A complex with nitrogen single, double, and triple bonds to the same chromium atom: synthesis, structure, and reactivity

Abstract

A nitrogen-based analogue of the Schrock and Clark "yl-ene-yne" complex, W(CBu ^<i>t</i> )(CHBu ^<i>t</i> )(CH₂Bu ^<i>t</i> )(dmpe), has been prepared. The new complex is the nitrido, imido, amido anion [NCr(NPh)(NPrⁱ₂)₂]^-, which was structurally characterized with the [K(crypt-2.2.2)]⁺ counterion. The "Cr-N 1-2-3" complex was prepared from NCr(NHPh)(NPrⁱ₂)₂, which exists as this nitrido-amido tautomer, rather than the bis(imido) Cr(NH)(NPh)(NPrⁱ₂)₂. By selection of electrophile, the nitrido-imido salt K[NCr(NPh)(NPrⁱ₂)₂] can undergo reaction at either the imido or the nitrido to form unusual examples of nitrido or bis(imido) complexes.