C3dt53322k 3649..3659 ++

The first series of complexes of niobium(V) oxide trifluoride, [NbOF3(OPR3)2] (R = Me or Ph), [NbOF3(dppmO2)] (dppmO2 = Ph2P(O)CH2P(O)Ph2), [NbOF3(dmso)2], [NbOF3(tmeda)] (tmeda = Me2N(CH2)2NMe2) and [NbOF3(diimine)] (diimine = 2,2’-bipy, 1,10-phen) have been prepared, either by reaction of the corresponding complexes of NbF5 and hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) in CH2Cl2–MeCN solution, or directly from NbF5, ligand and HMDSO. They were characterised by IR, H, P{H} and F{H} NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystal structures are reported for [NbOF3(OPR3)2] (R = Me or Ph) and [NbOF3(dppmO2)]. Complexes of NbOCl3, [NbOCl3(OPPh3)2], [NbOCl3(dppmO2)], [NbOCl3(dppeO2)] (dppeO2 = Ph2P(O)(CH2)2P(O)Ph2), [NbOCl3(tmeda)] and [NbOCl3(diimine)] were made from NbCl5 and HMDSO in MeCN (which forms [NbOCl3(MeCN)2] in situ), followed by addition of the neutral ligand. Their properties are compared with the oxide fluoride analogues. X-ray structures are reported for [NbOCl3(dppmO2)], [NbOCl3(dppeO2)], [NbOCl3(tmeda)] and [NbOCl3(2,2’-bipy)]. The synthesis and spectroscopic characterisation of [MF5L] (M = Nb or Ta; L = OPR3, OAsPh3) and [MF4(diimine)2][MF6] are also described, and the key properties of the four series of complexes compared.