UC San Diego

Chapter 1. This section presents an overview of literature pertaining to low-valent/low-oxidation state tin hydrides, transition metal coordinated tin hydrides, and group 10 trinuclear metal cluster synthesis, characterization, and reactivity. Chapter 2. Treatment of the trichlorotin-capped trinuclear nickel cluster, [Ni3(dppm)3(μ3-Cl)(μ3-SnCl3)], 1, with 4 eq. NaHB(Et)3 yields a μ3-SnH capped trinuclear nickel cluster, [Ni3(dppm)3(μ3-H)(μ3-SnH)], 2 [dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane]. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and computational studies together support that cluster 2 is a divalent tin hydride. Complex 2 displays a wide range of reactivity including oxidative addition of bromoethane across the Sn center. Addition of 1 eq. iodoethane to complex 2 releases H2 (g) and generates an ethyltin-capped nickel cluster with a μ3-iodide, [Ni3(dppm)3(μ3-I)(μ3-Sn(CH2CH3))], 4. Notably, insertion of alkynes into the Sn–H bond of 2 can be achieved via addition of 1 eq. 1-hexyne to generate the 1-hexen-2-yl-tin-capped nickel cluster, [Ni3(dppm)3(μ3H)(μ3-Sn(C6H11))], 5. Addition of H2 (g) to 5 regenerates the starting material, 2, and hexane. The formally 44-electron cluster 2 also displays significant redox chemistry with two reversible one-electron oxidations (E = −1.3 V, −0.8 V vs. Fc0/+) and one-electron reduction process (E = −2.7 V vs. Fc0/+) observed by cyclic voltammetry. Chapter 3. H2 and D2 exchange by a μ3-SnH, μ3-H capped trinuclear nickel cluster, [Ni3(dppm)3(μ3-H)(μ3-SnH)], 1, (dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane) was investigated through a variety of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy studies. Mechanistic studies reveal reversible exchange upon addition of D2/H2 between 1 and the deuteride species, [Ni3(dppm)3(μ3-D)(μ3-SnD)], 1D. Furthermore, these studies suggest a conformational change at the Ni-H functionality upon addition of H2. Variable temperature (VT) NMR studies of 1 demonstrate a temperature dependence of the Sn-H and the Ni-H resonances, with the Ni-H experiencing the largest perturbation in chemical shift. Further mechanistic insights were obtained with VT NMR studies performed under an atmosphere H2 and HD. Overall, these studies provide evidence of H2/D2 exchange by complex 1 and suggest a novel mechanism for hydrogen activation and exchange processes. Chapter 4. Spectroscopic and structural comparisons are made between a series of (OR)3Sn capped trinuclear nickel clusters. The synthesis of the (OEt)3Sn and (OPh)3Sn capped nickel clusters, [Ni3(dppm)3(μ3-Cl)(μ3-Sn(OEt)3)] (1), [Ni3(dppm)3(μ3-Cl)(μ3-Sn(OPh)3)] (2), was realized by the treatment of [Ni3(dppm)3(μ3-Cl)(μ3-SnCl3] with 6 eq. of KOEt or NaOPh, respectively. Treatment of complex 1 with 10 eq. glycerol results in the synthesis of the (C3H5O3)Sn capped trinuclear nickel cluster, [Ni3(dppm)3(μ3-Cl)(μ3-Sn(C3H5O3))] (3). The crystallographic studies of these clusters allow a detailed structural comparison. In addition, cyclic voltammetric data were obtained for complexes 1, 2, and 3 and their electrochemical properties are compared. Complex 1 and 3 exhibit reversible oxidation and reduction events. Complex 2 displays a reversible oxidation and a pseudo-reversible reduction. Chapter 5. The focus of this chapter is to briefly describe project ideas based on main group coordinated polynuclear clusters that future researchers may find worthwhile.