Organoiridium compounds with bidentate phosphines as highly regioselective catalysts for alkynes cyclotrimerization

The iridium derivatives HIr(cod)(L-L) (cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene; L-L=Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂ (dppm); Ph₂P(CH₂)₂PPh₂ (dppe); Ph₂P(CH₂)₃PPh₂ (dppp); Ph₂P(CH₂)₄PPh₂ (dppb); o-C₆H₄(PPh₂)₂; Cy₂P(CH₂)₂PCy₂ (dcpe); o-Me₂NC₆H₄PPh₂ (P-NMe₂)) and Ir(OMe)(cod)(dppe-F) (dppe-F=(C₆F₅)₂P(CH₂)₂P(C₆F₅)₂) are active catalysts for the cyclotrimerization of phenylacetylene and substituted derivatives. The nature of the phosphine ligand has a pronounced effect on catalytic activity and selectivity of the reactions: in some cases (L-L=dcpe, dppe-F) mixtures of oligomerization and polymerization products are obtained, in others only cyclomerization is observed, with regioselectivities as high as 100% of the 1,2,4-trisubstituted benzenes in the reactions catalyzed by HIr(cod)(dppm). The observed regioselectivity is discussed in terms of preferential formation of one of the possible metallacyclic intermediates of the catalytic reaction.     

Iridium and rhodium complexes containing dichalcogenoimidodiphosphinato ligands

Treatment of [MCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂] with K[N(R₂PQ)₂] afforded [M{N(Ph₂PQ)₂}(CO)(PPh₃)] (M = Ir, Rh; Q = S, Se). The IR C=O stretching frequencies for [M(CO)(PPh₃){N(Ph₂PQ)₂}] were found to decrease in the order S > Se. Treatment of [M(COD)Cl]₂ with K[N(Ph₂PQ)₂] afforded [M(COD){N(Ph₂PQ)₂}] (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene; M = Ir, Rh; Q = S, Se). Treatment of [Ir(ol)₂Cl] with afforded (ol = cyclooctene COE, C₂H₄; Q = S, Se). Oxidative addition of [Ir(CO)(PPh₃){N(Ph₂PS)₂}] and [Ir(COD){N(Ph₂PS)₂}] with HCl afforded [Ir(H)(Cl)(CO)(PPh₃){N(Ph₂PS)₂}] and trans-[Ir(H)(Cl)(COD){N(Ph₂PS)₂}], respectively. Oxidative addition of [Ir(CO)(PPh₃){N(Ph₂PS)₂}] with MeI afforded [Ir(Me)(I)(CO)(PPh₃){N(Ph₂PS)₂}]. Treatment of [Ir(COE)₂Cl]₂ with K[N(R₂PO)₂] afforded [Ir(COE)₂{N(Ph₂PO)₂}] that reacted with MeOTf (OTf = triflate) to give [Ir{N(Ph₂PO)₂}(COE)₂(Me)(OTf)]. The crystal structures of [Ir(CO)(PPh₃){N(Ph₂PS)₂}], [M(COD){N(Ph₂PS)₂}] (M = Ir, Rh), (ol = COE, C₂H₄), trans-[Ir(H)(Cl)(COD){N(Ph₂PS)₂}], and [Ir(COE)₂{N(Ph₂PO)₂}] have been determined.     

Strain in organometallics II: controlling the properties of tetra-coordinated iridium complexes using diastereomers of a bis(tropp) ligand system

The tetra-chelating ligands 1,2-bis[(5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)phenylphosphanyl]-ethane, bis(tropp^Ph)ethane, and 1,3-bis[(5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)phenylphosphanyl]-propane, bis(tropp^Ph)propane, were synthesised. For the binding of transition metals, these ligands offer two olefin moieties and two phosphorus centres and form mixtures of diastereomers with a R,S-configuration at the phosphorus centres (meso), or a R,R(S,S)-configuration (rac), respectively. meso/rac-bis(tropp^Ph)ethane was separated by fractional crystallisation and reacted with [Ir(cod)₂]OTf (cod=cylcooctadiene, OTf⁻=CF₃SO₃ ⁻) to give the penta-coordinated complex-cations meso/rac-[Ir(bis(tropp^Ph)ethane)(cod)]⁺, where the bis(tropp^Ph)ethane serves as tridentate ligand merely. One olefin unit remains non-bonded, however, a slow intra-molecular exchange between this olefin and the coordinated olefin unit was established (meso-[Ir(bis(tropp^Ph)ethane)(cod)]⁺: k<0.5 s⁻¹; rac-[Ir(bis(tropp^Ph)ethane)(cod)]⁺: k≈35 s⁻¹). The ligand meso/rac-bis(tropp^Ph)propane reacts with [Ir(cod)₂]OTf to give the corresponding complexes containing the tetra-coordinated 16-electron complex-cations meso/rac-[Ir(bis(tropp^Ph)propane)]⁺. The diastereomers were separated by fractional crystallisation. The complex rac-[Ir(bis(tropp^Ph)propane)]⁺ is reduced at relatively low potentials (E¹_1/2=−0.95 V, E²_1/2=−1.33 V versus Ag/AgCl) to give the neutral 17-electron complex [Ir(bis(tropp^Ph)propane)]⁰ and the 18-electron anionic iridate [Ir(bis(tropp^Ph)propane)]⁻, respectively. With acetonitrile, [Ir(bis(tropp^Ph)propane)]⁺ reacts to give the penta-coordinated complex rac-[Ir(MeCN)(bis(tropp^Ph)propane)]⁺ (K=45 M⁻¹, k_f=6×10³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, k_d=1×10² s⁻¹) and with chloride to yield the relatively stable complex rac-[Ir(Cl)(bis(tropp^Ph)propane)] (k_d<0.5 s⁻¹). Compared to the rac-isomer, the meso-[Ir(bis(tropp^Ph)propane)]⁺ shows significantly cathodically shifted reduction potentials (E¹_1/2=−1.25 V, E²_1/2=−1.64 V versus Ag/AgCl), an acetonitrile complex could not be detected, and the chloro-complex, meso-[Ir(Cl)(bis(tropp^Ph)propane)], is much more labile (k_d≈20′000 s⁻¹). meso-[Ir(bis(tropp^Ph)propane)]⁺ reacts with one equivalent H₂ to give the trans-dihydride complex-cation, meso-[Ir(H)₂(bis(tropp^Ph)propane)]⁺, while the rac-isomer, rac-[Ir(bis(tropp^Ph)propane)]+, reacts with two equivalents H₂ to give rac-{Ir(H)₂(OTf)[(tropp^Ph)(H₂tropp^Ph)propane]}, a cis-dihydride complex containing a hydrogenated 10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene unit, H₂tropp^Ph. The triflate anion in this complex is rather firmly bound and dissociates only slowly (k=29 s⁻¹). All differences between the different stereoisomers are attributed to the fact that the ligand backbone in the meso-isomer, meso-[Ir(bis(tropp^Ph)propane)]⁺, enforces a planar coordination sphere at the metal. On the contrary, already in the tetra-coordinated rac-[Ir(bis(tropp^Ph)propane)]⁺, the metal has a tetrahedrally distorted coordination sphere which does not impede the reduction to the d⁹-Ir(0) and d¹⁰-Ir(−1) complexes and allows more easily a distortion towards a trigonal bipyramidal (tbp) or octahedral structure for penta- or hexa-coordinated complexes, respectively. A comparison of the NMR data for iridium bonded olefins in equatorial or axial positions in tbp structures shows that the latter experience only modest metal-to-ligand back-donation, while the olefins in the equatorial positions have a high degree of metallacyclopropane character.     

Synthesis of rhodium and iridium boryl complexes via oxidative addition of haloboranes

B-Chlorocatecholborane undergoes oxidative addition to M(PR₃)₃Cl (M = Rh, R = Me; M = Ir, R = Me, Et) yielding six-coordinate complexes of general formula mer,cis-(PR₃)₃Cl₂M(BO₂C₆H₄). The same M(PR₃)₃Cl complexes also react with B-bromocatecholborane to give a mixture of metal boryl homo- and heterodihalides (PR₃)₃X¹X²M(BO₂C₆H₄) (X¹, X² = Cl, Br), and the observed disproportionation is believed to involve the formation of a heteronuclear halide-bridged intermediate. The alkene 4-vinylanisole failed to react with the six-coordinate, 18-electron (PR₃)₃Cl₂M(BO₂C₆H₄) complexes at ambient temperatures.     

Synthesis, structures, and characterization of benzildiimine complexes of rhodium(III) and iridium(I)

The reactions of trans-[(PPh₃)₂M(CO)Cl] (M = Rh and Ir) with benzildiimine (H₂BDI = 2) derived from benzil-bis(trimethylsilyl)diimine (Si₂BDI) (1) in a 1:2 and 1:1 molar ratio afforded the cationic bis-benzildiiminato complexes [Rh(PPh₃)₂(HBDI)₂]Cl (3) and the mono-benzildiimine complex [Ir(PPh₃)₂(CO)(H₂BDI)]Cl (4), respectively. Both complexes are fully characterized using IR, FAB-MS, NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The single crystal X-ray structure analysis reveals a distorted octahedral coordination geometry for the Rh(III) in 3 and a highly distorted square pyramidal geometry for Ir(I) in 4. In addition, the solid-state structure of Si₂BDI is reported here for the first time showing the substituents highly twisted because of steric reasons.     

Structure and solution behaviour of cyclooctadiene complexes of platinum(II)

The substitution behaviour of [PtCl(R)(COD)] (R⁻ = Me and Fc) complexes, by the stepwise addition of phosphine ligands, L (L = PPh₃, PEt₃ and P(NMe₂)₃), were investigated in situ by ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. Addition of less than two equivalents of the phosphine ligand results in the formation of dimeric molecules with the general formula trans-[Pt(R)(μ-Cl)(L)]₂ for the sterically demanding systems where R⁻ = Me/L = P(NMe₂)₃ and R⁻ = Fc/L = PEt₃, PPh₃ and P(NMe₂)₃ while larger quantities resulted in cis- and trans mixtures of mononuclear complexes being formed. In the case of the relatively small steric demanding, strongly coordinating, PEt₃ ligand the trans-[PtCl(R)(PEt₃)₂] mononuclear complexes were exclusively observed in both cases. The crystal structures of the two substrates, [PtCl(R)(COD)] (R⁻ = Me or Fc), as well as the cis-[PtCl(Fc)(PPh₃)₂] substitution product are reported.     

Synthesis and characterization of silver(I) derivatives containing acylpyrazolonate and phosphino ligands: X-ray crystal structures of monomeric [Ag(Q)(PPh3)2] and of dimeric [{Ag(Q)(PiBu3)}2] (Q = 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-tert-butylacetylpyrazolon-5-ato)

New silver(I) acylpyrazolonate derivatives [Ag(Q)], [Ag(Q)(PR₃)]₂ and [Ag(Q)(PR₃)₂] (HQ = 1-R¹-3-methyl-4-R²(CO)pyrazol-5-one, HQ^Bn = R¹ = C₆H₅, R² = CH₂C₆H₅; HQ^CHPh2 = R¹ = C₆H₅, R² = CH(C₆H₅)₂; HQ^nPe = R¹ = C₆H₅, R² = CH₂C(CH₃)₃; HQ^tBu = R¹ = C₆H₅, R² = C(CH₃)₃; HQ^fMe = R¹ = C₆H₄-p-CF₃, R² = CF₃; HQ^fEt = R¹ = C₆H₅, R² = CF₂CF₃; R = Ph or iBu) have been synthesized and characterized in the solid state and solution. The crystal structure of 1-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone, the precursor of proligand HQ^fMe and of derivatives [Ag(Q^nPe)(PPh₃)₂] and [Ag(Q^nPe)(PiBu₃)]₂ have been investigated. [Ag(Q^nPe)(PPh₃)₂] is a mononuclear compound with a silver atom in a tetrahedrally distorted AgO₂P₂ environment, whereas [Ag(Q^nPe)(PiBu₃)]₂ is a dinuclear compound with two O₂N-exotridentate bridging acylpyrazolonate ligands connecting both silver atoms, their coordination environment being completed by a phosphine ligand.     

Platinum(II) phosphonate complexes derived from endo-8-camphanylphosphonic acid

The reactions of cis-[PtCl₂L₂] [L = PPh₃, PMe₂Ph or L₂ = Ph₂P(CH₂)₂PPh₂ (dppe)] with endo-8-camphanylphosphonic acid (CamPO₃H₂) and Ag₂O in refluxing dichloromethane gave platinum(II) phosphonate complexes [Pt(O₃PCam)L₂]. The X-ray crystal structure of [Pt(O₃PCam)(PPh₃)₂]·2CHCl₃ shows that the bulky camphanyl group, rather than being directed away from the platinum, is instead directed into a pocket formed by the Pt and the two PPh₃ ligands. This allows the O₃P-CH₂ group to have a preferred staggered conformation. The complexes were studied in detail by NMR spectroscopy, which demonstrates non-fluxional behaviour for the sterically bulky PPh₃ and dppe derivatives, which contain inequivalent phosphine ligands in their ³¹P NMR spectra. These findings are backed up by theoretical calculations on the PPh₃ and PPhMe₂ derivatives, which show, respectively, high and low energy barriers to rotation of the camphanyl group in the PPh₃ and PPhMe₂ complexes. The X-ray crystal structure of CamPO₃H₂ is also reported, and consists of hydrogen-bonded hexameric aggregates, which assemble to form a columnar structure containing hydrophilic phosphonic acid channels surrounded by a sheath of bulky, hydrophobic camphanyl groups.     

Rh and Ir dibenzo[a,e]cyclooctatetraene complexes: Chloro, hydroxo, and mixed Au oxo complexes

New and improved procedures are reported for the synthesis of [M(DBCOT)(μ-Cl)]₂ (M = Rh, Ir; DBCOT = dibenzo[a,e]cyclooctatetraene) from MCl₃(H₂O)_x or [M(COD)(μ-Cl)]₂ and DBCOT. Treatment of [M(DBCOT)(μ-Cl)]₂ with [(LAu)₃(μ-O)]BF₄(L = PPh₃, P^tBu₃) yields the mixed-metal oxo complexes [M(DBCOT)(μ⁴-O)(AuL)₂]₂(BF₄)₂. Dimeric [Rh(DBCOT)(μ-OH)]₂ is obtained from the reaction of [M(DBCOT)(μ-Cl)]₂ with KOH in EtOH/H₂O. All complexes except [Rh(DBCOT)(μ-Cl)]₂ have been structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Facile synthesis and reactivity study of mixed phosphane-isocyanide Pd(II) and Pd(0) complexes

The reaction between an equimolecular mixture of isocyanide CNR (CNR = di-methylphenyl isocyanide (DIC), tert-butyl isocyanide (TIC), triphenyl phosphane (PPh₃) and a dechlorinated solution of the palladium allyl dimers [Pd(η³-allyl)Cl]₂ (allyl = 2-Meallyl, 1,1-Me₂allyl) in stoichiometric ratio yields the mixed derivative [Pd(η³-allyl)(CNR)(PPh₃)] only. Apparently, the mixed derivative represents the most stable species among all the possible ones that might be formed under those experimental conditions. Theoretical calculations are in agreement with the experimental observation and the energy stabilization of the mixed species with respect to the homoleptic derivatives is traced back to an overall push-pull effect exerted by the isocyanide and the phosphane acting synergically. Similar behavior is observed in the case of the synthesis of the palladacyclopentadienyl complexes [Pd(C₄(COOMe)₄)(CNR)(PPh₃)] and of the palladium(0) olefin complexes whose synthesis invariably yields the mixed [Pd(η²-olefin)(CNR)(PPh₃)] derivatives. The paper includes studies on the reactivity toward allylamination in the case of the palladium(II) allyl complexes. A diffractometric investigation on the solid state structures of four different palladium isocyanide-phosphane complexes is also included.     

Synthesis, characterization and reactivity of polypyridyl ruthenium(II) carbonyl complexes with phosphine derivatives: Ruthenium-carbon bond labilization based on steric and electronic effects

Ruthenium phosphine complexes with a CO ligand [Ru(tpy)(PR₃)(CO)Cl]⁺ (tpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine, R = Ph or p-tolyl), were prepared by introduction of CO gas to the corresponding dichloro complexes at room temperature. New carbonyl complexes were characterized by various methods including structural analyses. They were shown to release CO following the addition of several N-donors to form the corresponding substituted complexes. The kinetic data and structural results observed in this study indicated that the CO release reactions proceeded in an interchange mechanism. The molecular structures of [Ru(tpy)(PPh₃)(CO)Cl]PF₆, [Ru(tpy)(P(p-tolyl)₃)(CO)Cl]PF₆ and [Ru(tpy)(PPh₃)(CH₃CN)Cl]PF₆ were determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Functional phosphines. Part XIV. Cationic (P,N)2-coordinated hydrides of iridium(III): catalysts for CO hydrogenation or transfer hydrogenation?

Treatment of trans-[IrCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂] with Ph₂PCH₂CH₂NH₂ in refluxing para-xylene gave (OC-6-43)-[Ir(H)(Cl)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂NH₂)₂]Cl (1) which interacted with K[BH(s-Bu₃)] to produce a mixture of (OC-6-22)-[IrH₂(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂NH₂)₂]Cl (2a) and (OC-6-32)-[Ir(H)(Cl)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂NH₂)₂]Cl (2b). The trans-dihydride 2a was isolated in pure form from the reaction between 1 and KOH/i-PrOH. Different from its isoelectronic (P,N)₂-coordinated Ru^II analogues, the cationic chloro hydrido complex 1 does not act as a catalyst for the direct hydrogenation of acetophenone by molecular H₂, if activated by strong alkoxide base, but rather catalyzes the transfer hydrogenation of the CO bond with methanol or isopropanol as proton/hydride sources. Dihydrido complex 2a is ascribed the role of the actual catalyst as it supports the transfer hydrogenation reaction even in the absence of base. The crystal structure of the addition compound 1 · 2EtOH has been determined.     

One-pot syntheses of alkenyl-phosphonio complexes of ruthenium(II), rhodium(III) and iridium(III) bearing p-cymene or pentamethylcyclopentadienyl groups

Reaction of [(p-cymene)RuCl₂(PPh₃)] (1) or [Cp^∗MCl₂(PPh₃)] (Cp^∗ = C₅Me₅) (3a: M = Rh; 4a: M = Ir) with 1-alkynes and PPh₃ were carried out in the presence of KPF₆, generating the corresponding alkenyl-phosphonio complexes, [(p-cymene)RuCl(PPh₃){CHCR(PPh₃)}](PF₆) (2a: R = Ph; 2b: R = p-tolyl) or [Cp^∗MCl(PPh₃){CHCPh(PPh₃)}](PF₆) (5: M = Rh; 6: M = Ir). Similar reactions of complexes [Cp^∗RhCl₂(L¹)] (3a: L¹ = PPh₃; 3c: L¹ = P(OMe)₃) with L² (L² = PPh₃, PMePh₂, P(OMe)₃) gave [Cp^∗RhCl(L¹)(L²)](PF₆) (7bb: L¹ = L² = PMePh₂; 7ca: L¹ = P(OMe)₃, L² = PPh₃; 7cc: L¹ = L² = P(OMe)₃). Alkenyl-phosphonio complex 5 was treated with P(OMe)₃ or 2,6-xylyl isocyanide, affording [Cp^∗RhCl(L){CHCPh(PPh₃)}](PF₆) (8a: L = P(OMe)₃; 8b: L = 2,6-xylNC). X-ray structural analyses of 2a, 6 and 8a revealed that the phosphonium moiety bonded to the C_β atom of the alkenyl group are E configuration.     

Synthesis and characterization of CpMCl(PR3)(S or W-η-butadienesulfonyl) compounds of rhodium and iridium

A metathesis reaction of [Cp^∗MCl₂(PR₃)] [M = Rh, R = Ph (1), Me (3); M = Ir, R = Ph (2), Me (4)] takes place in the presence of potassium butadienesulfinate (SO₂CHCHCHCH₂)K (9) to afford the mononuclear compounds [Cp^∗M(Cl)(PR₃)(η¹-SO₂CHCHCHCH₂)] [M = Rh, R = Ph (11S), (11W); M = Rh, R = Me (13S), (13W)] and [M = Ir, R = Ph (12S); M = Ir, R = Me (14S), (14W)] under different reaction conditions. The addition of PR₃ (R = Ph, Me) to Cp^∗Ir(Cl)[(1,2,5-η)-SO₂CHCHCHCH₂] (7) affords the corresponding iridium isomers 12S, 12W and 14S, in a non-selective reaction, along with the corresponding dichloride compounds 2 or 4. The ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR data are consistent with the butadienesulfonyl ligands coordinated exclusively through the sulfur atom, and they show the presence of two isomers, described as the S and W conformers, which can be isolated separately. There is clear evidence that these isomers correspond to the kinetic and thermodynamic derivatives, respectively.     

Synthesis, spectroscopy and structural characterization of silver(I) complexes containing unidentate N-donor azole-type ligands

From the interaction between azole-type ligands L and AgX (X = NO₃ or ClO₄) or [AgX(PPh₃)_n] (X = Cl, n = 3; X = MeSO₃, n = 2), new ionic mononuclear [Ag(L)₂]X and [Ag(PPh₃)₃L][X] or neutral mono-([Ag(PPh₃)_nL(X)]) or di-nuclear ([{Ag(PPh₃)(L)(μ-X)}₂]) complexes have been obtained which have been characterized through elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, IR, ¹H NMR and, in some cases, also by ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray studies. Stoichiometries and molecular structures are dependent on the nature of the azole (steric hindrance and basicity), of the counter ion, and on the number of the P-donor ligands in the starting reactants. Solution data are consistent with partial dissociation of the complexes, occurring through breaking of both Ag-N and Ag-P bonds.     

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.     

Kinetic studies on the reactions of HCl with trans-[MoL(CNPh)(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)2] (L=N2, H2 or CO)

The kinetics of the reactions between anhydrous HCl and trans-[MoL(CNPh)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂] (L=CO, N₂ or H₂) have been studied in thf at 25.0 °C. When L=CO, the product is [MoH(CO)(CNPh)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂]⁺, and when L=H₂ or N₂ the product is trans-[MoCl(CNHPh)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂]. Using stopped-flow spectrophotometry reveals that the protonation chemistry of trans-[MoL(CNPh)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂] is complicated. It is proposed that in all cases protonation occurs initially at the nitrogen atom of the isonitrile ligand to form trans-[MoL(CNHPh)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂]⁺. Only when L=N₂ is this single protonation sufficient to labilise L to dissociation, and subsequent binding of Cl⁻ gives trans-[MoCl(CNHPh)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂]. At high concentrations of HCl a second protonation occurs which inhibits the substitution. It is proposed that this second proton binds to the dinitrogen ligand. When L=CO or H₂, a second protonation is also observed but in these cases the second protonation is proposed to occur at the carbon atom of the aminocarbyne ligand, generating trans-[MoL(CHNHPh)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂]²⁺. Addition of the second proton labilises the trans-H₂ to dissociation, and subsequent rapid binding of Cl⁻ and dissociation of a proton yields the product trans-[MoCl(CNHPh)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂]. Dissociation of L=CO does not occur from trans-[Mo(CO)(CHNHPh)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂]²⁺, but rather migration of the proton from carbon to molybdenum, and dissociation of the other proton produces [MoH(CO)(CNPh)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂]⁺.     

Mechanistic investigation of the oxidative addition reactions between different iridium (I) cyclooctadiene ([Ir(LL′)(cod)]) complexes and iodomethane

The oxidative addition reactions between two different [Ir(cod)(LL′)] complexes (LL′ = hpt and AnMetha) and iodomethane was kinetically investigated. The rate of oxidative addition was determined as 2.2(2) × 10⁻² and 2.69(6) × 10⁻² M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for [Ir(cod)(hpt)] and [Ir(cod)(AnMetha)] in nitromethane respectively. The large negative entropy of activation for the above-mentioned reactions in different solvents clearly point to an associative mechanism. An intrinsic volume of activation of −30.5(3) and −28(3) cm³ mol⁻¹ was determined for [Ir(cod)(hpt)] and [Ir(cod)(AnMetha)], respectively. A linear transition state with large charge separation and central ion contraction due to oxidation, contributes to the negative volume of activation.     

Synthesis, characterization, X-ray structure and in vitro antimycobacterial and antitumoral activities of Ru(II) phosphine/diimine complexes containing the "SpymMe2" ligand, SpymMe2=4,6-dimethyl-2-mercaptopyrimidine

The reaction of cis-[RuCl₂(dppb)(N-N)], dppb = 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane, complexes with the ligand HSpymMe₂, 4,6-dimethyl-2-mercaptopyrimidine, yielded the cationic complexes [Ru(SpymMe₂)(dppb)(N-N)]PF₆, N-N = bipy (1) and Me-bipy (2), bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine and Me-bipy = 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine, which were characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques and X-ray crystallography and elemental analysis. Additionally, preliminary in vitro tests for antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv ATCC 27264 and antitumor activity against the MDA-MB-231 human breast tumor cell line were carried out on the new complexes and also on the precursors cis-[RuCl₂(dppb)(N-N)], N-N = bipy (3) and Me-bipy (4) and the free ligands dppb, bipy, Me-bipy and SpymMe₂. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of compounds needed to kill 90% of mycobacterial cells and the IC₅₀ values for the antitumor activity were determined. Compounds 1-4 exhibited good in vitro activity against M. tuberculosis, with MIC values ranging between 0.78 and 6.25 μg/mL, compared to the free ligands (MIC of 25 to >50 μg/mL) and the drugs used to treat tuberculosis. Complexes 1 and 2 also showed promising antitumor activity, with IC₅₀ values of 0.46 ± 0.02 and 0.43 ± 0.08 μM, respectively, against MDA-MB-231 breast tumor cells.     

Preparation of benzophenone imine complexes of transition metals

Benzophenone imine [M(η¹-NHCPh₂)(CO)_nP_5-n]BPh₄ [M = Mn, Re; n = 2, 3; P = P(OEt)₃, PPh(OEt)₂, PPh₂OEt, PPh₃] complexes were prepared by allowing triflate M(κ¹-OTf)(CO)_nP_5-n compounds to react with an excess of the imine. Hydride-imine [MH(η¹-NHCPh₂)P₄]BPh₄ (M = Ru, Os), triflate-imine [Os(κ¹-OTf)(η¹-NHCPh₂)P₄]BPh₄ and bis(imine) [Ru(η¹-NHCPh₂)₂P₄](BPh₄)₂ [P = P(OEt)₃] derivatives were also prepared. The complexes were characterized spectroscopically (IR, ¹H, ³¹P, ¹³C NMR) and a geometry in solution was also established. Hydride-benzophenone imine [IrHCl(η¹-NHCPh₂)L(PPh₃)₂]BPh₄and [IrHCl(η¹-NHCPh₂)L(AsPh₃)₂]BPh₄ [L = P(OEt)₃ and PPh(OEt)₂] complexes were prepared by reacting hydride IrHCl₂L(PPh₃)₂ and IrHCl₂L(AsPh₃)₂ precursors with an excess of imine. Dihydride IrH₂(η¹-NHCPh₂)(PPh₃)₃ complex was also obtained and a geometry in solution was proposed.