View source for Hexa(tert-butoxy)ditungsten(III)

'''Hexa(''tert''-butoxy)ditungsten(III)''' is a [[coordination complex]] of tungsten(III). It is one of the [[homoleptic]] alkoxides of tungsten. A red, air-sensitive solid, the complex has attracted academic attention as the precursor to many [[organotungsten]] derivatives. It an example of a charge-neutral complex featuring a W≡W bond, arising from the coupling of a pair of d3 metal centers.{{Chembox
| Name           = Hexa(tert-butoxy)ditungsten(III)
| ImageFile      = W2(OC(CH3)3)6.svg
| ImageSize      = 
| ImageAlt       = 
| OtherNames     = 
| IUPACName      = 
| Section1       = {{Chembox Identifiers
| CASNo = 57125-20-9  
| PubChem = 13634733
| ChemSpiderID = 26567629
| StdInChI=1S/6C4H9O.2W/c6*1-4(2,3)5;;/h6*1-3H3;;/q6*-1;2*+3
| StdInChIKey = YKZVERBZIZOWIZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
| SMILES = CC(C)(C)O[W](#[W](OC(C)(C)C)(OC(C)(C)C)OC(C)(C)C)(OC(C)(C)C)OC(C)(C)C
 }}
| Section2       = {{Chembox Properties
| C=24|H=54|O=6|W=2
| MolarMass =
| Appearance = red solid
| Density = 1.651 g/cm<sup>3</sup>
| MeltingPt = 
| BoilingPt = 
| Solubility = }}
| Section3       = {{Chembox Hazards
| MainHazards = 
| FlashPt = 
| AutoignitionPt = }}
}}

== Synthesis ==
Hexa(''tert''-butoxy)ditungsten(III) was first discovered by [[Malcolm H. Chisholm|M. H. Chisholm]] and M. Extine in 1975.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Chisholm |first=M. H. |last2=Extine |first2=M. |date=September 1975 |title=New metalloorganic compounds of tungsten(III) |url=https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ja00852a074 |journal=Journal of the American Chemical Society |language=en |volume=97 |issue=19 |pages=5625–5627 |doi=10.1021/ja00852a074 |issn=0002-7863}}</ref> They synthesized hexa(tert-butoxy)ditungsten(III) by reacting tungsten(III) dialkylamides with [[Tert-Butyl alcohol|''t''-BuOH]] in organic solvents. They also found that W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub> reacts with carbon dioxide in toluene to form green W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>4</sub>(O<sub>2</sub>CO-''t''-Bu)<sub>2</sub> under room temperature. In CO<sub>2</sub>, these compounds can be separated from cooled toluene purely. Without the presence of CO<sub>2</sub>, W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>4</sub>(O<sub>2</sub>CO-''t''-Bu)<sub>2</sub> is regenerated into W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub> reversibly.

W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub> can also be synthesized by using NaW<sub>2</sub>Cl<sub>7</sub>(THF)<sub>5</sub> as reactant in [[Tetrahydrofuran|THF]] with addition of NaO-''t''-Bu under ambient temperature for 18 hours.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Chisholm |first=M. H. |last2=Eichhorn |first2=B. W. |last3=Folting |first3=K. |last4=Huffman |first4=J. C. |last5=Ontiveros |first5=C. D. |last6=Streib |first6=W. E. |last7=Van der Sluys |first7=W. G. |date=September 1987 |title=Preparation and characterization of sodium heptachloropentakis(THF)ditungstate(1-). A synthetically useful precursor for X3W.tplbond.WX3 compounds where X = CH2-tert-Bu, NMe2 and O-tert-Bu |url=https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ic00266a024 |journal=Inorganic Chemistry |language=en |volume=26 |issue=19 |pages=3182–3186 |doi=10.1021/ic00266a024 |issn=0020-1669}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Broderick |first=Erin M. |title=Dimolybdenum and Ditungsten Hexa(Alkoxides) |date=2014-05-02 |work=Inorganic Syntheses |pages=95–102 |editor-last=Girolami |editor-first=Gregory S. |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9781118744994.ch18 |access-date=2024-03-08 |edition=1 |publisher=Wiley |language=en |doi=10.1002/9781118744994.ch18 |isbn=978-1-118-74487-1 |last2=Browne |first2=Samuel C. |last3=Johnson |first3=Marc J. A. |last4=Hitt |first4=Tracey A. |last5=Girolami |first5=Gregory S. |editor2-last=Sattelberger |editor2-first=Alfred P.}}</ref> After the reaction, the solvent is removed, and it becomes a red slurry. Further cooling (-35<sup>o</sup>C) and decantation or vacuum filtration separate red crystalline W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub>. The salt metathesis reaction from the THF complex of ditungsten heptachloride is as follows:

NaW<sub>2</sub>Cl<sub>7</sub>(THF)<sub>5</sub> + 6 NaO-''t''-Bu → W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub> + 7 NaCl + 5 THF

== Characteristics ==
These needle-like red crystals are highly unstable under oxygen and water and can be dissolved in most organic solvents such as diethyl ether and pentane. They are found in dimers with two tungsten(III) bond with each other to form triple bonds. These two W(III) form pseudotetrahedral center and adopt a staggered, ethane-like conformation, similar to its [[Hexa(tert-butoxy)dimolybdenum(III)|dimolybdenum analogue]]. The structure of the compound was investigated by Chisholm and his team using single crystal X-ray diffraction. The investigation was performed in a C-centered monoclinic crystal. In ''C2/c'' space group, there is one half inversion center molecule and one whole molecule in general position. There are several orientations for each position which leads to the length of WW ranging from 1.74 to 2.53 Å. The orientation of ''t''-butyl groups in each W are one direct away from WW (distal) and two over WW (proximal). This arrangement had been calculated as the best to minimize the steric repulsing effect.

This compound can be decomposed into WO<sub>2</sub>, ''t''-BuOH, and isobutylene, with trace amount of water under 200<sup>o</sup>C. This compound can react easily with alkynes or nitriles to generate RC≡W(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>3</sub> or both RC≡W(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>3</sub> and N≡W(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>3</sub>. With excess amount of nitrile, only N≡W(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>3</sub> are formed along with RC≡CR. RC≡W(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>3</sub> is important catalyst for alkyne metathesis while N≡W(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>3</sub> is a catalyst for nitrogen exchange of nitriles. The C≡W bond in RC≡W(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>3</sub> was concluded to behave as polarized C(-)≡W(+). Thus, the metathesis catalytic reaction starts with tungsten as electrophilic attacker to attack acetylene and followed by alkylidyne carbon as nucleophilic attacker to attack acetylenic carbon atom.

== Reactivity ==
Carbon monoxide adds to W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub> to form W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub>(CO). The carbonyl group is a [[bridging ligand]]. This compound can further react with ''i''-PrOH to generate W<sub>4</sub>(μ-CO)<sub>2</sub>(O-''i''-Pr)<sub>12</sub>.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Chisholm |first=Malcolm H. |date=1987-11-03 |title=A molecular model for the reductive cleavage of carbon monoxide to carbide and oxide on reduced metal oxides |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0022328X87800396 |journal=Journal of Organometallic Chemistry |volume=334 |issue=1 |pages=77–84 |doi=10.1016/0022-328X(87)80039-6 |issn=0022-328X}}</ref>
:{{chem2|W2(O\stert\sBu)6 + CO → W2(O\stert\sBu)6CO}}

=== Alkynes ===
C≡C bonds are cleaved by hexa(tert-butoxy)ditungsten(III) giving a pair of tungsten alkylidyne complexes:<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Schrock |first=Richard R. |last2=Listemann |first2=Mark L. |last3=Sturgeoff |first3=Lynda G. |date=July 1982 |title=Metathesis of tungsten-tungsten triple bonds with acetylenes and nitriles to give alkylidyne and nitrido complexes |url=https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ja00379a061 |journal=Journal of the American Chemical Society |language=en |volume=104 |issue=15 |pages=4291–4293 |doi=10.1021/ja00379a061 |issn=0002-7863}}</ref> Although the reaction applies to many alkynes, PhC≡CPh or Me<sub>3</sub>SiC≡CSiMe<sub>3</sub> do not react.
:{{chem2|W2(O\stert\sBu)6 + 2 RC≡CR → 2 RC\tW(O\stert\sBu)3}} (R = Me, Et, Si(CH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub>)
[[File:Hexa(tert-butoxy)ditungsten(III)_reacting_with_asymmetric_alkyne.jpg|thumb|Hexa(tert-butoxy)ditungsten(III) reacting with asymmetric alkyne.]]
This reaction includes an alkyne adduct on the μ-perpendicular site to increase both the length of WW bonds and CC (alkyne) bonds. This intermediate can be analogue as a dimetallatetrahedranes and further react into RC≡W(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>3</sub> with internal redox reaction. The resulting RC≡W(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>3</sub> is a catalyst for metathesis reactions. RC≡W(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>3</sub> can react with normal alkynes for metathesis reactions and also with terminal alkynes for both metathesis reactions and polymerizations.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mortreux |first=André |last2=Petit |first2=Francis |last3=Petit |first3=Michèle |last4=Szymanska-Buzar |first4=Teresa |date=1995-02-23 |title=Reactions of W(CCMe3) (OCMe3)3 with terminal alkynes: metathesis and polymerization |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/1381116994000042 |journal=Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical |volume=96 |issue=2 |pages=95–105 |doi=10.1016/1381-1169(94)00004-2 |issn=1381-1169}}</ref>

Besides simple metathesis reactions, W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub> also reacts with 3-hexyne in a 1:1 molar ratio to form a triangular tritungsten complex compound [W<sub>3</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>5</sub>(μ-O)(μ-CEt)O]<sub>2</sub>.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Cotton |first=F. Albert |last2=Schwotzer |first2=Willi |last3=Shamshoum |first3=Edwar S. |date=October 1983 |title=A new type of triangular tritungsten cluster compound from reaction of 3-hexyne with hexa-tert-butoxyditungsten |url=https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/om50004a014 |journal=Organometallics |language=en |volume=2 |issue=10 |pages=1340–1343 |doi=10.1021/om50004a014 |issn=0276-7333}}</ref> This reaction takes about 3 days under 75-80 <sup>o</sup>C in toluene. This reaction has a two steps mechanism; first is the C≡C and W≡W metathesis reaction and follow by formal addition of carbyne (W≡C) to alkoxide (W<sub>2</sub>):

:W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub> + RC≡CR → 2[RC≡W(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>3</sub>]

W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub> + RC≡W(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>3</sub> → W<sub>3</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>5</sub>(μ-O)(μ-CEt)O → [W<sub>3</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>5</sub>(μ-O)(μ-CEt)O]<sub>2</sub>
[[File:Hexa(tert-butoxy)ditungsten(III)_reacting_with_alkyne_to_form_triangular_tritungsten_complexes.jpg|thumb|Hexa(tert-butoxy)ditungsten(III) reacting with alkyne to form triangular tritungsten complexes.]]
W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub> also reacts with EtC≡CC≡CEt to form (''t''-Bu-O)<sub>3</sub>W≡CC≡W(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>3</sub>:

W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub> + EtC≡CC≡CEt → (''t''-Bu-O)<sub>3</sub>W≡CC≡W(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>3</sub> + EtC≡CEt

This compound, however, does not act as a metathesis catalyst.

===Nitriles ===
Similar to the reaction with alkynes, W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub> cleaves nitriles to give the alkyldyne and nitride:<ref name=":02">{{Cite journal |last=Listemann |first=Mark L. |last2=Schrock |first2=Richard R. |date=January 1985 |title=Multiple metal carbon bonds. 35. A general route to tri-tert-butoxytungsten alkylidyne complexes. Scission of acetylenes by ditungsten hexa-tert-butoxide |url=https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/om00120a014 |journal=Organometallics |language=en |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=74–83 |doi=10.1021/om00120a014 |issn=0276-7333}}</ref>
:W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub> + RC≡N → RC≡W(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>3</sub> + N≡W(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>3</sub>
[[File:Hexa(tert-butoxy)ditungsten(III)_reacting_with_nitrile.jpg|thumb|Hexa(tert-butoxy)ditungsten(III) reacting with nitrile.]]
Although W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub> reacts with nitriles, it doesn’t react with nitrogen (N≡N).

When C≡C and C≡N bond both exist, W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub> reacts more rapidly with C≡N than C≡C bond. Here’s an example of W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub> reacting with EtC≡CCN in the presence of [[quinuclidine]]:

W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub> + EtC≡CCN + 12quin → EtC≡CC≡W(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>3</sub>(quin) + N≡W(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>3</sub>

On the other hand, the metathesis catalyst MeC≡W(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>3</sub> reacts more rapidly with C≡C than C≡N bond. Similar reaction with EtC≡CCN and quinuclidine produce different product:

MeC≡W(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>3</sub> + EtC≡CCN + 12quin → NCC≡W(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>3</sub>(quin) + EtC≡CMe

=== Other reactions===
W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub> cleaves [[nitrosobenzene]] to give [W(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>2</sub>(NPh)]<sub>2</sub>(μ-O)(μ-O-''t''-Bu)<sub>2</sub>.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Cotton |first=F. Albert |last2=Shamshoum |first2=Edwar S. |date=May 1984 |title=Oxidative addition of nitrosobenzene fragments across the triply bonded ditungsten hexa-tert-butoxide molecule. The preparation and structure of the tungsten-tert-butoxy complex [W(OCMe3)2(NPh)]2(.mu.-O)(.mu.-OCMe3)2 |url=https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ja00323a026 |journal=Journal of the American Chemical Society |language=en |volume=106 |issue=11 |pages=3222–3225 |doi=10.1021/ja00323a026 |issn=0002-7863}}</ref>

[[Allenes]]<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Chacon |first=Stephanie T. |last2=Chisholm |first2=Malcolm H. |last3=Folting |first3=Kirsten |last4=Huffman |first4=John C. |last5=Hampden-Smith |first5=Mark J. |date=October 1991 |title=Allene adducts of ditungsten hexaalkoxides. Three modes of allene coordination to dinuclear centers as seen in the structures of W2(OBu-tert)6(C3H4), W2(OBu-tert)6(C3H4)2, and W2(OBu-tert)6(C3H4)(CO)2 |url=https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/om00056a051 |journal=Organometallics |language=en |volume=10 |issue=10 |pages=3722–3735 |doi=10.1021/om00056a051 |issn=0276-7333}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Cayton |first=Roger H. |last2=Chacon |first2=Stephanie T. |last3=Chisholm |first3=Malcolm H. |last4=Hampden‐Smith |first4=Mark J. |last5=Huffman |first5=John C. |last6=Folting |first6=Kirsten |last7=Ellis |first7=Paul D. |last8=Huggins |first8=Beth A. |date=November 1989 |title=Versatile Modes of Allene Bonding in the Structures of [W 2 (O t Bu) 6 (C 3 H 4 )], [W 2 (O t Bu) 6 (C 3 H 4 )(CO) 2 ], and [W 2 (O t Bu) 6 (C 3 H 4 ) 2 ] |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.198915231 |journal=Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English |language=en |volume=28 |issue=11 |pages=1523–1525 |doi=10.1002/anie.198915231 |issn=0570-0833}}</ref>
W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub> can also react with allene (H<sub>2</sub>C=C=CH<sub>2</sub>) for adduction. In a ratio of 1:1, allene adduct on W<sub>2</sub> to form a v-shape bridge structure:

W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub> + H<sub>2</sub>C=C=CH<sub>2</sub> → W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub>(C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>4</sub>)

This compound is synthesized under 0<sup>o</sup>C in hexane and crystallized under -72<sup>o</sup>C. It decomposes easily in solution at 0<sup>o</sup>C and in crystalline state at ~25<sup>o</sup>C but very stable at ~20<sup>o</sup>C. The bridging allene is parallel to the W<sub>2</sub> bond. In a ratio of 1:2, the additional allene will bind to single metal center as typical bonding:

W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub>(C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>4</sub>) + 2H<sub>2</sub>C=C=CH<sub>2</sub> → W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub>(C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>
[[File:Hexa(tert-butoxy)ditungsten(III)_reacting_with_allene.jpg|thumb|Hexa(tert-butoxy)ditungsten(III) reacting with allene.]]
The product of 1:1 adduction can further react with carbon monoxide to form a similar structure to 1:2 adduction but adducted with carbon monoxide instead of allene:

W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub>(C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>4</sub>) + 2CO → W<sub>2</sub>(O-''t''-Bu)<sub>6</sub>(C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>4</sub>)(CO)<sub>2</sub>

Reaction using methylallene (MeHC=C=CH<sub>2</sub>) instead of allene is also feasible forming similar structures.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Alkoxides]]
[[Category:Tungsten(III) compounds]]