Insertion and cleavage reactions of [closo-3,1,2-Ta(NMe2)3(C2B9H11)] with nitriles, phenols and thiols; structural characterisation of N,N-dimethylamidinate ligands †

Abstract

The tantalum complex [closo-3,1,2-Ta(NMe2)3(C2B9H11)] underwent insertion into the NC bond of acetonitrile and p-fluorobenzonitrile to give the N,N-dimethylacetamidinate complex [closo-3,1,2-Ta{NC(Me)NMe2}3(C2B9H11)], and p-fluoro-N,N-dimethylbenzamidinate, [closo-3,1,2-Ta{NC(C6H4F)NMe2}3(C2B9H11)], respectively. Attempted re-crystallisation of the latter from chlorinated solvents led to [closo-3,1,2-Ta{NC(C6H4F)NMe2}2Cl(C2B9H11)], in which one amidinate ligand has been replaced by a chloride. [closo-3,1,2-Ta(NMe2)3(C2B9H11)] reacts with cyclohexylisocyanide to give [Ta(NMe2)2{η2-N(Cy)CNMe2}(C2B9H11)]. The structures of the novel N,N-dialkylamidinate complexes have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, and reveal the extensive delocalisation and strong π-donor character of the amidinate ligands. The M–N bonds of [closo-3,1,2-Ta(NMe2)3(C2B9H11)] are cleaved by protic reagents, and it reacts with 2,6-dimethylphenol to give [closo-3,1,2-Ta(OC6H3Me2-2,6)3(C2B9H11)] and with benzenethiol to give the charge-compensated complex [closo-3-Ta(SC6H5)4(9-NHMe2-1,2-C2B9H10)] where the β-boron of the C2B3 face bears a NHMe2+ substituent. The structures of the last two compounds have also been determined.