Activation of white phosphorus by molybdenum- and uranium tris-amides

Molybdaziridine-hydride Mo(H)([eta]²-Me₂C=NAr)(N[i-Pr]Ar)₂ (1, Ar = 3,5-C₆H₃Me₂) acts as a source of its three-coordinate isomer Mo(N[i-Pr]Ar)₃ (2). This relationship has been probed via an investigation of the coordination chemistry of 1 and Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 (3), a bulky analog of 2, with isocyanides RNC (R = 1-adamantyl, tert-butyl) and white phosphorus (P₄). A comparison of the rates and activation parameters of these reactions indicates that 2 is not an intermediate on the pathway from 1 to products, but rather than the molybdaziridine-hydride "opens" upon substrate binding in an associative process. Synthesis and characterization of 1:1 and 1:2 isocyanide adducts of 2 and 3, and bridging and terminal Pn compounds of molybdenum derived from the element P4 and their alcoholysis products are presented. The uranium tris-amide compounds (THF)U(N[R]Ar)₃ (R = t-Bu, 1-Ad) reacted with white phosphorus. The unique products contain a square tetraphosphorus moiety characterized formally as the dianion P₄□□₂₋. Structural and theoretical analyses are provided for this system.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Chemistry.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• Stephens, Frances H. (Frances Helen), 1977-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Christopher C. Cummins.

• Chemistry.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/17841

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/17841