E4 Transfer (E=P, As) to Ni Complexes

The use of [Cp′′2Zr(η1:1‐E4)] (E=P (1 a), As (1 b), Cp′′=1,3‐di‐tert‐butyl‐cyclopentadienyl) as phosphorus or arsenic source, respectively, gives access to novel stable polypnictogen transition metal complexes at ambient temperatures. The reaction of 1 a/1 b with [CpRNiBr]2 (CpR=CpBn (1,2,3,4,5‐pentabenzyl‐cyclopentadienyl), Cp′′′ (1,2,4‐tri‐tert‐butyl‐cyclopentadienyl)) was studied, to yield novel complexes depending on steric effects and stoichiometric ratios. Besides the transfer of the complete En unit, a degradation as well as aggregation can be observed. Thus, the prismane derivatives [(Cp′′′Ni)2(μ,η3:3‐E4)] (2 a (E=P); 2 b (E=As)) or the arsenic containing cubane [(Cp′′′Ni)3(μ3‐As)(As4)] (5) are formed. Furthermore, the bromine bridged cubanes of the type [(CpRNi)3{Ni(μ‐Br)}(μ3‐E)4]2 (CpR=Cp′′′: 6 a (E=P), 6 b (E=As), CpR=CpBn: 8 a (E=P), 8 b (E=As)) can be isolated. Here, a stepwise transfer of En units is possible, with a cyclo‐E42− ligand being introduced and unprecedented triple‐decker compounds of the type [{(CpRNi)3Ni(μ3‐E)4}2(μ,η4:4‐E′4)] (CpR=CpBn, Cp′′′; E/E′=P, As) are obtained. Accessing the inaccessible: The use of the polypnictogen zirconium complexes [Cp′′2Zr(η1:1‐E4)] (E=P, As) at ambient temperatures as phosphorus or arsenic sources to transfer E4 units to CpRNi fragments was examined. This avoids the difficulty of handling and toxicity of white phosphorus and yellow arsenic. The transfer reactions gave access to a variety of polypnictogen transition metal complexes, among them unprecedented triple‐decker‐like compounds composed of cage entities as end‐decks.