Substitution reactions of tetrahydrofuran in [Cr(thf)3Cl3] with mono and bidentate N-donor ligands: X-ray crystal structures of [Cr(bipy)(OH2)Cl3] and [HpyNH2][Cr(bipy)Cl4]

Substitution of thf ligands in [Cr(thf)₃Cl₃] and [Cr(thf)₂(OH₂)Cl₃] was investigated. 2,2′-Bipyridine (bipy) was reacted with [Cr(thf)₃Cl₃] to form [Cr(bipy)(thf)Cl₃] (1), which was subsequently reacted with water to give [Cr(bipy)(OH₂)Cl₃] (2). Reaction of 1 with acetonitrile (CH₃CN), pyridine (py) and pyridine derivatives to form [Cr(bipy)(L)Cl₃] (L = CH₃CN 3, py 4 and 4-pyR with R = NH₂5, Bu^t6 and Ph 7). In addition, the substitution of bipy in [Cr(thf)₃Cl₃] was followed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy at room temperature, which showed completion of the reaction in ca. 100 min. Complex 2 was characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The theoretical powder diffraction pattern of 2 was compared to the experimentally obtained powder X-ray diffraction pattern, and shows excellent agreement. The dimer [Cr₂(bipy)₂Cl₄(μ-Cl)₂] was cleaved asymmetrically to give the anionic complex [Cr(bipy)Cl₄]⁻ (8) and [Cr(bipy)₂Cl₂]⁺ (9). Complexes 8 and 9 were characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Preparation and redox properties of the complexes trans-[ReL2(dppe)2]BF4 (L = CO or isocyanide). Estimate of the oxidation potential of octahedral 18-electron complexes with 14-electron square planar metal centres and of related electrochemical parameters for derived 16-electron sites

The complexes trans-[ReL₂(dppe)₂]BF₄ (I, L = CO, CNR with R = Me,Bu^t, C₆H₄OMe-4, C₆H₄Me-4, C₆H₄Cl-4 and C₆H₃Cl₂-2,6) were prepared from the reaction of the parent dinitrogen complex trans-[ReCl(N₂)(dppe)₂] with the appropriate ligand, in thf and in the presence of TlBF₄.Their redox properties were studied by cyclic voltammetry at a Pt electrode in [Bu₄N][BF₄]/thf or acetonitrile; they undergo a one-electron reversible oxidation and the observed E^OX_{$\text{1}\text{2}$} values were applied to test the validity of a proposed general expression —derived from the electrochemical ligand (P_L) and 16-electron metal site (E_s, β) parameters [6]— to estimate E^OX_{$\text{1}\text{2}$} for 18-electron octahedral complexes of the type [M′_sL₂] with a square planar 14-electron metal centre {M′_s}. E_s and β parameters were also estimated for the auxilliary {ReL(dppe)₂}⁺ (L = CO or CNR) centres.     

Synthesis, structure and properties of TTF-carboxylate bridged paddlewheel dirhodium complexes, Rh2(BuCO2)3(TTFCO2) and Rh2(BuCO2)2(TTFCO2)2

Reaction of tetrathiafulvalene carboxylic acid (TTFCO₂H) with paddlewheel dirhodium complex Rh₂(Bu^tCO₂)₄ yielded TTFCO₂-bridged complexes Rh₂(Bu^tCO₂)₃(TTFCO₂) (1) and cis- and trans-Rh₂(Bu^tCO₂)₂(TTFCO₂)₂ (cis- and trans-2). Their triethylamine adducts [1(NEt₃)₂] and cis-[2(NEt₃)₂] were purified and isolated with chromatographic separation, and characterized with single crystal X-ray analysis. Trans-[2(NEt₃)₂] is not completely separated from a mixture of cis- and trans-[2(NEt₃)₂], but its single crystals were obtained from a solution of the mixture. A three-step quasi-reversible oxidation process was observed for 1 in MeCN. The first two steps correspond to the oxidation of the TTFCO₂ moiety and the last one is the oxidation of the Rh₂ core. The oxidation of cis-2 is observed as a two-step process with very similar E_1/2 values to those of the first two processes for 1. Both 1⁺ and cis-2²⁺ in MeCN at room temperature show isotropic ESR spectra with a g value of 2.008 and a_H = 0.135 mT for two equivalent H atoms and a_H = 0.068 mT for one H atom. The redox and ESR data of cis-2 suggest that the intramolecular interaction between the TTF moieties is very small.     

A bicarbonate bridged diruthenium(I) complex: Key evidence for the decarboxylation step in the base-assisted reduction of Ru2Cl4(CO)6

Base-assisted reduction of [Ru(CO)₃Cl₂]₂ in the presence of NP-Me₂ (2,7-dimethyl-1,8-naphthyridine) in thf provides an unsupported diruthenium(I) complex [Ru₂(CO)₄Cl₂(NP-Me₂)₂] (1). Two NP-Me₂ and four carbonyls bind at equatorial positions and two chlorides occupy sites trans to the Ru-Ru single bond. Reaction of [Ru(CO)₃Cl₂]₂, TlOTf, KOH and NP-Me₂ in acetonitrile, in a sealed container, affords a bicarbonate bridged diruthenium(I) complex [Ru₂(CO)₂(μ-CO)₂(μ-O₂COH)(NP-Me₂)₂](OTf) (2). The in situ generated CO₂ is the source for bicarbonate under basic reaction medium. Isolation of 2 validates the decarboxylation step in the base-assisted reduction of [Ru^II(CO)₃Cl₂]₂ → [Ru^I₂(CO)₄]²⁺.     

Synthesis of trialkyl[60]fullerene C60(CH2SiMe3)3H and its potassium and rhodium(I) complexes

The reaction of [60]fullerene with Me₃SiCH₂MgCl in 1,2-Cl₂C₆H₄/THF (1/1) under dry air afforded a bis-alkyl adduct, C₆₀(CH₂SiMe₃)₂ (1), in 54% yield. Treatment of 1 with Me₃SiCH₂MgCl in THF under argon then afforded a trialkyl[60]fullerene, C₆₀(CH₂SiMe₃)₃H (2), in 37% yield. Further treatment of 2 with KO^tBu gave a potassium salt, [K(thf)_n][C₆₀(CH₂SiMe₃)₃] (3), which was then converted to a C_s-symmetric Rh(I) complex, Rh[η⁵-C₆₀(CH₂SiMe₃)₃](1,5-cyclooctadiene) (4), in 91% yield.     

A new sterically loaded pentadentate N3S2 ligand and its zinc complexes

In quest of complexes having [MN₃S₂] cores in the monomeric form and trans-thiolate donor atoms, the new pentadentate thiolate amine py^tBuN₂H₂S₂-H₂ [] has been synthesized.The template condensation reaction of bis(2-mercapto-3,5-di-tert-butylaniline)zinc (II)[Zn(^tBu₂ma)₂] and pyridine-2,6-dicarbaldehyde in methanol at 40 °C leads to the formation of imine zinc complex [Zn(py^tBuN₂S₂)] (7), which is very unstable and decomposes to give thiazole 5. However, if the template condensation is followed by in situ reduction with an excess of NaBH₄, the stable saturated amine complex [Zn(py^tBuN₂H₂S₂)] (8) is formed. Demetallation of zinc complex 8 under acidic conditions leads to the formation of the desired dithiolate py^tBuN₂H₂S₂-H₂ ligand (9).     

Sn-S and Ru-Ru bonds cleavage reactions between [Ph3SnS(CH2)3SSnPh3] and Ru3(CO)12: X-ray crystal structures of [Ph3SnS(CH2)3SSnPh3] and trans-[Ru(CO)4(SnPh3)2]

The organotin complex [Ph₃SnS(CH₂)₃SSnPh₃] (1) was synthesized by PdCl₂ catalyzed reaction between Ph₃SnCl and disodium-1,3-propanedithiolate which in turn was prepared from 1,2-propanedithiol and sodium in refluxing THF. Reaction of 1 with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ in refluxing THF affords the mononuclear complex trans-[Ru(CO)₄(SnPh₃)₂] (2) and the dinuclear complex [Ru₂(CO)₆(μ-κ²-SCH₂CH₂CH₂S)] (3) in 20 and 11% yields, respectively, formed by cleavage of Sn-S bond of the ligand and Ru-Ru bonds of the cluster. Treatment of pymSSnPPh₃ (pymS = pyrimidine-2-thiolate) with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ at 55-60 °C also gives 2 in 38% yield. Both 1 and 2 have been characterized by a combination of spectroscopic data and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis of the manganese-monocarbollide dianion [1-NHBu-2,2,2-(CO)3-closo-2,1-MnCB10H10]: Reactions with transition metal cations

Reaction of [Mn(NCMe)₃(CO)₃][PF₆] with Li₃[7-NHBu^t-nido-7-CB₁₀H₁₀] in THF (THF = tetrahydrofuran) affords the twelve-vertex manganacarborane dianion [1-NHBu^t-2,2,2-(CO)₃-closo-2,1-MnCB₁₀H₁₀]²⁻, isolated as the bis-[N(PPh₃)₂]⁺ salt (5a). This species reacts with {Pt(dppe)}²⁺ (dppe = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂) to afford the bimetallic complex [1-NH₂Bu^t-2,3-{Pt(dppe)}-2,2,2-(CO)₃-closo-2,1-MnCB₁₀H₉] (7) which has an Mn-Pt bond. In contrast, with {Cu(PPh₃)}⁺ the anion of 5a yields a CuMnCu trimetallic compound [1-{NH(Bu^t)Cu(PPh₃)}-2,3,7-{Cu(PPh₃)}-3,7-(μ-H)₂-2,2,2-(CO)₃-closo-2,1-MnCB₁₀H₈] (8) in which one of the Cu centers is bonded to Mn, whilst the other is attached to the pendant NHBu^t group. Upon treatment with Ag⁺, compound 5a is oxidized giving the very unusual Mn(III)-carbonyl complex [1,2-μ-NHBu^t-2,2,2-(CO)₃-closo-2,1-MnCB₁₀H₁₀] (9a) in which the carborane ligand formally acts as an eight-electron donor to manganese. The novel structural features of compounds 7, 8, and 9a have been confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis of fac-[Os(CO)3(L)Me2] (L = THF or MeCN) and some reactions with PPh3 and trityl salts

The reaction of cis-[Os(CO)₄Me₂] with Me₃NO in the THF or MeCN yields the complexes fac-[Os(CO)₃(L)Me₂] (where L = THF or MeCN). Whereas the THF complex is unstable and only characterised spectroscopically, fac-[Os(CO)₃(MeCN)Me₂] has been isolated as a white solid and fully characterized by both analytical and spectroscopic methods. These complexes fac-[Os(CO)₃(L)Me₂] are shown to be useful intermediates. Thus, reaction with PPh₃ gives fac-[Os(CO)₃(PPh₃)Me₂] in good yield.Reactions of fac-[Os(CO)₃(L)Me₂] (L = CO or MeCN) with CPh₃PF₆ or B(C₆F₅)₃ have been investigated. Whereas cis-[Os(CO)₄Me₂] showed no reaction with either CPh₃PF₆ or B(C₆F₅)₃, the reaction of fac-[Os(CO)₃(MeCN)Me₂] with CPh₃PF₆ in CH₂Cl₂ occurred over 16 h at room temperature to give an unstable cationic product and CPh₃Me. The reaction was monitored by both IR and NMR spectroscopies. When this reaction of fac-[Os(CO)₃(MeCN)Me₂] was carried out in the presence of a trapping ligand such as MeCN, the stable cationic product [Os(CO)₃(MeCN)₂Me]⁺ could be isolated and identified spectroscopically.     

Synthesis and structures of copper and gold complexes of the P,N ligands RNC(Bu)C(H)RPPh2 (R = SiMe3, H)

The reaction of the chelating P,N ligand RNC(Bu^t)CH(R)PPh₂ (R = SiMe₃) (1) with CuCl and CuCl₂ (probably by way of reduction to Cu(I) by the phosphine ligand) or Cu(NCCH₃)₄ClO₄ yielded the dimeric 1:1 complex [Cu{PPh₂CH(R)C(Bu^t)NR}Cl]₂ (2) or the monomeric 2:1 complex [Cu{PPh₂CH(R)C(Bu^t)NR}₂]ClO₄ (3), respectively. The presence of trace amounts of water during the reaction resulted in the successive cleavage of the two trimethylsilyl groups of the ligand and the formation of the monomeric chelate complexes [Cu{PPh₂CH(R)C(Bu^t)NH}₂]ClO₄ (4) and [Cu{PPh₂CH₂C(Bu^t)NH}₂]ClO₄ (5). Oxidation of 5 by atmospheric oxygen led to small quantities of the blue Cu(II) complex [Cu{(O)PPh₂CH₂C(Bu^t)NH}₂](ClO₄)₂ (6). The dimeric gold complexes [Au{PPh₂CH₂C(Bu^t)NH}]₂X₂ (X = BF₄, ClO₄) (7) were similarly obtained from the previously described Au{PPh₂CH(R)C(Bu^t)NR}Cl by replacing the covalently bound chlorine with the weakly coordinating anions in the presence of small quantities of water. The solution and solid state structures (except 5) of all complexes were determined by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.     

New ruthenium complexes from Ru3(CO)12 and 6-Alkyl- or 6-Phenyl-2-hydroxypyridines

Trirutheniumdodecacarbonyl (Ru₃(CO)₁₂) reacts with 2-hydroxy-6-methylpyridine and with 2-hydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoline in toluene to form centrosymmetric tetranuclear complexes of the type [Ru(η², μ-L)(CO)₂(μ₃-L)Ru(CO)₂]₂, where L is the respective (N,O)-pyridonate ligand (2 and 3). The structures of these complexes, which are almost insoluble in all common solvents, could be determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with 2-hydroxy-4,6-diphenylpyridine in methanol includes ortho-metallation at the phenyl ring, furnishing the dinuclear complex [Ru(κ²N,C-L)(CO)₂(μ-OCH₃)₂Ru(CO)₂ (κ²N,C-L)] (4), where L = (2-(6-hydroxy-4-phenylpyridin-2-yl)phenyl), according to an X-ray crystal structure determination.     

Hyponitrite complexes: Crystal and molecular structure of [Ru2(CO)4(μ-PBu2)(μ-Ph2PCH2PPh2)(μ-η-ONNOMe)]

The new trans-hyponitrite derivative complex [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-P^tBu₂)(μ-dppm)(μ-η²-ONNOMe)] (2, dppm = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) was prepared by deprotonation of [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-H)(μ-P^tBu₂)(μ-dppm)(μ-η²-ONNOMe)][BF₄] (1) with the base DBU (1.8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene). The latter complex salt has been obtained in an improved synthesis starting from the trans-hyponitrite complex [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-H)(μ-P^tBu₂)(μ-dppm)(μ-η²-ONNO)]. Compound 2 has been characterized by spectroscopic methods as well as by X-ray diffraction and represents the first neutral complex bearing a deprotonated monoester of the hyponitrous acid as the bridging ligand.     

Electrochemical oxidation of Mo(CO)4(LL) and Mo(CO)3(LL)(CH3CN): Generation, infrared characterization, and reactivity of [Mo(CO)4(LL)] and [Mo(CO)3(LL)(CH3CN)] (LL = 2,2′-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline and related ligands)

Mo(CO)₄(LL) complexes, where LL = polypyridyl ligands such as 2,2′-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline, undergo quasi-reversible, one-electron oxidations in methylene chloride yielding the corresponding radical cations, [Mo(CO)₄(LL)]⁺. These electrogenerated species undergo rapid ligand substitution in the presence of acetonitrile, yielding [Mo(CO)₃(LL)(CH₃CN)]⁺; rate constants for these substitutions were measured using chronocoulometry and were found to be influenced by the steric and electronic properties of the polypyridyl ligands. [Mo(CO)₃(LL)(CH₃CN)]⁺ radical cations, which could also be generated by reversible oxidation of Mo(CO)₃(LL)(CH₃CN) in acetonitrile, can be irreversibly oxidized yielding [Mo(CO)₃(LL)(CH₃CN)₂]²⁺ after coordination by an additional acetonitrile. Infrared spectroelectrochemical experiments indicate the radical cations undergo ligand-induced net disproportionations that follow first-order kinetics in acetonitrile, ultimately yielding the corresponding Mo(CO)₄(LL) and [Mo(CO)₂(LL)(CH₃CN)₃]²⁺ species. Rate constants for the net disproportionation of [Mo(CO)₃(LL)(CH₃CN)]⁺ and the carbonyl substitution reaction of [Mo(CO)₃(LL)(CH₃CN)₂]²⁺ were measured. Thin-layer bulk oxidation studies also provided infrared characterization data of [Mo(CO)₄(ncp)]⁺ (ncp = neocuproine), [Mo(CO)₃(LL)(CH₃CN)]⁺, [Mo(CO)₃(LL)(CH₃CN)₂]²⁺ and [Mo(CO)₂(LL)(CH₃CN)₃]²⁺ complexes.     

Oxidative addition of methyl iodide to [Rh(CO)2I]2: synthesis, structure and reactivity of neutral rhodium acetyl complexes, [Rh(CO)(NCR)(COMe)I2]2

Reaction of [Rh(CO)₂I]₂ (1) with MeI in nitrile solvents gives the neutral acetyl complexes, [Rh(CO)(NCR)(COMe)I₂]₂ (R=Me, 3a; ^tBu, 3b; vinyl, 3c; allyl, 3d). Dimeric, iodide-bridged structures have been confirmed by X-ray crystallography for 3a and 3b. The complexes are centrosymmetric with approximate octahedral geometry about each Rh centre. The iodide bridges are asymmetric, with Rh-(μ-I) trans to acetyl longer than Rh-(μ-I) trans to terminal iodide. In coordinating solvents, 3a forms mononuclear complexes, [Rh(CO)(sol)₂(COMe)I₂] (sol=MeCN, MeOH). Complex 3a reacts with pyridine to give [Rh(CO)(py)(COMe)I₂]₂ and [Rh(CO)(py)₂(COMe)I₂] and with chelating diphosphines to give [Rh(Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂)(COMe)I₂] (n=2, 3, 4). Addition of MeI to [Ir(CO)₂(NCMe)I] is two orders of magnitude slower than to [Ir(CO)₂I₂]⁻. A mechanism for the reaction of 1 with MeI in MeCN is proposed, involving initial bridge cleavage by solvent to give [Rh(CO)₂(NCMe)I] and participation of the anion [Rh(CO)₂I₂]⁻ as a reactive intermediate. The possible role of neutral Rh(III) species in the mechanism of Rh-catalysed methanol carbonylation is discussed.     

Reaction of [Pt3(μ-CO)3(PBu3)3] with activated olefins and alkynes: the X-ray-structure of [Pt(CO)(PBu3)(CF3CCCF3)]

The reactions of the triangulo-cluster [Pt₃(μ-CO)₃(P^tBu₃)₃] with activated olefins and alkynes have been examined under various conditions. At low temperature, cluster fragmentation occurs yielding the Pt(0) complexes [Pt(CO)(P^tBu₃)(olefin)] (olefin = maleic anhydride and maleimide), while di(tert-butyl)acetylenedicarboxilate reacts quantitatively giving the dinuclear Pt(0) complex [Pt₂(CO)₂(P^tBu₃)₂(μ-η²:η²-^tBuO₂CCCCO₂^tBu)]. At higher temperature and in the presence of alkyne in large excess, the latter dimer converts quantitatively to the monomers [Pt(CO)(P^tBu₃)(alkyne)] (alkyne = CF₃CCCF₃ and ^tBuO₂CCCCO₂^tBu). The stereochemistry of these complexes has been established by NMR and IR measurements. The structure of [Pt(CO)(P^tBu₃)(CF₃CCCF₃)] was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis, crystal structures, electrochemical and magnetic properties of polynuclear {Fe4} and {Fe8Na4} carboxylate/picolinate clusters

Reaction of sodium picolinate with Fe^III oxo-centered carboxylate triangles in MeCN in the presence of PPh₄Cl yields (PPh₄)[Fe₄O₂(O₂CR)₇(pic)₂] (R = Ph (1), Bu^t (2)). Omitting the phosphonium cation produces [Fe₈Na₄O₄(O₂CPh)₁₆(pic)₄(H₂O)₄] (3), which contains two Fe₄Na₂ units bridged by two picolinate ligands. X-ray crystal structures of 1 and 3 are reported.Voltammetric profiles in MeCN show four one-electron reduction steps for complexes 1 and 2. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements in polycrystalline samples of 1 and 3 reveal strong antiferromagnetic couplings leading to S = 0 ground states.     

31P and 195Pt NMR studies on the clusters [Pt4(μ2-CO)5L4]. L = PEt3, PMe2Ph,PMePh2, PEt2But. The molecular structure of a monoclinic modification of [Pt4(μ2-CO)5(PMe2Ph)4].

Several clusters complexes of composition [Pt₄(μ₂-CO)₅L₄] have been synthesized and characterized, using ³¹P and ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR. L = PEt₃, PMe₂Ph, PMePh₂, PEt₂Bu^t. The molecular structure of a new monoclinic modification of the PMe₂Ph derivative has been determined: space group P2₁/n with a = 19.698(4), b = 10.9440(20), and c = 21.360(6) Å, β = 112.432(18)°, Z = 4. Using 4751 reflections measured at 290 ± 1 K on a four-circle diffractometer the structure has been refined to R = 0.0846. The molecule has no imposed symmetry, but the central Pt₄(CO)₅P₄ core has the approximate C₂v architecture established for the previously known orthorhombic modification. The Pt₄ unit is thus a highly distorted, edge-opened (3.3347 Å) tetrahedron, with five edge-bridging carbonyl and four terminal phosphine ligands. In contrast to the crystallographic results ³¹P and ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR spectra reveal equivalent ³¹P and ¹⁹⁵Pt spins, which can be interpreted in terms of a tetrahedral arrangement of platinum atoms. It is suggested that this equivalence arises from time-averaging of all possible isomeric edge-opened tetrahedra.     

Half-sandwich ruthenium thiocarbonate complexes: Structures of CpRu(PPh3)2SCO2Bu, CpRu(dppe)SCO2Bu and CpRu(PPh3)(CO)SCO2Bu

Thiocarbonate ruthenium complexes of the form CpRu(L)(L′)SCO₂R (L = L′ = PPh₃ (1), 1/2 dppe (2), L = PPh₃, L′ = CO (3); R = Et (a), Buⁿ (b), C₆H₅ (c), 4-C₆H₄NO₂ (d)) have been synthesized by the reaction of the corresponding sulfhydryl complexes, CpRu(L)(L′)SH, with chloroformates, ROCOCl, at low temperature. The bis(triphenylphosphine) complexes 1 can be converted to 3 under CO atmosphere. The crystal structures of CpRu(PPh₃)₂SCO₂Buⁿ (1b), CpRu(dppe)SCO₂Buⁿ (2b), and CpRu(PPh₃)(CO)SCO₂Buⁿ (3b) are reported.     

Structural and magnetic properties of one-dimensional coordination polymers {trans-[Ru(CN-Bu)4(CN)2]FeX3}n vs. molecular squares {cis-[Ru(CN-Bu)4(CN)2]FeX3}2 (X = NO3, Cl)

The reaction of cis- or trans-[Ru(CN^tBu)₄(CN)₂] with Fe(III) compounds leads to the formation of molecular squares of the general formula cyc-[Ru(CN-^tBu)₄(CN)₂FeX₃]₂ or one-dimensional coordination polymers [Ru(CN-^tBu)₄(CN)₂FeX₃]_n, respectively. Temperature dependent susceptibility measurements indicate that the magnetic properties of the coordination compounds are determined by their molecular structure. Of particular importance is the local symmetry at the iron(III) center which is related to the coordinating anion. The magnetic properties are best described in terms of weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the iron centers for the molecular squares as well as the coordination polymer with X = NO₃ and as weak ferromagnetic interactions in case of the linear coordination polymer with X = Cl. For all compounds zero field splitting at low temperatures has to be taken into account.     

Short-bite aminobis(phosphonite) containing olefinic functionalities, PhN{P(OC6H3(OMe-o)(C3H5-p))2}2: Synthesis and transition metal complexes

Short-bite aminobis(phosphonite) containing olefinic functionalities, PhN{P(OC₆H₃(OMe-o)(C₃H₅-p))₂}₂ (1) was synthesized by reacting PhN(PCl₂)₂ with eugenol in the presence of triethylamine. The ligand 1 acts as a bidentate chelating ligand toward metal complexes [M(CO)₄(C₅H₁₀NH)₂] forming [M(CO)₄{η²-PhN{P(OC₆H₃(OMe-o)(C₃H₅-p))₂}₂}] (M = Mo, 2; W, 3). The reaction between 1 and [CpFe(CO)₂]₂ leads to the cleavage of one of the P-N bonds due to the metal assisted hydrolysis to give a mononuclear complex [CpFe(CO){P(O)(OC₆H₃(OMe-o)(C₃H₅-p))₂}{PhN(H)(P(OC₆H₃(OMe-o)(C₃H₅-p))₂)}] (4). Treatment of 1 with gold(I) derivative, [AuCl(SMe₂)] resulted in the formation of a dinuclear complex, [(AuCl)₂{PhN{P(OC₆H₃(OMe-o)(C₃H₅-p))₂}₂}] (5) with a Au···Au distance of 3.118(2) Å indicating the possibility of aurophilic interactions. An equimolar reaction between 1 and [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂]₂ afforded a tri-chloro-bridged bimetallic complex [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(μ-Cl)₃Ru{PhN(P(OC₆H₃(OMe-o)(C₃H₅-p))₂)₂}Cl] (6). The crystal structures of 1-3 and 5 were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.