Facile and selective aliphatic C-H bond activation at ambient temperatures initiated by Cp*W(NO)(CH2CMe3)(eta(3)-CH2CHCHMe).

Thermolysis of Cp*W(NO)(CH2CMe3)(eta(3)-CH2CHCHMe) (1) at ambient temperatures leads to the loss of neopentane and the formation of the eta(2)-diene intermediate, Cp*W(NO)(eta(2)-CH2=CHCH=CH2) (A), which has been isolated as its 18e PMe3 adduct. In the presence of linear alkanes, A effects C-H activations of the hydrocarbons exclusively at their terminal carbons and forms 18e Cp*W(NO)(n-alkyl)(eta(3)-CH2CHCHMe) complexes. Similarly, treatments of 1 with methylcyclohexane, chloropentane, diethyl ether, and triethylamine all lead to the corresponding terminal C-H activation products.

Concurrent N-H and alpha-C-H bond activations of pyrrolidine and piperidine under ambient conditions by 18e tungsten allyl nitrosyl complexes.

18e Cp*W(NO)(CH2CMe3)(eta3-allyl) complexes effect concurrent N-H and alpha-C-H bond activations of cyclic, saturated amines under mild conditions, the conversions involving pyrrolidine being shown. In a similar manner, treatment of Cp*W(NO)(CH2CMe3)(eta3-3,3-Me2C3H3) with piperidine at room temperature results in the clean formation of the alkyl amido complex, Cp*W(NO)(CH2CMe3)(NC5H9CMe2CHCH2).