Synthesis and Characterization of a Copper Dinitrogen Complex Supported by a Weakly Coordinating Anion

Abstract

AbstractWe report the synthesis and full characterization of the copper dinitrogen complex [(η1‐N2)Cu{Al(ORF)4}] 2 (RF=C(CF3)3) prepared by a cascade metathesis reaction of Ag[Al(ORF)4] with CuI‐excess in iso‐perfluorohexane (i‐pfh) under N2 atmosphere. Title compound 2 features an extraordinarily high N2 stretching frequency at 2313/2314 cm−1 (IR/Raman) and was characterized by single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffractometry. Quantum chemical charge displacement analysis based on natural orbitals of chemical valence (CD‐NOCV) indicates that the copper‐dinitrogen interaction is still governed by weak π‐backdonation, but is significantly reduced compared to all literature‐known transition metal dinitrogen complexes.