Oxidation of [Ir(η-C5Me5)(C3S5)] [C3S5 = 4,5-disulfanyl-1,3-dithiole-2-thionate(2−)] and X-ray crystal structure of [IrBr(η-C5Me5)(μ-C2S4)IrBr(η-C5Me5)]

[Ir(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(C₃S₅)] [C₃S₅²⁻ = 4,5-disulfanyl-1,3-dithiole-2-thionate(2−)] was prepared by a reaction of [NMe₄]₂[C₃S₅] with [Ir(η⁵- C₅Me₅)Cl₂]₂ in ethanol. It was reacted with bromine to afford a paramagnetic species [IrBr(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(C₃S₅)] with the Ir-Br bond and in the one-electron-oxidized state, and a diamagnetic dinuclear species [IrBr(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(μ-C₂S₄)IrBr(η⁵-C₅Me₅)]. ESR spectra for the one-electron-oxidized species in solution are discussed. The X-ray crystal structural analysis for the latter complex revealed the geometry consisting of dinuclear IrBr(η⁵-C₅Me₅) moieties bridged by the C₂S₄²⁻ ligand.     

Reduction chemistry of the mixed ligand metallocene [(C5Me5)(C8H8)U]2(μ-C8H8) with bipyridines

The U⁴⁺ cyclooctatetraenyl complex, [(C₅Me₅)(C₈H₈)U]₂(μ-C₈H₈), 1, reacts with two equiv of 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (Me₂bipy) and 2 equiv of 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy) to form 2 equiv of (η⁵-C₅Me₅)(η⁸-C₈H₈)U(Me₂bipy-κ²N,N′) and (η⁵-C₅Me₅)(η⁸-C₈H₈)U(bipy-κ²N,N′), respectively. X-ray crystallography, infrared spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations indicate that the products are best described as U⁴⁺ complexes of bipyridyl radical anions. Hence, only one of the (C₈H₈)²⁻ ligands in 1 acts as a reductant and delivers 2 electrons per equiv of 1. Since the reduction potentials of uncomplexed (C₈H₈)²⁻, Me₂bipy, and bipy are −1.86, −2.15, and −2.10 V vs SCE, respectively, it is likely that prior coordination of the bipyridine reagents enhances the electron transfer.     

Reaction of cyanamide and their derivatives with (η-C5H5)Mn(CO)3 and (η-C5H4CH3)Mn(CO)3

The reaction of cyanamide and its derivatives with the (η⁵-C₅H₅)Mn(CO)₂(THF) and (η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃)Mn(CO)₂(THF) complexes affords the cyanamide substituted complexes of types (η⁵-C₅H₅)Mn(CO)₂(NCN(R′)(R″)) (2a-d) and (η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃)Mn(CO)₂(NCN(R′)(R″)) (3a-e). All complexes were characterized by spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C NMR, IR), elemental and mass spectroscopy analysis. Complex 2b (η⁵-C₅H₅)Mn(CO)₂(NCN(CH₃)₂) was additionally examined by single crystal X-ray structure determination.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of mononuclear [2.2]paracyclophane complexes of rhodium and iridium supported by the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl ligand [M(η-pcp)(η-C5Me5)](BF4)2 (M=Rh and Ir)

Mononuclear [2.2]paracyclophane complexes of Rh and Ir, [M(η⁶-pcp)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)](BF₄)₂ (M=Rh (1) and Ir (2); pcp=[2.2]paracyclophane) were crystallized and their structures were first characterized crystallographically. On both pcp complexes the metal atom is bonded to the benzene ring on one side of the pcp ligand in the η⁶-coordination mode. The metal atom is also supported by the η⁵-C₅Me₅ ligand to afford a triple-decker sandwich structure. In Rh pcp complex 1 the average RhC(pcp) and RhC(C₅Me₅) distances are 2.284(2) and 2.161(2) Å, respectively. The average C(pcp)C(pcp) distance of 1.407(4) Å with the Rh atom is longer than that (1.388(4) Å) without a Rh atom. Similarly, the average IrC(pcp) and IrC(C₅Me₅) distances in Ir pcp complex 2 are 2.275(3) and 2.174(3) Å, respectively. The average C(pcp)C(pcp) distance of 1.410(4) Å with the Ir atom is longer than that (1.388(4) Å) without an Ir atom. It is interesting that the average interannular distances of 2.97 Å for 1 and 2 between two decks of the pcp ligand are shorter than that (3.09 Å) of the metal-free pcp ligand, indicative of the decrease of the repulsive π-interaction between benzene rings. The Rh pcp complex gave the well-resolved ¹H NMR signals of [Rh(η⁶-pcp)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)]²⁺, whereas the Ir pcp complex exhibited two kinds of ¹H NMR signals which were assigned as [Ir(η⁶-pcp)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)]²⁺ and [Ir₂(η⁶-pcp)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂]⁴⁺ in (CD₃)₂CO at 23 °C.     

Crystallographic and theoretical studies of (η-C5Me5)Ru(2,4-dimethyl-η-pentadienyl) and [(η-C5Me5)Rh(2,4-dimethyl-η-pentadienyl)][BF4]

The determination of the solid state structure of Cp*Ru(2,4-dimethyl-η⁵-pentadienyl) (1), where Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, fills the gap in the series of previously established structures of closely related compounds. Compound 1 does not exhibit the ideal C_S symmetry and its conformation is intermediate between the C_S-synperiplanar eclipsed and C_S-antiperiplanar arrangements of the ligands. Density functional theory studies indicate that the C_S-synperiplanar eclipsed, C_S-antiperiplanar, and intermediate conformations of 1 and Cp*Rh(2,4-dimethyl-η⁵-pentadienyl)⁺ (2) do not differ by more than a few tenths of 1 kcal/mol. The geometrical features of cation 2 are similar to those of 1, and in both complexes the pentadienyl ligands are not planar. The metal-carbon distances to the Cp* ligands in 1 and 2 are comparable, while the metal-carbon distances to the pentadienyl moiety are somewhat shorter in the Ru complex. A study of the conformational flexibility of the Cp* ligand in 5610 organometallic complexes showed that it usually shields the central metal by 36.2(10)%, provided the metal-centroid(Cp*) distances are normalized to 2.28 Å. The corresponding values in 1 and 2 are 37.2% and 37.4%, respectively.     

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of the bimetallic cyano-bridged [(η-C5H5)(PPh3)2Ru(μ-CN)Ru(PPh3)2(η-C5H5)][PF6]

The bimetallic cyano-bridged [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Ru(PPh₃)₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)][PF₆] (1) was prepared by reaction of [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)₂RuCl] with N,N′-bis(cyanomethyl)ethylenediamine. The single crystal structure determined by X-ray diffraction showed crystallization on the triclinic P1 space group with a perfect alignment of the cyanide bridges. This accentric crystallization was explored having in view the NLO properties at the macroscopic level, determined by the Kurtz Powder technique. Besides the very low efficiency values for the second harmonic generation, the value obtained for the bimetallic complex 1 showed to be higher than one of the parent complex [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)₂RuCN] (2).     

Syntheses and crystal structures of the first iridium complexes with m- and p-terphenyl (tp). {[Ir2(p-tp)(cod)2](BF4)2 · 2CH2Cl2}3 and [Ir(m-tp)(η-C5Me5)](BF4)2

Novel two iridium terphenyl complexes were prepared and their structures were characterized crystallographically. The reaction of [Ir(cod)₂]BF₄ with p-terphenyl (p-tp) in CH₂Cl₂ was carried out to afford dinuclear Ir(I) complex {[Ir₂(p-tp)(cod)₂](BF₄)₂ · 2CH₂Cl₂}₃ (cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene) (1 · 2CH₂Cl₂), whereas the reaction of the intermediate [Ir(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(Me₂CO)₃]³⁺ in Me₂CO with m-terphenyl (m-tp) was done to provide mononuclear Ir(III) complex [Ir(m-tp)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)](BF₄)₂ (2). In complex 1 · 2CH₂Cl₂, two Ir atoms are η⁶-coordinated to both sides of terminal benzene rings from the upper and lower sides in the p-tp ligand, while one Ir atom is η⁶-coordinated to one side of the terminal benzene ring in the m-tp ligand in complex 2. Each crystal structure describes the first coordination mode found in metal complexes with the m- and p-tp ligands.     

Anionic ruthenium(II) alkyls with ancillary diene and dienyl ligands: Synthesis and structures of [(η,η-C7H8)RuMe4] and [(η,η-C8H11)RuMe3]

Treatment of the ruthenium(II) diene complexes [(η²,η²-nbd)RuCl₂]_n or [(η²,η²-cod)RuCl₂]_n with 4 equiv. of methyllithium in the presence of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (tmed) yields the methyl complexes [Li(tmed)]₂[(η²,η²-nbd)RuMe₄] (1) and [Li(tmed)]₂[(η³,η²-C₈H₁₁)RuMe₃] (2), respectively, where nbd = norbornadiene and cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene. In the latter compound, the cyclooctadiene ligand has been deprotonated to afford a η³,η²-1,2,3:5,6-cyclooctadienyl group. Both complexes were studied by ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, and the crystal structure of 2 was determined. One lithium atom in 2 is four-coordinate and bridges between one ruthenium-bound methyl group and one of the wingtip allylic carbon atoms in the η³,η²-C₈H₁₁ ligand. The other lithium atom is five-coordinate, and forms contacts with the other two Ru-Me groups and with the other wingtip carbon atom of the allyl unit.     

Synthesis, characterization and applications in ethylene polymerization of asymmetric ansa-titanocene complexes. Molecular structure of [Ti{Me2Si(η-C5Me4)(η-C5H3iPr)}Cl2]

The ansa-titanocene complexes, [Ti{Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₃R)}Cl₂] (R = Me (5), iPr (6), tBu (7), SiMe₃ (8)), were obtained from the reaction of Li₂{Me₂Si(C₅Me₄)(C₅H₃R)} (R = Me (1), iPr (2), tBu (3), SiMe₃ (4)) with [TiCl₄(THF)₂], respectively. Compounds 5-8 have been tested as catalysts in the polymerization of ethylene and compared with the ansa-titanocene complexes [Ti{Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂}Cl₂] and [Ti{Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂]. The resulting polyethylene showed molecular weights of about 200 000 g mol⁻¹ and polydispersity values of approximately 3. In addition, the molecular structure of 6 has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Reactivity of the bridged borylene complex [μ-BCl{η-C5H4Me)Mn(CO)2}2]

The reactivity of the bridged chloro borylene complex [μ-BCl{(η⁵-C₅H₄Me)Mn(CO)₂}₂] (2a) towards various protic reagents was studied. Reaction of 2a with isopropanol yielded the alkoxy borylene complex [μ-BOiPr{(η⁵-C₅H₄Me)Mn(CO)₂}₂] (3d) in very high yield. A further series of protic reagents HX (X=HS⁻, BF₄⁻, Co(CO)₄⁻) gave, in the presence of pyridine, the new amino borylene complex [1-(μ-B)-4-H-(NC₅H₅){(C₅H₄Me)Mn(CO)₂}₂] (5a), which represents the product of an unprecedented 1,4-hydroboration of pyridine. Complex 5a was fully characterised in solution by multinuclear NMR studies, in the solid state by X-ray diffraction, and was also subject to DFT-studies.     

[Ir(acac)(η-C8H14)2]: A precursor in the synthesis of cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes

A new convenient synthesis and the crystallographic characterization of [Ir(acac)(coe)₂] (2, acac = acetylacetonato; coe = cis-cyclooctene) are described. The title compound crystallized from THF/ethanol in two modifications (monoclinic P2₁/c, 2a, and triclinic , 2b). Complex 2 represents an efficient starting material in the synthesis of mononuclear iridium(III) complexes containing cyclometalated 2-phenylpyridinato ligands using oxidative addition reactions of the corresponding ligands towards 2. Thus [Ir(acac)(ppy)₂] (3, ppy = 2-phenylpyridinato) and [Ir(ppy)₃] (4) (mer, 4a; fac, 4b) were prepared in excellent yields and short reaction times in a kind of one-pot procedure starting from [{Ir(μ-Cl)(coe)₂}₂] (1). Furthermore a convenient synthesis of [{Ir(μ-Cl)(ppy)₂}₂] (5) from 1 and Hppy is described.     

Macropolyhedral boron-containing cluster chemistry: two-electron variations in intercluster bonding intimacy. Contrasting structures of 19-vertex [(η-C5Me5)HIrB18H19(PHPh2)] and [(η-C5Me5)IrB18H18(PH2Ph)]

Fused double-cluster [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrB₁₈H₁₈(PH₂Ph)] (8), from syn-[(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrB₁₈H₂₀] (1) and PH₂Ph, retains the three-atoms-in-common cluster fusion intimacy of 1, in contrast to [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)HIrB₁₈H₁₉(PHPh₂)] (6), from PHPh₂ with 1, which exhibits an opening to a two atoms-in-common cluster fusion intimacy. Compound 8 forms via spontaneous dihydrogen loss from its precursor [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)HIrB₁₈H₁₉(PH₂Ph)] (7), which has two-atoms-in-common cluster-fusion intimacy and is structurally analogous to 6.     

Reactions of the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl trisulfido tungsten with M′Cl2 (M′ = Zn, Cd, Hg): Isolation and structural characterization of [PPh4][(η-C5Me5)WS3(ZnCl2)] and [{(η-C5Me5)WS3}2Hg]

Reactions of [PPh₄][(η⁵-C₅Me₅)WS₃] with equimolar M′Cl₂ (M′ = Zn, Cd) in MeCN or 0.5 equiv. of HgCl₂ in DMF afforded two binuclear clusters [PPh₄][(η⁵-C₅Me₅)WS₃(M′Cl₂)] (1: M′ = Zn; 2: M′ = Cd) and one trinuclear cluster [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)WS₃}₂Hg] (3). Compounds 1-3 were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis, ¹H NMR and X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 may be viewed as a 1:1 composite of [PPh₄][(η⁵-C₅Me₅)WS₃] and ZnCl₂, in which one [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)WS₃]⁻ anion binds a ZnCl₂ moiety via two μ-S atoms. In the structure of 3, two [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)WS₃]⁻ anions coordinate the central Hg atom via two μ-S atoms, forming an unique bent linear structure. In addition, internal redox reactions of [PPh₄][(η⁵-C₅Me₅)WS₃] under the presence of M′Cl₂ (M′ = Zn, Cd, Hg) in high concentrations were discussed.     

Chalcogenide-capped triruthenium clusters: X-ray structures of [Ru3(CO)6(μ3-CO){P(C4H3S)3}(μ-dppm)(μ3-O)] and [(μ-H)2Ru3(CO)6{P(C4H3S)3}(μ-dppm)(μ3-S)]

Treatment of [Ru₃(CO)₉{P(C₄H₃S)₃}(μ-dppm)] (1) [dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane] with molecular oxygen in benzene at 60 °C affords oxo-capped [Ru₃(CO)₆(μ₃-CO){P(C₄H₃S)₃}(μ-dppm)(μ₃-O)] (2), while with elemental sulfur and selenium related chalcogenide-capped clusters [Ru₃(CO)₆(μ₃-CO){P(C₄H₃S)₃}(μ-dppm)(μ₃-E)] (3, E = S; 5, E = Se) and bis(chalcogenide) clusters [Ru₃(CO)₆{P(C₄H₃S)₃}(μ-dppm)(μ₃-E)₂] (4, E = S; 6, E = Se) result. Reaction of 1 with H₂S in refluxing THF affords the previously reported [(μ-H)₂Ru₃(CO)₇(μ-dppm)(μ₃-S)] (7) together with the new sulfido-capped dihydride [(μ-H)₂Ru₃(CO)₆{P(C₄H₃S)₃}(μ-dppm)(μ₃-S)] (8). All new compounds have been characterized by spectroscopic data, and 2 and 8 by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Oxo-capped 2 consists of a triangular ruthenium framework capped on opposite sides by oxo and carbonyl groups, while 8 consists of a ruthenium triangle by a capping sulfido ligand and two inequivalent bridging hydride ligands.     

The reaction between orthodiphenylphosphinobenzaldehyde and [(η-C5Me5)MCl(μ-Cl)]2 (M=Rh and Ir)

The benzaldehyde functionalized phosphine Ph₂PC₆H₄CHO-2 underwent reaction with [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)MCl(μ-Cl)]₂ (M=Rh, Ir) to form (η⁵-C₅Me₅)MCl₂(κP-Ph₂PC₆H₄CHO-2), which underwent activation of the aldehyde C-H bond to form (η⁵-C₅Me₅)MCl(κP,κC-Ph₂PC₆H₄CO-2). Formally the reaction involves oxidative addition of C-H across the metal and reductive elimination of HCl. The structure of (η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl(κP,κC-Ph₂PC₆H₄CO-2) has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Actinide complexes with the Kläui tripodal oxygen ligand - crystal structure of [{η-C5H5(CH2C(CH3)3)}Co{P(O)(OC2H5)2}3]2U

Reaction between [(C₅H₅)Co{P(O)(OEt)₂}₃]₂UCl₂ and neopentyl lithium affords the novel complex, [{η⁴-C₅H₅(CH₂C(CH₃)₃)}Co{P(O)(OEt)₂}₃]₂U, in which the uranium metal center has been dehalogenated and the neopentyl nucleophiles have attacked the cyclopentadienyl groups on the Kläui ([(C₅H₅)Co{P(O)(OEt)₂}₃]⁻) ligands. The uranium atom in the title compound possesses octahedral geometry defined by the oxygen atoms from two sets of tripodal oxygen ligands, while the cyclopentadienyl ligands are bound η⁴ to the cobalt atoms. The formation of this complex suggests that the Kläui ligand may not be a suitable ligand framework for supporting organometallic complexes of oxophilic early actinides.     

A versatile entry into aqueous niobium chemistry: isolation and structure of the intermediate Nb4(μ2-O)2(μ2-OC2H5)4Cl4(OC2H5)4(HOC2H5)4

The reduction of ethanolic solutions of niobium pentachloride with zinc, followed by treatment with aqueous acids serves as a versatile entry into the aqueous solution chemistry of niobium. From the zinc-reduced solution, the major intermediate, Nb₄(μ₂-O)₂(μ₂-OC₂H₅)₄Cl₄(OC₂H₅)₄(HOC₂H₅)₄, was isolated and the crystal structure determined by X-ray crystallography. The complex crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pccn, with Z=4, a=21.0105(9), b=11.0387(5), c=19.1389(8), V=4438.9(3) ų, M_r=1090.19,R₁=0.0327 and wR₂=0.0876. The structure revealed a centrosymmetric tetrameric Nb(IV) complex, consisting of a pair of edge-sharing bi-octahedral Nb₂(μ₂-OC₂H₅)₄Cl₂(OC₂H₅)₂(HOC₂H₅)₂ units that are joined by two axial oxo ligands. The Nb-Nb distance of 2.7458(3) Å is consistent with a single metal-metal bond.     

Adduct formation of [(η-C7H7)Zr(η-C5H5)] with phosphines and N-heterocyclic carbenes: An experimental and theoretical study

The reaction of [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Zr(η⁵-C₅H₅)] with two Lewis bases, tetramethylimidazolin-2-ylidene and PMe₃, is reported and their stability probed via spectroscopic and theoretical methods. The strongly σ-basic N-heterocyclic carbene forms a stable adduct which has been structurally characterised, whilst the PMe₃ ligand coordinates weakly to the metal centre. Variable temperature ³¹P NMR spectroscopy has been used to determine the activation energy for this process (ΔG^‡ = 40.5 ± 1.9 kJ mol⁻¹). DFT calculations have been performed on both complexes and the structures discussed. In addition, the enthalpies for the formation of these compounds have been calculated [ΔH⁰(Zr-IMe) = −56.3 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔH⁰(Zr-PMe₃) = −2.3 kJ mol⁻¹] and show that the N-heterocyclic carbene forms a thermodynamically much more stable adduct than that with PMe₃.     

Synthesis and some reactivity of amidinato(pyridine) complexes of molybdenum and tungsten formulated as [M(η-allyl)(amidinato)(CO)2(NC5H5)]

Bis(pyridine) complexes of molybdenum and tungsten, [M(η³-allyl)Cl(CO)₂(NC₅H₅)₂] (M=Mo; 3-Mo, M=W; 3-W), reacted with an equimolar amount of lithiated amidinate, Li[(PhN)₂CR] (R=H; 4a-Li, R = CH₃; 4b-Li), to yield corresponding amidinato(pyridine) complexes, [M(η³-allyl){(PhN)₂CR}(CO)₂(NC₅H₅)] (M=Mo, R=H; 5a-Mo, M=Mo, R=CH₃; 5b-Mo, M=W, R=H; 5a-W), as a yellow solid. The dissociation of pyridine ligand from the central metal in complexes 5a was observed in a polar solvent such as acetonitrile. In these cases, although the formation of amidinato(acetonitrile) complexes, [M(η³-allyl){(PhN)₂CH}(CO)₂(NCMe)] (M=Mo; 6a-Mo, M=W; 6a-W), was suggested spectroscopically, isolation of complexes 6a was not successful but the re-formation of pyridine complexes 5a was observed. In the reactions of complexes 5a with PEt₃ and with P(OMe)₃, the substitution reactions easily took place to give [M(η³-allyl){(PhN)₂CH}(CO)₂(PEt₃)] (M=Mo; 7a-Mo, M=W; 7a-W) and [M(η³-allyl){(PhN)₂CH}(CO)₂{P(OMe)₃}] (M=Mo; 8a-Mo, M=W; 8a-W), respectively. These complexes were characterized spectroscopically as well as, in some cases, by X-ray analyses.     

Metal-sulfur dπ-pπ buffering of the oxidations of metal-thiolate complexes: Photoelectron spectroscopy of (η-C5H5)Fe(CO)2SR (SR = SCH3, SBu) and (η-C5H5)Re(NO)(PR3)SCH3 (PR3 = PPr3, PPh3)

The metal-sulfur bonding present in the transition metal-thiolate complexes CpFe(CO)₂SCH₃, CpFe(CO)₂S^tBu, CpRe(NO)(PⁱPr₃)SCH₃, and CpRe(NO)(PPh₃)SCH₃ (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅) is investigated via gas-phase valence photoelectron spectroscopy. For all four complexes a strong dπ-pπ interaction exists between a filled predominantly metal d orbital of the [CpML₂]⁺ fragment and the purely sulfur 3pπ lone pair of the thiolate. This interaction results in the highest occupied molecular orbital having substantial M-S π^∗ antibonding character. In the case of CpFe(CO)₂SCH₃, the first (lowest energy) ionization is from the Fe-S π^∗ orbital, the next two ionizations are from predominantly metal d orbitals, and the fourth ionization is from the Fe-S π orbital. The pure sulfur pπ lone pair of the thiolate fragment is less stable than the filled metal d orbitals of the [CpFe(CO)₂]⁺ fragment, resulting in a Fe-S π^∗ combination that is higher in sulfur character than the Fe-S π combination. Interestingly, substitution of a tert-butyl group for the methyl group on the thiolate causes little shift in the first ionization, in contrast to the shift observed for related thiols. This is a consequence of the delocalization and electronic buffering provided by the Fe-S dπ-pπ interaction. For CpRe(NO)(PⁱPr₃)SCH₃ and CpRe(NO)(PPh₃)SCH₃, the strong acceptor ability of the nitrosyl ligand rotates the metal orbitals for optimum backbonding to the nitrosyl, and the thiolate rotates along with these orbitals to a different preferred orientation from that of the Fe complexes. The initial ionization is again the M-S π^∗ combination with mostly sulfur character, but now has considerable mixing among several of the valence orbitals. Because of the high sulfur character in the HOMO, ligand substitution on the metal also has a small effect on the ionization energy in comparison to the shifts observed for similar substitutions in other molecules. These experiments show that, contrary to the traditional interpretation of oxidation of metal complexes, removal of an electron from these metal-thiolate complexes is not well represented by an increase in the formal oxidation state of the metal, nor by simple oxidation of the sulfur, but instead is a variable mix of metal and sulfur content in the highest occupied orbital.