Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 300-323).

published_or_final_version / Chemistry / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Chemistry / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

The first example of an N,N'-chelated [beta]-diketiminato phosphenium salt has been isolated by careful tuning of both the ligand architecture and the electronic characteristics of the phosphorus containing moiety. Using a two-electron reduction approach, the first example of a phosphinidene valence isomer has been isolated and structurally characterized. The mechanism of formation of this valence isomer was elucidated via Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. These calculations revealed that the formation of this valence isomer involves the intermediacy of a triplet diradical. In turn, the triplet diradical decays by two further steps to generate the observed product. A cationic phosphinous acid has been prepared via the hydrolysis of a cationic phosphenium complex in basic solution. DFT calculations reveals that the introduction of a positive charge stabilizes the phosphinous acid form. Two N,C-bonded phosphenium cation salts have also been obtained, the crystal structures of which reveal that the formation of these compounds involves C-H activation of a methyl group on the [beta]-diketiminate ligand. Three synthetic methods, namely halide abstraction, aluminum/boron halide exchange process and salt metathesis, have been explored for the preparation of boron cations supported by [beta]-diketiminate ligands. The first structurally characterized boron cation supported by a [beta]-diketiminate ligand has been isolated as its [Al₂Cl₇]⁻ salt. A Ga-Fe organometallic complex supported by a [beta]-diketiminate ligand has also been synthesized via salt metathesis reaction and fully characterized. Finally, several bisamidinate supported boron complexes have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Such complexes may have applications as bifunctional catalysts or as building blocks for novel polymers.

The chemistry and bonding of alkynes and vinylidenes in organometallic complexes have been investigated. A variety of these complexes have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography, temperature-dependent NMR, molecular orbital calculations, and most importantly, HeI, HeII and MgKα photoelectron spectroscopy (PES). The core and valence ionizations are found to be very informative with regard to the relative bond strengths and stabilities of these complexes. The first step involved preparation of the series of complexes R-CpM(CO)₂(alkyne) (R-Cp = Cp, MeCp and Me₅Cp). When M = Mn, Re (alkyne = 3-hexyne, 2-butyne and hexafluoro-2-butyne), the molecular mirror plane bisects the alkyne (horizontal conformation). PES shows the alkyne (π(⊥)) orbital forms a filled-filled interaction with the frontier metal orbital which is significantly destabilized. The ionizations derived from the two alkyne π orbitals are not split. When M = V, the alkyne (C₂H₂, 3-hexyne, etc.) coincides with the molecular mirror plane (vertical conformation). PES shows the alkyne π(⊥) orbital donates electrons to the electron deficient vanadium and the metal backbonds strongly to the alkyne. Electronic factors controlling the conformations in the d⁶ manganese case has been much discussed in the literature. Another factor not previously identified is necessary for understanding the conformation in the d⁴ vanadium case. The energy of the LUMO reveals that this factor is donation of cyclopentadienyl electrons into an empty d orbital of the electron deficient vanadium. Rearrangement of alkyne complexes to terminal vinylidene and bridging vinylidene complexes, similar to reactions of organic molecules on metal surfaces, were also investigated. The series of [R-CpMn(CO)₂]₂(μC=CHR') (R' = H, Me) (Chapter 6) and CpMn(CO)₂(C=CHBuᵗ) (Chapter 7) complexes were prepared. PES showed that the terminal vinylidene ligand has less filled-filled interaction with the metal and stabilizes the metal more than the alkyne does. The bridging vinylidene accepts more electron density from the metals and stabilizes the metals more than the terminal vinylidene. The removal of antibonding electrons from the HOMO of the metal fragment by the bridging vinylidene leaves net metal-metal bonding interaction and forms a stable dimetallocyclopropane structure.

published_or_final_version / Chemistry / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Chemistry / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Chemistry / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Chemistry / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Chemistry / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy