Kevin R. D. Johnson

Crystal structure of a dimeric β-diketiminate magnesium complex.

The crystal structure of a dimeric β-diketiminate magnesium(II) complex crystallizes as two independent molecules, each with 2/m crystallographic site symmetry, located at Wyckoff sites 2c and 2d. These have symmetry-equivalent magnesium atoms bridged by μ-iodide ligands with very similar Mg—I distances.

Synthesis of Sterically Demanding Bis(phosphinimine) Dibenzofuran Ligands and Subsequent Zinc Metalation

In light of previous success surrounding the use of bis(phosphinimine)dibenzofuran ligands for zinc-mediated lactide polymerization, a series of sterically demanding P=N pincer compounds have been prepared with important steric and electronic modifications at both P- and N-sites (L, 3a–d). These systems are highly crystalline and have been extensively characterized using multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray diffraction. The ligands can be transformed into their protonated analogues [HL][BArF4] (4a–d, [BArF4] = [B(m-(CF3)2-C6H3)4]) by reaction with Brookhart’s acid, and subsequently coordinated to zinc via an alkane elimination reaction with [ZnEt2] at ambient temperature to afford the corresponding [LZnEt][BArF4] cationic complexes 5a–d. In addition, an unusual chloridozinc species [LZnCl][BArF4] (5c′) has been isolated and structurally characterized, providing comparisons to previously established ligand sets with similar geometries.

exo-10,11-Dibromo­tricyclo­[6.3.1.02,7]dodeca-2,4,6,9-tetra­ene

The title compound, C12H10Br2, is a bridged ring system based on a homobenzonorbornadiene framework. The exo configuration of one of the Br atoms was previously assigned via NMR correlations and has now been confirmed by the geometry of the solid-state structure. The compound features a Br—C—C—Br torsion angle of 66.68 (12)°, whereby the C atoms in the calculation are respectively sp 3- and sp 2-hybridized.