Synthesis and characterization of group 13 & 15 complexes supported by N,N'-bidentate ligands

The first example of an N,N'-chelated [beta]-diketiminato phosphenium salt has been isolated by careful tuning of both the ligand architecture and the electronic characteristics of the phosphorus containing moiety. Using a two-electron reduction approach, the first example of a phosphinidene valence isomer has been isolated and structurally characterized. The mechanism of formation of this valence isomer was elucidated via Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. These calculations revealed that the formation of this valence isomer involves the intermediacy of a triplet diradical. In turn, the triplet diradical decays by two further steps to generate the observed product. A cationic phosphinous acid has been prepared via the hydrolysis of a cationic phosphenium complex in basic solution. DFT calculations reveals that the introduction of a positive charge stabilizes the phosphinous acid form. Two N,C-bonded phosphenium cation salts have also been obtained, the crystal structures of which reveal that the formation of these compounds involves C-H activation of a methyl group on the [beta]-diketiminate ligand. Three synthetic methods, namely halide abstraction, aluminum/boron halide exchange process and salt metathesis, have been explored for the preparation of boron cations supported by [beta]-diketiminate ligands. The first structurally characterized boron cation supported by a [beta]-diketiminate ligand has been isolated as its [Al₂Cl₇]⁻ salt. A Ga-Fe organometallic complex supported by a [beta]-diketiminate ligand has also been synthesized via salt metathesis reaction and fully characterized. Finally, several bisamidinate supported boron complexes have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Such complexes may have applications as bifunctional catalysts or as building blocks for novel polymers.