Stabilization of the central atom in an oxidation state of zero through coordination of neutral ligands is a common bonding motif in transition-metal chemistry. However, the stabilization of main-group elements in an oxidation state of zero by neutral ligands is rare. Herein, we report that the transamination reaction of the DAMPY ligand system (DAMPY=2,6-[ArNH-CH2 ]2 (NC5 H3 ) (Ar=C6 H3 -2,6-iPr2 )) with Sn[N(SiMe3 )2 ]2 produces the DIMPYSn complex (DIMPY=(2,6-[ArNCH]2 (NC5 H3 )) with the Sn atom in a formal oxidation state of zero. This is the first example of a tin compound stabilized in a formal oxidation state of zero by only one donor molecule. Furthermore, three related low-valent Sn(II) complexes, including a [DIMPYSn(II) Cl](+) [SnCl3 ](-) ion pair, a bisstannylene DAMPY{Sn(II) [N(SiMe3 )2 ]2 }2 , and the enamine complex MeDIMPYSn(II) , were isolated. Experimental results and the conclusions drawn are also supported by theoretical studies at the density functional level of theory and (119) Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy.

Challenging Ru-catalyzed ring-closing metathesis transformations leading to eight-membered-ring systems and Ni- or Co-catalyzed [2+2+2] cyclotrimerizations were evaluated at elevated temperatures applying microwave dielectric heating or conventional thermal heating in order to investigate the role of wall effects. All reactions were conducted in a dedicated reactor setup that allowed accurate internal reaction temperature measurements using fiber-optic probes for both types of heating modes. For ring-closing metathesis best results were achieved using an open vessel-gas sparging protocol in 1,2-dichloroethane at reflux temperature (83 degrees C), while cyclotrimerizations were performed under sealed vessel conditions in toluene between 80 and 160 degrees C. For all studied transformations the results achieved in a single-mode microwave reactor could be reproduced by conventional heating in an oil bath by carefully matching the temperature profiles as close as possible during the entire heating and cooling cycle. In contrast to previous literature reports, no evidence that direct in-core microwave heating can increase catalyst lifetime by minimization or elimination of wall effects was obtained. At the same time, no indication for the involvement of nonthermal microwave effects in these homogeneous transition metal-catalyzed transformations was seen.

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An Investigation of Wall Effects in Microwave-Assisted Ring-Closing Metathesis and Cyclotrimerization Reactions. -The reactions are studied under microwave and conventional conditions. In all cases, similar results are obtained using careful matching of temperature profiles as close as possible during heating and cooling cycle. This indicates that the activity and lifetime of catalyst is not influenced by the heating mode and that wall effects are not present. -(DALLINGER, D.; IRFAN, M.; SULJANOVIC, A.; KAPPE*, C. O.; J. Org. Chem. 75 (2010) 15, 5278-5288,