Reactivity of electron-deficient triosmium quinoline cluster [Os3(CO)9(μ3-η-C9H6N)(μ-H)] with alkynes

Reactions of the electron-deficient triosmium cluster [Os₃(CO)₉(μ₃-η²-C₉H₆N)(μ-H)] (1) with various alkynes are described. Cluster 1 readily reacts with the activated alkyne dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (dmad) upon mild heating (65-70 °C) to give the adduct [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-C₉H₆N)(μ₃-MeO₂CCCHCO₂Me)] (2). In contrast, a similar reaction of 1 with diphenylacetylene affords previously reported compounds [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-η²-C₉H₆N)(μ-H)] (3), [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-C₄Ph₄)] (4) and [Os₃(CO)₈{μ₃-C(C₆H₄)C₃Ph₃}(μ-H)] (5) while with 2-butyne gives only the known compound [Os₃(CO)₇(μ-C₄Me₄)(μ₃-C₂Me₂)] (6). The new cluster 2 has been characterized by a combination of spectroscopic data and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Comparative reactivity study of cyclopentadienyl and fulvalene molybdenum complexes

The reactions of cis-1,1′-[η⁵:η⁵-(C₅H₃CO₂Me)₂]Mo₂(CO)₆ (1), in the presence of 1 equiv. of Me₃NO, and [(η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂Me)Mo(CO)₃]₂ (2) with dppe produce CO labilization and formation of the dinuclear zwitterions trans-1,1′-[η⁵:η⁵-(C₅H₃CO₂Me)₂]Mo₂(CO)₅(dppe) (3) and disproportionation species [(η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂Me)Mo(CO)₂(dppe)]⁺ [(η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂Me)Mo(CO)₃]⁻ (4), respectively. Using the same method, the reactions of trans-1,1′-[η⁵:η⁵-(C₅H₃CO₂Me)₂]Mo₂(CO)₆I₂ and (η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂Me)Mo(CO)₃I with PPh₃ in the presence of 1 and 2 equiv. of Me₃NO yield trans-1,1′-[η⁵:η⁵-(C₅H₃CO₂Me)₂]Mo₂(CO)₄(PPh₃)₂I₂ (5) and (η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂Me)Mo(CO)₂(PPh₃)I (6). The reactions of the several anionic carbonyl species {trans-1,1′-[η⁵:η⁵-(C₅H₃CO₂Me)₂]Mo₂(CO)₆}²⁻, [(η⁵:η⁵-C₁₀H₈)W₂(CO)₆]²⁻ and [(η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂Me)Mo(CO)₃]⁻ with S₂Ph₂ give rise to the thiolate–fulvalene complexes cis-1,1′-[η⁵:η⁵-(C₅H₃CO₂Me)₂]Mo₂(CO)₄(μ-SPh)₂ (7) and (η⁵:η⁵-C₁₀H₈)W₂(CO)₆(SPh)₂ (8) and the thiolate-bridged dimer [(η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂Me)Mo(CO)(μ-SPh)]₂ (9). Treatment of 6 with 1 equiv. of HCCCCH and with (η⁵-C₅H₅)Mo(CO)(dppe)(CCCCH), in the presence of CuI at room temperature, afford the cyclopentadiene complexes (η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂Me)Mo(CO)₂(PPh₃)(CCCCH) (10) and (η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂Me)(PPh₃)(CO)₂Mo(CCCC)Mo(CO)(dppe)(η⁵-C₅H₅) (11), respectively. The reaction of (η⁵-C₅H₅)Mo(CO)(dppe)(CCCCH) with Co₂(CO)₈ yields [Co₂{μ-HC₂CC[Mo(CO)(dppe)(η⁵-C₅H₅)]}(CO)₆] (12). All the new compounds have been characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods.     

Optically active iridium complexes with cyclopentadienyl-phosphine ligands: synthesis and oxidative addition of methyl iodide

The dimer [Ir(μ-Cl)(C₈H₁₄)₂]₂ reacts with the ligands (S)-(C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂)Li and (R)-(C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂)Li to give (S)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(C₈H₁₄)] and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(C₈H₁₄)], which upon treatment with CH₃I at room temperature afford the cationic iridium(III) compounds (S,S_Ir)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(C₈H₁₄)][I] as a single diastereomer, and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(C₈H₁₄)][I] as a 9:1 mixture of two diastereomers. If the oxidative addition reaction is performed at reflux in methylene chloride, the starting complexes convert to the neutral compounds (S)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(I)] and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(I)] as 1.6:1 and 3.3:1 mixtures of diastereoisomers, respectively. Carbonyl iridium complexes are synthesized by reacting [IrCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂] with the ligands to afford (S)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(CO)] and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(CO)]. They give upon treatment with CH₃I the cationic species (S)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(CO)][I] and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(CO)][I] as 1.6:1 and 3:1 mixture of diastereomers, respectively. No migratory-insertion of the methyl group into the carbonyl-metal bond has been observed even after prolonged heating.     

Low temperature allene coupling and isomerization at triosmium clusters

Facile coupling and isomerization of allene (CH₂CCH₂) has been found on its interaction at low temperatures with [H₂Os₃(CO)₁₀] to give the di-allyl species [Os₃(μ₃-η¹:η²:η³-C₆H₈)(CO)₁₀] (1) and [Os₃(μ₃-η¹:η²:η³-C₆H₈)(CO)₉] (2) in which two allene molecules are bonded in an end-to-centre array. Cluster 2 converts either in solution or in the solid state into two different species: the colourless derivative [Os₃H(μ₃-η¹:η¹:η¹:η²-C₆H₇)(CO)₉] (3) and the metallocyclopentadiene [Os₃(μ-η¹:η¹:η²:η²-C₆H₈)(CO)₉] (4), which could be regarded as the result of 1,3-hydrogen shifts of the coupled allene at triosmium clusters.     

Reactions of 1,8-bis(diphenylphosphino)naphthalene with ruthenium cluster carbonyls: C-H and C-P bond cleavage reactions

Reactions between Ru₃(CO)₁₂ and 1,8-bis(diphenylphosphino)naphthalene (dppn) have given the four complexes Ru₃(μ-H){μ₃-PPh₂(nap)PPh(C₆H₄)}(CO)₈ (1), Ru₄(μ-H){μ₃-PPh₂(nap)PPh(C₆H₄)}(μ-CO)₃(CO)₇ (2) and Ru₄(μ-H)(μ₃-C₆H₄){μ-PPh(nap)PPh₂}(CO)₁₁ (3) (in refluxing thf), and Ru₄{μ₄-P(nap)PPh₂}(μ₄-C₆H₄)(μ-CO)(CO)₉ (4) (in refluxing toluene) which have been characterised by single crystal X-ray studies. They have been formed by aryl C-H and aryl C-P bond cleavage reactions, presumably from an initial (unobserved) chelate dppn complex. The unchanged chelating ligand is found in Ru₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₈(dppn) (5), obtained from Ru₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₁₀ and dppn in refluxing thf.     

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.     

Experimental and computational studies of two new mono- and dinuclear iridium complexes containing a Buchwald biphenyl phosphine ligand

The reaction of [(η⁴-1,5-C₈H₁₂)₂Ir₂(μ-Cl)₂] with 2-di-t-butylphosphino-2′-methylbiphenyl (t-Bu₂Pbiph^Me) in the presence of AgBF₄ afforded the dichlorido-bridged Ir–Ag complex [(η⁴-1,5-C₈H₁₂)Ir(μ-Cl)₂Ag(t-Bu₂Pbiph^Me)] (1) which was fully characterized by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. Sequential treatment of the diiridium precursor first with the silver salt and then with the phosphine yielded cyclometalated [(η⁴-1,5-C₈H₁₂)Ir(t-Bu₂Pbiph^Me–H⁺)] (2). Detailed DFT calculations gave evidence that the phosphine ligand of 2 forms a strained four-membered iridaheterocycle through orthometalation rather than a sterically congested six-membered chelate structure through C–H activation on the remote phenyl ring. The phosphonium salt [t-Bu₂P(H)biph^Me]BF₄ was isolated as a by-product of the preparations of 1 and 2; its crystal structure was determined.     

Reactivity of phenyldi(2-thienyl)phosphine towards group 7 metal carbonyls: Carbon-phosphorus bond activation

Addition of phenyldi(2-thienyl)phosphine (PPhTh₂) to [Re₂(CO)_10−n(NCMe)_n] (n = 1, 2) affords the substitution products [Re₂(CO)_10−n(PhPTh₂)_n] (1, 2) together with small amounts of fac-[ClRe(CO)₃(PPhTh₂)₂] (3) (n = 2). Reaction of [Re₂(CO)₁₀] with PPhTh₂ in refluxing xylene affords a mixture which includes 2, [Re₂(CO)₇(PPhTh₂)(μ-PPhTh)(μ-H)] (4), [Re₂(CO)₇(PPhTh₂)(μ-PPhTh)(μ-η¹,κ¹(S)-C₄H₃S)] (5) and mer-[HRe(CO)₃(PPhTh₂)₂] (6). Phosphido-bridged 4 and 5 are formed by the carbon-phosphorus bond cleavage of the coordinated PPhTh₂ ligand, the cleaved thienyl group being retained in the latter. Reaction of [Mn₂(CO)₁₀] with PPhTh₂ in refluxing toluene affords [Mn₂(CO)₉(PPhTh₂)] (7) and the carbon-phosphorus bond cleavage products [Mn₂(CO)₆(μ-PPhTh)(μ-η¹,η⁵-C₄H₃S)] (8) and [Mn₂(CO)₅(PPhTh₂)(μ-PPhTh)(μ-η¹,η⁵-C₄H₃S)] (9). Both 8 and 9 contain a bridging thienyl ligand which is bonded to one manganese atom in a η⁵-fashion.     

Novel thermolytic products and their structures derived from thermolysis of isomerized products of spiro[4.4]nona-1,3-diene(dicarbonyl)[ethoxy(aryl)carbene]iron phosphine adducts [(η-C9H12)Fe{C(OC2H5)Ar}(CO)2PPh3]

Heating a benzene solution of the isomerized product of spiro[4.4]nona-1,3-diene(dicarbonyl)[ethoxy(aryl)carbene]iron phosphine adduct [(η³-C₉H₁₂)Fe{C(OC₂H₅)(C₆H₄CH₃-o)}(CO)₂PPh₃] (1) in a sealed quartz tube at 85-90 °C for 72 h gave the ring-opened η⁴ olefin-coordinated dicarbonyliron phosphine complex [Fe{η⁴-C₅H₇CHCHCH₂CHC(OC₂H₅)C₆H₄CH₃-o}(CO)₂PPh₃] (3) and cyclobutane derivative [C₂₄H₂₂O₇] (4). The thermal decomposition of analogous isomerized product [(η³-C₉H₁₂)Fe{C(OC₂H₅)(C₆H₄CH₃-p)}-(CO)₂PPh₃] (2) afforded the corresponding η⁴ olefin-coordinated dicarbonyliron phosphine complex [Fe{η⁴-C₅H₇CHCHCH₂CHC(OC₂H₅)C₆H₄CH₃-p}(CO)₂PPh₃] (6) and compound 4. The structures of products 3 and 4 have been established by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Reactions of ‘GaI’ with organometallic transition metal halides

Two approaches towards the synthesis of phosphine ligated half-sandwich complexes [(η^x-C_xH_x)M(PR₃)₂GaI₂]_n containing diiodogallyl ligands have been investigated. Insertion of ‘GaI’ into the Mo-I bond of (η⁷-C₇H₇)Mo(CO)₂I has been shown to yield the crystallographically characterized dimeric complex [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Mo(CO)₂GaI₂]₂ (2). Attempts to substitute the carbonyl ligands by the phosphine ligand dppe [dppe = bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane] have been shown instead to yield the sparingly soluble complex [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Mo(CO)₂GaI₂]₂(μ-dppe) (3) in which the phosphine bridges two [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Mo(CO)₂GaI₂] units via a pair of P → Ga donor/acceptor bonds. By contrast, attempts to insert ‘GaI’ directly into the metal-halogen bond of phosphine ligated complexes such as (η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(PPh₃)₂Cl or (η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(dppe)Cl have been shown to result in the formation of the tetraiodogallate species(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(PPh₃)₂(μ-I)GaI₃ (5) and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(dppe)]⁺[GaI₄]⁻ (7).     

Dimeric palladium and platinum complexes isolated in Lewis-acidic media

The synthesis and X-ray characterization of binuclear dipalladium(I) and diplatinum(I) p-xylene complexes [Pd₂(η⁶-C₈H₁₀)₂(μ-Cl/Br)₂(GaCl₃)₂] (1) and [Pt₂(η⁶-C₈H₁₀)₂(Ga₂Br₇)₂] (5) are reported. It was established that the toluene ligands in the palladium complex [Pd₂(η⁶-C₇H₈)₂(GaCl₄)₂] (3) can be substituted by naphthalene without disruption of the metal-metal bond. The reaction of 3 with Pd(PPh₃)₄ leads to the formation of a dipalladium(II) μ-diphenylphosphido compound [Pd₂(μ-PPh₂)(PPh₃)₄] (GaCl₄)₂ · 4(C₇H₈) (4), most likely also involving a bridging μ-H⁻ ligand.     

Ligand substitution reactions of bis(μ-acetato)dichlorodicarbonyldiiridium(II)

Seven diiridium(II) complexes were synthesized by ligand substitution reactions of [Ir₂(μ-O₂CMe)₂Cl₂(CO)₂] (1) and [Ir₂(μ-O₂CMe)₂Cl₂(CO)₂(py)₂] (2).The reaction of 2 with the silver salt of a less coordinating anion, AgSbF₆, gave a cationic complex [Ir₂(μ-O₂CMe)₂Cl(CO)₂(py)₃]SbF₆ (3).A tricarbonyl cationic complex [Ir₂(μ-O₂CMe)₂(CO)₃Cl(py)₂]SbF₆ (4) was obtained under a CO atmosphere.Complex 2 reacted with AgO₂CCF₃ to give [Ir₂(μ-O₂CMe)₂Cl(O₂CCF₃)(CO)₂(py)₂] (5) in toluene.[Ir₂(μ-hiq)₂(CO)₂Cl₂] (Hhiq = 1-hydroxyisoquinoline, 6) was synthesized by the bridging-ligand substitution of 1 with Hhiq.Its axial adducts [Ir₂(μ-hiq)₂Cl₂(CO)₂L₂] (L = Mepy (4-methylpyridine), 7 or PPh₃, 8) were synthesized by addition of the ligands to a suspension of 6.In the structures of 7 and 8, two iridium atoms are bridged by two hiq ligands in a head-to-tail arrangement.The reaction of 1 with Hmhp (2-hydroxy-4-methylpyridine) led to triply bridged [Ir₂(μ-mhp)₃(CO)₂Cl(Hmhp)] (9).In complex 9, all the mhp ligands bridge between the Ir atoms in a head-to-head manner.The Ir-Ir distances of 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 are 2.6047(7), 2.6216(9), 2.5899(9), 2.5933(5) and 2.634(2) Å, respectively, which are similar to those observed in[Ir₂(μ-O₂CMe)₂Cl₂(CO)₂L₂]. The Ir-Ir distance of 2.5512(4) Å in 9 is shorter than in the other complexes.     

Reactivity of tricarbonyl(η5-cyclopentadienyl)(dimethyldithiocarbamato)tungsten towards coordinatively unsaturated species

Visible light irradiation of solutions containing [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(CO)₃ WSC(S)NMe₂] (1) and Fe₂(CO)₉ or Mn₂(CO)₁₀ leads to a transmetallation type of reaction and formation of Fe(S₂CNMe₂)₂ and Mn(CO)₄(S₂CNMe₂) respectively. However, the reaction or 1 with M(PPh₃)₄, M = Pt, or Pd, leads to conversion to the dicarbonyl chelate complex [(η⁵C₂H₅(CO)₂ W(S₂CNMe₂)].     

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.     

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.     

Single and double nucleophilic attack on cluster-bonded allenylidenes: Synthesis of phosphorus heterocycles

Further studies of the attack of bidentate tertiary phosphines, such as dppm and dppe, and the related diarsine dpam, on Ru₃(μ-H){μ₃-C₂CHR(OH)}(CO)₉ (R = H, Me) are described, together with the X-ray determined structures of [Ru₃(μ₃-C₂CH₂PPh₂CH₂CH₂PPh₂)(CO)₉]BF₄ (6) and Ru₃(μ-H){μ₃-C₂CHMePPh₂CHPPh₂}(CO)₉ (7) (containing diphospha heterocycles), Ru₃(μ-H){μ₃-CH₂(OH)C₂PPh₂CH₂PPh₂}(CO)₈ (8) (containing a phosphonium-alkynyl ligand also coordinated to a cluster Ru atom) and Ru₃(μ-H)(μ₃-CCCHAsPh₂CH₂AsPh₂)(CO)₉ (9) (containing an arsino-allenylidene ligand). These complexes are formed by nucleophilic attack of the Group 15 ligand on an alkynyl or allenylidene ligand on the cluster.     

Reactions of the borole complex CpRh(η-C4H4BPh) with monocationic organometallic fragments

The B-phenylborole complex CpRh(η⁵-C₄H₄BPh) (1) reacts with [ML]⁺ fragments to give the arene-type cationic complexes [CpRh(μ-η⁵:η⁶-C₄H₄BPh)ML]⁺ (ML = RuCp^∗ (3), Co(C₄Me₄) (4), Rh(cod) (5), and Ir(cod) (6)). Cation 4 undergoes a reversible rearrangement into the triple-decker complex [CpRh(μ-η⁵:η⁵-C₄H₄BPh)Co(C₄Me₄)]⁺ (7) under visible light irradiation in CH₂Cl₂ solution. DFT calculations revealed greater stability of arene-type complexes over triple-decker isomers. The structure of [3]BF₄ was determined by X-ray diffraction.     

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.     

Synthesis and characterisation of a series of 1,2-phenylenedioxoborylcyclopentadienyl-metal complexes [Ti(IV), Zr(IV), Hf(IV), La(III), Ce(III), Yb(III), Sn(II) and Fe(II)]

The preparation of a series of 1,2-phenylenedioxoborylcyclopentadienyl-metal complexes is described. These are of formula [M{η⁵-C₅H₄(BX)}Cl₃] [M = Ti and X = CAT (2a), CAT^t (2b) or CAT^tt (2c); X = CAT^tt and M = Zr (4a) or Hf (4b)], [M{η⁵-C₅H₄(BX)}₂Cl₂] [M = Zr, X = CAT (3a) or CAT^t (3c); or M = Hf, X = CAT (3b) or CAT^t (3d)], [M{(μ-η⁵-C₅H₃BCAT)₂ SiMe₂}Cl₂] [M = Zr (5a) or Hf (5b)], [M{η⁵-C₅H₃(BCAT)₂}Cl₃] [M = Zr (6a) or Hf (6b)], [M{η⁵-C₅H₄BCAT}₃(THF)] [M = La (7a), Ce (7b) or Yb (7c)], [Sn{η⁵-C₅ H₄(BCAT^t)}Cl](8) and [Fe{η⁵-C₅H₄(BCAT^t)}₂] (9). The abbreviations refer to BO₂C₆H₄-1,2 (BCAT) and the 4-Bu^t (BCAT^t) and the (BCAT^tt) analogues. The compounds 2a-9 have been characterised by microanalysis, multinuclear NMR and mass spectra. The single crystal X-ray structure of the lanthanum compound 7a is presented.     

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.