Generation and coupling of [Mn(dmpe)2(C triple bond CR)(C triple bond C)]* radicals producing redox-active C4-bridged rigid-rod complexes.

The symmetric d(5) trans-bis-alkynyl complexes [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CSiR(3))(2)] (R = Me, 1 a; Et, 1 b; Ph, 1 c) (dmpe = 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane) have been prepared by the reaction of [Mn(dmpe)(2)Br(2)] with two equivalents of the corresponding acetylide LiC triple bond CSiR(3). The reactions of species 1 with [Cp(2)Fe][PF(6)] yield the corresponding d(4) complexes [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CSiR(3))(2)][PF(6)] (R = Me, 2 a; Et, 2 b; Ph, 2 c). These complexes react with NBu(4)F (TBAF) at -10 degrees C to give the desilylated parent acetylide compound [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CH)(2)][PF(6)] (6), which is stable only in solution at below 0 degrees C. The asymmetrically substituted trans-bis-alkynyl complexes [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CSiR(3))(C triple bond CH)][PF(6)] (R = Me, 7 a; Et, 7 b) related to 6 have been prepared by the reaction of the vinylidene compounds [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CSiR(3))(C=CH(2))] (R = Me, 5 a; Et, 5 b) with two equivalents of [Cp(2)Fe][PF(6)] and one equivalent of quinuclidine. The conversion of [Mn(C(5)H(4)Me)(dmpe)I] with Me(3)SiC triple bond CSnMe(3) and dmpe afforded the trans-iodide-alkynyl d(5) complex [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CSiMe(3))I] (9). Complex 9 proved to be unstable with regard to ligand disproportionation reactions and could therefore not be oxidized to a unique Mn(III) product, which prevented its further use in acetylide coupling reactions. Compounds 2 react at room temperature with one equivalent of TBAF to form the mixed-valent species [[Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CH)](2)(micro-C(4))][PF(6)] (11) by C-C coupling of [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CH)(C triple bond C*)] radicals generated by deprotonation of 6. In a similar way, the mixed-valent complex [[Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CSiMe(3))](2)(micro-C(4))][PF(6)] [12](+) is obtained by the reaction of 7 a with one equivalent of DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene). The relatively long-lived radical intermediate [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CH)(C triple bond C*)] could be trapped as the Mn(I) complex [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CH)(triple bond C-CO(2))] (14) by addition of an excess of TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy) to the reaction mixtures of species 2 and TBAF. The neutral dinuclear Mn(II)/Mn(II) compounds [[Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CR(3))](2)(micro-C(4))] (R = H, 11; R = SiMe(3), 12) are produced by the reduction of [11](+) and [12](+), respectively, with [FeCp(C(6)Me(6))]. [11](+) and [12](+) can also be oxidized with [Cp(2)Fe][PF(6)] to produce the dicationic Mn(III)/Mn(III) species [[Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CR(3))](2)(micro-C(4))][PF(6)](2) (R = H, [11](2+); R = SiMe(3), [12](2+)). Both redox processes are fully reversible. The dinuclear compounds have been characterized by NMR, IR, UV/Vis, and Raman spectroscopies, CV, and magnetic susceptibilities, as well as elemental analyses. X-ray diffraction studies have been performed on complexes 4 b, 7 b, 9, [12](+), [12](2+), and 14.