Synthesis and reactivity of a tris(carbene) zinc chloride complex. Issue 38 (8th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sherbow, Tobias J.; Li, Keyan; Zakharov, Lev N.; Pluth, Michael D.
• Is Part Of: Dalton transactions. Volume 51:Issue 38(2022)
• Page Start: 14563
• Page End: 14567
• Publication Date: 2022-09-08
• Subjects: Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; 546.05
• DOI: 10.1039/d2dt02809c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-9226

Abstract

Abstract : Reactions of the electron rich Ph B( t BuIm)3 ZnCl complex with n -BuLi and [K.18-C-6]2 [S4 ] lead to the formation of the carbon-rich coordination complex Ph B( t BuIm)3 ZnBu and the tetrahedral tetrasulfido complex Ph B( t BuIm)2 ( t BuImH)Zn(κ 2 -S4 ), respectively. Abstract : The [ Ph B( t BuIm)3 ] 1− ligand has gained increased attention since it was first reported in 2006 due to its ability to stabilize highly reactive first row transition metal complexes. In this work, we investigate the coordination chemistry of this ligand with redox-inert zinc to understand how a zinc metal center behaves in such a strong coordinating environment. The Ph B( t BuIm)3 ZnCl (1 ) complex can be formed via deprotonation of [ Ph B( t BuIm)3 ][OTf]2 followed by the addition of ZnCl2 . Salt metathesis reaction with nucleophilic n -BuLi yields the highly carbon-rich zinc coordination complex Ph B( t BuIm)3 ZnBu (2 ) with three carbene atom donors and one carbanion donor. In contrast, reaction of complex 1 with a less nucleophilic polysulfide reagent, [K.18-C-6]2 [S4 ], leads to the formation of a tetrahedral zinc tetrasulfido complex via protonation of one carbene donor to form Ph B( t BuIm)2 ( t BuImH)Zn(κ 2 -S4 ) (3 ).