title: A highly reduced v(2)(3+) unit with a metal-metal bond order of 3.5.
abstract: We report the isolation and structural characterization of the first four-bladed paddlewheel complex having an M(2)(3+) core in K(THF)(3)[V(2)(DPhF)(4)], where DPhF is the anion of N,N'-diphenylformamidine. This dark green, paramagnetic compound was obtained by reduction of diamagnetic, triply bonded V(2)(DPhF)(4) with KC(8). The V-V bond distance in K(THF)(3)[V(2)(DPhF)(4)] is 1.9295(8) A, 0.05 A shorter than that found in the V(2)(4+) species. The shortening of the bond, combined with a 15-line hyperfine splitting pattern in the EPR spectrum of K(THF)(3)[V(2)(DPhF)(4)], indicates that the unpaired electron is delocalized over the two vanadium atoms, giving rise to a bond order of 3.5.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Laboratory for Molecular Structure and Bonding, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77842-3012, USA.
authors.forename: F Albert
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Cotton
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Hillard
authors.forename: Carlos A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Murillo
mesh_terms: D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D004563:Electrochemistry; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011188:Potassium / Q000737:chemistry; D014639:Vanadium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D014639:Vanadium; D011188:Potassium