Heck in 2010. There is an important number of reviews covering the cross-couplings in the preparation of complex organic
molecules, including complicated natural products (see a selection [6–14]).
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
21.2.1 Cross-coupling reactions – general
The most relevant cross-coupling reactions are nickel or palladium catalyzed and
involves a nucleophile, R′M, and an electrophile, R–X:
catalyst
R − X + R′M ! R − R′ + MX
where R, R′ are organic fragments; M is the metal or metal-containing group; X is
the halogen or other leaving groups; catalyst is mainly Ni(0) or Pd(0) complexes.
In the coupling processes, there are three components: an organometallic compound in stoichiometric amount (the nucleophile), an organic compound containing
a leaving group (Cl, Br, I, Otf, OSO2R, etc.) as a coupling partner (the electrophile)
and the transition metal catalyst (mainly Ni or Pd complexes either prepared separately or in situ).The role of the transition metal catalyst is to activate less reactive
organic substrates and to prevent homocoupling of the organic halides.
Based on the general reaction, various procedures were developed using specific elements in the organometallic reactant: Mg (Kumada–Tamao–Corriu (KTC)
coupling), Al, Zn, Zr (Negishi cross-coupling), B (Suzuki and Suzuki–Myaura crosscouplings), Sn (Stille cross-coupling), Si (Hiyama–Denmark cross-coupling) and Li
(Murahashi–Feringa cross-coupling). All these cross-coupling procedures offer a
very good synthetic alternative for the coupling of less reactive electrophiles: aryl,
benzyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, allyl and propargyl.
The catalytic cycle for all these cross-coupling reactions is presented in Fig. 21.16.
Fig. 21.16: General catalytic cycle for C–C cross-coupling.
The first step is the oxidative addition of R–X to the catalyst, a compound containing the transition metal in a low oxidation state (the metals of choice for cross-coupling are, in most of the cases, nickel or palladium). There are two possibilities to
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21.2 Carbon–carbon bond formation reactions
333
introduce the catalyst in the reaction: preformed, that is, M(PPh3)4, M = Ni(0) or
Pd(0) or a precursor containing Ni(II) or Pd(II) with the appropriate ligands and reducing agents. The oxidative addition will result in the formation of a metal–carbon
bond (Ni–C or Pd–C) and the metal-leaving group (mainly in trans-position relative
to each other). The next step is the transmetallation, the exchange of the leaving
group with the nucleophile. The driving force of this step is usually the formation of
the inorganic salt or a more thermodynamically stable compound of the less electronegative metal. The reductive elimination requires the cis-orientation of the two
organic fragments; therefore, the next step is the trans/cis-isomerization of the complex. In the final step, the reductive elimination, the cross-coupling compound is
released along with the catalyst which will start a new cycle.
21.2.2 The Kumada–Tamao–Corriu cross-coupling reactions
The first organometallic nucleophiles used to build new carbon–carbon bonds by
cross-coupling reactions were organomagnesium reagents. The Grignard reagents
are easily available either from direct exchange reaction of the halide with metallic
magnesium or from commercial sources. The development of new synthetic methods for the preparation of highly functionalized Grignard reagents from aryl, heteroaryl, alkenyl and alkyl halides has expanded the scope of reaction methodologies
with Grignard nucleophiles [15–19]. Another advantage of using Grignard reagents
is the mild reaction condition, as will be shown further. The transition metal catalysts prevent the formation of unwanted homocoupling products.
The contributions describing nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of alkenyl or aryl halides with aryl or alkylmagnesium halides in 1972 by Kumada and Tamao (Fig. 21.17 (1))
[20, 21], as well as Corriu and Masse, (Fig. 21.17 (2),(3)) [22] are considered the groundbreaking discovery of a novel carbon–carbon bond formation reaction.
Progress was made by using palladium complexes instead of nickel compounds
as catalysts with very good results in terms of yield and the substrate scope of the KTC
reaction. In 1975, Murahashi [23] reported for the first time the coupling of Grignard
reagents under palladium catalysis (Fig. 21.18). The palladium-catalyzed KTC coupling
showed increased stereocontrol and broader substrate scope of the organometallic
coupling partner.
The palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions usually proceed best in polar
nonprotic solvents such as dimethylformamide or N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone; therefore,
reaction conditions have to accommodate this observation with the known fact that
Grignard reagents are prepared usually in strong coordination solvents to magnasium
(II): diethylether, tetrahydrofuran (THF), dioxane or diethyleneglycol dimethylether
(diglyme). A mixture of solvents is the answer to the abovementioned problem [23].
The efficiency of the catalyst is related to the first step in the catalytic cycle,
oxidative addition of the electrophile (often the rate-determining step). The higher
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 21.17: Nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions using organomagnesium reagents: (1) [20, 21],
(2), (3) [22].
Fig. 21.18: Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions using organomagnesium reagents.
selectivity obtained with the palladium catalysts compared to nickel was the incentive for the further development of cross-coupling reactions. In cases where nickel
and palladium catalysts have been shown to perform with similar activity, nickel
has been preferably used due to its lower cost. Several examples of catalytic systems useful in building complex organic molecules were selected.
For functionalized substrates with more than one possible coupling reaction
centers (like C–Br, C–Cl or C–OTf), a catalyst based on Pd(I) gave good results in
chemoselective Csp2–Csp2 KTC couplings (Fig. 21.19). Exclusive bromoselectivity
was observed in the presence of C–Cl and/or C–OTf bonds, regardless of the electronic or steric properties of the substrate. The C–C bond formations are extremely
rapid (<5 min at RT) and are catalyzed by an air- and moisture-stable PdI dimer
under open flask conditions [24].
The method proved to be compatible with heterocycles and functional groups,
tolerating not only C–Cl, C–OTf, C–F but also C–CN, aldehydes, esters and sterically
demanding groups (ortho-adamantyl). The larger scale applicability – on 1 g scale
with 1 mol% catalyst loading – was successfully experimented [24].
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21.2 Carbon–carbon bond formation reactions
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Fig. 21.19: Selective cross-coupling reactions of arylmagnesiumchlorides with functionalized
arylbromides.
In the quest for catalytic systems to conduct C–C KTC and Negishi cross-coupling for a wider range of substrates bearing sensitive substituents with functionalized Grignard reagents (KTC) or without special handling of the organozinc
reagents (Negishi), a versatile class of air-stable, highly active, well-defined precatalysts was prepared from PdCl2, 2,6-disubstituted phenylimidazolium chloride
stabilized by σ-donating 3-chloropyridine ligand, known as PEPPSI – pyridine-enhanced precatalyst preparation stabilization and initiation (Fig. 21.20) [25].
Fig. 21.20: Palladium catalysts based on NHC backbone.
The chemoselectivity, especially when nucleophiles or electrophiles (or both) contain Grignard-sensitive functional groups (-CN, -COOR, etc.), is often critical in the
synthesis of complex organic molecules (pharmaceutical, natural products, etc.).
The dinuclear palladium(I) complex [{(PtBu3)PdI}2] already mentioned is very effective in coupling bromides at room temperature, but not chlorides or triflates [24]. A
step further is the rapid chemoselective KTC cross-coupling of aryl bromides in the
presence of chlorides or triflates using Pd-PEPPSI-IPentCl in one-pot sequential
KTC/KTC cross-couplings (Fig. 21.21). The same procedure can be applied for one-
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
pot sequential KTC/Negishi cross-couplings (Fig. 21.22).The functionalized Grignard
reagent is added to the solution of bromo-chloro arene/catalyst at 0 °C. After stirring for 15 min, the second Grignard reagent was added, and the resulting mixture
stirred for 30 min yielding functionalized triaryl compounds in good yields [26].
Fig. 21.21: One-pot sequential KTC/KTC cross-coupling for the preparation of functionalized triaryls.
As Pd-PEPPSI-IPentCl is a highly reactive catalyst, the one-pot sequential KTC/Negishi
cross-couplings of bromo-chloro/triflate-arenes was experimented, first with functionalized Grignard reagents followed by reaction with alkyl or aryl zinc reagents
(Fig. 21.22). This procedure provided substituted triaryls, including heterocycles.
Fig. 21.22: One-pot sequential KTC/Negishi cross-coupling.
For both sequential KTC/KTC and KTC/Negishi couplings, no additional catalyst or
special handling is required as products were obtained by simply adding Grignard or
alkyl/aryl zinc reagents, respectively[26].
The prevention of the competing β-hydride elimination in the cross-coupling of
alkenyl halides with alkyl Grignard reagents bearing β-hydrogens and the retention
of stereochemistry is a challenge for the catalytic systems. Using the sterically hindered bidentate diphosphine ligands 1,1′-bis(di-tert-butylphosphino)ferrocene (dtbpf)
and [oxydi(2,1-phenylene)]bis(diphenylphosphane) (DPEPhos) in the presence of
tetramethylethylenediamine, the KTC cross-couplings of alkenyl halides with alkyl,
alkenyl, aryl or heteroaryl substrates take place under ambient conditions and minimize the side product formation (Fig. 21.23). Notably, mild reaction conditions
allow for the synthesis of alkenes bearing sensitive functionality, such as cyano and
ester groups [27].
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21.2 Carbon–carbon bond formation reactions
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Fig. 21.23: KTC cross-coupling of alkenyl halides with sp3-Grignard.
21.2.3 The Negishi cross-coupling reactions
The Negishi cross-coupling reactions are using organozinc reagents as nucleophiles. The cross-coupling reactions using more electronegative metals in the nucleophile reagent, Al, Zn, Zr and nickel or palladium catalyst afforded excellent results
even with less reactive electrophiles [28] and were reported for the first time by Negishi in 1976 using a palladium(0) complex as catalyst and organoaluminum compound as nucleophile (Fig. 21.24) [29]:
Fig. 21.24: Negishi cross-coupling of arylbromide with organoaluminum reagent.
Another premiere, the cross-coupling of aryls to get unsymmetrical biaryls using organozinc compounds (Fig. 21.25) was reported by Negishi in 1977 [30].
Fig. 21.25: Preparation of unsymmetrical biaryls by cross-coupling.
The nickel catalyst was preformed or prepared in situ by the reaction of Ni(acac)2,
PPh3 and (Bui)2AlH (1:4:1). Good results – yields over 85% – were reported in mild
reaction conditions (cat. 5 mol%, 25 °C, 1–2 h), irrespective of the electronic properties of the substituents on the electrophile, electron-donating (–CH3 and –OCH3) or
electron-withdrawing (CN or NO2). Approximate relative order of reactivity of organic halides in oxidative addition to palladium is: allyl, propargyl > benzyl, acyl >
alkenyl, alkynyl > aryl ≫ simple alkyl.
Highly general stereo-, regio-, and chemo-selective synthesis of terminal and
internal conjugated enynes by the Pd-catalyzed reactions of alkynylzinc reagents
with alkenyl halides are also very useful (Fig. 21.26) [31]. The combination of
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
alkynylzinc reagents with arylhalides provided terminal and internal arylalkynes at
room temperature in THF using Pd(PPh3)4 or Cl2Pd(PPh3)2 + Bui2AlH as catalysts in
very high yield (Fig. 21.26) [32].
Fig. 21.26: Negishi cross-coupling of arylhalides with alkynylzinc reagents.
The preservation of both E- and Z-olefin geometry in the products of two-step Negishi
zinc-mediated reactions in ethereal media can be achieved using zinc dust, TMEDA
as additive, PdCl2(Amphos)2 (dichlorobis(p-dimethylaminophenyl-π-di-tert-butylphosphine)palladium(II) and the amphiphile PTS (the diester made from PEG-600, R-tocopherol and sebacic acid) which presumably supplies the hydrophobic pocket in
which the in situ-generated water-sensitive organozinc halide reacts in water at room
temperature (Fig. 21.27). Complete retention of E-stereochemistry was observed for the
cross-couplings of stereoisomerically pure E-alkenyl halides (Fig. 21.27 (1)) while for Zstereoisomers the results are in the range of 77:23 < Z/E < 99:1 (Fig. 21.27 (2)) [33].
Fig. 21.27: Cross-coupling of E-alkenyl (1) and Z-alkenyl (2) halides with alkyl halides.
This new micellar technology is promising as the water is the only medium.
Using TMEDA or N-methylimidazole (N-MeIm) and PdCl2(PPh3)2, under standard
Negishi conditions, virtually complete stereoretention and high yields were realized
in the cross-coupling of (Z)-1-bromooct-1-ene and both primary and secondary alkyl
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21.2 Carbon–carbon bond formation reactions
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iodides. Enhanced overall efficiency as well as the coupling of functionalized Z-alkenes
was possible using bidentate flexible ligand-containing catalysts, PdCl2(DPEPhos), PdCl2
(Amphos)2 or PdCl2(dppf)2 and N-MeIm additive, and the tolerance and mild reaction
conditions of organozinc reagents (Fig. 21.28). The known drawbacks of couplings between alkenyl halides and alkylzinc reagents, like the formation of undesired by-products as well as the potential erosion of stereochemistry in the case of a Z-alkenyl halide,
are avoided by applying the abovementioned procedure (Negishi-Plus couplings)[34].
Fig. 21.28: Cross-coupling of (Z)-1-bromooct-1-ene and primary and secondary alkyl iodides.
The ligands, the ones already described as well as others, proved to have a significant influence on Negishi cross-coupling of functionalized reaction partner, alkenyl
halides and organozinc reagents [35].
The regio- and stereoselective cross-coupling reaction between 2-phenyl-N-tosylaziridine and organozinc reagents using air-stable Ni(II) source and dimethyl fumarate as ligand, in mild conditions, is a way to β-substituted amines (Fig. 21.29).
The stereoselectivity of the reaction is related to a stereoconvergent mechanism,
wherein the sulfonamide directs the C−C bond formation [36]:
Fig. 21.29: Cross-coupling reaction between 2-phenyl-N-tosylaziridine and n-butylzinc bromide.
Both electron-deficient and electron-rich para- and meta-substituted styrenyl aziridines
reacted with high efficiency, and a wide variety of functional groups were tolerated.
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
The palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of silyl electrophiles with secondary
zinc organometallics (silyl–Negishi cross-coupling) provides direct access to alkyl
silanes. The ligand(s) in the structure of the palladium catalyst, tris[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenyl]phosphine (DrewPhos) and bis[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenyl]
(1,1-dimethylethyl)phosphine (JessePhos) (Fig. 21.30), display the appropriate steric and electronic parameters and the ability to suppress isomerization and promote efficient and selective cross-coupling (the yields in brackets are obtained
without catalysts):
Fig. 21.30: Silyl-Negishi reaction between primary and secondary zinc organometallics
and silicon electrophiles.
High yields are obtained with a low catalyst loading in short reaction times for various substituents on both reactants and, most important, provides unprecedented
access to secondary silanes using abundant silyl electrophiles [37].
The chemoselective Negishi cross-coupling reactions of bis[(pinacolato)boryl]
methylzinc halides with aryl (pseudo)halides catalyzed by palladium complexes
leads to benzylic 1,1-diboronate esters (Fig. 21.31), important intermediates for further transformations with relevance in preparation of pharmaceutical analogues.
The mild reaction conditions are compatible with a variety of functional groups.
The best results were obtained with P(o-tolyl)3 (L1) dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,4′,6′triisopropyl biphenyl (X-Phos, L2) as ligands [38].
Promising results were obtained using trans-dichloro (1,3-bis-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolylidinium)(3-chloro-pyridine)palladium [39] and other PEPPSI catalysts [40] in Negishi cross-coupling reactions.
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21.2 Carbon–carbon bond formation reactions
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Fig. 21.31: Cross-coupling of bis[(pinacolato)boryl]methylzinc halides with aryl bromides.
The in situ preparation of the aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl or benzylic polyfunctional
zinc reagents by the addition of zinc and LiCl to the corresponding organic halides
or triflates (Fig. 21.32) undergo smooth Pd(0)-catalyzed Negishi cross-coupling reactions with aryl bromides in a one-pot procedure in high yields using PEPPSI-iPr
(Fig. 21.20) ligand. This procedure avoids the manipulation of water and air of sensitive organozinc reagents [41]:
Fig. 21.32: In situ preparation of functionalized organozinc halides and cross-coupling with
arylbromide.
The stereoselective cross-coupling of chiral secondary alkylzinc reagents with alkenyl and aryl halides using Pd-PEPPSI-iPent (Fig. 21.20) catalyst afforded α-chiral
alkenes and arenes with high retention of configuration (dr up to 98:2) and yields
up to 76% for three reaction steps (Fig. 21.33). These chiral mixed dialkylzincs are
configurationally stable at room temperature for several hours [42].
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 21.33: Cross-coupling of chiral organozinc with alkenyl- and arylhalides.
This method was applied in the total synthesis of the sesquiterpenes (S)- and
(R)-curcumene (Fig. 21.34) [42].
Fig. 21.34: (R)- and (S)-curcumene prepared by cross-coupling reaction.
To increase the catalytic activity of the resulting palladium N-heterocyclic carbene
(NHC) complexes, a new, robust acenaphthoimidazol-ylidene palladium complex
was prepared from the corresponding acenaphthoimidazolium chlorides by heating
with PdCl2 and K2CO3 in neat 3-chloropyridine (Fig. 21.35). Low catalyst loadings exhibited high catalytic activity toward Negishi cross-coupling reactions of alkylzinc
reagents complexed with lithium chloride, R-ZnBr.LiCl, with a wide range of (hetero)aryl halides (including less reactive heterocylic chloroarenes) under mild reaction conditions within 30 min (Fig. 21.35) [43]. Several sensitive functional groups
are tolerated, and no β-hydride elimination was observed:
Fig. 21.35: Negishi cross-coupling of R-ZnBr.LiCl with aryl and heteroaryl halides.
Air-stable solid zinc pivalates of sensitive aromatics and heteroaromatics prepared
using TMPZn(OPiv)3Mg(OPiv)Cl.LiCl react in mild conditions with a wide variety of
electrophiles (Fig. 21.36) [44].
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21.2 Carbon–carbon bond formation reactions
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Fig. 21.36: Cross-coupling of solid zinc pivalate with functionalized aryl iodide.
Solid allylic zinc derivatives decorated with important functional groups such
as esters or nitriles are tolerated in these couplings [45] with a broad range of electrophiles, exemplified in Fig. 21.37 [46].
Fig. 21.37: Cross-coupling of solid zinc pivalates with functionalized heterocycles.
The solid, air- and moisture-stable organozinc pivalates (RZnOPiv) were proved to be
good nucleophiles for Negishi cross-coupling using not only the traditional nickel
and palladium catalyst but also the less expensive cobalt catalysts (Fig. 21.38) [47].
Fig. 21.38: Cobalt-catalyzed Negishi cross-coupling of zinc pivalate with heterocyclic bromide.
Negishi cross-coupling between functionalized aryl and heteroaryl zinc pivalates
and various electron-poor aryl and heteroaryl halides (X = Cl, Br, I) as well as (E)- or
(Z)-bromo- or iodo-alkenes proceed in mild condition in the presence of CoCl2. Also,
alkynyl bromides react with arylzinc pivalates providing arylated alkynes.
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
21.2.4 The Stille cross-coupling reactions
The cross-coupling reactions of organotin reagents with electrophiles are known as
Stille cross-coupling reactions. Various classes of organotin compounds proved to
be suitable for this type of reaction: organodistannanes, homo- and hetero-tetraorganostannanes. The palladium-catalyzed cross-couplings of organotin reagents
with aryl bromides were reported in 1977 (Fig. 21.39) [48].
Fig. 21.39: Cross-coupling of phenylbromide with C3H5SnBun3.
The synthesis of ketones (Fig. 21.40) by cross-coupling of aroyl chlorides with organostannanes under significantly milder reaction conditions was reported in 1978 [49]:
Fig. 21.40: Preparation of unsymmetrical ketones by Stille cross-coupling.
The cross-coupling reaction using organotin nucleophiles was explored and improved
by Stille [50]. Due to the versatile methodology and the broad functional group compatibility, the Stille reaction became one of the important ways to build new CC bonds
[51, 52]. Although the nucleophiles are, usually, tetraorganotin compounds during the
cross-coupling process, only one of the organic groups at the tin atom is transferred.
From economic reasons, in most of the cases the organostannane contains one group
to be transferred (sometimes difficult to synthesize or expensive) and three simpler
organic groups like methyl or n-butyl. This approach works because different groups
are transferred with different rates, and the slowest transfer rate being noticed for the
alkyl groups. An important advantage of the Stille cross-coupling is the mild conditions required which tolerate several functional groups (i.e., CO2R, CN, OH or CHO)
and the high yields in most of the cases. As it can be seen in Fig. 21.41, a wide variety
of electrophiles and organotin compounds can be coupled [50].
The retention of configuration of the double bond is observed, regardless of the
reactant containing the double bond. The reaction is regioselective in coupling reactions of allyl partners and occurs stereospecifically with inversion of configuration at sp3 carbon centers bound to tin and/or halogen [50].
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21.2 Carbon–carbon bond formation reactions
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Fig. 21.41: Examples of organotin reagents and electrophiles suited for Stille cross-coupling.
Aryl halides, including aryl iodides, aryl bromides and activated aryl chlorides,
were efficiently coupled with organotin compounds to afford the corresponding
biaryls, alkenes and alkynes (Fig. 21.42) in good to excellent yields using Pd(OAc)2/
diazabicyclooctane-catalytic system in the presence of KF or [Bun4N]F [53].
Fig. 21.42: Synthesis of biaryls (1), substituted styrene (2) and functionalized alkyne by Stille
cross-coupling.
A useful alternative to Friedel–Crafts acylations for the synthesis of ketones is provided by chemoselective cross-coupling of aliphatic and aromatic acyl chlorides
with organostannanes. A range of ketones are obtained in high yield using bis(ditert-butylchlorophosphine)palladium(II) dichloride as precatalyst (Fig. 21.43). The
catalyst tolerates various functional groups including aryl chlorides and bromides
that usually undergo oxidative addition to palladium complexes [54].
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 21.43: Chemoselective cross-coupling of aromatic acyl chlorides with organostannanes.
Conventional palladium(II) acetate/PCy3 (Pd(OAc)2/PCy3) under air and using
CsF as a base are effective for stannylation of aryl halides and for one-pot two-step
stannylation/Stille cross-coupling conducted without solvent (Fig. 21.44). The procedures were applied for cross-coupling with the (het)aryl bromide or iodide bearing
acceptor, donor as well as the sterically demanding substituents. After completion of
the stannylation step, a new portion of a catalyst, base and (het)aryl halide is added
to the same flask. Nitro- and fluoro-substituted aryl halides readily participate in
cross-coupling to furnish the corresponding biaryls in high yields. No evident disproportionation or competitive deprotonation were observed during the reaction of aldehyde or methyl ketone-substituted aryls [55].
Fig. 21.44: One-pot two-step stannylation/Stille cross-coupling for the synthesis of functionalized
biaryls.
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21.2 Carbon–carbon bond formation reactions
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21.2.5 The Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions
The promising results reported by Negishi in 1977 in the cross-coupling using boron
derivatives as nucleophiles were followed by the extensive research of Suzuki [8, 9,
56]. In 1979, Suzuki and Miyaura reported the preparation in high yields and high
regio- and stereospecificity-conjugated (E,Z)-, (Z,E)- or (Z,Z)-alkadienes (Suzuki–
Miyaura cross-coupling reactions. The cross-coupling of (E)-1-alkenyldisiamylboranes and (E)-1-alkenyl-1,3,2-benzodioxaboroles with 1-alkenyl- or 1-alkynylhalides
using Pd(PPh3)4 as catalyst is effective in the presence of a base such as sodium
alkoxide, phenoxide or hydroxide. The steps in the catalytic cycle are (Fig. 21.45)
oxidative addition (1), ligand exchange (2), transmetallation (3), trans/cis-isomerization (4) and reductive elimination (5).
Fig. 21.45: Suzuki cross-coupling catalytic cycle.
The mechanism of Suzuki cross-coupling reactions involves the transmetallation
between 1-alkenylborane and alkoxypalladium(II) complex generated through the
metathetical displacement of a halogen atom from RPdLnX with sodium alkoxide
(Fig. 21.45).
The reactions take place with the retention of the configurations of the starting
alkenylboranes and alkenyl bromides (Fig. 21.46) [57–59].
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 21.46: Suzuki cross-coupling of alkenylborane and β-bromostyrene.
In the same conditions, the reaction of (2)-1-alkenyldisiamylboranes with 1-bromoalkynes provides conjugated (E)- and (2)-alkenynes (there was no reaction of (E)1-alkenyl-1,3,2-benzodioxaboroles with haloalkynes) (Fig. 21.47). The reflux of a
benzene solution of (E)-1-hexenyldisiamylboranes and 1-bromooctyne gave (5E)-tetradecen-7-yne in a 98% yield with an isomeric purity of 99% [57, 59].
Fig. 21.47: Synthesis of conjugated (E)- and (2)-alkenynes.
Arylated (E)-alkenes (Fig. 21.48) can be obtained by the cross-coupling reaction of
aryl halides with alk-1-enylboranes in the presence of Pd(PPh3)4 and bases such as
sodium ethoxide [60].
Fig. 21.48: Preparation of E-β-n-butyl styrene.
As the organoboron reagents are readily prepared by monohydroboration of acetylenes, the reactions provide a new regio- and stereoselective synthetic procedure
for arylated (E)-alkenes in good yield from aryl halides and acetylenes. More advantages of Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions that are worth mentioning are
the mild reaction conditions and high product yields under both aqueous and heterogeneous conditions, toleration of a broad range of functional groups, application
in one-pot synthesis, easy separation of inorganic boron compound, nontoxic reaction, hence, environmentally friendly.
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21.2 Carbon–carbon bond formation reactions
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21.2.6 The Hiyama–Denmark cross-coupling reactions
The next class of nucleophiles reported on the search of new reagents for cross-coupling was organosilicon. Hiyama used the same transition metals, nickel and palladium, as catalysts in the coupling of organosilicon (activated by a fluoride source)
with aryl halides and triflates [61, 62]. The mechanism of Hiyama cross-coupling reactions (Fig. 21.49) follows the general steps of cross-coupling reactions. The nucleophile for the transmetallation step is generated in the reaction with fluorine
derivatives, mainly tetraammonium fluorides.
Fig. 21.49: Hiyama cross-coupling mechanism.
The first experiments used tris(dimethylamino)sulfonium difluorotrimethylsilicate
(TAFS) as fluorine source and allylpalladium chloride dimer as catalyst in the reaction of aryl-, vinyl- and allyl-halides and iodides with vinyl-, ethynyl- and allyltrimethylsilane with high stereospecificity and chemoselectivity (Fig. 21.50) [61].
Functionalized styrene, conjugated dienes and enynes were prepared in moderate to high yield by one-pot procedure as the reaction conditions are mild, and a
wide variety of organic functionality on both substrates – ester, ketone, carbonyls,
ethoxy, hydroxy or aldehyde carbonyl – are tolerated.
Very good results were obtained in the coupling of alkenylsilacyclobutanes (like
(E)- and (Z)-1-(1-heptenyl)-1-methysilacyclobutane) with organic halides (Fig. 21.51) [63].
It was found that along with the wise choice of the palladium catalyst and the
fluoride source, the order of mixing of reagents is important. The influence on the reaction rate of the palladium catalysts follows the order: Pd(dba)2Pd2-(dba)3 > Pd
(OAc)2Pd(OTf)2 > (COD)PdBr2 > [allylPdCl]2 ≫ (PhCN)2PdCl2 ~ (Ph3P)2PdCl2. The best
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 21.50: Hiyama cross-coupling reactions of vinylsilanes with aryl halide (1) and vinylhalide (2)
and of ethynyltrimethylsilane with vinylhalide (3).
Fig. 21.51: Hiyama cross-coupling of alkenylsilacyclobutanes with naphthyliodide.
fluoride source was proved to be tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF): when 3.0
equiv of TBAF was used, the reactions proceeded to completion within minutes.
Hiyama cross-coupling was proved to be effective for the Pd-catalyzed regioselective
remote sp2–sp3 coupling reaction of chloromethylarenes with allyltrimethoxysilane or
substituted allytrimetoxysilanes to form para-allyl-substituted methylarenes (Fig. 21.52)
[64]. The reaction proceeds at room temperature with moderate to excellent yields.
Fig. 21.52: Hiyama remote sp2–sp3 cross-coupling of 2-phenylbenzylchloride with
allyltrimethoxysilane (1) and 1-(chloromethyl)naphthalene with (2-methylallyl)trimethoxysilane (2).
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21.2 Carbon–carbon bond formation reactions
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The use of fluoride for the formation of the pentacoordinated silicon species is
preventing the compatibility with substrates bearing silyl-protecting groups; therefore, a search for an alternative led to fluoride-free Hiyama–Denmark cross-coupling
reactions [65, 66]. According to this approach, the transmetallation occurs from a tetracoordinate species containing an Si–O–Pd linkage, as in the arylpalladium(II) silanolate complexes in Fig. 21.53 [67, 68], which are active in the cross-couplings.
Fig. 21.53: Arylpalladium(II) silanolate complexes.
The metal silanolate precursors can be prepared using Brønsted bases such as
KOSiMe3, Cs2CO3, NaOBut, NaH, NaHMDS (HMDS = hexamethyldisilazane) or KH.
Each activator is promoting a specific type of reaction and mechanism [67, 68].
The cross-coupling of alkenyl metal silanolates with functionalized aryl bromide
and iodide in the presence of KOSiMe3 in DME at ambient temperature (Fig. 21.54) led
to high stereoselectivity and very good yield [69].
Fig. 21.54: Fluoride-free cross-coupling of alkenyl silanolates with aryl iodides and bromides.
Aryl silanolates are less reactive than alkenyl- and alkynyl-silanolates, but using
Cs2CO3 in toluene at 90 °C, the cross-coupling of dimethyl(4-methoxyphenyl)silanol
with ethyl 4-iodobenzoate as well as other reaction partners are effective with high
yields (Fig. 21.55). The hydration of Cs2CO3 with 3.0 equiv of water per equiv of
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Cs2CO3 in reaction catalyzed by [allylPdCl]2 with 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane
or Ph3As prevents the homocoupling of the aryl halides [70, 71].
Fig. 21.55: Reaction of aryl silanolates with functionalized aryl bromides and iodides.
Reaction conditions for cross-coupling of the much less reactive chloride imply heating 60 °C with 1.3 equiv of (E)- and (Z)-alkenylsilanolates. Functionalities like nitrile,
ester, nitro, ketone and TBS-protected benzyl alcohol are tolerated (Fig. 21.56 (I)) [72].
Under the same conditions, 2- and 3-chloropyridine, mono- and di-ortho-substituted
aryl chlorides react smoothly. The reactions are highly stereospecific. The coupling of
(E)- and (Z)-styrylsilanolates (Fig. 21.56 (II)), prone to isomerization, proceeded with
complete retention of the double bond geometry in dioxane at 90 °C.
Fig. 21.56: Cross-coupling of arylchloride with (E)- and (Z)-alkenylsilanolates (I) and (E)- and (Z)styrylsilanolates (II).
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21.2 Carbon–carbon bond formation reactions
353
For the cross-coupling of five-membered heterocyclic silanolates, their sodium
salts formed in situ under the action of NaOBut were used in reaction with electronrich as well as with electron-poor arylhalides (Fig. 21.57) [73].
Fig. 21.57: Cross-coupling of heterocyclic silanolates with functionalized aryl iodides.
Alkynylsilanols activated by potassium trimethylsilanolate (KOSiMe3) are effective
coupling partners with electron-rich and electron-deficient aryl iodides bearing a
variety of functional groups (Fig. 21.58) [74].
Fig. 21.58: Cross-coupling of alkynylsilanols with aryliodides.
21.2.7 The Murahashi–Feringa cross-coupling reactions
The use of organolithium reagents as nucleophiles in transition metals catalyzed
cross-couplings (Murahashi–Feringa cross-coupling reactions), although unexpected
due to their high reactivity, water and air sensitivity, started along with the reactions
already described in 1975. In time, Feringa (Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, 2016) succeeded to overcome many of the significant challenges by careful selection of catalysts
and ingenious reaction design, contributing to the metal-catalyzed C–C bond-forming
reactions using organolithium reagents.
The first attempts to cross-coupling organolithium derivatives with alkenyl and
aryl halides in the presence of Pd(0) compounds, such as Pd(PPh3)4, to form alkenes stereoselectively under both stoichiometric [23] and catalytic conditions [75]
gave promising results (yields were generally good to excellent) Fig. 21.59 [75].
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 21.59: The reaction of (E)-β-bromostyrene and p-iodotoluene with organolithium compounds
in the presence of palladium catalyst.
As mentioned earlier, improvements have been made to the cross-coupling reactions of organolithium compound with organic substrates [76, 77]. A selection of
examples is presented below.
The experiments published by Feringa in 2013 show effective cross-couplings of
a wide range of alkyl-, aryl- and heteroaryl-lithium reagents with aryl-bromides
bearing halide, alcohol, acetal and ether functionalities, electron-withdrawing
chlorides and electron-donating methoxy and dimethylamino substituents in the
presence of palladium-phosphine complexes as catalysts. The process proceeds
quickly under mild conditions (room temp.) and avoids the lithium halogen exchange and homocoupling (Fig. 21.60). The preparation of alkyl-, aryl- and heterobiaryl intermediates highlights the potential of these cross-coupling reactions for
the synthesis of complex organic molecules [78].
Fig. 21.60: Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling using organolithium nucleophiles.
The synthesis of 9,9-di-n-octyl-2,7-bis-thienylfluorene (Fig. 21.61) [78], an important
building block in the preparation of optoelectronic organic materials, was achieved
by Pd-catalyzed twofold arylation of bis-bromo-dialkylfluorene with 2-thienyllithium
in high yield. The reaction conditions (see Fig. 21.61) recommend this approach compared to the synthesis of the same compound using tributyl(thiophen-2-yl)stannane
[79] or Suzuki coupling [80].
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21.2 Carbon–carbon bond formation reactions
355
Fig. 21.61: Synthesis of 9,9-di-n-octyl-2,7-bis-thienylfluorene by catalytic cross-coupling using
organolithium reagent.
Cross-coupling of both activated and deactivated aryl chlorides with aryl and
heteroaryl lithium compounds was successful using Pd-PEPPSI-IPent (A) in toluene
at room temperature or Pd2(dba)3/XPhos palladium(0) (dba = bis(dibenzylideneacetone) (B) in toluene at 40 °C, as catalysts (Fig. 21.62) [81]. Biaryl and heterobiaryl
compounds can be prepared in high yields with short reaction times.
Fig. 21.62: Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling of aryl lithium reagents with activated aryl chlorides (1–3)
and reagents with deactivated aryl chlorides (4–6).
The lithium–halogen exchange of appropriately ortho-substituted aryl bromide was
applied to Pd-catalyzed direct cross-coupling of two distinct aryl bromides (Fig. 21.63).
The ortho-substituted aryl bromide should react faster than the other with alkyl
lithium, providing the organolithium reagent for the cross-coupling. The catalysts
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
[Pd-PEPPSI-IPr] or [Pd-PEPPSI-IPent] led to an efficient one-pot synthesis of unsymmetrical biaryls at room temperature. The ButLi was the lithiation agent of choice as
other lithium alkyls such as BunLi, BusLi or PriLi can react with the formation of
alkylated products by palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling with aryl bromides [82].
Fig. 21.63: One-pot synthesis of unsymmetrical biaryls by cross-coupling of arylbromides with
in situ prepared organolithium reagents.
The procedure gives good results for electron-donating and electron-withdrawing
substituents on the electrophiles and for a variety of ortho-substituents on the in
situ prepared nucleophile, -OMe, -NMe2, -CF3, -F, -OMOM, benzyl or benzofuran
(Fig. 21.64) [82].
Fig. 21.64: Cross-coupling of organolithium reagents with arylhalides assisted by directing groups.
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21.2 Carbon–carbon bond formation reactions
357
The organolithium reagents are able to cleave the inert C–O bond catalyzed by
[Ni(cod)2] (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) catalysts with NHC ligands, Fig. 21.65 (A), and
C–N bond in the presence of a [Pd(PPh3)2Cl2] catalyst Fig. 21.65 (B), in one-pot procedure [83].
Fig. 21.65: Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling of 2-methoxynaphthalene with organolithium reagents.
The C–O bond cleavage is chemoselective as the OR groups such as OMe, OTBS,
OMOM on the phenyl ring remained intact during the reaction. The very bulky
ortho-substituted phenyllithium reacted smoothly, under heating up to 70 °C with
slightly decreased yields. Good yields are obtained in the reaction of Ar-Li with π-rich
heteroaromatic compounds, whereas thiophenyllithium, furanyllithium and π-deficient heteroaromatic compounds such as pyridinyllithium show a rather low reactivity [83].
An important class of compounds, allenes, used as synthons in the synthesis of
complex organic molecules can be functionalized via cross-coupling between in
situ-generated allenyl/propargyl-lithium species and aryl bromides using SPhos- or
XPhos-based Pd catalysts. Both allenes and propargyl compounds are good precursors for the cross-coupling using this methodology (Fig. 21.66(A)). The procedure
prevents the formation of the corresponding isomeric propargylic products, the allenic products being selectively obtained [84]. The treatment of propargyl derivatives, freshly distilled with alkyllithiums, tert-BuLi or n-BuLi at −78 °C in freshly
distilled solvents generates an equilibrium of the allene lithium and propargyl lithium (Fig. 21.66(B)) [21]. A mixture of (I)/(II) in a 65/35 ratio was obtained and subsequently reacted with the arylhalides in the presence of different Pd catalysts.
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 21.66: Synthesis of tri- and tetra-substituted allenes by cross-coupling of the in situ
generation of organolithium species (A); lithiation of 1-phenylpropargyl (B).
The reaction of allenes with aryl halides and organolithium reagents is straightforward (Fig. 21.67), without the need of prior transmetallation or prefunctionalization of substrates with leaving groups [84].
Fig. 21.67: Direct arylation of allenyl-lithium species.
The direct coupling of alkynes bearing aliphatic or aromatic substituents and functionalized aryl bromides in the synthesis of tri-substituted allenes proceeds preserving the selective formation of the allene derivative. Electron-withdrawing and
electron-donating substituents on aryl bromides or extended aromatic systems did
not influence the conversion or selectivity of the reaction (Fig. 21.68).
Another class with a significant role as synthons in the synthesis of complex
organic molecules, pharmaceuticals, natural products and alkynes can be prepared
using cross-coupling of the lithium alkynes with various electrophiles (Fig. 21.69)
[85]. This approach is complementary to the Sonogashira reaction (see Section 21.2.8).
The reactions take place in good to excellent yields under ambient conditions and
short reaction times. The mild conditions make possible the tolerance of functional
groups on aryls (Fig. 21.69(A)), functionalization of heterocycles (Fig. 21.69(B)), the
presence of a variety of organolithium-sensitive functionalities (carbonyls, active
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21.2 Carbon–carbon bond formation reactions
359
Fig. 21.68: Direct synthesis of arylated allene from alkynes.
methylenes) (Fig. 21.69(C)), and the preparation of compound containing more alkyl
substituents (Fig. 21.69(D)) [85].
Fig. 21.69: Cross-coupling of lithium acetylides with (A) aryl bromides, (B) heterocycles, (C)
substrates with active hydrogens and (D) polybromides.
An alternative to the organic solvents as reaction media is a palladium-catalyzed
cross-couplings between organolithium reagents and (hetero)aryl halides (Br, Cl)
procedure at room temperature in air, with water as the only reaction medium in
the presence of NaCl. This was experimented with good results. Cross-coupling
products involving C(sp3)–C(sp2), C(sp2)–C(sp2) and C(sp)–C(sp2) can be obtained
with no side products, in about 20 s, and yields of up to 99% (Fig. 21.70) [86].
The concentration of NaCl solution, the rate of addition of the organolithium
reagent and the presence of dissolved oxygen in water are very important. Aliphatic
and aromatic organolithium reagents, MeLi to EtLi, HexylLi, BusLi, PriLi, PhLi and
Me3SiCH2Li in reaction with (hetero)aryl halides led to the coupling products with
high selectivities [86].
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 21.70: Cross-couplings of organolithium reagents with arylbromides in water and open
atmosphere.
21.2.8 Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions
Sonogashira reaction refers to the palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of a terminal
sp-hybridized carbon from an alkyne with a sp2 (rarely sp3) carbon of an aryl or
vinyl halide (or triflate) (Fig. 21.71) [87, 88]. The first experiments reported by Sonogashira in 1975 used the copper salts as a cocatalyst [89].
Fig. 21.71: Sonogashira cross-coupling.
The Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions proceed in milder conditions compared
to the non-cocatalyzed reactions (Fig. 21.72) [90, 91].
Precautions are usually needed in case of using the copper salts to avoid oxygen in order to diminish or eliminate the alkyne homocoupling through a coppermediated reaction [92]. The search for “copper free” Sonogashira cross-coupling led
to rich chemistry still known as „Sonogashira reactions.
The mechanism of the palladium/copper-catalyzed Sonogashira reaction can
be described, taking into account two independent catalytic cycles (Fig. 21.73).
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21.2 Carbon–carbon bond formation reactions
361
Fig. 21.72: Sonogashira cross-coupling of aryl- or alkylalkyne with arylhalides.
Fig. 21.73: Sonogashira cross-coupling catalytic cycle.
The first “‘palladium cycle” (I) is the classical C–C cross-coupling formations [8] and
starts with the catalytically active species Pd(0)L2 formed by the dissociation of two ligands from Pd(0) complexes such as Pd(PPh3)4 or from Pd(II) complexes such as PdCl2
(PPh3)2 in a reduction reaction with amines. The first step in the catalytic cycle is the
oxidative addition of the aryl or vinyl halide, which is considered to be the rate-limiting
step of the Sonogashira reaction, the barriers of oxidative addition increasing in the
order of ArI < ArBr < ArCl [93]. The electron-withdrawing groups facilitate the oxidative
addition reaction. The next step is the transmetallation with the copper acetylide formed
in the “copper cycle” (cycle II). After the cis/trans-isomerization (common to all crosscoupling reactions), the final product is released by reductive elimination, regenerating
the catalyst [Pd(0)L2]. In the “copper cycle” (cycle II), prior coordination of the alkyne via
a π-bond to the copper salt activates the terminal proton which is trapped by the base.
In the “copper-free” Sonogashira alternative, the transmetallation reaction is
preceded by an exchange of ligands (Fig. 21.74): the akyne is π-coordinated to the
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
palladium atom replacing a ligand from the starting catalytic species. The acetylenic proton is acidified by coordination and therefore easily removed by the base.
Fig. 21.74: The “copper-free” Sonogashira alternative catalytic cycle.
Another mechanism is considering a more complex role for the amines [92].
As already mentioned, palladium is the metal of choice when the copper cocatalyst was used. Both the generation of the catalytic-active form of the palladium
complexes and the oxidative addition step are common for previously described C–C
cross-coupling and are valid for Sonogashira reactions too. Increasing the steric bulk
of the ligands and the electron richness will work well for Sonogashira couplings, the
first favoring the formation of the law coordinate and highly active palladium complexes, and the second by favoring the oxidative addition [94].
Using NHC ligands, it was possible to apply Sonogashira for cross-coupling of
functionalized, inactivated, β-hydrogen-containing primary alkyl bromides and iodides
that contain a wide range of functional groups like esters, nitriles, olefins, acetals and
unprotected alcohols with terminal alkynes under mild conditions (Fig. 21.75) [95].
Fig. 21.75: Sonogashira cross-coupling of inactivated alkylhalides with alkynes.
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21.3 The Mizoroki–Heck reaction
363
The cross-coupling of secondary inactivated alkyl bromides with alkynes was realized using other classes of palladium–NHC complexes, with or without an amine as
additive (Fig. 21.76) [86].
Fig. 21.76: Cross-coupling of secondary inactivated alkyl bromides with alkynes.
The use of the preformed complex, [IBioxPdCl2]2, led to a yield of up to 70%. In the
same reaction conditions, the phosphine ligands were not suitable as ligands [96].
Functional groups like chloride, ester or epoxide in the alkylbromides are well tolerated due to the mild reaction conditions.
21.3 The Mizoroki–Heck reaction
The Mizoroki–Heck reaction became known at the time as the catalytic arylation
and alkenylation of olefins, Fig. 21.77:
Fig. 21.77: Heck reaction.
The first results were published independently by Mizoroki (Fig. 21.78(A)) [97] and
Heck (Fig. 21.78(B)) [98].
The contribution of Heck to the development of the organic synthesis mediated
by transition metal catalysts was acknowledged with the Nobel Prize in 2010.
The reaction is catalyzed by palladium complexes, with or without phosphine
ligands (phosphine-assisted vs. phosphine-free catalysis) [99]. A primary role of
phosphine ligands is to support palladium in its zero-oxidation state in the form of
stable PdL4 or PdL3 species. The phosphine-assisted approach is the classical and
well-established method which gives excellent results in most cases. The catalytically active species, Pd(0)L2 stabilized by the ligands present, can be formed by the
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 21.78: Reactions of olefins with aryl iodides.
dissociation of two ligands from Pd(0) complexes such as Pd(PPh3)4, or can be
formed in situ from Pd(II) complexes. The reduction of Pd(II) complexes to Pd(0)
and the generation of active species through multiple ligand exchange equilibria is,
in some cases, a latent (inductive) period due to the labile character of Pd(0) complexes [100]. The primary reduction of Pd(II) to Pd(0) is most likely accomplished
by phosphines:
Pd(OAc)2 + 3PPh3 → Pd(PPh3)2 + Ph3PO
The reduction is assisted by amines or hard nucleophiles like hydroxide and alkoxide ions, water and water and acetate ion. The reduction of the palladium(II) takes
place on the expense of the phosphine oxidation. The rate of reaction of the phosphines containing aryl groups substituted with electron-withdrawing groups are
higher than those containing unsubstituted aryls. This behavior is related to the
more efficient nucleophilic attack at electrophilic phosphorus atom. In phosphinefree systems, the reduction of Pd(II) can be effected by amines, if these are used as
base, or olefins but they do not have detectable influence on the reduction rate in
the presence of a phosphine [12, 101, 102].
There are two routes for Heck couplings: the nonpolar Heck reactions (Fig. 21.79)
and the cationic (polar) Heck reactions (Fig. 21.80) both catalyzed by palladium
complexes.
The nonpolar pathway (Fig. 21.79) involves coordination of the olefin via dissociation of one neutral ligand while the cationic (polar) (Fig. 21.80) involves coordination of the olefin via dissociation of the anionic ligand.
The first step of the catalytic cycles is the oxidative addition. The palladium(0)
should be coordinated by two strongly bound ligands. The molar ratio Pd(0):ligand
is very important for the concentration of active species. Both the choice and the
concentration of the ligand in the reaction mixture will be taken into account to
provide the required amount of reactive dicoordinated Pd(0) complex. An excess of
the ligand will decrease the concentration of active species, which sometimes can
lead to the inhibition of catalytic process while a low concentration will determine the
disproportionation of the dicoordinated complex to a stable tricoordinate complex
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21.3 The Mizoroki–Heck reaction
Fig. 21.79: Heck coupling catalytic cycle – nonpolar.
Fig. 21.80: Heck coupling catalytic cycle – cationic.
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365
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
and unstable low-ligated complexes which undergo a fast aggregation to clusters, and
finally the inactive metallic particles are formed:
2Pd2 Ð PdL3 + PdL ! 2Pdn Lm ! black
The product of the oxidative addition is a Pd(II) tetracoordinated complex. The relative orientation of the two components of the electrophile, cis or trans, depends on
the polarity of the carbon–halide bond (see Oxidative addition in Section 21.2.1).
The oxidative addition is less sensitive to the substituents in the electrophile but is sensitive to the nature of nucleofuge and the strength of C–X and M–X bonds. The order
of reactivity is I > OTf > Br > Cl. The next two steps, not always marked as independent,
are the coordination of the olefin to palladium and the migratory insertion. Two types
of complexes can be taken into account for the coordination of the olefin to the metal:
a tetracoordinated one formed by ligand–substrate exchange or a pentacoordinated
structure. The energy barrier for the generation of the reactive configuration in a tetracoordinated complex is lower compared to the pentacoordinated one. Two coordination sites of the square planar complex are occupied by the olefin and the fragment
that have to migrate onto the π-system. As a consequence, the control exerted by the
catalyst depends on the remaining two ligands, which are one neutral and one anionic
in the neutral complex, or both neutral in the cationic complex. For bidentate phosphine complexes, the polar path is the preferred one. The migratory insertion process
requires a coplanar assembly of the metal, ethylene and the hydride. Therefore, the
insertion process is stereoselective and occurs in a syn manner, according to experimental observations by Heck and theoretical calculations [103]. The β-hydride elimination is stereoselective and occurs in a syn manner, and its efficiency being related to the
dissociation of the olefin from the palladium(II)–hydride complex (48). The elimination
goes through a rather strong agostic interaction of palladium with hydrogen atom and
thus proceeds as a concerted syn-process without the involvement of the base.
The regioselectivity can be affected by side reaction to be considered after elimination. The new alkene can coordinate to the palladium hydride and the next step
is not fast enough; therefore, the migratory insertion may occur, leading to the formation of several products including the isomerization of the double bond (Fig. 21.81).
Fig. 21.81: Heck reaction regioselectivity in coordination–insertion process: nonpolar path (A) and
cationic (polar) path (B).
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21.3 The Mizoroki–Heck reaction
367
Another way to the isomerization of the alkene leading to a product with the
wrong stereochemistry is the scavenging of the palladium hydride by the starting
alkene, which is always more reactive than the Heck product due to its smaller size.
Heck reactions of aryl bromides and activated aryl chlorides with a range of
mono- and disubstituted olefins at room temperature afford arylated product with
high E/Z stereoselection (Fig. 21.82). The corresponding reactions of a broad spectrum of electron-neutral and electron-rich aryl chlorides proceed at elevated temperature, also with high selectivity. In terms of scope and mildness, Pd/P(But)3/
Cy2NMe represents an advance over previously reported catalysts for these Heck
coupling processes [104].
Fig. 21.82: Reactions of activated aryl chlorides with mono- and disubstituted olefins.
A palladium-catalyzed Heck reaction of substituted styrene derivatives with a variety of tertiary, secondary and primary alkyl bromides proceeds smoothly at room
temperature upon irradiation with blue light-emitting diodes (blue light-emitting diodes) in the presence of a dual-phosphine ligand system (Fig. 21.83). The use of a
dual-phosphine ligand system is crucial for the success of this transformation. The
palladium source, Pd(PPh3)4 and Pd(PPh3)2Cl2, is effective in the presence of Xantphos (both PPh3 and Xantphos play an essential role in the reaction). Only bisphosphine ligands with a conjugated backbone similar to that of Xantphos proved to be
effective [105].
A possible explanation for the suppression of the undesired β-hydride elimination is the enhancing of oxidative addition by the photoexcited state reactivity of
the palladium complex.
The vinylation of electron-rich olefins by β-halostyrenes using hemilabile 1,3-bis
(diphenylphosphino)propane monoxide as a ligand and palladium acetate in dimethylsulfoxide as solvent led to fast reactions even of the challenging 2-substituted
vinyl ethers (Fig. 21.84). The 1:3 ratio of bromostyrene:vinylether has to be used. The
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 21.83: Heck reaction of styrene derivatives with alkyl bromide activated by irradiation.
ketone (I) was separated after hydrolysis, but in some cases the separation of the
aldol (II) was possible. The reactions are highly regioselective [106]:
Fig. 21.84: Heck reaction of 2-substituted vinyl ethers and β-halostyrenes.
Reactions of electron-rich bromides such as p-methoxy-β-bromostyrene were complete in slightly shorter times. The reaction of p-acetyl-β-bromostyrene led to the
aldol compound which is difficult to prepare via conventional aldol methodology.
In addition to p-methoxy-β-bromostyrene, both n-butyl vinyl ether and 2-hydroxyethyl vinyl ether allowed access to cyclic ketals under identical conditions. The
formation of a protected ketone in this way could be potentially useful when chemoselectivity would otherwise be a problem. The vinyl chlorides also react, even if
over longer reaction times, affording exclusively branched products hydrolyzed
and isolated as the ketones in good yields [106].
An important contribution to the organic synthesis, especially to the synthesis
of natural products or pharmaceuticals, is the intramolecular Heck reaction, including the asymmetric synthesis. A variety of mono- and bidentate ligands have been
experimented not only for Heck reaction but also for other reaction types [107]. Successful experiments affording a 96% ee (diequatorial) and good conversions in the
intramolecular asymmetric Heck reaction used a Taddol-based monodentate ligand
(Fig. 21.85) [108, 109].
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21.4 Hydroformylation
369
Fig. 21.85: Intramolecular Heck reaction using palladium taddol catalyst.
21.4 Hydroformylation
The hydroformylation of olefins, addition of CO and H2 to an alkene function providing a new carbon–carbon and a new carbon–hydrogen bond, was discovered in
1938 by Otto Roelen. Hydroformylation is one of the largest industrially applied processes which relies on homogenous catalysis providing not only aldehydes but also
alcohols as subsequent hydrogenation reactions [110].
There are two possible reaction products (Fig. 21.86): the linear (normal) and
the branched (iso) aldehydes with the formation of a new stereocenter (asymmetric
hydroformylation).
Fig. 21.86: Hydroformylation reaction.
The side reactions, alkene isomerization or alkene hydrogenation, have also been
observed. As all the atoms are finally present in the product, this reaction is a prototype of an atom economic transformation with significant environmental advantages [111, 112].
For the application in organic synthesis, there are challenges regarding chemo-,
regio-, diastereo- and enantioselectivity control in the course of the hydroformylation
[113]. The catalyst used in the original research experiments was HCo(CO)4 prepared
in situ from Co2(CO)8 under hydrogen/carbon monoxide pressure. The mechanism of
the cobalt-catalyzed hydroformylation was proposed by Heck and Breslow in 1960
and 1961 [114]. In the early 1960s, phosphine-modified cobalt catalysts were introduced [115].
When HCo(CO)4 is used as a catalyst, the temperatures for reasonable reaction
rates (110–180 °C) require rather high CO partial pressure; therefore, a total H2/CO
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
pressures of 200–300 bar are needed. The search for better catalytic systems obtained with suitable metal and donor ligand modifications resulted in the use of
rhodium-, platinum- and palladium-based catalysts [116]. Higher activity and chemoselectivity running the hydroformylation in the low to medium pressure range
(5–100 bar) was obtained using phosphine-modified rhodium complexes (1968 with
Wilkinson) [117–119]. The first mechanism for cobalt-catalyzed hydroformylation
proposed in the early 1960s by Breslow and Heck [114] is widely accepted, with little
modifications, for the phosphine-modified cobalt catalysts and the phosphine- or
phosphite-modified rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation (Fig. 21.87) [120–122].
Fig. 21.87: Cobalt-catalyzed hydroformylation catalytic cycle.
The first step in the catalytic cycle of hydroformylation (Fig. 21.87) is the ligand exchange of a CO with the olefine (1) to produce a π-complex, a process without
change in the oxidation state of the metal. The next step (2) is the migratory insertion of the olefine in the Co–H bond combined with the coordination of a CO molecule. Another migratory insertion (3) is providing the acyl complex. The oxidative
addition of a hydrogen molecule (4) takes place with the increase of the formal oxidation state of the cobalt from +1 to +3. The final step (5) is the reductive elimination of the aldehyde and regenerates the catalytically active species.
For synthetic organic chemistry, the tolerance of functional groups is crucial. A
wide range of sensitive and reactive functional groups – aldehydes, ketones, acetals, ketals nitriles, free alcohols, carboxylic acids, alkyl halides, nitro compounds,
pyridine derivatives, tert-amines or tosylates – are compatible with hydroformylation conditions [113].
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The effect of the ligands on reactivity and selectivity of rhodium catalysts led to
the discovery of better catalytic systems. Good results were obtained using bidentate ligands, diphosphines and diphosphites [107, 123–127]. Examples of diphosphine ligands for regioselective hydroformylation of terminal alkene are presented
in Fig. 21.81.
Fig. 21.88: Bidentate ligands for hydroformylation reactions.
The activity and selectivity in the rhodium–diphosphine-catalyzed hydroformylation
is influenced by the natural bite angle (βn) of the diphosphine ligands (Fig. 21.88).
The concepts of the natural bite angle (βn) and the flexibility range are useful in the
prediction of chelating properties of diphosphine ligands. The natural bite angle (βn)
of a diphosphine ligand is defined as the preferred chelation angle determined by ligand backbone only and not by metal valence angles. The flexibility range is defined
as the accessible range of bite angles within less than 3 kcal/mol excess strain energy
from the calculated natural bite angle [128].
The n-selectivity is a result of the dynamic equilibria between ee and ea (equatorial−apical) coordination isomers of the diphosphine ligands: the equilibria shift
to the ee isomer for ligands with wider bite angles (high n-selectivity) and to ea isomer for ligands with smaller bite angles (which still give reasonably high n-selectivity) [129]. The hydroformylation of 1-octene or styrene using (diphosphine)Rh(CO)2H
affords the linear aldehyde with increased selectivity and activity, following the increase of natural bite angle. The CO dissociation rates of (diphosphine)Rh(CO)2H
complexes are orders of magnitude higher than the hydroformylation rates and it is
not correlated with the natural bite angle. The bite angle affects the selectivity in
the steps of alkene coordination and hydride migration.
The substitution at the ninth position on xanthene-type-based diphosphines results in tuning the electronic and steric properties covering a range of natural bite
angles from 102° to 120.6° [129]. The steric bite angle effect and the electronic angle
effect are associated with the properties of the abovementioned substituents and
with the specific coordination to a given metal. In most of the cases, the linear-tobranched ratio of the aldehyde product increases with increase of the bite angle of
the diphosphine. In the rhodium complexes of the rigid Xantphos-type ligands, the
chelation mode, partially imposed by the natural bite angle, is also influenced by
the phosphine basicity [124, 130].
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
High levels of n-selectivity, 66:1 linear-to-branched aldehyde ratio, was obtained for the rhodium catalysts derived from the bidentate ligand BISBI (bis((diphenylphosphino)methyl)-1,1′-biphenyl, Fig. 21.81, with natural bite angle of 113°)
[124], in the hydroformylation of 1-hexene. The substituents on the aromatic groups
in the structure of diphosphines influence both the reactivity and selectivity, as
found when the phenyl groups in BISBI were replaced by strongly electron-withdrawing 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3 substituents: a fivefold rate increase and a 123:1.61 linear-tobranched ratio.
The in situ-prepared catalyst starting the bis-organophosphite ligand (Fig. 21.82)
and Rh(CO)2(acac) (acac = acetylacetone) is active in hydroformylation of a wide variety of carbonyl-containing substrates like ketones (Fig. 21.89 (1)), esters, carboxylic
acids (Fig. 21.89 (2)) and amides produced dicarbonyls in good-to-excellent yield.
Fig. 21.89: Hydroformylation of carbonyl-containing substrates (1,2), nitrile (3) and
N-allylsuccinimide (4).
Olefinic alcohols (even unprotected), nitriles (Fig. 21.89 (3)), and halides were also
hydroformylated with very good results. Unsaturated acetals underwent hydroformylation to produce the monoprotected di-aldehydes, which have been shown to
be synthetically useful intermediates. N-Allylsuccinimide was hydroformylated to
the imide aldehyde in excellent yield (Fig. 21.89 (4)) [125].
The platinum complex (Sixantophos)PtCl(SnCl3) (natural bite angle of the ligand,
Fig. 21.88, is 106.2°) was proved to be remarkably active catalyst for the hydroformylation of methyl 3-pentenoate. A prior step to get the desired linear aldehyde, a
nylon-6 precursor, is the selective isomerization to methyl 4-pentenoate in the reaction mixture. At low CO concentration, isomerization to the more stable n-alkyl
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21.4 Hydroformylation
373
complex is faster than CO insertion, and the overall result of the hydroformylation is
the linear aldehyde [131].
The selectivity for the linear aldehyde in the hydroformylation of 1-octene was
moderate. Remarkably, the selectivity and reaction rate increased enormously if
one of the phosphorus donor atoms was replaced by arsenic.
In the platinum/tin-catalyzed hydroformylation of 1-octene using the xantarsine and xantphosarsine ligands (Fig. 21.88, having the natural bite angle approximately the same as Xantphos), a very good selectivity was obtained.
These are the first examples of arsine-based ligands superior to phosphine ligands in the platinum/tin-catalyzed hydroformylation and can be related to the enhanced preference for the formation of cis-coordinated platinum/tin complexes [132].
21.4.1 Asymmetric hydroformylation
The enantioselective hydroformylation is a way to obtain chiral aldehydes, important intermediates in organic synthesis [133]. The general mechanism of asymmetric
hydroformylation using rhodium complexes is presented in Fig. 21.90.
The catalytically active 16 valence electron species is formed by dissociation of
one ligand L from the trigonal bipyramidal 18 valence electron species formed
under syngas pressure and in the presence of donor ligands L such as phosphines,
phosphites or carbon monoxide. The main catalytic cycle starts with the coordination of the alkene preferably in the equatorial position, thus furnishing a trigonal
bipyramidal hydrido olefin complex (1). Alkene insertion into the Rh–H bond (2)
takes place to form isomeric tetragonal alkyl rhodium complexes. The coordination
of carbon monoxide (3) yields the trigonal bipyramidal complexes which is transformed by migratory insertion of the alkyl group to one of the coordinated carbon
monoxide ligands (4) in a tetragonal acyl complex. Oxidative addition of molecular
hydrogen (5) forms a tetragonal bipyramidal rhodium(II) complex. Subsequent reductive elimination (6) liberates the isomeric aldehydes and regenerates the catalytically active species (7).
As mentioned earlier, the selective hydroformylation of terminal and internal,
including functionalized alkenes, toward the formation of the linear product using
chelating ligands with high natural bond angles was well documented.
The role of the ligand in asymmetric hydroformylation, as in asymmetric synthesis mediated by transition metals in general, is more complex. A variety of chelating
phosphorus ligand with the potential of inducing chirality has been described. The
source of chirality is also diverse: bidentate C2-symmetric ligands with additional options for chirality on P-substituents (auxiliaries) or P-stereogenic atoms, C1-symmetric
(backbone chirality), hybrid diphosphorus (chirality on phosphorus substituents) or
mixed donor classes (chirality on P/N, O or S substituents) [134]. The hybrid ligands
are combining the high activity displayed by one donor and the high selectivity
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 21.90: Rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydroformylation catalytic cycle.
induced by using the second donor. The coordination to the metal center of the two
donor atoms allows the tuning of the catalytic properties. As in the case of the chelating ligands already described for n-selectivity, the bite angle of the ligand is an important parameter.
Many chiral diphosphine, diphosphite and hybrid phosphine–phosphite ligands have been evaluated with regard to induce enantioselectivity in the course of
the hydroformylation reaction (see for exemplification [134–136]). The first ligand
used in asymmetric hydroformylation was (R,S)-BINAPHOS, a phosphine–phosphite compound, (R)-2-diphenylphosphino-1,1′-binaphtalen-2′-yl(S)-1,1′-binaphtalen-2,2′-diyl phosphite (Fig. 21.91). The major isomer significant in the catalytic
process is ea-coordinated complex [137].
The coordination of the hybrid bidentate ligand to the rhodium in ee or ea relative positions in the trigonal bipyramidal complex is more relevant in the case of
symmetric ligands. The position of the ligand has a direct influence on the hydride
ligand usually residing in the apical position. The two possible isomers in case of
the ea coordination of the ligand have different trans-relationship with the hydride
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21.5 Hydrogenation
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Fig. 21.91: (R,S)-BINAPHOS and the ea coordination to rhodium.
and as a result an important influence on reactivity of the two isomers. Theoretical
studies suggest that alkene insertion into Rh–H bond, mostly irreversible, is the
enantioselectivity-determining step [138, 139]. A preference for the phosphine moiety for the equatorial and the phosphite for the apical site was observed for BINAHOS as a consequence of the nonbonding steric effects induced by the bulky
naphthyl and phenyl groups and by the larger electronic distortion induced by the
better π-acceptor phosphite moiety at the equatorial position. This balance explains
the exceptional behavior of this ligand. The ligand coordination has important implications in the mechanism of enantioinduction. In the stereoselectivity-determining
transition state, the key ligand–substrate interactions occur between the styrene and
the apical ligand moiety. All of the evidence indicated that the coordination preference in the resting state was transferred to the transition states. The control of the
vacant sites available for substrate coordination plays a crucial role.
The asymmetric hydroformylation of styrene and p-substituted styrenes (CH3,
OCH3, Cl, CH2CH(CH3)2) using Rh(acac)(CO)2 and (R,S)- or (S,R)-BINAPHOS as catalysts
(prepared in advance or in situ from Rh(acac)(CO)2 and 4.0 equiv of the ligand) resulted in >99% conversion, a branched/linear ratio in the range of 86/14–92/8 and an
enantiomeric excess higher than 85%. Hydroformylation of internal terminal olefins
and functionalized olefins (vinyl carboxylates) using the same catalytic system gave
the desired products with very good yield and very high enantiomeric excess [140].
21.5 Hydrogenation
Hydrogenation is the addition of H2 to a multiple bond (C = C, C ≡ C, C = O, C = N,
C ≡ N, N = O, N = N, N ≡ N, etc.) to reduce it to a lower bond order. For industrial purposes, the heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation is still very important. The exception
is the homogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation, a way to prepare chiral compounds.
The most common and simple type of hydrogenation is the reduction of a C = C double
bond to a saturated alkane.
The key step in hydrogenation is the activation of hydrogen molecule. Oxidative addition is the most common method of activating H2 on a transition metal
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
complex with empty coordination site in order to coordinate the H2 molecule prior
to the oxidative addition (see oxidative addition in Section 21.2.1). The early transition metals with d0 counts can activate H2 by hydrogenolysis. The metal center
needs to have empty orbitals to bind both the H2 and the anionic ligand to be protonated. Metals like Ru(II) form the active catalytic species by the heterolytic cleavage.
The proton is produced by the reaction with an external base and then transferred to
the metal center: the actual catalyst, RuHCl species, is formed by the heterolysis of
H2 by the RuCl2 precatalyst. During the last two processes mentioned, there is no
change in oxidation state of the metal.
The early studies of the homogeneous catalytic hydrogenation is related to Wilkinson catalyst, RhCl(PPh3)3 [117]. The catalytic cycle is presented in Fig. 21.92.
Fig. 21.92: Homogeneous hydrogenation catalytic
cycle.
There are two possible catalytically active species starting from the Wilkinson’s catalyst, RhCl(PPh3)3: one resulted by the loss of a PPh3 ligand followed by coordination of a solvent molecule on the vacated site, RhCl(S)(PPh3)2 (II) and one formed
by oxidative addition of hydrogen to RhCl(PPh3)3, RhCl(H)2(PPh3)3 (VII). The formation of (II) is about 1,000 times faster than the formation of (VII). The next steps for
(II) are the oxidative addition of hydrogen (to form (III) and the coordination of the
olefin to form (IV). The coordination of the olefin to (VII) results in the formation of
the same complex (IV). The migratory insertion affords the alkyl complex (V). The
cycle is completed by the reductive elimination of the alkane (VI) and the release of
the active catalytic species (II) (Fig. 21.92).
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21.5 Hydrogenation
377
The cationic complexes like [Rh(cod)(PPh3)2]+ [141] or [Ir(cod)(PCy3)(Py)]+ (py =
pyridine) – the “super unsaturated” complexes (the Crabtree catalysts) [142] were
proved to be more active than Wilkinson’s catalyst. Exceptional results were reported in the hydrogenation of internal olefins (e.g., Me2C = CMe2). The Ru catalyst,
HRuCl(PPh3)3, [143] is even more active for 1-alkenes.
An important role in the coordination step of the alkenes to the metal is played
by the position of the double bond(s) and the substituents therein:
21.5.1 Asymmetric hydrogenation
Asymmetric hydrogenation became an important tool in the synthesis of chiral
compounds and was recognized as such when the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was
awarded to W. S. Knowles [144] and R. Noyory [145]. The first successful attempt of
Knowles was the synthesis of L-DOPA using the chiral ligand DIPAMP (Fig. 21.93)
[146], followed by the developments reported for Kagan’s ligand DIOP (A) [147],
Noyori’s ligand BINAP (B) and the ruthenium complexes (C) [148] and a plethora of
other chiral ligands (Fig. 21.94) [133].
Fig. 21.93: Asymmetric synthesis of L-DOPA.
Fig. 21.94: Chiral ligands active for asymmetric hydrogenation.
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
There are many homogeneous catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation reactions of
substrates of interest in the synthesis of complex organic molecules (pharmaceuticals, natural products, etc.), most providing over 90% enantiomeric excess [149].
The asymmetric hydrogenation of olefins using cationic iridium catalysts with
bis(ortho-tolyl)phosphino-tert-butyloxazoline ligand and its analogues proved to be
very efficient (Figs. 21.95–21.97). Weakly coordinated counterions are preferred to
avoid the competition with the substrate in the coordination step. Unfunctionalized
substrates including tri- or tetra-substituted olefins have been hydrogenated with
good-to-excellent enantiomeric excess (ee) [150, 151]. The asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl stilbene with two of the iridium catalysts is illustrated in Fig. 21.95.
Fig. 21.95: Asymmetric hydrogenation of stilbene.
Two adjacent stereogenic centers can be introduced in a single step by asymmetric
hydrogenation of notoriously unreactive substrates such as tetra-substituted unfunctionalized olefins with high efficiency and excellent enantioselectivity using
the chiral Ir catalysts (BarF = tetrakis(3,5‐di(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, o‐Tol =
ortho‐tolyl) (Fig. 21.96) [152].
Fig. 21.96: Asymmetric hydrogenation to introduce two stereogenic centers.
High enantioselectivities for the hydrogenation of both (E)- and (Z)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-butane was achieved using phosphinite-oxazoline ligands (Fig. 21.97). The
hydrogenated compounds result in the opposite configurations with the catalyst [153].
The dehydroamino acids, ketones and imines are hydrogenated successfully resulting, many cases, in chiral intermediates for multistep synthesis of important
products, sometimes at industrial scale.
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21.5 Hydrogenation
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Fig. 21.97: Asymmetric hydrogenation of (E)- and (Z)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-butane.
Asymmetric hydrogenation of α- and β-dehydroamino acids was the very first
achievements in the field reported by Knowles. The most studied substrates for
asymmetric hydrogenation are (Z)-2-(acetamido)cinnamic acid, 2-(acetamido)acrylic
acids and their methyl esters, frequently used as standards for the evaluation of
new catalysts.
Cationic Rh(I) complexes of optically active diphosphine ligands such as CHIRAPHOS ((2S,3S)-(−)-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane) [154], Et-DuPhos (1,2-bis(phospholano)ethanes) and DuPHOS (1,2-bis-(phospho1ano)benzenes) [155], Ph-BPE (1,2-bis
(2,5-phenylphospholano)ethane) [156], TangPhos [157], DIPAMP [158] and BasPhos
[159] have achieved very good enantioselectivities (ee from 96 to >99.9%) in asymmetric hydrogenation of α-dehydroamino acids and their derivatives. The preparation of
these and more ligands is reviewed in [160], and their reactions are illustrated further
in this chapter.
The mechanism of asymmetric hydrogenation of these substrates implies the bidentate coordination of the substrate to the metal through the carbon–carbon double bond and the amide oxygen. The two diastereoisomeric complexes thus formed
react further, usually, with substantially different rates. The oxidative addition of
the hydrogen to the Rh(I) complex, the rate-limiting step, is much faster for the isomer leading to the desired configuration, and the rapid equilibration is the key to a
successful asymmetric hydrogenation.
DuPhos is highly selective for both protected α-dehydroamino acid isomers
(Fig. 21.98). The products are formed with the same configuration as in the Rh catalyst
used for hydrogenation [155]. With either Et-DuPHOS-Rh or Pr-DuPHOS-Rh catalyst, a
variety of α-aminoacid derivatives have been obtained with enantioselectivities >99%
ee. Using (R,R)-Pr-DuPHOS-Rh) (R)-N-acetylalanine methyl ester as well as alkyl- (Me,
n- and iso-Pr, Bu), aryl- (Ph, 1- and 2-naphthyl), heteroaryl- (2-thienyl) and ferrocenylalanine derivatives were obtained with very high enantiomeric excess (>99%) [155].
The hindered tert-butylalanine was hydrogenated with 96.2% ee.
The absolute configurations of the hydrogenation products showed that for the
methyl-, ethyl- and n-propyl-substituted ligands, the (R,R)-catalysts provided the R
products, while for iso-propyl-substituted ligand, the (R,R)-catalyst yielded the S
product. As expected, the catalysts of opposite absolute configuration (S,S) afforded
products of opposite absolute configuration and with identical enantiomeric excess.
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 21.98: Asymmetric hydrogenation of protected α-dehydroamino acids.
The same relationship holds for BPE ligand. The apparent inconsistency of change
in absolute configuration of the products when the iso-propyl-substituted ligands
are used is a consequence due to the fact that the Cahn–Ingold–Prelog designation
changes from R to S (or vice versa) on moving from the Me-, Et- and n-Pr-substituted
ligands to the iso-Pr-substituted analogue [155].
The cationic BINAP–Ru complexes (BINAP (2,2-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)-1,1–
binaphthyl [148]) catalyze hydrogenation of α-(acylamino)-acrylic acids or esters to
give the corresponding amino acid derivatives in high ee values (Fig. 21.99) [161].
Fig. 21.99: Asymmetric hydrogenation of α-dehydroamino esters.
Asymmetric hydrogenation of β-dehydroamino acids is effective by using a variety
of catalytic systems. Since many desirable β-dehydroaminoacids are unavoidably
synthesized as a mixture of (Z)- and (E)-isomers, a separation step is generally required prior to hydrogenation. The Rh complexes of chiral diphosphine ligands BPE
and DuPhos [162], BasPhos [159, 163] or Ru complex of BINAP have been reported to
effectively catalyze the asymmetric hydrogenation of (E)-(β-acylamino)acrylates
with high enantioselectivities (Fig. 21.100). Although most of the studies were carried out with relatively high catalyst loadings for screening purposes, an S/C ratio of
10,000 was achieved by Rh-BINAPINE on a series of (Z)-3-aryl-3-(acylamino)acrylic
acid derivatives [130].
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21.5 Hydrogenation
381
Fig. 21.100: Asymmetric hydrogenation of β-dehydroamino acids.
Excellent enantioselectivities (88–97%) were obtained using [Rh(NBD)2]BF4
and Josiphos ligands in the asymmetric hydrogenation of N-acetyl and N-methoxycarbonyl β,β-diaryldehydroamino acids (highly congested tetra-substituted olefins)
to prepare nonsymmetrically substituted β,β-diaryl α-amino acid esters, independent of electronic effects of the substituents on the phenyl ring. The hydrogenation
works equally well with E- or Z-alkenes (Fig. 21.101). Along with substituted phenyl
rings, benzofurans, azaindoles and pyridines are tolerated affording high enantioselectivities. Methoxycarbonyl-protected substrates also gave good results. In all
cases, no diastereomeric products were observed, indicating that there was no
isomerization of the olefin during the hydrogenation [164].
Fig. 21.101: Asymmetric hydrogenation of β,β-diaryl α-amino acid esters.
Unprotected (Z)-β-dehydroamino acid derivatives, challenging substrates for homogeneous hydrogenation, are effectively reacting (up to 96.1% ee) under catalytic action of Rh-JosiPhos complex in trifluoroethanol (Fig. 21.102) [165].
The mechanistic studies revealed that the hydrogenation went through the
imine tautomer of the dehydroamino acid ester or amide (Fig. 21.102 (A)). These results show that the directing N-acyl group are not necessarily a prerequisite for
asymmetric hydrogenation of the substrates, making this reaction mechanistically
analogous to the hydrogenation of β-ketoesters and -amides.
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 21.102: Asymmetric hydrogenation of (Z)-β-dehydroamino acid.
Asymmetric hydrogenation of enamides affords chiral amines. Among many systems, Rh-BPE and Rh-TangPhos complexes ((1S,1S,2R,2R)-TangPhos (1S,1S,2R,2R)-1,
1-di-tert-butyl-[2,2]-diphospholanyl) form chiral amines with excellent enantioselectivities
(ee > 99%) (Fig. 21.103). The β-substituted substrates, E/Z mixtures, are also reduced with
high ee values regardless of the various β-substituents or the electronic properties of the
1-aryl group with Rh-TangPhos complexes in the presence of [Rh(nbd)]SbF6 (nbd = norbornadiene) [157].
Fig. 21.103: TangPhos asymmetric hydrogenation of enamides.
Excellent enantioselectivities (over 99% ee) are obtained in the asymmetric hydrogenation of enamides using air-stable, highly unsymmetrical ferrocene-based phosphinephosphoramidite ligands and rhodium complexes. Enantioselectivity was achieved
using the ligand L* (Fig. 21.104) having (Sc)-central, (Rp)-planar and (Sa)-axial absolute configurations. The binaphthyl moiety is crucial for reactivity and enantioselectivity, and its absolute configuration plays a dominant role in determining the chirality of
the hydrogenation products [166].
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21.5 Hydrogenation
383
Fig. 21.104: Asymmetric hydrogenation of enamides.
Cyclic enamides can be hydrogenated with various Rh-L* complexes. A ligand
that is very effective is the ortho-substituted BIPHEP ligand, o-Ph-hexaMeO-BIPHEP
(3,3′-diphenyl-4,4′,5,5′,6,6′-hexamethoxybiphenyl-2,2′-diyl)bis(diphenylphosphine)
(Fig. 21.105).
Fig. 21.105: Selective asymmetric hydrogenation of cyclic enamides.
The introduction of phenyl groups at 3,3′-positions have a strong influence on the
conformation of P-aryl rings and a high enantioselectivity is achieved [167].
A useful method to prepare chiral alcohols is through asymmetric hydrogenation of the corresponding unsaturated enol esters. The ester-protected unsaturated
alcohols have similar structures as the enamides but are less reactive due to the
weaker coordinating ability of the ester groups compared to that of the amide in
enamides. A few catalysts that have shown superior performance for the hydrogenation of enamides have also provided good selectivities and activities for unsaturated alcohols.
The asymmetric hydrogenation of β-branched enol esters – a new route for the
synthesis of β-chiral primary alcohols – has been developed using a rhodium complex of ligand with a large bite angle. The enol ester substrates possessing an O-formyl directing group (Fig. 21.106) afforded the alcohols in quantitative yields and
with excellent enantioselectivities [168].
The size of the alkyl chain has no influence on the reactivity and selectivity.
The stereoselectivity is predominantly controlled by the chelating direction of the
enol ester to the bisphosphine– rhodium−dihydride complex and not because of
the difference between the two β-substituents. The (E)- and (Z)-isomers generate
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 21.106: Preparation of β-chiral primary alcohols by asymmetric hydrogenation of enol esters.
products with the opposite enantioselectivity as in the case of the asymmetric hydrogenation of enamides [168].
The asymmetric hydrogenation of methoxymethylether-protected β-hydroxyl
enamides using pure [Rh(DIOP*)(NBD)]SbF6 as catalyst precursor afforded the chiral aminoalcohol quantitatively and with high enantioselectivity (98.1–99.6% ee)
under very mild conditions within 1 h (Fig. 21.107).
Fig. 21.107: Preparation of aminoalcohols by asymmetric hydrogenation of β-hydroxyl enamides.
The conformational rigidity of the chiral ligand is responsible for both the reactivity
and the enantioselectivity. The two coordinating sites can form a more rigid metallocycle with fewer available conformations, and thus enhance the enantioface differentiation leading to a chiral product with higher ee value.
Homoallylic alcohols can be hydrogenated with high ee. Early results were obtained using the Ru-BINAP catalysts to hydrogenate pure geraniol ((2E)-3,7-dimethyl2,6-octadien-1-ol) and nerol ((Z)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol) (Fig. 21.108).
The synthesis of (3R,7R)-3,7,11-trimethyldodecanol, an intermediate for the synthesis of α-tocopherol, was achieved using the same catalytic system. When racemic
allylic alcohols are subjected to asymmetric hydrogenation, highly efficient kinetic
resolution is achieved with a BINAP–Ru complex as the catalyst [169].
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21.6 Carbonylation of methanol
385
Fig. 21.108: Asymmetric hydrogenation of geraniol and nerol using Ru-BINAP catalysts.
21.6 Carbonylation of methanol
The preparation of acetic acid was developed by using various feedstocks – acetaldehyde oxidation, hydrocarbon oxidation, direct oxidation of ethylene, ethane oxidation,
direct syngas conversion and methanol carbonylation [170, 171]. The carbonylation of
methanol in homogeneous catalysis with either Rh-based (developed as Monsanto process, 1970) or Ir-based (developed as Cativa process, 1996) catalytic systems (first mentioned in 1968 [172]) became commercial production methods. The Monsanto process
replaced the Wacker process (based on olefin oxidation) [173]. Acetica processes are a
heterogeneous methanol carbonylation based on a supported rhodium catalyst [174].
Besides the catalysts used in the three mentioned processes, there are systems built
using various ligands in search for milder reaction conditions [175].
Basically, the methanol (generated from the synthesis gas, Fig. 21.109 (I)) reacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst (carbonylation of methanol) to afford acetic acid (Fig. 21.109 (II)).
Fig. 21.109: Preparation of methanol (I) and
carbonylation of methanol to acetic acid (II).
The catalyst system in Monsanto process have two components: iodide (the promoter), and the transition metal, rhodium or iridium. The role of iodide is simply to
promote the conversion of methanol into the better electrophile, methyl iodide, the
species which then undergoes oxidative addition with the transition metal catalyst.
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
The catalytic cycle in the Monsanto process (Fig. 21.110) begins with oxidative
addition of methyl iodide to the 16-electron [Rh(CO)2I2]– complex (almost any
source of Rh and I– will work in this reaction as they will be converted to the actual
catalyst, [Rh(CO)2I2]–, under the reaction conditions). Coordination and insertion of
carbon monoxide lead to a 18-electron acyl intermediate. The next step, reductive
elimination, yields acetyl iodide and regenerates the active catalytic species.
Fig. 21.110: The catalytic cycle in the Monsanto process of methanol carbonylation.
There are two catalytic cycles interconnected, one involving the transition metal and
one involving the iodide. The acetyl iodide produced in the transition metal catalytic
cycle is then hydrolyzed in the iodide one to give acetic acid. This hydrolysis produces HI which can then convert methanol to iodide and continue the cycle. At 180 °C,
30–40 bars and 10–3 M, the conversion of the catalyst up to 99% selectivity (on methanol) is obtained. It was demonstrated that concentrations of the reactants and products have no kinetic influence. The extremely facile formation of an acetyl complex
observed during the process and the finding that oxidative addition is the rate-determining step are related to the high selectivity mentioned earlier [173].
The Monsanto process was further improved during the 1980s by adding a lithium or sodium iodide promoter to enable operation in a reduced water environment
to improve raw material conversion and lower downstream separation costs.
The mechanism of iridium-catalyzed carbonylation of methanol (Cativa process) is more complex [176–178]. A range of compounds can enhance the activity of
the iridium catalyst: carbonyl or halocarbonyl complexes of W, Re, Ru and Os or
simple iodides of Zn, Cd, Hg, Ga and In [177, 179]. The iridium catalyst is more stable than the rhodium one, behavior associated with the stronger metal–ligand
bonding which inhibits CO loss.
The iridium-based cycle is similar to the rhodium-based cycle but operates with
different kinetics, responsible for the advantages of the Cativa over the Monsanto
process. The oxidative addition of methyl iodide to the metal center – the rate-
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21.7 Metathesis reactions
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determining step in case of rhodium – is about 150 times faster for the iridium catalyst [176]. The rate of iridium-catalyzed carbonylation displays a rather complicated
dependence on a range of process variables such as pCO, [MeI], [MeOAc] and [H2O]
(maximum activity is achieved at ca. 5% w/w H2O). The catalytic rate displays a
strong positive dependence on [MeOAc] but is zero order in [MeI] above a limiting
threshold and independent of CO partial pressure above ca. 10 bar [176, 179, 180].
The heterogeneous catalyst commercialized for the Acetica TM process is based
on heterogenized homogeneous catalyst, rhodium complex immobilized on polyvinyl
pyridine resin, compatible with elevated temperature and pressure. Under reaction
conditions, the Rh is converted to its catalytically active anion form [Rh(CO)2l2]– already described for the Monsanto process. The terminal nitrogen atoms of the resin
pyridine groups become positively charged after quaternization with methyl iodide
and efficiently incorporate the rhodium catalytic anionic complex by strong electrostatic interactions [174].
21.7 Metathesis reactions
The olefin metathesis reaction was developed as an important method in organic
synthesis, as mentioned in 2005 when the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to
Yves Chauvin [181], Robert H. Grubbs [182] and Richard R. Schrock [183]. During the
metathesis reaction, the carbon–carbon double bonds in an olefin (alkene) are cut
and then rearranged in a statistical fashion (Fig. 21.111).
Fig. 21.111: Metathesis reactions.
The equilibrium is shifted to the right if one of the products, alkenes, is volatile
(ethylene is the best example) or easily removed. The role of ethylene is, however,
more important in the metathesis reactions (i.e., using a high pressure of ethylene
internal olefins can be converted to terminal olefins [184]. The concept was applied
for a wide variety of reactions:
Cross-metathesis (CM):
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Ring-closing metathesis (RCM): \
Ring-opening CM:
Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP):
Acyclic diene metathesis polymerization (ADMEP):
-Enyne metathesis:
The mechanism of the olefin metathesis reaction was first proposed by Chauvin
[185]. In time, the mechanism was experimentally supported and widely accepted
(Fig. 21.112). The catalyst containing a metal–carbon double bond (a metal alkylidene complex) reacts with the olefin (a [2 + 2] cycloaddition) forming a metallacyclobutane which breaks up in the opposite fashion to afford a new alkylidene
complex and the new olefin. The new olefin contains one methylene from the catalyst and one from the starting olefin, and the new metal alkylidene contains the alkylidene from the substrate olefin. The new metal alkylidene reacts with a new
molecule of the substrate olefin to yield another metallacyclobutane intermediate.
The cleavage of the metallacyclobutane intermediate in the forward direction yields
the internal alkene and the metal alkylidene is ready to enter another catalytic
cycle. Thus, each step in the catalytic cycle involves exchange of alkylidenes –
metathesis.
Metathesis is a reversible reaction but, in this case, removal of ethene drives
the reaction to completion.
The cycloaddition reactions of two alkenes to give cyclobutanes is symmetry
forbidden and occurs only photochemically but, in this case, the presence of d-orbitals on the metal alkylidene fragment breaks this symmetry and favor the reaction.
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Fig. 21.112: The mechanism of the olefin metathesis.
21.7.1 Cross-metathesis (CM)
The first catalysts active for metathesis reactions were high-valent transition metal
halide, oxide or oxo-halide with an alkylating cocatalyst such as an alkyl zinc or
alkyl aluminum placed on an alumina or silica support, like WCl6/SnMe4 or Re2O7Al2O3. Their use is limited due to their low tolerance for functional groups.
The formation of a metalacyclobutane during the metathesis reaction was supported by the experiment using Tebbe’s reagent, Cp2Ti(µ-Cl)(µ-CH2)AlMe2. Tebbe’s reagent forms Cp2Ti = CH2, which undergoes stoichiometric Wittig-like reactions with
ketones, aldehydes and other carbonyls, in the presence of strong bases, leading to
the corresponding methylene derivatives but, in addition, exhibits metathesis activity.
The mechanism of this reaction is identical to that of the olefin metathesis reaction
except that the final step is not reversible. Grubb’s studies showed the formation of
titanacyclobutane, the important intermediate in olefin metathesis (Fig. 21.113) [186].
Fig. 21.113: Generation of titanacyclobutane as intermediate in olefin metathesis.
The development of well-defined catalysts was the key to the impressive contribution of olefin metathesis in organic chemistry. Some of the catalysts (both Schrock
and Grubbs) became commercially available and the uses of olefin metathesis in
the synthesis of complex structures are impressive. Several reviews on the topic are
describing the synthesis of catalytic systems and their application in the metathesis
reactions [184, 187–193].
Schrock’s alkylidene complexes proved to be excellent catalysts for olefin metathesis (Fig. 21.114). Very good results were obtained using arylimido complexes of
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
tungsten and molybdenum (Ar′N)(RO)2Mo = CHR′ where Ar′ is typically 2,6-diisopropylphenyl, R′ can be virtually anything and R is neopentyl or neophyl (CMe2Ph) [189].
Fig. 21.114: Schrock’s alkylidene complexes.
These catalysts are exceedingly active, metathesizing over 1,000 equivalents of cis-2pentene to equilibrium in less than 1 min for R = CMe(CF3)2. The reactivity of these
catalysts can be tuned very easily by changing the nature of the alkoxide ligands. For
example, when R = tert-butyl, the complex reacts only with strained cyclic olefins,
making it an ideal ROMP catalyst. Although these catalysts are air and water sensitive, they have a high tolerance for functionality and are 100% active. The source of
their success comes from their coordinative and electronic unsaturation (making
them electrophilic) and their bulky ligands (prevents bimolecular decomposition).
The results are depending on the electronic properties of the olefin: better
yields are obtained for the electron-rich alkenes (Fig. 21.115) [194].
Fig. 21.115: Selective cross-metathesis reaction using Schrock’s alkylidene.
Grubbs developed a series of Ru catalysts with high tolerance to air and water, exploiting the preference of ruthenium for soft Lewis bases and π-acids, such as
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olefins, over hard bases, such as oxygen-based ligands (Fig. 21.116). In the ruthenium catalysts, the metal is not in its highest oxidation state as in the case of the
titanium-based or Schrock’s alkylidene catalysts [193].
Fig. 21.116: Grubbs’ catalysts.
For the first generation of Grubbs’ catalysts the phosphine ligands proved to be the
choice for high catalytic activity [195].
In the first two generations of Grubbs’ catalytic precursors, the ruthenium is in
a five-coordinated environment. In the next generations of Grubbs’ catalysts, the
replacement of one phosphine ligand by an NHC ligand resulted in a series of
highly active catalysts with enhanced catalytic initiation rate, turnover number,
stereoselectivity or lifetime. The favorable electron donation and steric bulk of the
NHC ligand is the source of the increase in metathesis activity and was related with
an increased rate of catalyst turnover. The replacement of another phosphine ligand with a weaker ligand, such as pyridine, resulted in an increase in activity up
to a factor of 104 relative to catalyst.
The active catalytic species are four-coordinated and are formed by dissociation of one of the neutral ligands. This is the reason why the complexes of bulky
tricyclohexylphosphine ligands are more effective than those containing triphenylphosphine ligands in the ruthenium-catalyzed metathesis of cyclooctene. The
remaining neutral ligand of the resulting 14-electron complex is responsible for
catalyst turnover.
The simple representation of CM reactions is presented in Fig. 21.117.
The homodimerization in CM of an olefin (Fig. 21.117 (A)) has its significance for
some processes, but, when two olefins are reacted (Fig. 21.117 (B)), the expected product is (a), while (b) and (c) are the results of homodimerization secondary reactions.
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 21.117: Cross-metathesis reactions.
CM became useful for organic synthesis after a general model for the prediction
of product selectivity, and stereoselectivity was elaborated based on investigation
of the reactivity of several classes of olefins, including substituted and functionalized styrenes, secondary allylic alcohols, tertiary allylic alcohols and olefins with
α-quaternary centers in the presence of a given catalyst. According to the relative
abilities of the olefins to undergo homodimerization via CM and the susceptibility
of their homodimers toward secondary metathesis reactions, the olefins were included in one of the four types: Type I – very reactive olefins toward homodimerization and whose homodimers can participate in CM as well as with their terminal
olefin counterpart (i.e., terminal olefins, allyl silanes, irrespective the catalyst);
Type II – slow homodimerization with homodimers sparingly reactive in subsequent metathesis reactions (allylic alcohols, ortho-substituted styrene with first- and
second-generation Grubbs’ catalysts); Type III – no homodimerization but reactive
with Type I and II olefins (1,1-dissubstituded olefins, trisubstituted olefins with nonbulky substituents catalyzed by second-generation Grubbs’ catalyst); Type IV – olefins inert to CM but not deactivate the catalyst (spectator) (protected trisubstituted
allyl alcohols or vinyl nitro olefins) in the presence of second-generation Grubbs’ catalysts or 1,1-disubstituted olefins in the presence of first-generation Grubbs’ catalyst
(Fig. 21.114), or Schrock catalyst (Fig. 21.114). There are also olefins that deactivate
the catalyst. Steric and electronic effects can influence the behavior of an olefin and
change from one type to another.
The homodimerization of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds by a metathesis
mechanism afforded only the E-isomer (Fig. 21.118) [196].
Fig. 21.118: Selective homodimerization of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds.
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21.7 Metathesis reactions
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An important reaction for the success of the CM is the secondary metathesis,
the reaction of a product olefin with the propagating catalyst. The secondary metathesis is the way to selective CM reaction. The accessibility of all products of reaction B (Fig. 21.117), to the catalyst, including the homodimers is the key to an
efficient secondary metathesis. It is also important that the desired cross-product is
not redistributed into a statistical product mixture by these same secondary metathesis events [197].
Nonselective CM occurs when two Type I olefins are reacting with similar rates
of homodimerization, and the reactivities of the homodimers and cross-products toward secondary metathesis events are high. In these reactions, the desired crossproduct will be equilibrated with the various homodimers through secondary
metathesis reactions resulting in a statistical product mixture.
The reaction between allylbenzene and protected allylic alcohols (1:2 equivalent) using ruthenium catalysts is an example of nonselective CM between two Type
I olefins (Fig. 21.120) [193].
Fig. 21.120: Nonselective cross-metathesis between two Type I olefins.
In other cases, an excess of nearly 10 equiv of one CM partner is needed to provide
90% of the CM product. Nonselective product mixtures are usually obtained even in
the CM reaction of two Type II olefins reacting with each other, although with lower
yield [196, 197].
The selective CM can be achieved in the reaction of two olefins from two different types, with significantly different rates of dimerization and/or slower than CM
the product formation. It is the case of the reaction of a Type I olefin with a less
reactive Type II or Type III olefin (the last two undergoes homodimerization at a
significantly lower rate or not at all). The product distribution, including the homodimers formed by Type I olefin, is driven toward the desired cross-product as ethylene is removed from the system preventing the regeneration of terminal olefins.
Type I homodimer readily undergoes secondary metathesis with Type II/III olefins.
Selective CM of Type I terminal olefins with Type II olefins such as α,β-unsaturated carbonyl olefins, including acrylates, acrylamides, acrylic acid and vinyl ketones, result in highly selective CM reactions with high (E/Z > 20:1) stereoselectivity
(Fig. 21.121) [198].
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 21.121: Ruthenium complex-catalyzed selective cross-metathesis of Type I terminal olefins
with Type II olefins.
Secondary allylic alcohols, Type II olefins, can be utilized in CM with moderateto-high cross-product yields and good stereoselectivity [199].
Grubbs’ catalysts for CM homodimerization of terminal olefins were proved to be
effective to prepare Z-isomers. The removal of the ethylene from the reaction mixture
prevents the decomposition of the catalyst (Fig. 21.122). Substrates like allylbenzene,
methyl undecenoate, allyl acetate, 1-hexene, allyl trimethylsilane, 1-octene and allyl
pinacol borane are reacting with very good yields and high selectivities [200].
Fig. 21.122: CM homodimerization of terminal olefins.
Cyclometalated ruthenium complexes with bulky NHC ligands are efficient catalysts for
Z-selective CM between acrylamides and common terminal olefins. The kinetic preference for CM is related to the presence of the pivalate anionic ligand (Fig. 21.123) [201].
Fig. 21.123: Cyclometalated ruthenium complexes active for Z-selective cross-metathesis.
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21.7 Metathesis reactions
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High E-selective (>98%) olefin CM reactions kinetically controlled occur between
two trans-olefins and between a trans-olefin and a terminal olefin using dithiolateligated ruthenium complexes Fig. 21.124 [202].
Fig. 21.124: Dithiolate-ligated ruthenium complexes active in
olefin cross-metathesis.
Steric bulk in the allylic position, as well as alkyl substitution directly on the double
bond, greatly reduces the rate of homodimerization and such olefins are classified as
Type 2 or 3. For example, the ketal of methylvinylketone gives a near-quantitative
yield of the cross-product, Fig. 21.125. Steric bulk also favors the E-isomer [190].
Fig. 21.125: Cross-metathesis of the methylvinylketone ketal with 6-acetyl-1-hexene.
21.7.2 Ring-closing metathesis (RCM)
RCM is a method to prepare rings without appreciable strain. The RCM reaction involves equilibria; therefore, running the experiment are usually conducted at low
dilution. Most of the reactions are intra- rather than intermolecular. Removal of the
volatile by-product drives the equilibrium to the ring-closed product. The catalysts
are selected to have good reactivity with terminal olefins and low reactivity with
internal ones.
The preparation of heterocycles is possible using both molybdenum or ruthenium catalysts. Early experiments afforded various functionalized heterocycles
with very good yields (Fig. 21.126) [203].
Seven- and eight-membered heterocycles, important intermediates for the synthesis of medicinally significant and structurally complex molecules, are accessible
through [2,6-Pri2 C6H5NMo{OC(CF3C6)2Me}2CHCMe2Ph] or the Grubbs’ catalyst [Cl2
{(c-C6 H11)3 P}2RuCHPh]-catalyzed RCM (Fig. 21.127). The efficiency of RCM does vary
depending on the substitution pattern of the substrate alkene and enol ether moieties [204, 205].
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 21.126: Ruthenium complexes catalyzed the preparation of heterocycles.
Fig. 21.127: Seven- and eight-membered heterocycles prepared by RCM.
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Cyclic tetra-substituted systems can be prepared using ruthenium-catalyzed RCM
(Fig. 21.128). A wide range of functionalities such as nitrogen-, oxygen-, sulfur-, silicon- and carbon-tethered groups, as well as very challenging fluorine and boron
atoms are tolerated. The heterocycles thus prepared are important intermediates for
the synthesis of compounds containing morpholine moiety [206].
Fig. 21.128: Ruthenium-catalyzed ring-closing metathesis.
Examples of enantioselective catalysis using a chiral metathesis catalyst are reported for both ruthenium and high-oxidation-state alkylidene complexes. The ruthenium RCM is illustrated in Fig. 21.129 [207].
Fig. 21.129: Ruthenium complex-catalyzed ring-closing enantioselective metathesis.
Asymmetric RCM using high-oxidation molybdenum alkylidene can be conducted
with solvent (Fig. 21.130 (1)) [208] or without a solvent, in green chemistry conditions (Fig. 21.130 (2)) [191].
A combination of transformations of ring-opening/CM affords new unsaturated systems. An important application is the preparation of chiral compounds
with a good control of stereochemistry of the new double bonds. Both chiral ruthenium and molybdenum catalysts promote highly selective asymmetric ringopening metathesis/CM. The choice of the catalyst is in close relation with the
structure of the substrates. The reaction of oxabicyclic and azabicyclic substrates
with styrene (Fig. 21.131) was used to exemplify the way different catalysts are acting for a given substrate [209, 210].
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 21.130: Asymmetric ring-closing metathesis run in solvent (1) or without a solvent (2).
Fig. 21.131: Chiral molybdenum alkylidene-catalyzed ring-opening/cross-metathesis.
21.7.3 Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP)
Some of the earliest commercial applications of olefin metathesis involved ROMP of
monomers containing strained, unsaturated rings to produce stereoregular and
monodisperse polymers and copolymers. The polymerization of dicyclopentadiene
(Fig. 21.132) is one of the best-known examples of ring-opening polymerization [211].
The mechanism of the ROMP reaction (Fig. 21.133) is identical with the mechanism of olefin metathesis and involves the same type of catalysts.
Initiation begins with coordination of a transition metal alkylidene complex to a cyclic olefin. Subsequent [2 + 2]-cycloaddition affords a four-membered metallacyclobutane
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Fig. 21.132: Ring-opening polymerization of dicyclopentadiene.
Fig. 21.133: Ring-opening polymerization mechanism.
intermediate, which effectively forms the beginning of a growing polymer chain. The
metallacyclobutane intermediate undergoes a cycloreversion reaction to afford a new
metal alkylidene with the same reactivity toward cyclic olefins like the initiator. The
propagation process takes place until all monomer is consumed, a reaction equilibrium
is reached or the reaction is terminated. If another monomer is added in the system, the
result is the formation of block copolymers [212].
The ROMP falls in the category of living polymerization [213]. The generally accepted definition of a living polymerization is as that of a chain polymerization proceeding without termination or transfer. The release of the polymer in living ROMP
reactions is achieved by the addition of a specialized reagent. Along with the selective removal and deactivation of the transition metal from the end of the growing
polymer chain, the reagent is introducing functional group in place of the metal. In
processes that are not living, ROMP products can deliver mixtures that contain
other cyclic or linear olefins formed by secondary metathesis processes.
The driving force for the ROMP reaction is the relief of ring strain. Olefins with
little or no ring strain cannot be polymerized because there is no thermodynamic
preference for polymer versus monomer. Strained cyclic olefins such as those
shown below have sufficient ring strain to make this process possible. Monomers
based on norbornene and norbornadiene derivatives are good candidates for ROMP
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
reactions. There are few examples of monocyclic olefins that have been polymerized
successfully in a living manner via ROMP although three-, four-, and eight-membered rings have the right strain for this purpose. ROMP of a wide variety of 3functionalized cyclobutenes containing ether, ester, alcohol, amine, amide and
carboxylic acid substituents have been conducted using (PCy3)2Cl2Ru = CHCH =
CPh2 and (PCy3)2Cl2Ru = CHPh [214].
ROMP of 3-methyl-3-phenylcyclopropene and 3-(2-methoxyethyl)-3-methylcyclopropene,using molybdenum alkylidenes as initiators (Fig. 21.134), led to the corresponding polymers with very good yield (94–97%). The reactions were quenched
through addition of excess benzaldehyde, which is known to react in a Wittig-like
manner to yield benzylidene-capped polymers [215, 216].
Fig. 21.134: ROMP of 3,3-disubstituted cyclopropane using Schrock’s catalyst.
The Grubbs’-type ruthenium initiator (H2IMes)(PCy3)Cl2RuCHC6H5 (H2IMes = 1,3-dimesitylimidazolidine) was proved to be a good initiator for polymerization of 3methyl-3-phenylcyclopropene.
An important property of an ROMP catalyst is to react with high cis-selectivity
(up to >98%) and high tacticity control (up to >98% syndiotactic). The preparation
of highly microstructurally controlled norbornene-, norbornadiene- and cyclopropene-derived polymers is thus possible. Molybdenum and tungsten alkylidene were
used successfully [217, 218].
Ring-opening polymerization of bistrifluoromethylnorbornadiene via enantiomorphic site control was achieved using molybdenum complex (Fig. 21.135) [216].
Norbornene ROMP (Fig. 21.136 (1)), with the addition of 1-octene as a chain
transfer agent (CTA), generated the polymer with high cis-content (>98%, Z-selectivity) and high syndiotacticity (>98%). The norbornadiene ROMP (Fig. 21.136 (2)) afforded the polymeric product in high yield with the same level of selectivity control
(97% cis, > 98% syndiotactic). Significant stereogenic metal control was observed in
the ROMP reaction of 3-methyl-3-phenylcyclopropene (Fig. 21.136 (3)), with very
high cis, syndioselectivity [219].
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Fig. 21.135: ROMP of bistrifluoromethylnorbornadiene.
Fig. 21.136: ROMP of norbornene (1), norbornadiene (2) and 3-methyl-3-phenylcyclopropene (3)
using Grubbs’ catalyst.
21.7.4 Acyclic diene metathesis polymerization (ADMEP)
The more suitable systems for the ADMET are α,ω-dienes. The general reaction is
described as follows (Fig. 21.137).
Fig. 21.137: Acyclic diene metathesis polymerization.
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
The formation and permanent removal of ethylene is the actual driving force of
these reactions. When functional dienes are the substrate for ADMEP, other elimination products are formed and must be removed to avoid polymerization–depolymerization equilibria.
The well-defined Mo-, W-, as well as Ru-based carbenes can act as catalysts for
the preparation of a wide variety of homo- and copolymers by ADMET process.
21.8 Polymerization
The transition metal-catalyzed polymerization of olefins is the source of the plastic
materials and one of very important industrial processes. The polyolefin products
have targeted applications in various fields such as health and medical, food packaging, pipes and fittings, consumer and durable goods, and rigid packaging. The
properties of ethylene-based polymers are defined by polymer’s molecular weight,
molecular weight distribution, short-chain branching (type and amount), shortchain branching distribution, long-chain branching level and block structure. To
obtain the appropriate polymeric material, specific catalytic systems and reaction
conditions/parameters are applied.
The breakthrough in the field of polymer chemistry marked by the simultaneous
discovery of Ziegler’s [220, 221] and Natta’s [222] groups in 1955 was the observation
that a mixture of TiCl4/AlEt3 is a good catalytic system for the polymerization of alkenes. Their discovery was rewarded with the Nobel Prize in 1963. The activation of a
metal halide by aluminum alkyls are generally referred to as Ziegler–Natta catalysis.
A representation of the polymerization reaction and the structure of various polymers
are presented in Fig. 21.138.
Fig. 21.138: Structure of polymers.
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21.8 Polymerization
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The most familiar plastics made via early transition metal-catalyzed polymerization include high-density polyethylene (HDPE, R = H), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE, R = mostly H with some Et, Bu or Hx), polypropylene (R = Me) and
ethylene–propylene–diene-modified rubber (EPDM, R = H, Me and alkenyl).
Mechanism. The commonly accepted mechanism for the olefin polymerization reaction is described in Fig. 21.139.
R
Fig. 21.139: Mechanism of the olefin polymerization.
The first step (I) is the coordination of an olefin via a π-bond to an electron-deficient metal center already containing a σ-transition metal–carbon bond to form a
weakly bound π-olefin complex (no or very weak back-donation). The next step is
the migratory insertion of the olefin into transition metal–carbon bond olefin via a
four-center transition state (II) forming new σ-metal–carbon and carbon–carbon
bonds (III). This step is exothermic by ~ 20 kcal/mol, the energy difference between
the carbon–carbon π- and σ-bonds. For typical early transition metal, d0 catalysts,
the activation energy is ~10 kcal/mol, making this a very facile reaction. The process is repeated extending the chain.
Chain growth can be terminated by β-hydride elimination, hydrogenolysis, the
incorporation of functional groups or adding main group organometallics in the polymerization mixture. The first, β-hydride elimination is thermodynamically favorable (the activation energy is ~30 kcal/mol plus the energy difference between the
metal–carbon and metal–hydrogen bonds).
β-Hydride elimination (Fig. 21.140) leads to polymers with vinyl (R = H) or vinylidene (R = Me, Et, Pr, etc.) end groups which, given the appropriate conditions, may
also be incorporated into the growing polymer chains giving long-chain branched
products affording branched copolymers (not always desirable).
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21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 21.140: Termination process by β-hydride elimination.
Another termination process of great practical use is hydrogenolysis (Fig. 21.141),
leading to polymers with saturated end groups:
Fig. 21.141: Termination process by hydrogenolysis.
The resulting metal hydride is prone to start a new fast-growing polymer chain, increasing the overall activity of the catalyst.
The incorporation of functional groups at the end of polyolefin chains offers an
opportunity to prepare polyolefin building blocks as starting point for polymers with
designed properties. The reactivity of the carbon–metal bond formed during the polymerization enables the fast and reversible chain transfer reactions between the active
metal center and a main group metal center (Fig. 21.142). Main group organometallics
used in the catalytic systems, that is, AlR3, MgR2 ZnEt2, BR3, GaR3, PbR4 or SnR4 act
as a reversible CTA according to the mechanism of degenerative chain transfer:
Fig. 21.142: Reversible chain transfer reactions between the active metal center and a main group
metal center.
Catalyzed chain growth on a main group metal became an efficient tool to functionalize polyolefins. The growth of the chains is looking like occurring on the main group
organometallic compound while being catalyzed by the active metal center [223, 224].
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21.8 Polymerization
405
Catalysts. The first olefin polymerization processes described by Ziegler and Natta
were conducted in heterogeneous systems consisting of a high-valent transition
metal halide, oxide or oxo-halide with alkyl aluminum as alkylating cocatalyst,
often prepared on supports: TiCl4/MgCl2/AlEt3, CrO3/Al2O3/AlEt3 and VOCl3/AlEt3.
As little is known about the nature of the actual catalytic species in these systems,
they are referred to as “Black box.” Although very active as catalysts they have a
very low tolerance for functional groups because of their Lewis acidic nature.
An important improvement was the discovery of the catalytic properties of the
high-valent transition metal complex Cp2ZrCl2 in combination with methylalumoxane [MeAlO]n, (MAO) (a hydrolysis product of AlMe3) by Kaminsky [225]. The catalytic system was active for the homopolymerization of ethylene to high-density
polyethylene. Rationally designed zirconium systems soon followed, that is, Et
(Ind)2ZrCl2/MAO (Ind = indenyl) for the synthesis of isotactic polypropylene and
Pri(Cp)(Flr)MCl2/MAO (M = Zr, Hf, Flr = fluorenyl), for the preparation of syndiotactic polypropylene [226, 227]. The activity of C2-symmetric ethanobridged-indenyl-titanocene/MAO system (Fig. 21.143), as the first example of an effective
homogeneous isospecific propylene polymerization catalyst, was demonstrated
by Ewen [226].
Fig. 21.143: Ethanobridged-indenyl-titanocene/MAO catalytic system.
Besides the good activity, these systems allowed a remarkable tunability via ligand
changes in the precatalyst complex. For example, the chiral-active site of the Kaminsky–Brintzinger catalytic system, in the presence of MAO (huge excess, Fig. 21.144),
generates isotactic polypropylene [228].
Fig. 21.144: Kaminsky–Brintzinger catalytic system.
A plethora of stereospecific olefin polymerization with chiral metallocene catalysts
was reported in the same period [229].
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406
21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
The catalytic systems are formed from the precatalyst and a cocatalyst. The typical metallocene precatalysts are neutral dichloride complexes of group IV transition
metals (LnMCl2; L = ancillary ligand, M = metal). The role of the cocatalyst is to abstract one halogen ion (Cl-abstraction) and to transform the resulting cation into the
catalytic-active species [LnM-R]+ (R = alkyl) by alkylation. The cocatalyst also provides
the counterion to the active species, determining the ion-pairing interactions crucial
for this type of catalysis. The activators and the activation processes have a great influence on the structure of the polymers [230, 231].
Methylaluminoxane (MAO), although still ill-defined oligomeric compound, is fulfilling the three roles, activator/alkylator/scavenger, effectively and simultaneously.
This excellent activator is comprised of a dynamic mixture of (MeAlO)n cages and trimethylaluminum, which reacts with the precatalyst likely via transient [AlMe2]+ species. The synthesis of polymers with a highly defined microstructure, tacticity and
stereoregularity as well as new cycloolefin, long-chain branched or blocky copolymers
with excellent properties was possible by using MAO as cocatalyst [232].
The borate salt Al-H-Al+[B(C6F5)4]− (Al-H-Al+ = [Bui2(DMA)Al]2(μ-H)+), stable at
room temperature, is a molecular activator able to completely activate dichloride
metallocene and prototypical post-metallocene precatalysts unlike the simpler
[AlBui2]+[B(C6F5)4]–. As little as 50 equiv of Al-H-Al+[B(C6F5)4]− are required for efficient catalyst activation and impurity scavenging, the orders of magnitude below
the amounts are usually required with MAO or AlBui3 [233].
After the discovery that the actual active species in catalytic process is the cation
[LnM-R]+ (R = alkyl), some cationic homogeneous catalysts like [Cp2Zr(CH2Ph)(THF)]
[BPh4] with weakly coordinating anions were described. Their synthesis started from
the reaction of early transition metal alkyl complexes, such as Cp′2ZrMe2 (Cp′ = methylcyclopentadienyl) with oxidizing tetraphenylborate salts, including AgBPh4 and
(Cp2Fe)BPh4 (Fig. 21.145) [234].
Fig. 21.145: Cationic catalyst for polymerization.
This type of catalysts have also exceptional tunability by the choice of various ligands [234].
The stereochemistry of the polymerization by the single-site polymerization catalysts is strongly related to the structure/symmetry of precatalyst. It was shown that
the five main symmetry categories are generally producing specific polymeric
structures: C2v and Cs-symmetric catalysts that have mirror planes containing the
two diastereotopic coordination sites typically produce atactic polymers or moderately
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21.8 Polymerization
407
stereoregular polymers by chain-end control mechanisms [235]. The Cs-symmetric catalysts that have a mirror plane reflecting two enantiotopic coordination sites frequently
produce syndiotactic polymers. C2-symmetric complexes, both racemic mixtures and
enantiomerically pure ones, typically produce isotactic polymers via a site control
mechanism (Fig. 21.146).
Fig. 21.146: C2-symmetric complex to produce isotactic polypropylene by migratory insertion/
coordination of the propene into Zr-polymer bond followed by coordination of a new propene
molecule on the vacant site.
The asymmetric C1 complexes produce polymer architectures ranging from highly isotactic, to atactic, including isotactic–atactic stereoblock and hemiisotactic [235]. The
particular behavior of each catalyst is not always falling within this scheme.
Nonmetallocene ligands with catalytic systems with improved comonomer incorporation, molecular weight and even variable tacticity have been developed
[223, 236, 237]. The scandium(III) complex, 21.147 (1), containing a ligand framework composed of cyclopentadienyl linked via a silicon dimethyl fragment to a tertbutylamido unit functioned as α-olefin oligomerization catalysts without the need
for an activator [238, 239].
The complexes depicted in Fig. 21.147 belong to the so-called “constrained geometry complex” (CGC) catalysts. The term “constrained geometry complex” was originally
used for complexes in which a bidentate ligand built from a π-bonded moiety (e.g.,
cyclopentadienyl or a derivative) linked to a donor atom by a bridge is coordinated to a
metal center in a chelate manner in such a way that the angle at the metal (between
the centroid of the π-system and the additional donor atom) is smaller compared to
unbridged complexes. In the same class of compound, other systems that are included
are as follows: (i) other ansa-complexes with η5:η1 coordination, where at least one of
the coordinating fragments of bridged cyclopentadienyl-amido complexes is replaced
by an isolobal fragment; (ii) other ansa-complexes with η5:η1 coordination, where at
least one of the coordinating fragments is not isolobal to the formally replaced fragments of bridged cyclopentadienyl-amido complexes; and (iii) other ansa-complexes
with a coordination mode different from η5:η1 coordination [243].
The CGCs used for copolymerization of ethylene and α-olefins gave better results compared to metallocenes and metallocenophanes, probably, due to a more
Lewis acidity of the transition metal center. The decreased tendency of the bulk
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408
21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
Fig. 21.147: Constrained geometry complex (CGC) catalysts: (1) [239], (2) [240] (3–4) [241]
and (5–9) [242].
polymer chain to undergo chain transfer reactions is one of the advantages. The
high thermal stability of alkyl and dialkyl CGCs allows higher polymerization temperatures compared with the metallocene catalysts.
Activation of titanium(II) CGC diene complexes can be achieved with common
activators such as MAO and B(C6F5)3 [244] or with other boron derivatives like carboranes [245]. The reaction of both metallocene and CGCs with dienes and B(C6F5)3
led to zwitterionic species containing a cationic transition metal center with only
weak stabilization by the counter-ion, acting as single-component olefin polymerization catalysts with no additional cocatalyst required [246–248]. To exemplify, the
reaction of Cp2M(C4H6) (M = Zr, Hf) with B(C6F5)3 afforded Cp2Zr(+)(µ-C4H6)B(–)(C6F5)3
[248] and [(C5H4)SiMe2(N-t-Bu)]M(C4H6) (M = Ti, Zr) with B(C6F5)3 afforded [(C5H4)
SiMe2(N-t-Bu)]M(+)(µ-C4H6)B(–)(C6F5)3 [247]. The structure of the Zr compounds features the butadiene bound as an η3-allyl, a dative Zr←F-C(ortho) interaction and a single Zr(+) . . . H’-CB(–) agostic interaction (Fig. 21.148) [247].
Stoichiometric reaction between constrained geometry precatalyst [(η5-C5Me4)
(SiMe2-N-t-Bu)]TiMe2 and [Ph3C][HCB11Cl11] with ortho-difluorobenzene (o-C6H4F2)
led to the formation of a complex containing a cationic μ-CH3 dimer and an unassociated carborane anion, as shown by single-crystal X-ray analysis (Fig. 21.149) [245].
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21.8 Polymerization
409
Fig. 21.148: Zwitterionic species acting as single-component olefin polymerization catalysts [248].
Fig. 21.149: Cationic μ-CH3 dimer.
The reaction of [Me3NH][HCB11Cl11] in a 2:1 mixture of C6D6 and o-C6H4F2 with
[(η -C5Me4)(SiMe2-N-t-Bu)]TiMe2 led to a cationic titanium complex and the anionic
carborane (Fig. 21.150) [245].
5
Fig. 21.150: Titanium cationic complex with anionic carborane.
In search of more efficient catalyst systems affording tailored (co)polymers and
technologies meeting the demands of green chemistry, the combination of already
known different single-site catalysts in a “single” multisite catalyst seems to be a
very good solution. The development of microreactors, embedded in the catalyst, to
create a virtual nanometer-scale cascade within the catalyst and the polyolefin
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410
21 Transition metal organometallics in organic syntheses
particles is one of the choices [237]. Interaction of sites via chain shuttling or molecular switching of sites enables the formation of a wide variety of segmented polyolefins. High-throughput screening enables identification of complementary singlesite catalysts with matched compatibilities and polymerization kinetics.
The development of catalytic chain transfer polymerization, already mentioned before, also became known as chain shuttling [249, 250] and molecular switching of sites
by catalytic group transfer polymerization on a single-site catalyst [251–254] high precision in block copolymer synthesis. This progress opens a new dimension for tailoring
polyolefin block copolymers and also many other hydrocarbon materials.
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Index
1,6-diphenyl hexadiene 197
18 electron rule 159, 164, 243
18-electron rule 168, 202, 204–205
actinides 231, 246
acyclic diene metathesis polymerization
(ADMEP) 388
agostic bond 255
agostic interaction 325, 328, 366
alcoxytitanium reagents 250
alkali metals 7, 29, 281
alkali metal synergistic reagent 292
alkali-metal-mediated metallation 289
alkenylsilacyclobutanes 349
alkenylzinc reagents 310
alkoxytitanium reagents 310
alkylidenation 316
alkylidenation of esters 316
alkylidenations 312
alkyllithium–lithium aminoalkoxide 289
alkynylsilanols 353
allylic zinc reagents 301
aminotitanium reagents 311
anti-bimetallic compounds 247
antimony heterocycles 121
Arduengo carbenes 12
arsole 241
arylantimony tetrachlorides 117
arylstibonic acids 116
asymmetric hydroformylation 373–375
asymmetric hydrogenation 378–384
asymmetric ring-opening metathesis/cross
metathesis (AROM/CM) 397
ate complexes 310
azacrown 54, 139
azaferrocene 241
back donation 9–10
benzene 11, 50, 237, 239
benzene bridge 250
benzylsodium 280
bidentate diolefins 185
bimetallic compound 239, 290
binary carbonyls 170
binary metal carbonyls 163, 165
binary metal–allyl complexes 196
binuclear metal carbonyls 165
bis(cyclopentadenyl)dizinc 142
bis(cyclopentadienyl) beryllium 34
bis-cyclopentadienyllead(II) 98
bis(η3-allylic) compound 197
bis(η5-cyclopentadienyl) metal sandwich 226
bond energies 6
bromine–zinc exchange 310
butadiene 186, 212, 222, 408
carbanion 7, 279–280, 282
carbene 12, 174–175, 264
carbenes 12, 174
carbide 14–15
carbon monosulfide 171
carbon monoxide 163, 369, 386
carbone 13
carbonyl bridges 166, 233
carbonyl halide anions 170
carbonylation 323, 385–387
carbynes 13
catalysts for olefin metathesis 389
catalytic chain transfer polymerization 410
catalytic cycle 332–333, 347, 361, 376, 386, 388
catalytic cycle of hydroformylation 370
catalyzed chain growth (CCG) 404
cation–anion separation 7
C−C bond formation 339
centroligand 23, 44, 53, 153
centroligands 24, 54, 60, 125–126
chlorotitanium reagents 310
cobalt-catalyzed hydroformylation 369
complexes with distibane ligands 124
complex-induced proximity effect (CIPE) 282
conjugated cyclic dienes 211
constrained geometry complex\ (CGC)
catalysts 407
coordinative unsaturation 143–144, 324
copper free Sonogashira cross-coupling 360
covalent bond 279
covalent metal–carbon bond 5
cross-coupling organolithium 353
cross-coupling reactions 323, 331–332, 334,
354, 361
cross-metathesis 387, 391, 393
crown ethers 54
cubane 40, 55, 84, 94, 140–141, 146, 151
cubane structures 40, 55, 146
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110695274-023
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424
Index
cyclic monoolefins 179
cyclic polystannanes 93
cyclic stibanes 121
cyclic supermolecules 19
cyclobutadiene 212, 214–218, 220, 247
cyclodecadiene-1,6 186
cycloheptatriene 11, 203–204, 237, 243
cyclohexadiene-1,3 186–187, 198, 211,
220–221
cyclohexadienyl 225, 238
cyclononatriene-1,4,7 188
cyclooctadiene 185–187, 237
cyclooctadiene-1,5 187
cyclooctatetraene 11, 44, 185–188, 201, 215,
222, 245–246
cyclooctene 184, 237
cyclopentadiene 11, 231, 233
cyclopentadienyl 225, 231
cyclopentadienyl zinc 137
cyclopentadienyltitanium reagents 311
cyclopolystannanes 74
cyclopropenyl 204
cyclostannathianes 81
cyclostibanes 122
dative coordinate bonds 19
dialkylstannylenes 73
dicyclopentadienyltitanacyclobutane 313
diethylmercury 147
dimethylgallium hydroxide 60
dimethylmercury 31, 35, 57
dimethylthallium hydroxide 65
dinuclear metal carbonyls 168
diorganoaminostibines 119
diorganoantimony halides 112
diorganoantimony thiolates 119
diorganoantimony(V) trihalides 115
diorganoberyllium 34, 36
diorganocadmium 143
diorganocalcium 41
diorganogallium monohalides 59
diorganoindium halides 61
diorganolead oxides 100
diorganolead sulfides 101
diorganomercury derivatives 147
diorganothallium halide 64
diorganotin dihalides 77
diorganotin oxide 79
diorganozinc 137–138
diphenylberyllium 35
diphenylcyclopropenylidene 174
diphenylzinc 138
diplumbanes 102
diplumboxanes 100
direct metallation groups (DMG) 282
distannanes 89
distannenes 89
distannoxanes 78
distannynes 90
distibenes 121
distiboxanes 116
disubstituted acetylenes 218
effective atomic number 159, 164, 226, 259
eight-electron donor 245
electronic structure of transition metals 159
electron-rich olefins 177
element–carbon bonds 3
ethylene 10, 178, 181–182, 184
ethylene complexes 10, 179
extent of metallation (EoM) 286
ferrocene 226–227, 229–230, 239, 242
Fischer carbenes 12, 330
fluoride-free Hiyama–Denmark cross-coupling
reactions 351
functionalized Grignard reagent 336
fused bicyclic 24
Grignard 279
Grignard organomagnesium compound 37
Grignard reagents 39–40, 286–288, 293, 303,
306–307, 333, 335–336
Grubbs’ catalysts 391–392, 394
halomagnesium amides 294
hapto symbol 11
Hauser bases 294
Heck reactions 331
heterobimetallic carbonyls 163
heterobimetallic metal carbonyls 168
heterocyclic carbenes 50, 174
heterocyclic silanolates 353
heterocyclic stibines 110
heterocyclic stibinic acids 117
heterocyclic stiboles 110
heteroleptic olefin complexes 179
hexaalkyldistannanes 74
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Index
hexalithiobenzene 30
hexaorganotin disulfides 81
hexastannanes 92
higher ate complexes 289
higher order tetraorganozincates 309
Hiyama cross-coupling reactions 349
Hiyama–Denmark cross-coupling 332
homodimerization in cross-metathesis 391
homodimerization secondary reactions 391
homogeneous asymmetric
hydrogenation 375
homogeneous catalytic hydrogenation 376
homogeneous hydrogenation 323, 381
homoleptic compounds 5
homoleptic sandwich complexes 237
host-guest complex 38
hydride abstraction 179–180, 240
hydroformylation 369–370, 372
hydrogen bonds 19–20
hydrogenation 183, 369, 375, 379
hydrogen-metal exchange 30, 293
hypervalent gallium anions 59
hypervalent organocalcium anion 42
hypervalent tin anions 71
hypervalent trisubstituted magnesium 38
indacene 251
intermolecular association 19
inverse coordination 36, 125–126, 139,
142, 152
inverse coordination complex anions 78
inverse coordination complexes 14–15, 38,
53–54, 60, 84–88, 125
inverse crown ether 39
inverse organoantimony 112
inverse organolithium compound 30
inverse organomercury compounds 152
inverse organometallic compounds 23, 59
inverse organometallics 23
inverse organotin compounds 75
inverse sandwich 24, 43–44, 247–252, 259
Inverse sandwich complexes 247
ionic character 5, 7
ionic interaction 279
iron pentacarbonyl 168–169
isocyanides 172, 174
isocyanides 173
Kumada–Tamao–Corriu coupling 332
425
lanthanides 231, 246, 249
lead heterocycles 97
lithium alkynyl trimethylaluminates 291
lithium precomplexation 283
lithium triorganomagnesates 291
lithium–halogen exchange 355
Lochmann–Schlosser superbase 292
lone pair–π-arene 19
lone pair–π-arene interactions 22
lower ate complexes 289
lower order triorganozincate 309
macrocyclic diacetylenes 218
magnesiation 296, 301
magnesium amide-mediated halogen
dance 298
magnesium ate complexes 291
magnesium pivalate 301
magnesium–bromine exchange 298
magnesium–halogen exchange 303–304
magnesium–hydrogen exchange 298
mechanism of the olefin metathesis 388
metal carbonyl halides 170
metal carbonyl isocyanides 173
metal carbonyls 9, 163, 167–168, 170–171, 195
metal silanolates 351
metal-isocyanide halides 173
metal-metal bond 161
metal–carbene complex 174
metal–carbon bond 3, 257, 279, 333
metal–carbonyl anions 164, 168
metal–carbonyl cations 169
metal–halogen exchange 289–290, 293, 303
metal–hydrogen exchange 289, 294, 298
metal–isocyanide 172
metal–metal bond 165
methylenation 314–315
methylenation methods 312
methylpotassium 31
migratory insertion 323, 327–328, 366, 370,
373, 376, 403
migratory insertion of CO 328
migratory insertions of a π-system 328
migratory insertions of alkenes 329
mixed alkali metal superbases 289
Mizoroki–Heck reaction 363
mononuclear isocyanides 174
mononuclear metal carbonyls 164–165
monoorganogallium halides 59
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426
Index
Murahashi–Feringa cross-coupling 332
Murahashi–Feringa cross-coupling
reactions 353
naphthalene 7, 250
natural bite angle 371–373
natural bite angle (βn) of the diphosphine
ligands 371
Negishi cross-coupling 298, 332, 335
Negishi cross-coupling reactions 308, 337, 340
Negishi-Plus couplings 339
neutral metal carbonyls 168
N-heterocyclic carbene 342, 357, 362–363,
391, 394
N-heterocyclic carbene complexes 342
N-heterocyclic carbene ligands 362
N-heterocyclic carbenes 12
nickel 15, 273
nickel tetracarbonyl 169
nonselective cross-metathesis 393
nucleophilic addition 287, 291
nucleophilic attack 258, 284, 323, 328–330, 364
nucleophilic attack on π-coordinated alkenes,
alkynes and arenes 331
nucleophilic attack to coordinated ligands 323
olefin complexes 179
olefin metathesis 323, 387, 389
one-carbon homologative esterification 288
one-electron ligands 161
organoaluminum 50
organoaluminum anions 50
organoantimony oxides 116
organoantimony(III) halides 113
organoantimony(III) sulfides 119
organoantimony(lll) dithiolates 119
organobarium 43
organoberyllium halides 36
organobismuth compounds 127
organobismuth halides 129
organobismuth(III) halides 129
organocadmium 142–145
organocadmium compounds 145
organocadmium halides 145
organodiaminostibines 119
organogallium 56
organoindium 61
organoindium dihalides 62
organolead 96
organolead carboxylates 101
organolead halides 97, 99
organolithium 29–30, 32, 56, 63, 96–97, 110,
261, 279
organolithium reagent for the crosscoupling 355
organolithium reagents 353, 357, 359
organolithium-sensitive functionalities 358
organomagnesium 37
organomercury 29, 31–32, 48, 57, 61, 64, 137,
143, 146, 148–150
organomercury alkoxides 151
organomercury halides 147, 149
organomercury hydroxides 151
organometallic π-tweezers 264
organopotassium 32
organosodium 31
organostannanes 344–345
organostrontium 43
organothallium 62
organotin 344–345
organotin alkoxides 80
organotin carboxylates 79
organotin halides 19, 77–78, 80
organotin heterocycles 70, 89
organotin hydrides 76
organotin hydroxides 79
organotin inverse coordination complexes
87, 89
organotin sulfides 80
organotin thiolato derivatives 82
organotin trihydrides 92
organotin(II) compounds 73
organotitanium reagents 310–312
organozinc 31
organozinc compounds 137–138, 290, 337
organozinc halides 140
organozinc hydrides 139
ortho-lithiation 282, 284, 286, 306
ortho-metallation 258, 281, 286, 293
oxidative addition 73, 118, 258, 323–326,
332–333, 337, 345, 347, 361–362, 364,
366–367, 370, 373, 375–376, 379,
385–386
palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling
reactions 333
palladium-catalyzed cross-couplings 359
pentamethylantimony 110
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Index
pentaphenylantimony 110–112
pentaphenylbismuth 128
pentaplumbane 102
pentastannane 92
pentastannanes 92
PEPPSI – pyridine-enhanced precatalyst
preparation stabilization and
initiation 335
Petasis reagent 313, 315
phenyllithium 281
phenylsodium 280–281
Phosphaferrocenes 241
phosphine-modified cobalt catalysts 369–370
platinum π-olefin complexes 181
plumbonic acid 100
polar electrophiles 325
polar organometallics 19, 279, 289–290,
310–312
polycyclic stannanes 94
polyfunctionalized Grignard reagent 304
polymerization 48, 323, 402
polynuclear carbonyls 164, 167–168
polynuclear compounds 163
polystannane 89
polystannanes 74, 91
reductive elimination 94, 323, 326, 330, 333,
347, 361, 370, 373, 376, 386
regioselective diester olefination 314
regioselective hydroformylation 371
rhenium 14
rhodium 374, 383, 385–386
ring-closing metathesis (RCM) 388, 397
ring-opening cross-metathesis (ROCM) 388
ring-opening metathesis polymerization
(ROMP) 388, 398
sandwich complexes 138
Schlenk equilibrium 40, 287, 304
Schlenk’s equilibrium 287
Schrock carbenes 12, 314
Schrock’s alkylidene catalysts 391
Schrock’s alkylidene complexes 389
secondary bonds 19–20
selective cross-metathesis 393
selective deprotonating agents 293
selective hydroformylation 373
selenocarbonyl complexes 172
self-assembly 19
427
semibonds 19–20
Shlenk equilibrium 231
silacyclopentadiene heterocycles 240
silyl-Negishi cross-coupling 340
sodium cyclopentadienide 31, 228–230,
233–235, 239
soft–soft 19–20
solid zinc pivalates 342
Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions 360
stannatranes 80
stannazane 83
stannocene 73
stannylation 346
stereoselective cross-coupling 339, 341
stibine sulfides 118
stibinic acids 117
stibinous-acid esters 118
stibonic acids 115, 117, 122
Stille cross-coupling 332
Stille cross-coupling reactions 344
strontium 44
subvalent diorganogallium cations 58
subvalent methylmagnesium cation 38
subvalent tetrahedral antimony(V) cations 111
supramolecular 19, 114, 140
supramolecular assemblies 19
supramolecular association 8, 19–20
supramolecular chain 30–31, 57
supramolecular chemistry 19
supramolecular oligomers 37
supramolecular organometallic assemblies 21
supramolecular self-assembly 19
Suzuki and Suzuki-Myaura cross-couplings 332
Suzuki cross-coupling reactions 347
Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling
reactions 347–348
synergistic effects 289
Tebbe selective methylenation 314
Tebbe’s reagent 312–314, 389
tertiary stibines 109, 111, 113, 121
tetraalkylantimony thiolates 119
tetraalkyldistannanes 74
tetraalkylstibonium halides 111
tetraethyllead 96
tetrakis(allyl) metal complexes 197
tetrakis(trimethyltin)methane 75
tetramethyllead 96–97
tetranuclear carbonyls 166
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428
Index
tetraorganoantimony alkoxides 118
tetraorganoantimony(V) halides 114
tetraorganodistibanes 120–121
tetraorganostannane 77
tetraorganostibonium salts 111
tetraorganotin compounds 69, 344
tetraorganozinc anions 138
tetraphenylbismuthonium chloride 128
tetraphenylbismuthonium salts 128
tetraphenyldistibane 121
tetraphenylpentalene 251
tetrastannanes 91–92
the cationic (polar) Heck reactions 364
the nonpolar Heck reactions 364
thiocarbonyl complexes 171
titanacyclobutane 389
titanocene 225, 228
titanocene dichloride 316
titanocene methylidene 313
trans/cis-isomerization 333
transition metal hydrides 330
transition metal-catalyzed polymerization 403
transition metals organometallics 323
transmetallation 29, 284, 290, 301, 333, 347,
349, 351, 361
trialkylstibines 109
trialkylsubstituted bismuth 128
triarylbismuth hydroxyhalides 130
triarylstibine imines 120
triarylstibines 109, 116
tricentric bielectronic bonding 8
tricyclic aromatic 24
tricyclic stibanes 123
trigonal planar carbene 176
trimethylaluminum 8
trimethylenemethyl free radical 223
trimethylindium 61
trimethyltin hydroxide 79
trinuclear carbonyls 166
triorganoaluminum 47, 49
triorganoantimony dithiolates 119
triorganoantimony(V) dihalides 114
triorganoantimony(V) hydroxides 116
triorganobismuth dichlorides 130
triorganobismuth(V) dihalides 129
triorganogallium 57
triorganogallium monohalides 59
triorganoindium 61
triorganolead oxides 100
triorganolead sulfides 101
triorganostibines 109, 112
triorganostibines as ligands 124
triorganozinc anions 138
triphenylbismuth 128, 130
triphenylbismuth dichloride 128
triphenylcyclopropenium salt 205
triphenyllead hydroxide 100
triphenylthallium 63
triple decker sandwiches 247
tristannane 92–93
tristannanes 91
tristannylamines 84
trisubstituted organotin free radicals 74
turbo-Grignard reagents 303
turbo-Hauser bases 294
turbo-reagents 293–294, 300
two-step stannylation/Stille crosscoupling 346
univalent aluminum 56
unsaturated ligands 329–330
uranocene 246
vinylbismuth dichloride 129
zinc pivalate 301
zinc-containing turbo-reagents 298
zinc–halogen exchange 307, 309–310
α-hydrogen abstraction 255, 261
β-alkyl elimination 255
β-elimination 5–6, 256
β-hydride elimination 255, 327, 329, 336, 342,
366–367, 403
η3-allyl 331
η3-allyl metal complexes 196
η3-allylic dimers 198
η3-connectivity 195, 203
η3-cycloheptadienyl 202
η3-cycloheptatrienyl 202
η3-cyclohexenyl 202
η3-cyclopentadienyl 202
η4-complexes 211, 220, 223
η4-connectivity 211
η4-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene 215
η5-cyclopentadienyl 225
η5-cyclopentadienyl thallium 64
η6 hexahapto connectivity 237
EBSCOhost - printed on 2/13/2023 2:26 AM via . All use subject to https://www.ebsco.com/terms-of-use
Index
η6-complexes 243
η7-cycloheptatrienyl complexes 243
η8-complexes 245
η8–cyclooctatetraene complexes 246
π-acceptors 264
π-allylic complexes 195
π-bonding 10
π-electrons 159
π-ligand 159
π-olefin complex 331, 403
π-unsaturated ligands 323
σ-alkyl 161, 179
σ-aryl 161
σ-donor 171, 264, 324
σ-donor ligands 324
σ-metal-carbon bond 161
σ-transition metal–carbon 257
σ-transition metal–carbon bonds 255
EBSCOhost - printed on 2/13/2023 2:26 AM via . All use subject to https://www.ebsco.com/terms-of-use
429
EBSCOhost - printed on 2/13/2023 2:26 AM via . All use subject to https://www.ebsco.com/terms-of-use