Reaction of (C5H4R)2Zr(C⋮CPh)2 (R = Me, t-Bu) with vanadocene Cp2V yields the
heterodimetallic complexes Cp2V(μ-η2:η4-butadiyne)Zr(C5H4R)2 (4, R = t-Bu; 5, R = Me). Both
compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and
magnetic susceptibility. According to the X-ray structure of Cp2V(μ-η2:η4-butadiyne)Zr(C5H4
t-Bu)2 (4), the [Cp2V] and [(C5H4
t-Bu)2Zr] metallocene moieties are bonded to a butadiene
framework through the two internal carbon atoms for [Cp2V] and through the two internal
and the two external carbon atoms for [(C5H4
t-Bu)2Zr]. The distances and angles observed
around the internal carbon atoms of the butadiene framework indicate that both carbons
are planar and tetracoordinate. These structural considerations are supported by a topological
analysis of the electron localization function (ELF). The existence of the (C5H4R)2Zr(η4:1,2,3,4-PhCCCCPh) (R = H, SiMe3, t-Bu, Me) zirconacyclocumulene species as a key
intermediate in the formation of the (Cp2V(μ-η2:η4-butadiyne)Zr(C5H4R)2 heterodimetallic
compounds is evidenced by NMR studies of either the formation of such zirconacyclocumulene
species by addition to (C5H4R)2Zr(C⋮CPh)2 of a catalytic amount of Cp2V or of the formation
of compounds 4 or 5 by addition of Cp2V to (C5H4R)2Zr(η4:1,2,3,4-PhCCCCPh) (R =
t-Bu, Me, respectively; synthesized from dialkynyl zirconocene complexes (C5H4R)2Zr(C⋮CPh)2 via hν daylight). The X-ray structure of the (C5H4R)2Zr(C⋮CPh)2 (R = H (6), t-Bu
(7), SiMe3 (8)) dialkynyl zirconocene complexes is also reported.