Studies of the Reactivity of Permethylzirconocene Complexes with Binuclear Transition Metal Carbonyl Compounds

<p>The low valent permethylzirconocene complex {Cp*<sub>2</sub>ZrN<sub>2</sub>}<sub>2</sub>N<sub>2</sub> (Cp*≡η<sup>5</sup>-C<sub>5</sub>Me<sub>5</sub>) reacts with binuclear transition metal carbonyl compounds...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Berry, Donald Harry
Format: Others
Language:en
Published: 1984
Online Access:https://thesis.library.caltech.edu/11245/1/Berry_DH_1984.pdf
Berry, Donald Harry (1984) Studies of the Reactivity of Permethylzirconocene Complexes with Binuclear Transition Metal Carbonyl Compounds. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/yahb-n031. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:10242018-111901394 <https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:10242018-111901394>
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Summary:<p>The low valent permethylzirconocene complex {Cp*<sub>2</sub>ZrN<sub>2</sub>}<sub>2</sub>N<sub>2</sub> (Cp*≡η<sup>5</sup>-C<sub>5</sub>Me<sub>5</sub>) reacts with binuclear transition metal carbonyl compounds of the general formula Cp<sub>2</sub>M<sub>2</sub>(CO)<sub>x</sub> (Cp≡η<sup>5</sup>-C<sub>5</sub>H<sub>5</sub>) to produce trinuclear complexes. Two major modes of reactivity are observed. Compounds with M-M bonds that are easily reduced such as (CpM(CO)<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub> (M = W, Mo) react with {Cp*<sub>2</sub>ZrN<sub>2</sub>}<sub>2</sub>N<sub>2</sub> to produce trinuclear species in which two CpM(CO)<sub>3</sub> anions are connected to a Cp*<sub>2</sub>Zr dication via µ<sub>2</sub>-(C-η<sup>1</sup>; O-η<sup>1</sup>) carbonyl bridges. The structure of the molybdenum complex has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. These trinuclear complexes are also produced in the reaction of the Cp*<sub>2</sub>ZrRR'(R,R' = H,alkyl) with two equivalents of the hydride complexes CpM(CO)<sub>3</sub>H· The dinuclear complexes Cp*<sub>2</sub>M(H)(CpMo(CO)<sub>3</sub>)(M = Zr, L = PMe<sub>3</sub>; M = Hf, L = CO) have been similarly prepared by treatment of the zirconium or hafnium dihydride with the corresponding molybdenum hydride. The trinuclear complexes react with HX (X = Cl, OH) to produce CpM(CO)<sub>3</sub>H and Cp*<sub>2</sub>ZrX<sub>2</sub>.</p> <p>The other mode of reactivity between {Cp*<sub>2</sub>ZrN<sub>2</sub>}<sub>2</sub>N<sub>2</sub> and metal dimers is observed with (CpM(CO)<sub>2</sub>)<sub>2</sub> (M = Fe, Ru). In these cases trinuclear complexes are produced in which two carbonyl ligands are reductively coupled yielding an O<sub>2</sub>C<sub>2</sub> moiety bridging the three metals. This coupling is reversible and the Zr(II) intermediate can be trapped with CO or other metal dimers. The iron analog is also produced in the reaction of Cp*<sub>2</sub>ZrI<sub>2</sub> with Na(CpFe(CO)<sub>2</sub>).</p> <p>The reaction of {Cp*<sub>2</sub>ZrN<sub>2</sub>}<sub>2</sub>N<sub>2</sub> with the bridging methylene complex cis-Cp<sub>2</sub>Ru<sub>2</sub>(CO)<sub>3</sub>(CH<sub>2</sub>) does not result in carbonyl coupling, yielding instead what appears on the basis of spectroscopic data to be a π-complex between permethylzirconocene and cis-Cp<sub>2</sub>Ru<sub>2</sub>(CO)<sub>3</sub>(CH<sub>2</sub>) held together only by µ<sub>2</sub>-(C-η<sup>1</sup>; C,O-η<sup>2</sup>) bridging carbonyl ligands.</p> <p>The ruthenium carbonyl coupled product, Cp*<sub>2</sub>Zr(O<sub>2</sub>C<sub>2</sub>)Ru<sub>2</sub>Cp<sub>2</sub>(CO)<sub>2</sub>, reacts under H<sub>2</sub> to produce the bridging zirconoxy carbene complex trans-Cp<sub>2</sub>Ru<sub>2</sub>(CO)<sub>3</sub>(C(H)OZr(H)Cp*<sub>2</sub>). This complex is fluxional on the <sup>1</sup>H and <sup>13</sup>C NMR timescales. ΔG<sup>‡</sup> for this process is 14.0(2) kcal·mol<sup>-1</sup> at -4°C. The fluxionality is best explained by a process involving a terminal carbine intermediate. The carbene formation is reversible, and treatment with D<sub>2</sub> results in label incorporation in both the hydride and carbene hydrogen positions. Reaction with CO produces Cp*<sub>2</sub>Zr(CO)<sub>2</sub>, (CpRu(CO)<sub>2</sub>)<sub>2</sub> and presumably H<sub>2</sub>. Treatment with BF<sub>3</sub> or HBF<sub>4</sub> results in C-O scission and produces the bridging methylene complex Cp<sub>2</sub>Ru<sub>2</sub>(CO)<sub>3</sub>(CH<sub>2</sub>). Labeling studies indicate both methylene hydrogens originate on zirconium. This bridging methylene complex can be synthesized in 60% yield by treatment of (CpRu(CO)<sub>2</sub>)<sub>2</sub> with LiBEt<sub>3</sub>H in toluene.</p>