ONO PINCER LIGANDS AND ONO PINCER LIGAND COMPRISING METAL

COMPLEXES

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61 /484,793, filed May 1 1, 201 1 , which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, including any figures, tables, or drawings.

The subject invention was made with government support under the National Science Foundation, Contract No. CHE-0748408. The government has certain rights to this invention. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Pincer ligands are chelating agents that bind metals tightly to three adjacent coplanar sites. The pincer-metal interaction is rigid and typically confers a high thermal stability to the ligand metal complexes. Organic portions and substituents define a hydrophobic pocket around the coordination site. These ligands traditionally share the common feature of a central aromatic unit. To this central unit are attached, in the ortho positions, two arms whose electronic and steric properties can be varied in many different ways. The ability to vary the properties of pincer ligands has been exploited for numerous complexes to be used as catalysts. Early work mainly focused on ligands where the central binding site is carbon and the peripheral binding sites are phosphorous, generally referred to by the atomic symbols of the donor atoms at the binding sites as the PCP systems. More recently CCC, CNC, CNS, NNN, NCN, PNP, OCO. SCS, SNS have been reported. Most frequently the pincer ligand transition metal complexes have been those of group VII - X metals where low coordinate and low oxidation state prevail and the metals are tolerant of a wide variety of substituents.

Early transition metal (group III - VI) pincer complexes are significantly less common and typically display high oxidation states and high coordination numbers, are typically electrophilic, and are intolerant of many functional groups. As most presently known pincer ligands have multiple soft donor atoms for metal binding, the ligands are not well suited to forming complexes with the early transition metals. Those that have been prepared include: pincer dicarbene complexes of CNC ligands with V, Ti, Cr, Mn, and Nb; nontraditional NNN ligands with Zr; NCN ligands with W, Mo, Ti, La, Ta and Mn; and OCO ligands with Ti, Ta, and Mo. The early transition metals form complexes with pincer type ligands where the donors are all considered hard donors. Although OCO pincer ligands form transition metal complexes, the metal-carbon bond is susceptible to degradation via insertion reactions. Hence, pincer ligands that are not readily susceptible to degradation but can bind to group I II through group X transition metals could be useful for catalysts for a broad scope of reactions including N-atom transfer reactions, aerobic oxidation, olefin polymerization, alkene isomerization, and C-H bond activation.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention are directed to ONO pincer ligands in their protonated, partly protonated, or trianionic forms and the transition metal complexes comprising the ONO pincer ligands. The ligands share a structural feature of a central nitrogen atom connected via a pair of bridges comprising three carbon atoms or two carbon atoms and a silicon atom to a pair of oxygen atoms where at least two of the carbon atoms are sp hybridized. The two bridges can be of like structure or different structure, and can include substituents to provide desired steric and electronic properties of transition metal complexes comprising the ONO pincer ligands.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to the preparation of the ONO pincer ligands. Other embodiments of the invention are directed to the preparation of transition metal complexes comprising an ONO pincer ligand. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a scheme for the synthesis of 6,6'-(azanediyl )w(methylenc))iw(2-(tert- butyl)phenol) (4) according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a scheme for the synthesis of 2,2'-(azanediylbis(3-methyl-6,l -phenylene)) bi.s{ 1 , 1.1 ,3,3.3-hexafluotO-propan-2-ol) [F ₆ ONO]H ₃ (5) according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a Ή NMR spectrum of 5 in CDCI3.

Figure 4 is a ¹⁹ F{ ^l H} NMR spectrum of 5 in CTX¾. Figure 5 is a ^I3 C{ 1H} NMR spectrum of 5 in CDC1 ₃ .

Figure 6 is a ¹³ C{ ¹⁹ F} NMR spectrum of 5 in CDC1 ₃ .

Figure 7 is a scheme for the synthesis of [F ₆ 0NO]W=CHCH ₂ CH ₃ (O Bu) (6) according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 is a Ή NMR spectrum of 6 in CDCU.

Figure 9 is a ¹⁹ F{ 'H} NMR spectrum of 6 in CDC1 ₃ .

Figure 10 shows the solid state structure of 6 as determined by X-ray crystallography.

Figure 1 1 is tabulated crystal data and structure refinement for 6.

Figure 12 is tabulated atomic coordinates and equivalent isotropic displacement parameters for 6.

Figure 13 is tabulated bond lengths and angles for 6.

Figure 14 is tabulated anisotropic displacement parameters for 6.

Figure 15 is a scheme for the synthesis of ['BuOCl FNHCfFO^Mo (7) according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 16 is a Ή NMR spectrum of 7 in CDC1 ₃ .

Figure 17 shows the solid state structure of 7 with thermal ellipsoids drawn at the 50% probability level.

Figure 18 is tabulated crystal data and structure refinement for 7.

Figure 19 is tabulated atomic coordinates and equivalent isotropic displacement parameters for 7.

Figure 20 is tabulated bond lengths and angles for 7.

Figure 21 is a scheme for the synthesis of |'BuOCH ₂ NHCH ₂ 01 W-CC1 FC1 F, (8) according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 22 is a Ή NMR spectrum of 8 in CDC1 ₃ .

Figure 23 shows the solid state structure of 8 with thermal ellipsoids drawn at the 50% probability level.

Figure 24 is tabulated crystal data and structure refinement for 8.

Figure 25 is tabulated atomic coordinates and equivalent isotropic displacement parameters for 8.

Figure 26 is tabulated bond lengths and angles for 8.

Figure 27 is tabulated anisotropic displacement parameters for 8. Figure 28 is a scheme for the synthesis of [CF ₃ -ONO]W(=CH'Bu)(0'Bu) (9) according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 29 is a Ή NMR spectrum of 9 in CDC1 .

Figure 30 is a ⁱ⁹ F{ 1H} NMR spectrum of 9 in CDC1 ₃ .

Figure 31 is a scheme for the synthesis of {H ₃ CPPh ₃ } { [CF ₃ -ONO] W(≡C'B u)(0'Bu) }

(10) according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 32 is a Ή NMR spectrum of 10 in CDC1 ₃ .

Figure 33 is a scheme for the synthesis of {H ₃ CPPh ₃ } ₂ {[CF ₃ -ONO]W(≡C'Bu)(OTi) ₂ }

(11) according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 34 is a Ή NMR spectrum of 11 in CDC1 ₃ .

Figure 35 is a ¹⁹ F{ 'lI} NMR spectrum, of 11 in CDC1 ₃ .

Figure 36 is a scheme for the synthesis of [CF ₃ -ONO]W[C(¾u)C(Me)C(Ph)] ( 12) according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 37 is a Ή NMR spectrum of 12 in C ₆ D„.

Figure 38 is a ^,9 F { 'H} NMR spectrum of 12 in C ₆ D ₆ .

Figure 39 is a ^, C { 'H} NMR spectrum of 12 in C ₆ D ₆ .

Figure 40 shows the solid state structure of 12 with thermal ellipsoids drawn at the 50% probability level.

Figure 41 is tabulated crystal data and structure refinement for 12.

Figure 42 is tabulated atomic coordinates and equivalent isotropic displacement parameters for 12.

Figure 43 is tabulated bond lengths and angles for 12.

Figure 44 is tabulated anisotropic displacement parameters for 12. DETAILED DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the invention are directed to ONO pincer ligands: the trianionic ONO pincer ligands; the protonated ONO ligand precursors; the trianionic ONO pincer ligand comprising transition metal complexes; methods for the preparation of the precursors; and methods for the preparation of the complexes. Modification of the ONO pincer ligand structure allows the modification of the steric and electronic properties of the transition metal complexes thereof. The trianionic ONO pincer ligands comprise a central nitrogen anion that is disubstituted with a pair of three carbon comprising bridges to terminal oxygen anions, or optionally a bridge comprising two carbons and one sp ³ silicon where the silicon is adjacent to the oxygen. Two adjacent carbons of the bridge are sp ² hybridized where a heteroatom, either the nitrogen or oxygen, is zusammen (cis) to the third carbon or the sp ³ silicon of the bridge, such that the anionic ONO pincer ligand can achieve, but are not necessarily restricted to, a conformation where the heteroatoms and bridging carbons are coplanar:

where X is C or Si.

Embodiments of the invention are described below where the two bridges are identical in bridging structure, although the identity of the substituents can result in asymmetric ONO pincer ligands. The ONO pincer ligands can be chiral or achiral. Other embodiments of the invention can have non-identical bridges, and, as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the bridge to the first oxygen can be of a different structure than the bridge to the second oxygen. For example: one bridge can comprise three s ^{^} carbons and the other bridge can comprise two sp ² carbons and one sp ^J carbon; one bridge can be two sp ² carbons and one sp ³ carbon adjacent to the nitrogen and the other bridge can comprise two sp ² carbons and an sp ³ carbon adjacent to the oxygen; or the different two bridges can include one bridge with the structure of any of the embodiments below and the other bridge can include a bridge of any second embodiment below.

The trianionic ONO pincer ligand comprising transition metal complexes, according to embodiments of the invention, can include group III through group X transition metals. Embodiments of the invention are directed to ONO pincer ligand comprising transition metal complexes where the metals are early transition metals of group III through group VI. The trianionic ONO pincer ligand comprising transition metal complexes can be used as catalysts. Depending on the structure of the trianionic ONO pincer ligand comprising transition metal complex, the catalysis therefrom can be used for N-atom transfer reactions, aerobic oxidation, olefin polymerization, alkene isomerization, olefin metathesis, alkyne metathesis, alkyne- nitrile cross metathesis, C-H bond activation, C0 ₂ fixation, and dinitrogen fixation.

In an embodiment of the invention the trianionic ONO pincer ligand comprises bridges with an sp ² carbon adjacent to the oxygen and an sp ³ carbon adjacent to the nitrogen of the structure:

where R groups and R' groups are independently I I, C 1 -C30 alkyl, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkynyl, C ₆ -C ₁₄ aryl, C ₇ -C ₃₀ arylalkyl, C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkenyl, C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkynyl, Ci-C ₃₀ alkoxy, C ₆ -C ₁₄ aryloxy, C ₇ -C ₃₀ arylalkyloxy, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkenyloxy, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkynyloxy, C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkenyloxy, C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkynyloxy, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkylester, C ₇ -Ci ₅ arylester, C ₈ -C ₃₀ alkylarylester. C ₃ -C ₃₀ alkenylester, C ₃ -C ₃₀ alkynylester, C ₃ -C ₃₀ polyether, C ₃ -C ₀ polyetherester, C ₃ -C ₃ o polyester, or where any of the R and R ^" groups are perfiuorinated, partially fluorinated, and/or otherwise substituted. Any alkyl group within the substituent can be linear, branched, cyclic, or any combination thereof. Alkenyl, alkynyl, ester, or ether functionality can be situated adj cent or remotely to the substituted carbon. Any of the R or R' groups that are not H can be further substituted with other functionality, for example, a terminal alkene, alkyne, amino, hydroxy, trialkoxysilyl, or other group. The ONO pincer ligand can be covalently fixed to a polymer, polymeric network, a resin or other surface such as a glass or ceramic . In embodiments of the invention, any pair of R groups, any pair of R ^" groups, or any R and R' groups of the same bridge can be combined into any five to eight membered cyclic structure. For example, the substituted phenyl groups shown above can be part of a polycyclic aromatic where two R groups are an additional aromatic ring or rings.

In an embodiment of the invention, the R group ortho to the sp ^J carbon of the bridge is connected to an R' group of that sp ³ carbon to form an anionic ONO pincer ligand of the structure:

where n is 0 to 2 and R and R' are defined as above.

In an embodiment of the invention the trianionic ONO pincer ligand comprises bridges with an sp' carbon adjacent to the nitrogen and an sp carbon adjacent to the oxygen of the structure:

where R groups and R' groups are independently I I, C1 -C30 alkyl, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkenyl, C2-C30 alkynyl, C ₆ -Ci ₄ aryl, C ₇ -C ₃₀ arylalkyl, Q-C30 arylalkenyl, C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkynyl, C i-C ₅₀ alkoxy, C ₆ -Ci 4 aryloxy, C7-C30 arylalkyloxy, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkenyloxy, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkynyloxy, C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkenyloxy, C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkynyloxy, C2-C30 alkylester, C7-C 15 arylester, C ₈ -C3o alkylarylester, C3-C30 alkenylester, C3-C30 alkynylester, C ₃ -C ₃ o polyether, C3-C30 polyetherester, C ₃ -C ₃₀ polyester, or where any of the R and R ^" groups are perfluorinated, partially fluorinated, and/or otherwise substituted. Any alkyl group within the subslituent can be linear, branched, cyclic, or any combination thereof. Alkenyl, alkynyl, ester, or ether functionality can be situated adjacent or remotely to the substituted carbon. Any of the R or R' groups that are not H can be further substituted with other functionality, for example, a terminal alkene, alkyne, amino, hydroxy, trialkoxysilyl, or other group. The ONO pincer ligand can be covalently fixed to a polymer, polymeric network, a resin or other surface such as a glass or ceramic. In embodiments of the invention, any pair of R groups, any pair of R ^" groups, or any R and R' groups of the same bridge can be combined into any five to eight membered cyclic structure. For example, the substituted phenyl groups shown above can be part of a polycyclic aromatic where two R groups are an additional aromatic ring or rings.

An exemplary embodiment of a trianionic ONO pincer ligand that has asymmetric bridges is a trianionic ONO pincer ligand of the structure:

where R and R' are defined as above.

In an embodiment of the invention, the R group ortho to the sp ³ carbon of the bridge is connected to an R' group of that sp carbon to form an anionic ONO pincer ligand of the structure:

where n is 0 to 2 and R and R' are defined as above. Where two R' are combined into a cyclic structure a bicycle structure can be formed, such as:

In an embodiment of the invention the tri anionic ONO pincer ligand comprises bridges with an sp ² carbon adjacent to the nitrogen and an sp ^J silicon adjacent to the oxygen the structure:

where: R groups are independently 1 1, Cy-C ₁₍₎ alkyl, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₃ o alkynyl, C ₆ -C H aryl, C7-C30 arylalkyl, C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkenyl, C ₈ -C ₃ o arylalkynyl, C1-C30 alkoxy, C ₆ -C _{] 4} aryloxy, C ₇ -C ₃₀ arylalkyloxy, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkenyloxy, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkynyloxy, C _B -C ₃₀ arylalkenyloxy, C ₈ -C ₃ o arylalkynyloxy, C ₂ -C30 alkylester, C ₇ -C| 5 aiylester, C ₈ -C ₃₀ alkylarylester. C3-C30 alkenylester, C3-C30 alkynylester, C3-C30 polyefher, C3-C30 polyetherester, or C3-C30 polyester, or where any of the R groups arc perfluorinated, partially fluorinated, and/or otherwise substituted; and R' groups are independently Ci-C ₃₀ alkyl, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkynyl, C ₆ -Ci ₄ aryl, C ₇ -C ₃₀ arylalkyl, C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkenyl, C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkynyl, Ci-C ₃₀ alkoxy, C ₆ -C H aryloxy, C ₇ -C ₃₀ arylalkyloxy, C ₂ -C ₃ o alkenyloxy, C2-C30 alkynyloxy, C¾-C ₃ o arylalkenyloxy, CS-C30 arylalkynyloxy, or where any of the R' groups are partially fluorinated, and/or otherwise substituted. Any alkyl group within the substituent can be linear, branched, cyclic, or any combination thereof. Alkenyl, alkynyl, ester, or ether functionality can be situated adjacent or remotely to the substituted carbon. Any of the R or R ^" groups that are not I I can be further substituted with functionality, for example, a terminal alkene, alkyne, amino, hydroxy, trialkoxysilyl, or other group. The ONO pincer ligand can be covaiently fixed to a polymer, polymeric network, a resin or other surface such as a glass or ceramic.

In an embodiment of the invention the trianionic ONO pincer ligand comprises bridges with an sp carbon adjacent to the nitrogen and on one bridge an sp silicon adjacent to the oxygen and on the other bridge an sp ³ carbon adjacent to the oxygen of the structure:

where R groups and R' groups attached to a carbon atom are independently H, C]-C ₃₀ alkyl, C2-C30 alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₃ o alkynyl, C ₆ -CH aryl, C7-C30 arylalkyl, C ₈ -C ₃ o arylalkenyk C ₈ -C ₃ o arylalkynyl, Ci-C ₃₀ alkoxy, C ₆ -C ₁₄ aryloxy, C ₇ -C ₃₀ arylalkyloxy, C ₂ -C ₃ o alkenyloxy, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkynyloxy, C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkenyloxy, C ₈ -C ₃ o arylalkynyl oxy, C ₂ -C ₀ alkyiester, C7-C15 arylester, C ₈ -C ₃ o alkylarylester, C ₃ -C ₃₀ alkenylester, C ₃ -C ₃₀ alkynylester, C ₃ -C _3U polyether, C ₃ -C ₃₀ polyetherester, C ₃ -C ₃₀ polyester, or where any of the R and R' groups are perfluorinated, partially fluorinated, and/or otherwise substituted; and R' groups attached to a silicon atom are independently Ci-C ₃₀ alkyl. C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkynyl, C ₆ -C _{I 4} aryl, C ₇ -C ₃₀ arylalkyl, C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkenyk C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkynyl, Ci-C ₃₀ alkoxy, C ₆ -Ci ₄ aryloxy, C ₇ -C ₃₀ arylalkyloxy, C2-C30 alkenyloxy, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkynyloxy, C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkenyloxy, C ₈ -C ₃ o arylalkynyloxy, or where any of the R ^" groups are partially fluorinated, and/or otherwise substituted or any combination thereof. Any alkyl group within the substituent can be linear, branched, cyclic, or any combination thereof. Alkenyl, alkynyl, ester, or ether functionality can be situated adjacent or remotely to the substituted carbon. Any of the R or R' groups that are not H can be further substituted with a functional group, for example, a terminal alkene, alkyne. amino, hydroxy, trialkoxysilyl, or other group. The ONO pincer ligand can be covaiently fixed to a polymer, polymeric network, a resin or other surface such as a glass or ceramic.

In one embodiment of the invention, sp ² hybridized carbons of the two bridges that are ortho to the nitrogen can be connected to form an anionic ONO pincer ligand of the structure:

where X groups are independently C or Si, m is 0 or 1 , and R and R' are defined as above where X is C and where X is Si.

In an embodiment of the invention the trianionic ONO pincer ligand comprises bridges with an sp ² carbon adjacent to the nitrogen and an sp ² carbon adjacent to the oxygen

where R groups are independently H, C]-C ₃ o alkyl, C ₂ -C ₃ o alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkynyl, C ₆ -C| ₄ aryl, C ₇ -C ₃₀ arylalkyl, C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkenyl, C ₈ -C ₃₀ aryl alkynyl, C)-C ₃₀ alkoxy, C ₆ -Ci ₄ aryloxy, C ₇ -C ₃₀ arylalkyloxy, C ₂ -C ₃ o alkenyloxy, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkynyloxy, C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkenyloxy, C -C ₃₀ arylalkynyloxy, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkylester C ₇ -C _[5 arylestcr, C ₈ -C ₃ o alkylarylester, C ₃ -C ₃₀ alkenylester, C3-C30 alkynylester, C ₃ -C ₃₀ polyether, C ₃ -C ₃₀ polyetherester, C ₃ -C ₃₀ polyester, or where any of the R groups are perfluorinatcd, partially fluorinated, and/or otherwise substituted. Any alkyl group within the substituent can be linear, branched, cyclic, or any combination thereof. Alkenyl, alkynyl, ester, or ether functionality can be situated adjacent or remotely to the substituted carbon. Any of the R groups that are not H can be further substituted with functionality, for example, a terminal alkene, alkyne, amino, hydroxy, trialkoxysilyl, or other group. The ONO pincer ligand can be covalently fixed to a polymer, polymeric network, a resin or other surface such as a glass or ceramic. In embodiments of the invention, any pair of R groups can be combined into any five to eight membered cyclic structure.

In one embodiment of the invention, two sp ² hybridized carbons of the two bridges that are ortho to the nitrogen can be connected to form an anionic ONO pincer ligand of the structure:

where m is 0 or 1, and R is defined as above and R' is defined as above when attached to a carbon atom.

In an embodiment of the invention the trianionic ONO pincer ligand comprises bridges with an sp carbon adjacent to the nitrogen and an sp carbon adjacent to the oxygen of the structure:

where X' groups are independently O or R" ₂ C; R groups are independently H, C 1 -C30 alkyl, C2-C30 alkenyl, C2-C30 alkynyl, C ₆ -Ci4 aryl, C7-C30 arylalkyl, Q-C30 aiylalkenyl, Cs-C ₃ o arylalkynyl, C -C30 alkoxy, C ₆ -Ci ₄ aryloxy, C ₇ -C ₃₀ arylalkyloxy, C ₂ -C ₃ o alkenyloxy, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkynyloxy, C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkenyloxy, C ₈ -C ₃ o arylalkynyloxy. C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkylester, C7-C 15 arylester, C ₈ -C ₃₀ alkylarylester, C ₃ -C ₃₀ alkenylester, C3-C30 alkynylester, C3-C30 polyether, C ₃ -C ₃₀ polyetherester, or C3-C30 polyester; and R" groups are independently H, C 1 -C30 alkyl, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₃ o alkynyl, C ₆ -Ci ₄ aryl, C ₇ -C ₃₀ arylalkyl, C ₃ -C ₃ o arylalkenyl. Cg-C ₃ o arylalkynyl, or where any of the R or R" groups are perfluorinated, partially fluorinated, and/or otherwise substituted. Any alkyl group within the substituent can be linear, branched, cyclic, or any combination thereof. Alkenyl, alkynyl, ester, or ether functionality can be situated adjacent or remotely to the substituted carbon. Any of the R groups that are not H can be further substituted with functionality, for example, a terminal alkene, alkyne, amino, hydroxy, trialkoxysilyl, or other group. The ONO pincer ligand can be covaiently fixed to a polymer, polymeric network, a resin or other surface such as a glass or ceramic. In embodiments of the invention, any pair of R groups, R" groups can be combined into any five to eight membered cyclic structure. In one embodiment of the invention, two sp ² hybridized carbons of the two bridges that are ortho to the nitrogen can be connected to form a trianionic ONO pincer ligand of the structure:

where X', m, R, R\ and R" are defined as above where R' is bonded to carbon.

In an embodiment of the invention the trianionic ONO pincer ligand comprises bridges with an sp carbon adjacent to the nitrogen and an sp carbon adjacent to the oxygen of the structure:

where X' groups are independently 0 or R" ₂ C; R groups are independently H. C]-C ₃₀ alkyl, C2-C30 alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₃ o alkynyl, C ₆ -Ci ₄ aryl, C7-C30 arylalkyl, C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkenyl, C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkynyl, C 1-C30 alkoxy, C ₆ -CH aryloxy, C ₇ -C ₃₀ arylalkyloxy, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkenyloxy, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkynyloxy, C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkenyloxy, C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkynyloxy, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkylester, C7-C15 arylester, C ₈ -C ₃ o alkylarylester, C ₃ -C ₃₀ alkenylester, C ₃ -C ₃ o alkynylester, C ₃ -C ₃ o polyether, C ₃ -C ₃ o polyetherester, C3-C30 polyester, or where any of the R groups are peril uorinated, partially fluorinated, and/or otherwise substituted; and R" groups are independently H, Ci-C ₃₀ alkyl, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkynyl, C ₆ -Ci ₄ aryl, C ₇ -C ₃₀ arylalkyl, C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkenyl, C ₈ -C ₃₀ arylalkynyl, or where any of the R" groups are perfiuorinated, partially fluorinated, and/or otherwise substituted. Any alkyl group within the substituent can be linear, branched, cyclic, or any combination thereof. Alkenyl, alkynyl, ester, or ether functionality can be situated adjacent or remotely to the substituted carbon. Any of the R groups that are not II can be further substituted with functionality, for example, a terminal alkene, alkyne, amino, hydroxy, trialkoxysilyl, or other group. The ONO pincer ligand can be covalently fixed to a polymer, polymeric network, a resin or other surface such as a glass or ceramic. In embodiments of the invention, any pair of R groups, R" groups can be combined into any five to eight membered cyclic structure. The trianionic ONO pincer ligands can be formed from their protonated precursors or from a precursor having a proton equivalent, for example, the nitrogen can be bonded to a silicon atom as a silazane. Hence the protonated precursors to the trianionic form of the ONO incer ligands shown above have the structures:

where X, X', R, R\ R", n and m are defined for the above equivalent trianionic OCO pincer ligands. Where X' is R" ₂ C and the beta heteroatom is oxygen, a ketone equivalent to the enol can be the predominate form of the protonated precursor prior to formation of the trianionic form of the ONO pincer ligand. Where X is Si, depending upon the nature of R ^" , a silanol species may not be sufficiently stable for long term storage, but can be generated from a trimethylsilvloxy. acetoxy, or other proton equivalent by nucleophilic substitution, for example, by a fluoride ion at a trimethylsilyloxy or water with an acetoxy, to form siloxide anion or the silanol, respectively, prior to or during the formation of a transition metal complex of the ONO pincer ligand.

Methods to prepare the ONO precursors are numerous, as can be appreciated by those skilled in the art. According to embodiments of the invention, a nucleophilic oxygen or nucleophilic nitrogen compound are condensed with an electrophilic carbon of a molecule comprising the bridge structure. In some embodiments of the invention, the electrophilic carbon containing the bridge structure also contains the oxygen or the nitrogen that is not formed by reaction with the nucleophile, where that oxygen or nitrogen is protected prior to the nucleophilic reaction. Two exemplary embodiments of the methods of preparation of the precursor ONO pincer ligands are illustrated below.

Preparation of the trianionic ONO pincer ligand comprising metal complexes can be carried out according to an embodiment of the invention, where a precursor metal compound comprising a metal alkoxide or metal amide allows formation of a trianionic ONO pincer ligand comprising complex upon proton and ligand exchange between the alkoxide or amide of the metal alkoxide or metal amide and the anionic ONO pincer ligand. in another embodiment of the method, a precursor metal compound comprises a metal oxide or metal amide and further comprises a metal alkylidyne wherein the ligand exchange is accompanied by OH or NH addition across the metal alkylidyne to form the anionic ONO pincer ligand comprising metal complexes. Three exemplary embodiment of the method of preparation of the anionic ONO pincer ligand comprising metal complexes are illustrated below.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

General Considerations. Unless specified otherwise, all manipulations were performed under an inert atmosphere using standard Schlenk or glovebox techniques. Glassware was oven-dried before use. Pentane, toluene, diethyl ether (Et ₂ 0), tetrahydrofuran (THF), 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) were dried using a GlassContours drying column. Benzene-<¾ (Cambridge Isotopes) was dried over sodium-benzophenone ketyl and distilled or vacuum transferred and stored over 4 A molecular sieves. NMR spectra were obtained on Varian INOVA 500 MHz, Varian Mercury Broad Band 300 MHz, or Varian Mercury 300 MHz spectrometers. Chemical shifts are reported in δ (ppm). For ¹ H and ^lj C{ 'H} NMR spectra, the solvent resonance was referenced as an internal reference. Accurate mass was determined by Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization - Mass Spectrometric (APCI-MS) method in diluted dichloromethane solution, and the spectrum was recorded on an Agilent 6210 TOF-MS. Elemental analyses were performed at Complete Analysis Laboratory Inc., Parsippany, New Jersey.

Synthesis of 6,6 ^, -(azancdiylA/. (meth lene)) » .v(2-(tei t-bu(yl)phenol) (4). As indicated in the reaction scheme shown in Figure 1 , orf/zo-substituted salicylaldehyde (1) (1 .8 g, 10.1 mmol) was treated with NaH or KH (12.12 mmol) in dry THF for one hour at room temperature followed by the addition of excess methoxymethyl chloride (MOMC1) (30.3 mmol) via syringe. Stirring the resulting reaction mixture overnight resulted in the MOM protection aldehyde (2) as golden yellow oil after column chromatographic purification (hexanes/ethyl acetate (80/20) in 80 % yield. A slurry of the protected aldehyde (2) (1 .5 g, 6.75 mmol), Ti(i-PrO) ₄ (4 mL, 13.5 mmol), NH ₄ C1 (722 mg, 1 3.5 mmol) and triethylamine (1.9 mL, 13.5 mmol) in absolute ethanol (25 mL) was stirred under Ar in a capped flask at ambient temperature for 12 hours, after which NaBH ₄ (383 mg, 10.13 mmol) was added and the resulting mixture was stirred for additional 7 hours at ambient temperature. The reaction was quenched by pouring the mixture into an ammonium hydroxide solution (2 M, 25 mL). The resulting precipitate was filtered, and washed with ethyl acetate (2 x 25 mL). The organic layer was separated and the remaining aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (2 x 25 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried over MgS0 ₄ and concentrated under vacuum to obtain 3. Deprotection of the MOM ether was achieved by treating 3 with 3 equivalents of MC I (1 M HC1 solution in ether). Upon addition of HC1 a precipitate formed and subsequently was filtered, dried, and dissolved in CHCh. A NaOH solution (0.1 M) was added to neutralize the solution. The organic layer was removed and dried with MgS04 and volatiles were removed. The residue was redissolved in a minimal amount of CHCI3. The solution was heated and added to cold hexanes to precipitate [¾u0CH ₂ NCH ₂ 0]H ₃ (4) as a white microcrystalline solid (yield = 16%). ESI-MS: Calc. for [C ₂₂ H ₃ 2Ni0 ₄ ] ⁺ : m/z 342.24

[4+H ⁺ ], Found m z 342.2.

1H NMR data of (2): Ή NMR (300 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ), 6 (ppm): 10.23 (s, 1H, HO), 7.74-7.71 (dd, J = 7.63 Hz, 1 H, Ar-H), 7.63-7.59 (dd, J = 7.93 Hz, 1 H, Ar-H), 7.18 (t, J=7.63, 1H, Ar-H), 5.05 (s, 2H, -0CH ₂ QCH ₃ ), 3.65 (s, 3H, -0CH ₂ 0C / ₃ ), 1 .44 (s, 9H, -C(C// ₃ ) ₃ ). 'HNMR data of ⁽ 3 ⁾ : Ή NMR (300 MHz, CDCI3), δ (ppm): 7.28 (s, 2H, Ar-H), 7.26 (s, 211. Ar-H), 7.03 (t, J-7.63. 211, Ar-H), 5.04 (s, 411. OCH ₂ OCH ₃ ), 3.89 (s, 411. Ar-C7/ ₂ ) 3.59 (s, 611, OCH ₂ OCH ₃ ), 1 .42 (s, 18Η, -C(CH ₃ ) ₃ ).

NMR data of (4): Ή NMR (300 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ), δ (ppm): 7.26-7.23 (dd, J= 7.93, 2H, Ar-H), 6.99-6.96 (dd. J = 7.32. 2Η, Ar-H), 6.81 (t, J = 7.63, 2Η, Ar-H), 3.94 (s, 411. Ar-CH ₂ ), 1.44 (s, 1811, -C(CH ₃ ) ₃ ). ¹³ C { 'H} NMR (75.36 Hz, C ₆ D ₆ ), δ (ppm): 155.29 (s, 2C, Ar), 136.93 (s, 2C, Ar), 1 27.94 (s, 2C, Ar), 126.75 (s, 2C, Ar), 1 23.75 (s, 2C, Ar), 1 1 9.63 (s, 2C, Ar), 51.20 (s, CH ₂ ), 34.78 (s, -C(CH ₃ ) ₃ ), 29.95 (s, -C(C¾) ₃ ).

Synthesis of 2,2'-(azanediyl6w(3-methyI-6,l-phenylene))6 s(l, 1,1333- hexafluoro-propan-2-ol) [F ₆ ONO]H (5). As indicated in the reaction scheme shown in Figure 2, in a nitrogen-filled glovcbox an n-butyl-lithium solution ( 10.9 mL, 2.5 M, 27.3 mmol) was added dropwise to a Schlenk-lla.sk containing a -35°C solution of bis(2-bromo-4- methylphenyl)amine (3.103 g, 8.79 mmol) in diethyl ether (30 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred for two hours while warming to room temperature. The reaction flask was fitted with a dry-ice condenser before exiting the box. The reaction solution was cooled to -78°C, and dry-ice and acetone was added to the condenser. Hexafluoroacetone was condensed into a pressure flask at -78 °C (5 mL, 6.6 g, 39 mmol) prior to addition to the reaction flask. Hexafluoroacetone evaporates slowly and condenses into the reaction flask via the side-arm of the Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for 3 hrs until the excess hexafluoroacetone evaporates. The addition of HC1 in Et ₂ 0 (27.3 mL, 1 M) precipitates lithium chloride from a red solution. The solution was filtered and the filtrate was reduced to a thick oil. The thick oil was placed under vacuum for two hours; then adding hexanes precipitated the product 5 as a pinkish-white powder ( 1.66 g, 35% yield). Ή NMR (CDCI3) (shown in Figure 3): δ = 7.5-7.0 (br, 3 H, NH and 2 OH), 7.37 (s, 2H, Ar), 7.17 (d, 2H, ³ J = 8.35 Hz, Ar), 8.83 (d, 2H, ³ J = 8.35 Hz, Ar), and 2.36 (s, 3H, CH ₃ ) ppm. ^{l 9} F { ^l R} NMR (CDCI3) (shown in Figure 4): δ = -74.9 (br) and -76.3 (br) ppm. ¹³ C { 'H} NMR(CDC1 ₃ ) (shown in Figure 5): δ = 1 42.8 (s, Ar C), 134.3 (s, Ar C), 132.1 (s, Ar C), 128.5 (s, Ar C), 126.0, (s, Ar C), 120.8, (s, Ar CH), and 21.0 (s, CH ₃ ) ppm. ¹³ C { ¹⁹ F} NMR(CDCB) (shown in Figure 6): δ = 122. 8 (s, CF ₃ ) and 80.3 (s, (CF ₃ )COH) ppm. Anal. Calcd. for C ₂₀ Hi ₅ F ₁₂ NO ₂ (529.32 g/mole): C, 45.38; H, 2.86; N, 2.65. ESI-MS : 530.0984

[5+H] ⁺ , 552.0803 [5+Na] ⁺ , and 574.0623 [5-H-2Na] ⁺ . Synthesis of [F ₆ ONO]W=CHCH ₂ CH ₃ (0'Bii) (6). As indicated in the reaction scheme shown in Figure 7, a benzene solution (5 mL) of [F ₆ ONQ]H ₃ (5) and ('BUO Vv ^CCT fCT were combined and stirred for 0.5 h alter which volatiles were removed in vacuo. 1H NMR (C ₆ D ₆ ) (shown in Figure 8): 5 - 7.72 (s, 2H, Ar), 7.36 (t, 1H, ³ J - 7.64 Hz, WCHCH ₂ CH ₃ ), 6.81 (d, 1 H, ³ J = 8.49 Hz, Ar), 6.66 (d, 1 H, ³ J - 8.21 Hz, Ar), 6.60 (d, 1 H, ³ J = 9.06 Hz, Ar), 6.59 (d, 1 H, ³ J - 8.49 Hz, Ar), 5.08 (ddq, 1 H, ² J = 15.0 Hz, ³ J = 7.36 Hz, ³ J = 7.36 Hz, WCHC(//)(H)CH ₃ ), 5.08 (ddq, I I I, ² J = 15.0 Hz, ³ J = 7.36 Hz, ³ J = 7.36 Hz, WCHC(H')(H)CH ₃ ), 4.79 (ddq, 111 ² J = 15.0 Hz, ³ J = 7.64 Hz, ³ J = 7.64 Hz, WCHC(H')(H)CH ₃ ), 2.00 (s, 3H, C¾'), 1 .96 (s, 3H, C ₃ ), 1 .21 (s, 9H, GC(Ci¾) ₃ , and 0.77 (t, J = 7.36 Hz, \VCHCH ₂ C7/ _. v) ppm. ¹⁹ F { 'H} NMR (C ₆ D ₆ ) (shown in Figure 9): 8 - 7 1 .2 (qt, 3F, ⁴ J = 9.61 Hz), 71.5 (qt, 3F, ⁴ J = 12.0 Hz), 73.9 (qt, 3F, ⁴ J = 9.60 Hz), and 77.2 (qt., 3F, ⁴ J = 9.61 Hz) ppm. ¹³ C { ^] H} NMR (C ₆ D ₆ ): δ = 1 12.5 (s, Ar), 1 1 1 .8 (s, Ar), 104.1 (s, Ar), 103.7 (s, Ar), 102.6 (s, Ar), 101.6 (s, Ar), 99.6 (s, Ar), 98.7 (s, Ar), 98.3 (br, Ar), 96.6 (s, Ar). 96.5 (s, Ar), 96.3 (s, Ar), 90.7 (s, OCMe ₃ ), 33.6 (s, WCH H ₂ CH ₃ ), 29.8 (s, QC(C¾) ₃ ), 21 .4 (s, WCHCH2CH3), 21.0 (s, CH ₃ '), and 20.8 (s, CH ₃ ) ppm.

X-Rav experimental for 6: X-Ray Intensity data were collected at 1 00 K on a Bruker SMART diffractometer using MoKa radiation (λ = 0.71073 A) and an APEXII CCD area detector. Raw data frames were read by program SAINT and integrated using 3D profiling algorithms. The resulting data were reduced to produce hid reflections and their intensities and estimated standard deviations. The data were corrected for Lorentz and polarization effects and numerical absorption corrections were applied based on indexed and measured faces. The structure (shown in Figure 10) was solved and refined in SHELXTL6.1 , using full-matrix least-squares refinement. The non-H atoms were refined with anisotropic thermal parameters and all of the H atoms were calculated in idealized positions and refined riding on their parent atoms. A disorder between H4a and a small percentage of Br on C4 was identified with the final refinement yielding 3% of Br and 97% of the proton. The Br atom was refined with several site occupation factors until an acceptable value was reached; which was 3%. In the final cycle of refinement, 5441 reflections (of which 4758 are observed with I > 2σ(Ι)) were used to refine 403 parameters and the resulting Ri , wR ₂ and S (goodness of fit) were 2.51 %, 4.76% and 1.050, respectively. The refinement was carried out by minimizing the wR ₂ function using F ^" rather than F values. R ₍ is calculated to provide a reference to the conventional R value but its f unction is not minimized. SHELXTL6 (2000). Bruker-AXS, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. Figure 1 1 gives the crystal data and structure refinement for 6. Figure 12 gives atomic coordinates and equivalent isotropic displacement parameters for 6. Figure 13 gives bond lengths and angles for 6. Figure 14 gives anisotropic displacement parameters for 6.

Synthesis of | '13 u O C 11 ₂ N 11 C 11 ₂ 01 ₂ M o (7). As indicated in the reaction scheme shown in Figure 15. to a cold I III solution of fBuOCIh.NHCH.O ^' IH _? (4) (51.2 mg, 0.15 mmol) was added dropwise a cold THF solution of molybdenum tetrakisdimethylamide (Mo(NMe ₂ ) ₄ ) (40.8 mg, 0.15 mmol) and the resulting solution was stirred for 30 minutes. The solvent was removed and the resulting residue was triturated with pentane and dried under vacuum. Figure 16 shows a Ή MR spectrum o 7 in COCK. Single crystals were grown by cooling a concentrated ether solution of the 7.

X-Rav experimental for 7: X-Ray Intensity data were collected at 100 K on a Bruker DUO diffractometcr using Mo a radiation (λ = 0.71073 A) and an A P FX 11 CCD area detector. Raw data frames were read by program SAINT ¹ and integrated using 3D profiling algorithms. The resulting data were reduced to produce hkl reflections and their intensities and estimated standard deviations. The data were corrected for Lorentz and polarization effects and numerical absorption corrections were applied based on indexed and measured faces. The structure (shown in Figure 17) was solved and refined in SHELXTL6.1 , using full-matrix least-squares refinement. The non-H atoms were refined with anisotropic thermal parameters and all of the H atoms were calculated in idealized positions and refined riding on their parent atoms. The asymmetric unit consists of the Mo complex and two ether solvent molecules in general positions. The latter were disordered and could not be modeled properly; thus program SQUEEZE, a part of the PLATON package of crystallographic software, was used to calculate the solvent disorder area and remove its contribution to the overall intensity data. In the final cycle of refinement, 1 1917 reflections (of which 5649 are observed with I > 2σ(Ι)) were used to refine 472 parameters and the resulting R| , wR ₂ and S (goodness of fit) were 5.90%, 13.22% and 0.729, respectively. The refinement was carried out by minimizing the wR ₂ function using F ² rather than F values. R _\ is calculated to provide a reference to the conventional R value but its function is not minimized. Figure 13 shows the solid state structure of 7 with thermal ellipsoids drawn at the 50% probability level. Figure 18 give the crystal data and structure refinement for 7. Figure 19 gives atomic coordinates and equivalent isotropic displacement parameters for 7. Figure 20 gives bond lengths and angles for 7. Figure 21 gives anisotropic displacement parameters for 7.

In situ generation of l'BuOCIl2MICH ₂ ()]W≡CCH _: CH ₃ (8). As indicated in the reaction scheme shown in Figure 21, A J-Young tube was charged with the ligand precursor [¾uOCH ₂ NCH ₂ 0]H ₃ (4) (7.85 mg, 0.023 mmol) and (¾uO) ₃ W≡CCH ₂ CH ₃ (10.2 mg, 0.023 mmol). Upon dissolving the alkylidyne, complex 8 forms. Figure 22 shows a Ή NMR spectrum of 8 in CDC1 ₃ .

X-Ray experimental for 8: X-Ray Intensity data were collected at 100 K on a Bruker DUO diffractometer using MoKa radiation (λ - 0.71073 A) and an APEXII CCD area detector. Raw data frames were read by program SAINT ¹ and integrated using 3D profiling algorithms. The resulting data were reduced to produce hkl reflections and their intensities and estimated standard deviations. The data were corrected for Lorentz and polarization effects and numerical absorption corrections were applied based on indexed and measured faces. The structure (shown in Figure 23) was solved and refined in SHELXTL6.1 , using full-matrix least-squares refinement. The non-H atoms were refined with anisotropic thermal parameters and all of the H atoms were calculated in idealized positions and refined riding on their parent atoms. The asymmetric unit consists of the Mo complex and two ether solvent molecules in general positions. The latter were disordered and could not be modeled properly; thus program SQUEEZE, a part of the PLATON package of crystallographic software, was used to calculate the solvent disorder area and remove its contribution to the overall intensity data. In the final cycle of refinement, 1 1917 reflections (of which 5649 are observed with 1 > 2σ(Ι)) were used to refine 472 parameters and the resulting Ri, wR ₂ and S (goodness of fit) were 5.90%, 13.22% and 0.729, respectively. The refinement was carried out by minimizing the wR ₂ function using F rather than F values. Ri is calculated to provide a reference to the conventional R value but its function is not minimized. Figure 24 gives the crystal data and structure refinement for 8. Figure 25 gives atomic coordinates and equivalent isotropic displacement parameters for 8, Figure 26 gives bond lengths and angles for 8. Figure 27 gives anisotropic displacement parameters for 8.

Synthesis of [CF ₃ -ONO]W(=CH'Bu)(O ^r Bu) (9). As indicated in the reaction scheme shown in Figure 28, to 2 mL of ('BuO) ₃ W≡C'Bu ( 0.289 g, 6.1 1 xl O ^"4 mol) in benzene was added 2 mL of H ₃ [CF ₃ -ONO] (1) (0.324 g, 6.11 xl O ^"4 mol) in benzene dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hour then dried under vacuum for 4 hours to yield a bro powder. The solid residue was dissolved in pentane (10 ml,) and filtered. Cooling the filtrate to -35°C yielded crystals of 9. Subsequently concentrating the filtrate via vacuum and cooling yielded more crystals of 9. The combined yield is 0.350 g (66%). Ή NMR (C ₆ D ₆ ) (shown in Figure 29): δ - 7.71 (s, 1 H, At-//), 7.69 (s, IK Ar-H), 6.81 (d, 1H, ΑΪ-Η, ³ J = 8.21 Hz), 6.66 (d, 1 H, Ar-H, ³ J - 8.50 Hz), 6.57 (d, 2H, Ar-H, ³ J - 8.50 Hz), 6.44 (s, 1H, W=C//Bu, satellites ² J( ^L U, ¹⁸³ W) = 8.80 Hz), 1.99 (s, 3H, Ar-CH ₃ ), 1.94 (s, 3H, Ar- CH '), 1 -24 (s, 9H, -OC(CH ₃ ) ₃ ), 1.15 (s, 9H, W=CHC(CH ₃ ) ₃ ) ppm. ¹⁹ F{'H} NMR (C ₆ D ₆ ) (shown in Figure 30): δ = -70.71 (q, 3F, ⁴ J = 8.48 Hz), -71.52 (q, 3F, ⁴ J = 10.90 FIz), -73.44 (q, 3F, ⁴ J = 10.90 Hz), -77.31 (q, 3F, ⁴ J = 8.48 FIz) ppm. ¹³ C { ' H} NMR (C ₆ D ₆ , 500 MHz): δ = 262.6 (s, W=CH'Bu), 146.5 (s, Ar-Q, 145.4 (s, Ar-C), 134.4 (s, Ar- ), 133.6 (s, Ar-Q, 133.0 (s, Ar-C), 131.0 (s, Ar-C), 127.5 (s, Ar-Q, 127.3 (s, Ar-Q, 126.2 (s, Ar-Q, 124.6 (m, CF ₃ ), 124.3 (m, CF ₃ ), 123.9 (s, Ar-C), 123.7 (m, CF ₃ ), 123.5 (s, Ar-C), 90.4 (s, -OC(CH ₃ ) ₃ ), 84.3 (m, -C(CF ₃ ) ₂ ), 82.8 (m, -C(CF ₃ ) ₂ ), 41.0 (s, W=CHC(CH ₃ ) ₃ ), 35.0 (s, W=CHC(CH ₃ ) ₃ ), 29.2 (s, -OC(CH ₃ ) ₃ ), 20.3 (s, Ar-CH ₃ ), 20.1 (s, Ar-CHQ ppm. Anal. Calcd. for C ₃₀ FI ₃₃ F ₁₂ NO ₃ W (867.18 g/mol): C: 41.54%; H: 3.83%; N: 1.61%, Found; C : 41.42%; H: 3.73; N: 1 .59%.

Synthesis of {H ₃ CPPh ₃ } {[CF ₃ -ONO]W(≡C'Bu)(O ^t Bu)} (10) As indicated in the reaction scheme shown in Figure 31, to 3 niL 10 in pentane (0.277 g, 3.18 xlO ^"4 mol) was added 4 mL of PPh ₃ CH ₂ in pentane (0.088 g, 3.18 xl0 ^~4 mol) dropwise. The product 10 precipitates from solution as an orange powder. The reaction mixture was stirred for 4 hours before the orange powder was filtered from the solution and dried under vacuum for 1 hour. The isolated yield was 0.228 g (80%). Ή NMR (C ₆ D ₆ ): δ = 7.76 (s, 1H, Ar-H), 7.61 (s, 111, Ar-H), 7.47 (d, I II, Ar-H, J = 8.49 Hz), 6.95-7.15 (m, 16H, Ar-H), 6.92 (d, III, Ar-H, ³ J = 8.49 Hz), 6.75 (d, 1H, Ar-H, ³ J = 8.49 FIz), 2.36 (d, 3Η, Ph ₃ PCH ₃ , ² J = 13.31 Hz), 2.14 (s, 3H, Ar-CH ₃ ), 2.06 (s, 3Η, Ar-CHQ, 1.66 (s, 9Η, -OC(CH ) ₃ ), and 1.17 (s, 9Η, W=CHC(CH ₃ ) ₃ ) ppm. ¹⁹ F{'H} NMR (C ₆ D ₆ ) (shown in Figure 35): δ = -68.67 (q, 3F, ⁴ J = 9.61 Hz), -71.19 (q, 3F, ⁴ J = 9.61 Hz), -74.39 (q, 3F, ⁴ J = 9.61 Hz), -76.20 (q, 3F, ⁴ J = 9.61 FIz). ³¹ P{1H} NMR (C ₆ D ₆ ): δ = -21.6 ppm. ¹³ C{'H} NMR (C ₆ D ₆ , 500 MHz): δ = 286.0 (s, W≡C¾u), 155.5 (s, Ar-C), 154.5 (s, Ar-C), 131.5 (s, Ar-Q, 130.3 (s, Ar-C), 130.2 (s, Ar-C), 127.8 (s, Ar-Q, 127.2 (s, Ar-C), 127.0 (s, Ar-Q, 126.2 (s, Ar-Q, 122.9 (s, Ar-C), 122.6 (s, Ar-Q, 121.0 (s, Ar-C), 85.4 (m, -C(CF ₃ ) ₂ ), 83.6 (m, -C(CF ₃ ) ₂ ), 77.1 (s, -OC(CH ₃ ) ₃ ), 49.4 (s, W≡CC(CH ₃ ) ₃ ), 33.7 (s, W≡CC(CH ₃ ) ₃ ), 33.5 (s, -OC(CPI ₃ ) ₃ ), 20.7 (s, Ar-C¾), 20.5 (s, Ar- 0¼ ') ppm. Anal. Calcd. for C ₄ sr½Fi ₂ N0 ₃ PW (1 129.27 g/mol): C: 51 .03%; H: 4.28%; N: 1 .24%, Found; C: 50.98%; H: 4.38; N: 1 .1 8%.

Synthesis of {H ₃ CPPh3} ₂ {iCF ₃ -ONO]W(≡C ⁱ Bu)(OTf) ₂ } (11) As indicated in the reaction scheme shown in Figure 33, to a benzene solution (2 mL) of 11 (0.125 g, 1.1 1 x l O ^"4 mol) was added MeOTf (0.018 g, 1 .1 1 xl O ^"4 mol). The reaction mixture was stirred overnight, turning from a red solution to a deep blue solution. The solvent was stripped to a residual oil to which a minimal amount of benzene was added. Blue oil formed upon addition of hexanes to the benzene solution. The solvent was decanted and the oil dried under vacuum. Ή NMR (C ₆ D ₆ ) (shown in Figure 34): δ = 7.79 (s, I H, Ar-H), 7.66 (s, 1 1 1, Ar-H), 7.30 (d, 1 Η, Ar-H ³ J = 8.21 Hz), 7.10-7.20 (br, 30H, (C ₆ H ₅ )3PCH ₃ ), 6.94 (d, 1 H, Ar-H, ³ J = 8.50 Hz), 6.87 (d, I I I. Ar-H, ³ J - 8.21 IIz), 6.77 (d, I F Ar-H, ³ J = 8.50 Hz), 2.37 (d, III, Ph ₃ PCH ₃ , ² J = 13.19 Hz), 2.07 (s, 1 H, Ar-CH ₃ ), 2.04 (s, FH. Ar-CH ₃ '), 1.05 (s, 9Η, WCC(CH ₃ ) ₃ ) ppm. ¹⁹ F{ 'H} NMR (C ₆ D ₆ ) (shown in Figure 35): δ - -68.97 (q, 3F, ⁴ J = 8.48 Hz), -73.14 (q, 3F, ⁴ J = 8.48 Hz), -73.94 (q, 3F, ⁴ J = 9.69 Hz), -76.64 (q, 3F, ⁴ J - 9.69 Hz), - 76.65 (s, 3F, -OS0 ₂ C ¾ -78.18 (s, 3F, -OS0 ₂ Ci¾ ppm.

Synthesis of [CF ₃ -ONO]W[C(¾u)C(Me)C(Ph)] (12) As indicated in the reaction scheme shown in Figure 36, a diethyl ether solution (3 mL) containing 9 (0.139 g, 1 .23 xl O ^"4 mol), MeOTf (0.020 g, 1.23 xl O ^"4 mol) and PhC≡CCH ₃ (0.014 g, 1.23 xl O ^"4 mol) was prepared and stirred overnight. The solution was filtered and the filtrate reduced under vacuum. The residue was dissolved in pentane, filtered, and reduced to a solid residue. The solid residue was rinsed with pentane. The solid residue was dissolved in Et ₂ 0 and slow evaporated to yield crystals of 12 (0.038 g). Additionally, the slow evaporation of pentane washings yielded crystals of 12 (0.020 g) for an overall yield of 51 %. Crystals suitable for single crystal X-ray diffraction were grown by slow evaporation of a pentane solution of 12. Ή NMR (C ₆ D ₆ , 500 MHz ) (shown in Figure 37): δ = 7.62 (s, 1H, Ar-H), 7.61 (s, 1 H, Ar- H), 7.12 (t, 211, Ar-H ³ J = 7.55Hz), 7.08 (d, 1 H, Ar-H, ³ J = 8.37 Hz), 7.02-7.05 (m, 311, Ar- H), 6.90 (d, 1H, ³ J = 7.55Hz), 6.87 (d, 1 H, ³ J = 8.10 Hz), 6.80 (d, 1H, J = 8.37 Hz), 2.76 (s, 3H, WC ₃ (CH ₃ )), 2.00- (s, 3FI, Ar-CH ₃ ), 1.98 (s, 3Η, Ar-CH ₃ '), 1 .1 8 (s, 9Η, WC ₃ C(CH ₃ ) ₃ ) ppm. ^I9 F { 'H} NMR (C ₆ D ₆ , 300 MHz) (shown if Figure 38): δ = -71.49 (q, 3F, ⁴ J = 9.69 Hz), -72.07 (q, 3F, ⁴ J = 9.69 Hz), -76.06 (q, 3F, ⁴ J = 9.69 Hz), -76.53 (q, 3F, ⁴ J = 9.69 Hz) ppm. ^C ^H} NMR (C ₆ D ₆ , 500 MHz) (shown in Figure 39): δ = 245.37 (s, W=Q, 243.03 (s, W=Q, 146.76 (s, Ar-C). 145.61 (s, Ar-Q, 138.94 (s, Ar-Q, 133.16 (s, Ar-Q, 132.69 (s, Ar- Q, 130.68 (s, Ar-Q, 129.94 (s, Ar-Q, 128.99 (s, Ar-C), 128.68 (s, Ar-C), 127.84 (s, Ar-Q, 126.45 (s, Ar-C), 66.26 (s, WC ₃ C(CH ₃ ) ₃ ), 43.03 (s, WC ₃ CH ₃ ), 30.95 (s, WC ₃ C(CH ₃ ) ₃ ), 21.10 (s, Ar-CH ₃ ), 16.36 (s, Ar-CH ₃ ') ppm. Anal. Calcd. for C35H31F12NO2W (909.45 g/mol): C: 46.22%; H: 3.44%; N: 1.54%, Found; C: 46.31%; H: 3.50; N: 1.60%.

X-Ray experimental for 12: X-Ray Intensity data were collected at 100 K on a

Bruker DUO diffractometer using MoKa radiation (λ = 0.71073 A) and an APEXII CCD area detector. Raw data frames were read by program SAINT ¹ and integrated using 3D profiling algorithms. The resulting data were reduced to produce hkl reflections and their intensities and estimated standard deviations. The data were corrected for Lorentz and polarization effects and numerical absorption corrections were applied based on indexed and measured faces. The structure (shown in Figure 40) was solved and refined in SHELXTL6.1 , using full-matrix least-squares refinement. The non-H atoms were refined with anisotropic thermal parameters and all of the H atoms were calculated in idealized positions and refined riding on their parent atoms. In the final cycle of refinement, 7644 reflections (of which 6905 are observed with I > 2σ(Ι)) were used to refine 457 parameters and the resulting Ri, wR ₂ and S (goodness of fit) were 1.45%, 3.69% and 1.051, respectively. The refinement was carried out by minimizing the wR ₂ function using F ² rather than F values. R| is calculated to provide a reference to the conventional R value but its function is not minimized. A toluene molecule was disordered and could not be modeled properly; thus program SQUEEZE, a part of the PLATON package of crystallographic software, was used to calculate the solvent disorder area and remove its contribution to the overall intensity data. Figure 41 give the crystal data and structure refinement for 12. Figure 42 gives atomic coordinates and equivalent isotropic displacement parameters for 12. Figure 43 gives bond lengths and angles for 12. Figure 44 gives anisotropic displacement parameters for 12.

All patents, patent applications, provisional applications, and publications referred to or cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety, including all figures and tables, to the extent they are not inconsistent with the explicit teachings of this specification.

It should be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application.