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Formation of Methane versus Benzene in the Reactions of (C 5 Me 5 ) 2 Th(CH 3 ) 2 with [CH 3 PPh 3 ]X (X=Cl, Br, I) Yielding Thorium‐Carbene or Thorium‐Ylide Complexes

Journal Article · · Angewandte Chemie (International Edition)
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [1]
  1. Department of Chemistry University of Missouri Columbia MO 65211 USA
  2. Universite de Toulouse and CNRS, INSA, UPS, CNRS, UMR, UMR 5215, LPCNO 135 Avenue de Rangueil 31077 Toulouse France

Abstract

The reaction of (C 5 Me 5 ) 2 Th(CH 3 ) 2 with the phosphonium salts [CH 3 PPh 3 ]X (X=Cl, Br, I) was investigated. When X=Br and I, two equivalents of methane are liberated to afford (C 5 Me 5 ) 2 Th[CHPPh 3 ]X, rare terminal phosphorano‐stabilized carbenes with thorium. These complexes feature the shortest thorium–carbon bonds (≈2.30 Å) reported to date, and electronic structure calculations show some degree of multiple bonding. However, when X=Cl, only one equivalent of methane is lost with concomitant formation of benzene from an unstable phosphorus(V) intermediate, yielding (C 5 Me 5 ) 2 Th[κ 2 ‐(C,C′)‐(CH 2 )(CH 2 )PPh 2 ]Cl. Density functional theory (DFT) investigations of the reaction energy profiles for [CH 3 PPh 3 ]X, X=Cl and I showed that in the case of iodide, thermodynamics prevents the production of benzene and favors formation of the carbene.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
NONE; SC0014174
OSTI ID:
1379993
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1537447
OSTI ID: 22642872
Journal Information:
Angewandte Chemie (International Edition), Journal Name: Angewandte Chemie (International Edition) Journal Issue: 42 Vol. 56; ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
Germany
Language:
English

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