Formation and Reactivity of a Tantalocene Trihydride Containing an Aminoethyl‐Functionalised Ligand

Abstract

AbstractThe complex [Cp*{C5H4(CH2CH2NMe2)}TaCl2] (1) was synthesised by reaction of the lithium salt LiC5H4(CH2CH2NMe2) with the tantalum compound [Cp*TaCl3(PMe3)]. Reduction of 1 with NaAl(H)2(OCH2CH2OMe)2 leads to the trihydride derivative [Cp*{C5H4(CH2CH2NMe2)}TaH3] (2). The oxidation of 2 in THF with ferrocenium ion leads to a cationic dihydride intermediate [Cp*{C5H4(CH2CH2NMe2)}TaH2]PF6 (3) with an intramolecular stabilization by the aminoethyl side‐chain of the cyclopentadienyl ligand. The hemilabile character of the functionalised cyclopentadienyl ligand was checked by treating 3 with electron‐donating ligands (e.g. phosphanes, sulfides, anions); in all cases, no displacement of the amino group was observed. When treated with HBF4, 2 undergoes a loss of the hydride and the resulting cation can be isolated as a solvento adduct by carrying out the reaction in dimethyl sulfide. Acidolysis of 2 in the presence of an excess of trifluoroacetic acid affords the compound [Cp*{C5H4(CH2CH2NHMe2)}TaH(OCOCF3)2](CF3COO) (5). Microanalytical and NMR spectroscopic data for these complexes are given. The X‐ray crystal structures are reported for [Cp*{C5H4(CH2CH2NMe2)}TaH2]PF6 (3) and [Cp*{C5H4(CH2CH2NHMe2)}TaH(OCOCF3)2](CF3COO) (5). (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003)