Synthesis and reactivity of tantalum and tungsten alkyne complexes: Models for alkyne cyclization.

Abstract

Intermediates in the cyclization reaction of alkynes have been isolated using the group 5 tantalum phenoxide reagents, Ta(DIPP)₂Cl₃(OEt₂) and Ta(DIPP)₃Cl₂(OEt₂) (DIPP = O-2,6-C₆H₃-i-Pr₂). The extent of cyclization has been effected by controlling the sterics at the metal center or the alkyne itself. Reducing the less congested bis phenoxide complex, Ta(DIPP)₂Cl₃(OEt₂), by two electrons in the presence of 2-butyne or 3-hexyne allowed the isolation of an arene complex, (C₆R₆)Ta(DIPP)₂Cl (R = Me, Et), which is formally classified as a 7-metallanorbornadiene. This complex can also be reduced by one more electron to produce a tanatalum (II) species that readily undergoes a one-electron addition reaction with halogenated reagents. This complex also underwent an intramolecular C-H activation of one of the alkyl groups on the arene ring. Attempts were made to try and generalize this cyclization and C-H activation chemistry to the group 6 metals. Tungsten phenoxide and mixed phenylimido-phenoxide reagents were synthesized for use in subsequent cyclization reactions. Reducing the bis phenoxide complex, W(DIPP)₂Cl₄, by two electrons in the presence of a variety of alkynes afforded the alkyne complexes W(DIPP)₂Cl₂(RC≡CR') (R = R' = Me, Et, Ph; R = CMe₃, R' = H). The mixed phenylimido-phenoxide complexes, W(NAr)(DMP)ₓCl₃₋ₓ (x = 1 or 2; NAr = N-2,6-C₆H₃-i-Pr₂; DMP = O-2,6-C₆H₃Me₂), were also reduced by two electrons in the presence of alkynes to afford adducts (i.e. W(NAr)(DMP)₂(EtC≡CEt)). These alkyne adduct complexes failed to undergo any cycloaddition reactions. Reduction of the tantalum tris phenoxide complex, Ta(DIPP)₃Cl₂(OEt₂), by two electrons in the presence of the bulky alkynes diphenylacetylene or trimethylsilyl-1-propyne afforded the isolation of the alkyne adducts (DIPP)₃Ta(PhC≡CPh) and (DIPP)₃Ta(Me₃SiC≡CMe) respectively. The alkyne adduct (DIPP)₃Ta(Me₃SiC≡CMe) undergoes regioselective cross-coupling reactions with smaller alkynes to afford metallacyclopentadienes. Metallacyclopentadienes can be formed directly from the reduction of the tris phenoxide complex in the presence of smaller alkynes (i.e. (DIPP)₃Ta(CEt=CEtCEt=CEt)). The alkyne adduct undergoes cyclization reactions with nitriles that contain α-hydrogens to yield metallacycloenamine complexes (DIPP)₃Ta(CSiMe₃=CMeC(=CHR)NH). The adduct also reacts with ketones to produce metallacyclic complexes with the formulation (DIPP)₃Ta(CSiMe₃=CMeC(RR')O).