Stereochemistry of the reaction products of the oxidative addition reaction of methyl iodide to [Rh((C4H3S)COCHCOR)(CO)(PPh3)]: A NMR and computational study. R = CF3, C6H5, C4H3S

A NMR study of the reaction mixture of the square planar [Rh((C₄H₃S)COCHCOR)(CO)(PPh₃)] complex and CH₃I, where R = CF₃, C₆H₅ or C₄H₃S, revealed that two types of alkyl and one (R = CF₃) or two (R = C₆H₅ or C₄H₃S) types of acyl species exist in the system. Two isomers of each species with an unsymmetrical β-diketonato ligand were observed. ¹H-¹H NOESY NMR unambiguously showed that the PPh₃ group is in the apical position in the more stable Rh^III-alkyl product. Theoretical computations of the equilibrium geometry of the possible reaction products, consistent with experimental observations, revealed that the first alkyl product results from trans addition to Rh^I and that the second thermodynamic alkyl product adopts an octahedral geometry with the PPh₃ group and the iodide above and below the square planar plane. Theoretical computations also revealed that the thermodynamic acyl product adopts a square-pyramidal geometry with the COCH₃ group in the apical position.     

Comparative properties of fluorous phosphine ligand complexes: W(CO)5L. Crystal structure of W(CO)5P(C6H4-4-CH2CH2(CF2)7CF3)3

The compounds W(CO)₅P(C₆H₄-4-CH₂CH₂(CF₂)₇CF₃)₃ (1) and W(CO)₅P(CH₂CH₂(CF₂)₅CF₃)₃ (2) were synthesized in order to probe the electronic and physical effects of ligation by perfluorocarbon substituted tertiary phosphine ligands in a W(CO)₅L complex. The π-accepting ability of the fluorous phosphines was found to rank with non-fluorous comparators as P(CH₂CH₂(CF₂)₅CF₃)₃ > P(C₆H₄-4-CH₂CH₂(CF₂)₇CF₃)₃ > PPh₃ > P(p-tolyl)₃ > P(n-octyl)₃. The X-ray crystal structure of W(CO)₅P(C₆H₄-4-CH₂CH₂(CF₂)₇CF₃)₃ shows strong intermolecular association of fluorous components but confirms that the para fluorocarbon subtituents have an insignificant effect on the tungsten coordination environment. Partition coefficients (toluene/perfluoromethylcyclohexane) were measured for compounds 1 and 2.     

Synthesis of 5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-oxazines from neutral and cationic platinum(II) nitrile complexes. X-ray structure of trans-[Pt(CF3){ H2CH2}(PPh3)2]BF4

The 1,3-oxazine complexes cis- and trans-[PtCl₂{ C(R)OCH₂CH₂C}H₂₂] (cis: R=CH₃ (1a), CH₂CH₃ (2a), (CH3)₃C (3a), C₆H₅ (4a); trans:R =CH₃ (1b), C₆H₅ (4b)) were obtained in 51-71% yield by reaction in THF at 0 °C of the corresponding nitrile complexes cis- and trans-[PtCl2(NCR)₂] with 2 equiv. of ⁻OCH₂CH₂CH₂Cl, generated by deprotonation of 3-chloro-1-propanol with n-BuLi. The cationic nitrile complexes trans-[Pt(CF₃)(NCR)(PPh₃)₂]BF₄ (R=CH3, C₆H₅) react with 1 equiv, of ⁻ OCH2CH2CH2Cl to give a mixture of products, including the corresponding oxazine derivatives trans-[Pt(CF₃){ CH₂}(PPh₃)₂]BF₄ (5 and 6), the chloro complex _trans- [Pt(CF₃)Cl(PPh₃)₂] and free oxazine H2. For short reaction times (c. 5–15 min) the oxazine complexes 5 and 6 could be isolated in modest yield (37–49%) from the reaction mixtures and they could be separated from the corresponding chloro complex (yield 40%) by taking advantage of the higher solubility of the latter derivative in benzene. For longer reaction times (> 2 h), trans-[Pt(CF₃)Cl(PPh₃)₂] was the only isolated product. Complex 6 was crystallographically characterized and it was found to contain also crystals of trans- [PtCl{ H₂}(PPh₃)₂]BF₄, which prevented a more detailed analysis of the bond lengths and angles within the metal coordination sphere. The 1,3-oxazine ring, which shows an overall planar arrangement, is characterized by high thermal values of the carbon atoms of the methylene groups indicative of disordering in this part of the molecule in agreement with fast dynamic ring processes suggested on the basis of ¹H NMR spectra. It crystallizes in the trigonal space group P , with a=22.590(4), b=15.970(3) Å, γ=120°, V=7058(1) ų and Z=6. The structure was refined to R=0.059 for 3903 unique observed (I3σ(I)) reflections. A mechanism is proposed for the conversion of nitrile ligands to oxazines in Pt(II) complexes.     

The synthesis and structural characterization of the technetium nitrosyl complexes [TcCl(NO)(SC5H4N)(PPh3)2] and [Tc(NO)(SC5H4N)2(PPh3)]

The reaction of the Tc(I) complex [Tc(NO)Cl₂(HOMe)(PPh₃)₂] with stoichiometric amounts of 2-mercatopyridine and a proton scavenger yields [Tc(NO)Cl(Spy)(PPh₃)₂] or [Tc(NO)(Spy)₂(PPh₃)], depending upon quantities of ligands employed. These two complexes have been structurally characterized. The small bite angles of the bidentate mercaptopyridine ligands cause significant deviation from octahedral coordination geometry.     

Coordination chemistry of the metalloligand [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4] with nickel(II) complexes - an electrospray mass spectrometry directed synthetic study

The reactivity of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] towards a range of nickel(II) complexes has been probed using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry coupled with synthesis and characterisation in selected systems. Reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with [Ni(NCS)₂(PPh₃)₂] gives [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Ni(NCS)(PPh₃)]⁺, isolated as its BPh₄ ⁻ salt; the same product is obtained in the reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with [NiBr₂(PPh₃)₂] and KNCS. An X-ray structure determination reveals the expected sulfide-bridged structure, with an N-bonded thiocyanate ligand and a square-planar coordination geometry about nickel. A range of nickel(II) complexes NiL₂, containing β-diketonate, 8-hydroxyquinolinate, or salicylaldehyde oximate ligands react similarly, giving [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄NiL]⁺ cations.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of dinuclear iridium hydrido complex with 3,6-bis(2-pyridyl)tetrazine, [Ir2(H)4(PPh3)4(bptz)](PF6)2 · 4CH2Cl2

Reaction of the precursor Ir complex [Ir(H)₂(PPh₃)₂(Me₂CO)₂]PF₆ with 3,6-bis(2-pyridyl)tetrazine (bptz) in CH₂Cl₂ gave a novel dinuclear Ir hydrido complex [Ir₂(H)₄(PPh₃)₄(bptz)](PF₆)₂ · 4CH₂Cl₂. Crystallographic study described an interesting coordination environment having a π-π interaction and ¹H NMR study showed unique upfield shifts of pyridyl rings that are likely induced by the ring current effect of neighboring PPh₃ ligands.     

Comparative reactivity of triorganosilanes, HSi(OEt)3 and HSiEt3, with IrCl(CO)(PPh3)2. Formation of IrCl(H)2(CO)(PPh3)2 or Ir(H)2(SiEt3)(CO)(PPh3)2 depending on the substituents at Si

Reaction of HSi(OEt)₃ with IrCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (5:1 molar ratio) at room temperature for 1 h gives IrCl(H){Si(OEt)₃}(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (1), which is observed by the ¹H and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectra of the reaction mixture. The same reaction, but in 20:1 molar ratio at 50 °C for 24 h produces IrCl(H)₂(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (2) rather than the expected product Ir(H)₂{Si(OEt)₃}(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (3) that was previously reported to be formed by this reaction. Accompanying formation of Si(OEt)₄, (EtO)₃SiOSi(OEt)₃, and (EtO)₂HSiOSi(OEt)₃ is observed. On the other hand, trialkylhydrosilane HSiEt₃ reacts with IrCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (10:1 molar ratio) at 80 °C for 84 h to give Ir(H)₂(SiEt₃)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (4) in a high yield, accompanying with a release of ClSiEt₃.     

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.     

Further studies on the coordination chemistry of [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4] towards indium(III) substrates

The reactivity of the metalloligand [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] towards a variety of indium(III) substrates has been explored. Reaction with excess In(NO₃)₃ and halide (KBr or NaI) gave the four-coordinate adducts [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄InX₂]⁺[InX₄]⁻ (X = Br, I). An X-ray structure determination on the iodo complex revealed a slightly distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry at indium. In contrast, reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with indium(III) chloride was more complex; the ion [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄InCl₂]⁺ was initially observed in solution (using ESI mass spectrometry), and isolated as its BPh₄⁻ salt. Analysis of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄InCl₂]⁺[BPh₄]⁻ by ESI MS showed the parent cation when analysed in MeCN solution. However in solutions containing methanol, partial solvolysis occurred to give the di-indium species [{Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄InCl(OMe)}₂]²⁺ (proposed to contain an In₂(μ-OMe)₂ unit with five-coordinate indium) and its fragment ion [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄InCl(OMe)]⁺. Reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with InCl₃·3H₂O, 8-hydroxyquinoline (HQ) and trimethylamine in methanol gave the adduct [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄InQ₂]⁺, isolated as its PF₆⁻ salt. The same cationic complex is formed when [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] is reacted with InQ₃ in methanol, but in this case the product is contaminated with the mononuclear complex [(Ph₃P)₂PtQ]⁺ formed by disintegration of the trinuclear complex [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄InQ₂]⁺ with byproduct Q⁻. [(Ph₃P)₂PtQ]⁺BPh₄⁻ was independently prepared from cis-[PtCl₂(PPh₃)₂] and HQ/Me₃N, and is the first example of a platinum 8-hydroxyquinolinate complex containing phosphine ligands.     

Kinetics study of the substitution reaction of fac-[Fe(CN)2(CO)3I] with PPh3

Substitution reaction of fac-[Fe^II(CN)₂(CO)₃I]⁻ with triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) produced mono phosphine substituted complex cis-cis-[Fe^II(CN)₂(CO)₂(PPh₃)I]⁻. Crystal structure of the product showed that carbonyl positioned trans- to iodide was replaced by PPh₃. The substitution reaction was monitored by quantitative infrared spectroscopic method, and the rate law for the substitution reaction was determined to be rate = k[[Fe^II(CN)₂(CO)₂(PPh₃)I]⁻][PPh₃]. Transition state enthalpy and entropy changes were obtained from Eyring equation k = (k_BT/h)exp(−ΔH^≠/RT + ΔS^≠/R) with ΔH^≠ = 119(4) kJ mol⁻¹ and ΔS^≠ = 102(10) J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹. Positive transition state entropy change suggests that the substitution reaction went through a dissociative pathway.     

The double-helicate terpyridine silver(I) compound [Ag2L2](SO3CF3)2 (L = 4′-phenyl-terpyridine) as a building block for di- and mononuclear complexes

The double-helicate dinuclear silver(I) complex [Ag₂L₂](SO₃CF₃)₂ (1) was obtained by reaction of AgSO₃CF₃ with 4′-phenyl-terpyridine (L). Each Ag⁺ ion is coordinated by two N-atoms from one of the ligands and by one N-atom of the other ligand, forming an irregular Ag₂N₆ bi-triangle geometry, with a metallic bond between the two silver ions. Complex 1 reacts with potentially bidentate ligands (L¹), such as 9,10-bis(diphenylphosphino)anthracene (PAnP), 4,4′-dipyridyl or bis(diphenyl phosphino)methane (DPPM), to give the corresponding dinuclear complexes with bridging L¹, [Ag₂L₂(μ-L¹)](SO₃CF₃)₂ (L¹ = PAnP 2, 4,4′-dipyridyl 3 or DPPM 4), whereas on reaction with PPh₃ forms the mononuclear complex [AgL(PPh₃)](SO₃CF₃) 5. Reaction of 1 with the potentially tridentate ligand tris(2-diphenylphosphinoethyl)amine (NP₃) results in complete decomposition of the coordination spheres to form [Ag(NP₃)](SO₃CF₃) 6. Compound 1 shows a strong fluorescence in the solid state with its excitation band at 383.5 nm, the emission band at 535.5 nm and the lifetime of 4.20 ns, but the derived complexes do not show fluorescent properties. The photoluminescence of 1 in various solvents was also studied. The complexes were characterized by ¹H NMR, elemental analysis, IR, MS, UV and single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Reactions of the fac-[Re(CO)3] and [ReO] moieties with substituted benzothiazoles

The reaction of 2-(2-aminophenyl)benzothiazole (Habt) with [Re(CO)₅Br] led to the isolation of the rhenium(I) complex fac-[Re(Habt)(CO)₃Br] (1). With trans-[ReOCl₃(PPh₃)₂], the ligand Habt decomposed to form the oxofree rhenium(V) complex [Re(itp)₂Cl(PPh₃)] (2) (itp = 2-amidophenylthiolate). From the reaction of trans-[ReOBr₃(PPh₃)₂] with 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole (Hhpd) the complex [Re^VOBr₂(hpd)(PPh₃)] (3) was obtained. Complexes 1-3 are stable and lipophilic. ¹H NMR and infrared assignments, as well as the X-ray crystal structures, of the complexes are reported.     

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.     

Effect of solvent environment on the CO band position in the infrared spectrum of trans-[Fe(CN)4(CO)2]

Density functional theory (DFT) is used to understand the effect of hydrogen bonding solvents on the CO band position in the infrared (IR) spectrum of a mono-iron complex, trans-[Fe^II(CN)₄(CO)₂]²⁻. This mono-iron complex has received much attention recently due its potential relation to the biosynthesis of Fe-only hydrogenase enzymes. Our calculations show that the polar solvent molecules preferentially hydrogen bond to the cyano ligands in this complex. The effect of such hydrogen bonding on the electron density distribution is analyzed in terms of the population in natural bond orbitals (NBO). Our results show that the presence of hydrogen bonding to the cyano ligands decreases the extent of back bonding from the metal to the carbonyl ligand. This results in decreased electron density in the π^∗ orbitals of the carbonyl bond leading to a strengthening of the CO bond and a consequent blue shift in the IR band position of the carbonyl group. We also show that the extent of blue shift correlates with the number of nearest neighbor solvent molecules.     

Synthesis and isocyanate insertion reactions of tungsten(IV) imido complexes formed from W(CO)(acac)(N3)(PMe3)3 with azide as the oxidant

Addition of excess trimethylphosphine and a halide source to a solution of W(CO)(acac)₂(η²-L) (L = NCPh and OCMe₂) leads to displacement of L and one acetylacetonate chelate to produce electron-rich, seven-coordinate complexes of the formula W(CO)(acac)(X)(PMe₃)₃ (X = Cl, Br, and I). Use of NaN₃ instead of a halide source leads primarily to loss of carbon monoxide and dinitrogen, and protonation from adventitious water yields the cationic imido complex [W(NH)(acac)(PMe₃)₃]⁺. Heating [W(NH)(acac)(PMe₃)₃]⁺ in aromatic isocyanates at high temperature results in isocyanate insertion into the NH imido bond to form new C-N bonds. An alternate route to related imido complexes involves heating [W(O)(acac)(PMe₃)₃]⁺ with phenyl isocyanate at high temperatures to yield the substituted imido complex [W(NPh)(acac)(PMe₃)₃]⁺.     

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.     

Syntheses, reactions, and structures of osmium(II) stannyl complexes with the simple stannyl ligands SnH3, SnH2Me, and SnHMe2

Reaction between Os(SnI₃)(κ²-S₂CNMe₂)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ and NaBH₄ produces the unusual, air-stable, trihydridostannyl complex, Os(SnH₃)(κ²-S₂CNMe₂)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (1), which has been fully characterised including by X-ray crystal structure determination.Similarly, reaction between Os(SnI₂Me)(κ²-S₂CNMe₂)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ or Os(SnClMe₂)(κ²-S₂CNMe₂)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ and NaBH₄ produces the dihydridostannyl complex, Os(SnH₂Me)(κ²-S₂CNMe₂)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (4) or the monohydridostannyl complex, Os(SnHMe₂)(κ²-S₂CNMe₂)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (6), respectively.The SnH bonds in these complexes are reactive towards acids and in selected reactions complexes 1 and 4 with aqueous HF give Os(SnF₃)(κ²-S₂CNMe₂)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (3) and Os(SnF₂Me)(κ²-S₂CNMe₂)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (5), respectively, and complex 6 with aqueous HCl gives Os(SnClMe₂)(κ²-S₂CNMe₂)(CO)(PPh₃)₂.The trihydridostannyl complex 1 reacts with chloroform to form the trichlorostannyl complex, Os(SnCl₃)(κ²- S₂CNMe₂)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (2). The crystal structures of 1-3, 5, and 6 have been determined.     

Dynamic properties of the fluxional Rh2H(μ-PPh2)2(PPh3)3 complex

The rhodium dimer [Rh₂H(PPh₂)₂(PPh₃)₃]⁻ was prepared from RhCl(PPh₃)₃ and K₄Sn₉ in the presence of 2,2,2-cryptand in ethylenediamine/toluene solvent mixtures. The [K(2,2,2-crypt)]⁺ salt was isolated and characterized via NMR and X-ray diffraction studies. The solid state structure reveals a binuclear, diphenylphosphido-bridged, 32 electron Rh(I)-Rh(I) complex with edge-shared tetrahedral and square planar Rh centers with overall C_s point symmetry. 1-D and 2-D ¹H, ³¹P, and ³¹P{¹H} NMR experiments were used to characterize the complex.     

A rare example of a di-cationic hydrido carbonyl tetra-nuclear cluster, [H2Rh2Pt2(CO)7(PPh3)3]

Addition of excess CF₃CO₂H (HTFA) to [Rh₂Pt₂(CO)₇(PPh₃)₃], I, under nitrogen results in the formation of a salt (X²⁺ Y²⁻), which contains only the second example of a di-cationic carbonyl hydride tetra-nuclear cluster, [H₂Rh₂Pt₂(CO)₇(PPh₃)₃]²⁺, X²⁺, and a presently partially characterized polymetallic anion Y²⁻. The di-cation X²⁺ has been characterized by mass spectrometry and a variety of multinuclear NMR methods. Since there is no difference in the electron count for I and X²⁺, it is probable that both I and X²⁺ adopt similar butterfly metallic frameworks with a Rh-Rh hinge; in X²⁺, there are two bridging hydrides to the same wing-tip Pt but the phosphine site occupancies on the Rh₂Pt₂-framework in I and X²⁺ are different.     

[Co{Ph2P(O)CH2P(O)Ph2}3][CoCl4] · 8CHCl3: Crystal structure and formation from [Co2(Ph2PCH2PPh2)(CO)6] in chloroform

When a solution of [Co₂(Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂)(CO)₆] in chloroform or deuterochloroform is allowed to stand in air at room temperature, it deposits dark green crystals of [Co{Ph₂P(O)CH₂P(O)Ph₂}₃][CoCl₄] · 8CHCl₃. The same product is formed more quickly and in much higher yield (80% based on Co) if the reaction is carried out in the presence of 2 equiv. of [Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂]; the Co^II appears to catalyse the air-oxidation of [Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂]. The salt was characterised by X-ray crystallography and shown to contain octahedral Co^II cations and Co^II tetrahedral anions having normal bond lengths and angles.