The transition metal complexes cyclopentadienylrhenium tricarbonyl [CpRe(CO)3, Cp = cyclopentadienyl] and (isopropylcyclopentadienyl)rhenium tricarbonyl [(i-PrCp)Re(CO)3, i-Pr = isopropyl] were photolysed in alkanes at low temperature and the resulting alkane complexes, of the general formula Cp'Re(CO)2(alkane) (Cp' = Cp or (i-PrCp)), were studied using NMR spectroscopy. Characteristic proton chemical shifts (δ) and couplings (3JHH) were observed for alkane complexes of several linear, branched and cyclic alkanes of up to eight carbons. Alkanes with chemically distinct methyl (CH3) and/or methylene (CH2) units were observed alternatively binding through each unit to rhenium. No bound methine unit was observed. Large C-H coupling constants (1JCH) were observed for protons of several bound CH3 and CH2 units, indicating the bound C-H is intact. These species are, thus, alkane sigma (σ) complexes, wherein the alkane has an agostic (M-H-C, 3 centre 2 electron) interaction with the rhenium centre. The CH3 binding mode of (i-PrCp)Re(CO)2(1-pentane) was elucidated; sequential deuteration in the bound CH3 revealed an equilibrium isotope effect (EIE) in the remaining proton/s, confirming that only one C-H has an agostic interaction with rhenium at any instant . NMR parameters δ(1H) (-8.22), δ(13C) ( 42.4) and 1JCH (85 Hz) for the complexed C-H reveal it is unequivocally intact and yet strongly interacting with the rhenium centre, hallmarks for the agostic interaction. Intramolecular exchange was identified between pentane complex isomers Cp'Re(CO)2(1-pentane), Cp'Re(CO)2(2-pentane) and Cp'Re(CO)2(3-pentane). Equilibrium constants were determined, revealing a preference for CH2 binding over CH3. The inequivalent hydrogens found in methylene groups of cyclohexane at low temperature permitted simultaneous observation of axial and equatorial C-H protons of a bound CH2 in CpRe(CO)2(cyclohexane); an EIE, upon deuteration, indicated rapid exchange between complexed C-H bonds in the bound CH2 unit. The rhenium centre was found to prefer complexation of the axial C-H bond, over the equatorial, with K ~2.9. Intermolecular exchange of alkane ligands with free solvent was directly observed, in the competitive complexation of the [CpRe(CO)2] fragment to different alkanes in binary mixtures. The preference cyclohexane > cyclopentane > pentane > isobutane was established and equilibrium constants determined. The kinetics were followed by NMR and modelled, revealing rate constants; decay rates were also determined.

The transition metal complexes cyclopentadienylrhenium tricarbonyl [CpRe(CO)3, Cp = cyclopentadienyl] and (isopropylcyclopentadienyl)rhenium tricarbonyl [(i-PrCp)Re(CO)3, i-Pr = isopropyl] were photolysed in alkanes at low temperature and the resulting alkane complexes, of the general formula Cp'Re(CO)2(alkane) (Cp' = Cp or (i-PrCp)), were studied using NMR spectroscopy. Characteristic proton chemical shifts (δ) and couplings (3JHH) were observed for alkane complexes of several linear, branched and cyclic alkanes of up to eight carbons. Alkanes with chemically distinct methyl (CH3) and/or methylene (CH2) units were observed alternatively binding through each unit to rhenium. No bound methine unit was observed. Large C-H coupling constants (1JCH) were observed for protons of several bound CH3 and CH2 units, indicating the bound C-H is intact. These species are, thus, alkane sigma (σ) complexes, wherein the alkane has an agostic (M-H-C, 3 centre 2 electron) interaction with the rhenium centre. The CH3 binding mode of (i-PrCp)Re(CO)2(1-pentane) was elucidated; sequential deuteration in the bound CH3 revealed an equilibrium isotope effect (EIE) in the remaining proton/s, confirming that only one C-H has an agostic interaction with rhenium at any instant . NMR parameters δ(1H) (-8.22), δ(13C) ( 42.4) and 1JCH (85 Hz) for the complexed C-H reveal it is unequivocally intact and yet strongly interacting with the rhenium centre, hallmarks for the agostic interaction. Intramolecular exchange was identified between pentane complex isomers Cp'Re(CO)2(1-pentane), Cp'Re(CO)2(2-pentane) and Cp'Re(CO)2(3-pentane). Equilibrium constants were determined, revealing a preference for CH2 binding over CH3. The inequivalent hydrogens found in methylene groups of cyclohexane at low temperature permitted simultaneous observation of axial and equatorial C-H protons of a bound CH2 in CpRe(CO)2(cyclohexane); an EIE, upon deuteration, indicated rapid exchange between complexed C-H bonds in the bound CH2 unit. The rhenium centre was found to prefer complexation of the axial C-H bond, over the equatorial, with K ~2.9. Intermolecular exchange of alkane ligands with free solvent was directly observed, in the competitive complexation of the [CpRe(CO)2] fragment to different alkanes in binary mixtures. The preference cyclohexane > cyclopentane > pentane > isobutane was established and equilibrium constants determined. The kinetics were followed by NMR and modelled, revealing rate constants; decay rates were also determined.

No description available.

The use of transition metal catalysts - either homogeneous (discrete well-defined metal complexes) or heterogeneous (more poorly-defined metal surfaces) - play an important role in the transformations of small substrates into larger, value-added compounds. Although heterogeneous catalysts have the greater industrial applicability, there has been enormous interest in homogeneous transition metal systems for effecting selective transformations of small substrate molecules. The bulk of these homogeneous systems are mononuclear. Perhaps surprisingly, very little research has focuses on systems with adjacent metal centres. Binuclear systems possess adjacent metals that may interact and possibly lead to transformations not observed in monometallic systems. It is this opportunity for adjacent metal involvement in substrate activation that is the focus of this dissertation. the goal of this research is to gain an increased understanding of metal-metal cooperativity and adjacent metal involvement in substrate transformations; how can adjacent metal involvement lead to substrate activation not seen in monometallic counterparts, and what role does each metal play in these interactions, particularly when the two metals are different. Throughout this dissertation examples of transformation unique to systems with at least two metals are presented and examined with a particular focus on the roles of the two metals and any associated binding modes in these transformations. In addition, by comparing the RhOs, RhRu and IrRu systems, the influence of metal substitution is also examined. For example, diazoalkane activation and C-c bond formation promoted by the Rh-based systems is investigated, the roles of the adjacent metals of the IrRu system in the conversion of methylene groups to oxygenates is examined, and the unusual geminal C-H bond activation of olefinic substrates is explored. Overall, the work presented within this thesis adds to the growing understanding of adjacent metal cooperativety, leading us toward a more rational approach to the design of homogeneous homo- and heterobimetallic catalysts, heterogeneous catalyst and nanoparticle catalysts for selective substrate transformations.

No description available.

La thèse présente la chimie de complexes de métaux électropositifs portant le groupe cyclopropyle. La première partie du manuscrit décrit la synthèse et la caractérisation de dérivés du cyclopropyllithium ayant pour formule [1-R-c-C3H4Li] (R = SiMe3, Ph, SPh). Des agrégats originaux, organisés autour de centres Li+ stabilisés par la peu commune interaction CC agostique, sont présentés. Cette interaction a une influence marquée sur l'agrégation des composés à l'état solide et parfois en solution. Sa coordination compétitive, sur un Li+, avec des atomes donneurs (O, N et S) permet une évaluation qualitative de sa force. La deuxième partie du manuscrit présente la synthèse du nouveau complexe cyclopropylcalcium. Ce composé est caractérisé par une étude RMN complète. C'est le premier alkylcalcium non-stabilisé. La troisième partie du manuscrit contient une étude de la réactivité du dicyclopropylzirconocene [Cp2Zr(c-C3H5)2] vis-à-vis de la pyridine et de pyridines fluorées. La formation d'un intermédiaire Eta2-cyclopropene mène à la déaromatisation et à l'activation C-H de la pyridine, mais aussi à l'activation C-F de la pentafluoropyridine. Une étude préliminaire de l'activation catalytique de la liaison C-F de la pentafluoropyridine par [Cp2Zr(c-C3H5)2] en présence de tricyclopropylaluminium est aussi présentée. / The manuscript presents the chemistry of electropositive metal complexes bearing the cyclopropyl group. This first part of the manuscript describes the synthesis and characterisation of cyclopropopyllithium derivatives of the formula [1-R-c-C3H4Li] (R = SiMe3, Ph, SPh). Original aggregates displaying low valent Li+ centres stabilised by the rare CC agostic interaction are presented. This interaction influences the aggregation of the compounds in the solid state and sometimes in solution. A qualitative evaluation of its strength is provided by competitive coordination on Li+ vs donor atoms such as O, N and S. The second part of the manuscript presents the synthesis of the new cyclopropylcalcium complex. This compound is characterised by a full NMR study. It is the first non-stabilised alkylcalcium compound. The third part of the manuscript contains a reactivity study of dicyclopropylzirconocene [Cp2Zr(c-C3H5)2] towards pyridine and fluorinated pyridines. Dearomatisation and C-H bond activation of pyridine, together with C-F bond activation of pentafluoropyridine result from the initial formation of a Eta2-cyclopropene intermediate. A preliminary study of the catalytic C-F bond cleavage of pentafluoropyridine by [Cp2Zr(c-C3H5)2] in the presence of tricyclopropylaluminium is also presented.