European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry

Mo carbonyl complexes with mixed N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)/phosphane ligands and those with pure NHC and phosphane ligands are compared. Whereas the σ-donor strengths of phosphane and carbene groups are comparable, the π-acceptor interactions of the carbene moieties are exactly canceled by π-donor interactions.

Oxidation of (IP^–)₂Al(CH₃) (IP = iminopyridine) with TrBPh₄ (Tr = trityl) affords the C–C-coupled kinetic product [(IP)(Tr-IP)Al(CH₃)][BPh₄] in which the trityl radical and the IP^– radical have undergone C–C bond formation. Oxidation of (IP^–)₂Al(CH₃) with TrBArF₂₄ affords the thermodynamic product [(IP)(IP^–)Al(CH₃)][BarF₂₄] {BArF₂₄ = tetrakis[(3,5-trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate}.

Cationic copper(I) complexes containing two triazolylidene carbenes of the abnormal type are shown to be excellent catalysts for the [3+2] cycloaddition reaction between azides and alkynes. A range of azides and a couple of alkynes are activated by these copper(I) complexes towards the catalytic formation of the corresponding substituted 1,2,3-triazoles.

The transformation of V^III azides to the corresponding V^V nitrides was investigated through isotopic labeling crossover experiments, SQUID magnetization, and multifrequency/high-field EPR studies. While Lewis bases inhibit the azide-to-nitride transformation, nitride complexes are formed by a bimetallic mechanism. Stoichiometric Lewis acid and catalytic amount of V^II complex also rendered azide-to-nitride formation. However, Lewis bases inhibit formation of nitride product.

A highly reactive phosphanylamide-supported Zr/Co complex has been shown to react with alcohols, thiols, peroxides, and disulfides by means of a dissociative electron-transfer process occurring at Zr. A range of products are formed depending on the identity of the substrate, including both one- and two-electron oxidized products.