Terphenyl substituted derivatives of manganese(II): distorted geometries and resistance to elimination

Reaction of {Li(THF)Ar'MnI(2)}(2) (Ar' = C(6)H(3)-2,6-(C(6)H(2)-2,6-(i)Pr(3))(2)) with LiAr', LiC≡CR (R = (t)Bu or Ph), or (C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-(i)Pr(3))MgBr(THF)(2) afforded the diaryl MnAr'(2) (1), the alkynyl salts Ar'Mn(C≡C(t)Bu)(4){Li(THF)}(3) (2) and Ar'Mn(C≡CPh)(3)Li(3)(THF)(Et(2)O)(2)(μ(3)-I) (3), and the manganate salt {Li(THF)}Ar'Mn(μ-I)(C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-(i)Pr(3)) (4), respectively. Complex 4 reacted with one equivalent of (C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-(i)Pr(3))MgBr(THF)(2) to afford the homoleptic dimer {Mn(C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-(i)Pr(3))(μ-C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-(i)Pr(3))}(2) (5), which resulted from the displacement of the bulkier Ar' ligand in preference to the halogen. The reaction of the more crowded {Li(THF)Ar*MnI(2)}(2) (Ar* = C(6)H(3)-2,6-(C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-(i)Pr(3))(2)) with Li(t)Bu gave complex Ar*Mn(t)Bu (6). Complex 1 is a rare monomeric homoleptic two-coordinate diaryl Mn(II) complex; while 6 displays no tendency to eliminate β-hydrogens from the (t)Bu group because of the stabilization supplied by Ar*. Compounds 2 and 3 have cubane frameworks, which are constructed from a manganese, three carbons from three acetylide ligands, three lithiums, each coordinated by a donor, plus either a carbon from a further acetylide ligand (2) or an iodide (3). The Mn(II) atom in 4 has an unusual distorted T-shaped geometry while the dimeric 5 features trigonal planar manganese coordination. The chloride substituted complex Li(2)(THF)(3){Ar'MnCl(2)}(2) (7), which has a structure very similar to that of {Li(THF)Ar'MnI(2)}(2), was also prepared for use as a possible starting material. However, its generally lower solubility rendered it less useful than the iodo salt. Complexes 1-7 were characterized by X-ray crystallography and UV-vis spectroscopy. Magnetic studies of 2-4 and 6 showed that they have 3d(5) high-spin configurations.