Diese Arbeit behandelt Experimente zur Messung transienter Elektronendichte-Verteilungen mit der Femtosekunden-Röntgenbeugung. Es werden verschiedene Methoden der Röntgenbeugung beleuchtet und deren Charakteristika, speziell im Hinblick auf die Verwendung von ultrakurzen Röntgenimpulsen, erläutert. Die Rotationsmethode wird in der stationären Röntgenbeugung sehr häufig angewendet. In dieser Arbeit wird ein Demonstrationsexperiment vorgestellt, welches die Verwendung ultrakurzer Röntgenimpulse mit dieser Methode kombiniert. Zum ersten mal wurden transiente Reflektivitäten von mehreren Röntgenreflexen mit der Rotationsmethode auf der Femtosekunden-Zeitskala bestimmt. Das Experiment verwendet Bismut-Kristalle als Prototyp-Material. Bismut wurde mit der Femtosekunden-Röntgenbeugung häufig untersucht, indem einzelne Röntgen-Reflexe nacheinander gemessen wurden. Die Messergebnisse dieser Arbeit werden mit den Literaturdaten verglichen. Im zweiten Teil der Arbeit wird ein Pulverbeugungs-Experiment vorgestellt, mit dem die Änderung der Elektronendichteverteilung auf ultrakurzen Zeitskalen bestimmt wird. Untersucht wird ein Übergangsmetall-Komplex nach Photoanregung des Metall-Zu-Liganden-Ladungstransfer-Übergangs. Neben den erwarteten Beobachtungen, der Änderung der Bindungslänge und die Verschiebung von Elektronenladung zwischen Metall und Ligand, zeigen die Anionen eine starke Beteiligung am Ladungstransfer. DesWeiteren konnte die Änderung der Elektronendichte nach Photoanregung als überwiegend kooperativ klassifiziert werden. Demnach ruft die direkte Anregung eines Metall-Komplexes die Verschiebung von Elektronenladung einer Vielzahl benachbarter Einheiten hervor. Die Messergebnisse zeigen, dass mehr als 30 Übergangsmetall-Komplexe und 60 Anionen an dem kollektiven Ladungstransfer beteiligt sind. Dieser gemeinsame Elektronentransfer ist auf die starke Coulomb-Wechselwirkungen zwischen den dicht gepackten Ionen-Einheiten zurückzuführen. / This thesis concerns measurements of transient charge density maps by femtosecond x-ray diffraction. Different x-ray diffraction methods will be considered, particularly with regard to their application in femtosecond x-ray diffraction. The rotation method is commonly used in stationary x-ray diffraction. In the work in hand an x-ray diffraction experiment is demonstrated, which combines the method with ultrafast x-ray pulses. This experiment is the first implementation which makes use of the rotation method to map transient intensities of a multitude of Bragg reflections. As a prototype material Bismuth is used, which previously was studied frequently by femtosecond x-ray diffraction by measuring Bragg reflections successively. The experimental results of the present work are compared with the literature data. In the second part a powder-diffraction experiment will be presented, which is used to study the dynamics of the electron-density distribution on ultrafast time scales. The experiment investigates a transition metal complex after photoexcitation of the metal to ligand charge transfer state. Besides expected results, i. e. the change of the bond length between the metal and the ligand and the transfer of electronic charge from the metal to the ligand, a strong contribution of the anion to the charge transfer was found. Furthermore, the charge transfer has predominantly a cooperative character. That is, the excitation of a single complex causes an alteration of the charge density of several neighboring units. The results show that more than 30 transition-metal complexes and 60 anions contribute to the charge transfer. This collective response is a consequence of the strong coulomb interactions of the densely packed ions.

This thesis begins with a brief overview of current strategies used in the synthesis of side-chain functionalizad polymers and materials. The discussion then focuses more explicitly on transition metal-based motifs and methodologies that are employed in polymer functionalization and continues with a more detailed overview of this field. The primary hypothesis that is addressed herein is that combining the versatility and strength of metal-ligand interactions with the efficiency and functional group tolerance of ROMP comprises a useful method of generating a variety of functionalized polymers and materials via side-chain metal coordination. Thus, the goal is to test this hypothesis by synthesizing functionalized polymers with a range of useful properties to demonstrate the relevance and importance of this methodology, by employing several different strategies to show the synthetic ease by which the materials can be realized. The strategies and methods discussed in the synthesis of side-chain functionalized polymers are divided into three subgroups: (1) pre-polymerization functionalization, in which all of the modifications take place on the monomer with polymerization as the last step, (2) post-polymerization functionalization, in which the polymer itself is subsequently modified, and (3) combinations of the first two strategies. It is shown that useful functional polymers and materials can be synthesized by any of the above strategies, and representative examples of each are given in both the introduction and in the body of work presented. Modes of functionalization are all based on transition metal coordination, and polymerizations are primarily carried out via ROMP. Metal coordination is shown to be a useful technique for functionalizing polymers, to creating supported emissive complexes, to modulating solution viscosity. Finally, conclusions are drawn regarding the various strategies presented herein, and potential future directions are discussed.

From a theoretical standpoint, the accurate description of potential energy surfaces for bond breaking and the equilibrium structures of metal-ligand catalysts are distinctly similar problems. Near degeneracies of the bonding and anti-bonding orbitals for the case of bond breaking and of the partially-filled d-orbitals for the case of metal-ligand catalyst systems lead to strong non-dynamical correlation effects. Standard methods of electronic structure theory, as a consequence of the single-reference approximation, are incapable of accurately describing the electronic structure of these seemingly different theoretical problems. The work within highlights the application of multi-reference methods, methods capable of accurately treating these near-degeneracies, for describing the bond-breaking potentials in several small molecular systems and the equilibrium structures of metal-salen catalysts. The central theme of this work is the ability of small, compact reference functions for accurately describing the strong non-dynamical correlation effects in these systems.

There is considerable current interest in the design and synthesis of new phosphorus ligands and their transition metal complexes in view of their potential applications in homogeneous catalysis. The present study is concerned with the synthesis of new chiral and achiral “ diphosphazanes”, which constitute a class of versatile short-bite bidentate phosphine ligands, and studying their reactivity towards late transition metals (Ag, Pd and Ru). Symmetrical diphosphazane ligands, MeN{P(OR)2}2 (R = (1R, 2S, 5R)-menthyl) and MeN{P(SR)2}2, (R = C6H5) and unsymmetrical diphosphazane ligands, Ph2PN(Pri)PPhY, (Y =OC6H3Me2-2,6 or NMePh) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The reactivity of these ligands towards the transition metal precursors viz., [PdCl2(COD)] and [CpRu(PPh3)2Cl] has been investigated. The reaction of [Ru(bipy)2Cl2] with the diphosphazane, PriN(PPh2)2 in the presence of AgOTf to synthesize [Ru(bipy)2{PriN(PPh2)2}2]OTf led to an unexpected entry into the Ag(I) chemistry of this ligand. By optimizing the reaction conditions, several mononuclear, dinuclear and trinuclear complexes such as [Ag(K2-PriN(PPh2)2)2]X, [Ag(µ-PriN(PPh2)2)X]2 and [Ag3(µ-(Cl)2(µ-PriN(PPh2)2)3]X (X = NO3, OTf or PF6) have been synthesized. A polymeric complex, [Ag2(µ-PriN(PPh2)2)( µ-NO3)2]n in which the ligand adopts a unique ‘Cs’ geometry has also beenstructurally characterized. This polymeric complex is used to synthesize a helical polymer,[Ag2{µ-PriN(PPh2)2}(DABCO)(NO3)2]n and π- π stacked supramolecular assemblies such as [Ag2(NO3)2(µ-Ph2PN(Pri)PPh2)(2,2'-bipy)2] and [Ag2{µ-PriN(PPh2)2}(1,10-phen)2](NO3)2]. The reaction of a sterically bulky diphosphazane ligand, EtN{P(OC6H3(Pri)2-2,6)2}2 (L) with[(η3-1-R,R’-C3H3)Pd(µ-Cl)]2 in the presence of NH4PF6 gives the cationic complex, [(η 3-1-R,R’-C3H3)Pd(L)]PF6 (R = H; R’= H or Me) as the sole product. In the absence of NH4PF6, theinitially formed cationic complex, [(η 3-C3H5)Pd(L)]PF6 is transformed into a mixture of chlorobridged complexes over a period of 96 h. An octa-palladium complex [(η3-C3H5)(2-Cl- η3-C3H4)Pd4(µ-Cl)4(µ-L)]2 is formed as a result of nucleophilic substitution by a chloride ligand at the central allyl carbon atom. The reaction of L with [(η3-C3H5)Pd(µ-Cl)]2 in the presence of K2CO3 yields a dinuclear complex, [(η3-C3H5)Pd2(µ-L)Cl] containing a coordinatively unsaturated T-shaped palladium center. This complex exhibits high catalytic activity and large“turn-over numbers” in the catalytic hydrophenylation of norbornene. Reactions of diphosphazanes with cyclometalated palladium complexes of the general formula [Pd( k2-(C,N)-Me2NCHMe(C6H4))(solvent)2]PF6 derived from a chiral amine, (S)-N,N-dimethyl-1-phenethylamine give chelate complexes of the type [Pd{ k2-(C,N)-Me2NCHMe(C6H4)}(LL)] PF6, (L-L = diphosphazane). Chiral racemic diphosphazanes give a mixture of diastereomeric(S,R and S,S) complexes which could not be separated. These cyclometalated complexes show moderate catalytic activity in C−C bond forming reactions (hydrophenylation /Suzuki coupling).

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[Truncated abstract] This thesis describes various synthetic approaches toward the synthesis of highly conjugated complexes incorporating multiple transition metal centres. Particular attention is given to the synthesis of mononuclear complexes that allow for the facile assembly of discrete oligo- and poly-nuclear complexes in a controlled, stepwise fashion. Conjugated multi-metallic materials are of interest on account of their unique photophysical and electronic properties, with a particular emphasis on elucidating the nature of intramolecular communication between multiple metal centres. Chapter 1 provides a survey of these topics and current research efforts in the field. Chapter 2 describes the synthesis of Group-VIII allenylidene complexes incorporating a terminal bipyridyl moiety that provides a site for further coordination. The new compound 9-hydroxy-9-ethynyl-4,5-diazafluorene was synthesised, and reaction of this proligand with a coordinatively unsaturated metal fragment yields the allenylidene complexes [MCl(PnP)2=C=C=(4,5-diazafluoren-9-yl)]PF6 (M = Ru, PnP = dppm, dppe, dmpe; M = Os, PnP = dppm) and [CpRu(dppe)=C=C=(4,5-diazafluoren- 9-yl)]PF6. The dmpe-ligated complex is particularly susceptible to decomposition, though it was possible to obtain partial spectroscopic characterisation in addition to a single-crystal X-ray structural determination. The remaining allenylidene complexes are stable compounds readily characterised by standard spectroscopic and electrochemical means, with the bis(diphosphine) complexes characterised by single crystal X-ray structural determinations. ... Reactions of the proligand with [RuCl(PnP)2]+ (PnP = dppm, dppe) led to the isolation of a product spectroscopically consistent with the formation of the target cationic allenylidene complexes, though the complexes were not readily purified and the identity of the accompanying anion was not elucidated. The new compound 4-hydroxy-4- ethynyl-cyclopentadithiophene was also prepared, though the compound was found to be highly unstable and susceptible to rapid decomposition. The derived allenylidene complexes [RuCl(PnP)2=C=C=(4-cyclopentadithiophene)]PF6 (PnP = dppm, dppe) were isolated in a pure form and the complexes stable toward spontaneous decomposition. The thienyl-derived allenylidene complexes were characterised by spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques, with a single-crystal X-ray structural determination undertaken for [RuCl(dppm)2=C=C=(4-cyclopentaditiophene)]PF6. Electrochemical properties are significantly different between the complexes, and also show significant variation between electrodes and solvents. The terminal thienyl substituents are electroactive and show one or two oxidation processes consistent with oligomerisation of the thienyl moiety in dichloromethane solvent, and in acetonitrile solvent cyclic voltammograms are consistent with the deposition of an electroactive film on the electrode surface. The electro-polymerisation of the thienylallenylidene complexes offers a promising new route toward multi-metallic allenylidene complexes.

Stabilization of highly strained organic species and altering normal reactivity norms of organic fragments by transition metals have been a triumphing feat of organometallic chemistry. A variety of saturated and unsaturated metallacycles result from the reactions of the transition metals with the organic entities. Understanding the structure and bonding of the metallacylces has been indispensable over the years in view of its involvement as intermediates or compounds for numerous synthetic and catalytic applications. In this context, Group 4 metallocenes have unlocked a fascinating chemistry by stabilizing strained unsaturated C4 organic fragments in the form of five-membered metallacyclomulenes, metallacyclopentynes and metallacycloallnes. These molecules do not conform to the existing bonding principles of chemistry. We have carried out a comprehensive theoretical study to understand the unsual stability and reactivity of these metallacycles. Our theoretical study reveals that the unique interaction of the internal carbon atoms along with the terminal carbon atoms with the bent metallocene moiety is the reason for unsual stability of the metallacycles. We have also investigated the mechanism of interesting C-C coupling and cleavage reactions involving metallacyocumulenes. It demonstrates unexpected reaction pathway for these metallacycles. Moreover, based on this understanding, we have predicted and unraveled the stabilization factors of a challenging four membered metallcycloallene complex. Indeed, our prediction about a four-membered heterometallacycle has been realized experimentally. This kind of bonding is intriguing from fundamental perspective and has great relevance in synthesizing unsual structures with interesting properties. Finally, the electronic structure and bonding of a metallocene-alkyne complex is analyzed to determine the nature of bonding. Our aim is to build a conceptual framework to understand these metallacycles and to exploit their chemistry.

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This thesis work is based on an investigation of intermediates involved in various metal mediated catalytic reactions such as hydrogenation, hydroboration, functionalization of methane etc. An intermediate dictates the energetics of the catalytic cycle of these reactions. Therefore, it is important to study such types of intermediates in order to design a better catalyst. These intermediates are called σ-complexes in which a σ-bond is coordinated to the metal center at some stage of the reaction coordinate. These species are rarely stable at ambient conditions which create difficulties in exploring their chemistry. Our aim is to study the effect of ancillary ligands on the coordination properties of a σ-bond ligand. We chose two different classes of σ-complexes – one contains a B–H σ-bond as a ligand, i.e., σ-borane complex and another contains a H–H σ-bond as a ligand, i.e., σ-dihydrogen complex. Both M–H–B and M–H2 interactions are 3-center-2-electron coordination bonds comprised of two bonding components. One is σ-donation, which is present in both and another is π-back donation from the metal center, which is negligible in the σ-borane complexes contrary to the σ-dihydrogen complexes. The bonding characteristics of M–H–B and M–H2 interactions suggest that an electron deficient metal center is necessary to study the σ-borane complexes with reasonable stability. Thus, we selected an early transition metal, i.e., Cr(0) bearing arene and CO ancillary ligands, for studying the σ-borane complexes. On the other hand, the cis-dihydrogen/hydride and cis-dihydrogen chloride complexes were studied on a late transition metal center, i.e., Ru(II) bearing phosphine and N–N bidentate ligands. Ammonia-borane is known to be a potential hydrogen storage material. Therefore, we picked up the catalytic dehydrogenation reaction of this compound and intended to investigate the interaction between a metal center and the BH σ-bonds of amine-boranes. We characterized the σ-borane complexes [(η6-arene)Cr(CO)2(η1-H–BH2•NMe3)] (arene = fluorobenzene, benzene, and mesitylene), and observed an interesting correlation between the electronics and stability of these species. This was the first report of σ-borane systems possessing an η6-arene ligand. A prototype homobimetallic σ-borane complex, [(η6-C6H5CH2NMe2•BH2–HCr(CO)5)Cr(CO)3] was characterized using single crystal X-ray crystallography. An intramolecular σ-borane complex, (η1-(η6-C6H5CH2NMe2•BH2–H))Cr(CO)2 was found to possess an interesting chelation of the η6-arene, and BH coordination sites of its amine-borane moiety with the Cr(0) center. These σ-borane complexes showed an interesting dynamics in the binding interface between the metal center and the borane ligand. Free energy of activation (ΔG#) for this process was estimated to be 30-40 kJ/mol. To explore certain σ-dihydrogen complexes we investigated the chemistry of cis-dihydrogen/hydride complexes of Ru(II) bearing phosphine and N-N bidentate ligands cis,trans-[RuH(η2-H2)(PPh3)2(N-N)][OTf] (N-N = 2, 2′-bipyridyl, 2, 2′-bipyrimidine) in detail. In those cases, we established that the adjacent hydride ligand has large influence on the dihydrogen coordination. The η2-H2 and hydride ligands showed a single 1H NMR spectral signal due to fast site exchange among each other. We established the mechanism and calculated the free energy of activation (ΔG# = 8-13 kJ/mol) of this dynamics. These complexes were found to be stable at ambient conditions although, a labile dihydrogen ligand is present in the coordination sphere of the metal center. In fact, we could obtain the single crystals of cis,trans-[RuH(η2-H2)(PPh3)2(bpy)][OTf]. The molecular structure of a σ-complex in which a σ-bond (before it gets completely formed or broken) acts as a ligand is what fascinates this area in chemistry. A cis-dihydrogen chloride complex, cis,trans-[RuCl(η2-H2)(PPh3)2(bpm)][OTf] was characterized unambiguously using NMR spectroscopy. The H-H distance (dHH) for the η2-H2 ligand of these complexes were estimated to be 0.9-1.0 Å. We attempted to observe some σ-methane species spectroscopically at low temperatures. Unfortunately, these species were quite unstable for exhibiting the NMR spectral signals even at low temperatures. Nevertheless, we investigated the reactivity of cis,trans-[RuHX(PPh3)2(N-N)] (X = H, Cl; N-N = 2, 2′-bipyridyl, 2, 2′-bipyrimidine) towards a methylating agent, CH3OTf. This reaction resulted in methane evolution by the combination of the hydride ligand of a Ru(II) complex and the CH3+ moiety of CH3OTf. This reaction was carried out in a sealed tube inside a NMR probe at ~183 K and monitored for a long period of time; however, the methane bound metal species was not observed. Perhaps, the longevity of this class of σ-methane complex falls below the NMR time scale.