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^t)(CHBu^t)(CH₂Bu^t)(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.