Abstract

The solid-state structures of the first rubidium and caesium pentalenides [Rb(THF)]2[Ph4Pn] and [Cs(THF)]2[Ph4Pn] have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Both were found to be polymeric in the solid state through interactions of the cations with the phenyl substituents, in contrast to their lighter group 1 congeners which are monomeric for lithium and sodium, and THF-bridged for potassium. Both [Rb(THF)]2[Ph4Pn] and [Cs(THF)]2[Ph4Pn] displayed increased η8 coordination, demonstrating a shift towards higher hapticities down the group as previously predicted computationally for the parent M2[Pn] complexes (M=group 1 metal). The solid-state structures of the polydentate donor adducts [M(DME)x]2[Ph4Pn] (M=Li, x=1; M=Na, x=2) and [M(Me6TREN)]2[Ph4Pn] (M=K, Rb, Cs) were all monomeric and displayed increased metal-carbon distances and decreased ring slippage values relative to the THF adducts.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere202400039
Number of pages8
JournalZeitschrift fur Anorganische und Allgemeine Chemie
Volume650
Issue number18
Early online date14 Aug 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Sept 2024

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available in the supplementary material of this article.

Funding

We thank the Royal Society (award UF160458) and the University of Bath for funding this work.

Keywords

  • Alkali Metal Coordination
  • Caesium
  • Pentalenides
  • Rubidium

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Inorganic Chemistry

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