Electrochemical oxidation of ethanol using Nafion electrodes modified with heterobimetallic catalysts

Chemically modified electrodes were prepared by adsorption of Nafion/catalyst films of the type Nafion/Cp(PPh₃)Ru(μ-I)(μ-dppm)PdCl₂ (N1), Nafion/[η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH₂(NHMe₂)⁺]Ru(PPh₃)(μ-I)(μ-dppm)PtCl₂ (N2), Nafion/[η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH₂(NHMe₂)⁺]Ru(PPh₃)(μ-Cl)(μ-dppm)PdCl₂ (N3), Nafion/Cp(CO)Fe(μ-I)(μ-dppm)PdI₂ (N4) and Nafion/Cp(CO)Ru(μ-I)(μ-dppm)PtI₂ (N5) on glassy and vitreous carbon electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry and bulk electrolysis experiments were performed to assess the ability of these modified electrodes to electrocatalytically oxidize ethanol. Cyclic voltammograms using the N1-N5 modified glassy carbon electrodes displayed significant catalytic activity compared to oxidation of ethanol catalyzed by 1 in homogeneous solution. Bulk electrolysis of ethanol using electrodes coated with Nafion supported complexes 1-3 resulted in formation of the two- and four-electron oxidation products acetaldehyde and acetic acid, respectively, whilst bulk electrolysis using the complexes 4 and 5 produced only acetaldehyde.     

Synthesis, molecular structure, substitution and C-C coupling reactions of ruthenium complexes containing (η-C9H7)Ru(PPh3) as a molecular unit

The 2-methallyl complex [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(η³-2-MeC₃H₄)(PPh₃)] (3), prepared from [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(PPh₃)₂Cl] (2) and 2-MeC₃H₄MgCl, reacts with HX (X = Cl, CF₃CO₂) in the presence of ethene to give the chiral-at-metal compounds [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(C₂H₄)(PPh₃)X] (4, 5) in nearly quantitative yields. Treatment of 2 with AgPF₆ and ethene affords [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(C₂H₄)(PPh₃)₂]PF₆ (6), which reacts with acetone to give the substitution product [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(OCMe₂)(PPh₃)₂]PF₆ (7). The molecular structure of 7 has been determined crystallographically. Whereas treatment of 4 with CH(CO₂Et)N₂ yields the olefin complex [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru{η²-(Z)-C₂H₂(CO₂Et)₂}(PPh₃)Cl] (8), the reactions of 4 and 5 with Ph₂CN₂, PhCHN₂ and (Me₃Si)CHN₂ lead to the formation of the carbeneruthenium(II) derivatives [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(CRR′)(PPh₃)Cl] (9-11) and [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(CRR′)(PPh₃)(κ¹-O₂CCF₃)] (12-14), respectively. Treatment of 9 (R = R′ = Ph), 10 (R = H, R′ = Ph) and 11 (R = H, R′ = SiMe₃) with MeLi produces the hydrido(olefin) complexes [(η⁵-C₉H₇)RuH(η²-CH₂CPh₂)(PPh₃)] (15), [(η⁵-C₉H₇)RuH(η²-CH₂CHPh)(PPh₃)] (18a,b) and [(η⁵-C₉H₇)RuH(η²-CH₂CHSiMe₃)(PPh₃)] (19) via C-C coupling and β-hydride shift. The analogous reactions of 11 with PhLi gives the η³-benzyl compound [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru{η³-(Me₃Si)CHC₆H₅}(PPh₃)] (20). The η³-allyl complex [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(η³-1-PhC₃H₄)(PPh₃)] (17) was prepared from 10 and CH₂CHMgBr by nucleophilic attack.     

Synthesis of cyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II) complexes containing tethered functionalities

The reaction of [C₅H₄(CH₂)_nX]Tl (1: n = 2, X = NMe₂, OMe, CN; n = 3, X = NMe₂) with [(η⁶-C₆H₆)RuCl(μ-Cl)]₂, 2, afforded the sandwich compounds [{η⁵-C₅H₄(CH₂)_nX}Ru(η⁶-C₆H₆)]PF₆, 3, and [η⁵-C₅H₄(CH₂)_nX]₂Ru, 4. Photolytic cleavage of 3 in acetonitrile afforded the tethered products [{η⁵:κN-C₅H₄(CH₂)_nX}Ru(CH₃CN)₂]PF₆, 5.     

The reactions of 2-hydroxypyridine ligands with Re2Cl4(μ-dppm)2 (dppm=Ph2PCH2PPh2) that lead to 2-pyridonate complexes

2-Hydroxypyridine (Hhp), 2-hydroxynicotinic acid (HnicOH) and 6-hydroxypicolinic acid (HpicOH) react with Re₂Cl₄(μ-dppm)₂ (dppm=Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) to afford the complexes Re₂(η²-hp)Cl₃(μ-dppm)₂ (1), Re₂(η²-HnicO)Cl₃(μ-dppm)₂ (2) and Re₂(μ-picO)₂(μ-dppm)₂ (3). The identities of 1 and 2 have been established by single-crystal X-ray structure determinations (Re-Re distances of 2.2602(3) and 2.2539(3) Å, respectively) and they are shown to have unsymmetrical structures with staggered rotational geometries and trans, cis coordination of the pair of μ-dppm ligands. The crystal of 2 that was used in the structure determination was found to be of composition 2Re₂(η²-HnicO)Cl₃(μ-dppm)₂ · Re₂Cl₆(μ-dppm)₂ · 2.906CH₂Cl₂. The structure of Re₂Cl₆(μ-dppm)₂ in this crystal is compared with structures reported in the literature for other crystals that contain this edge-sharing bioctahedral dirhenium(III) complex.     

Water soluble (η-arene) ruthenium(II) complexes incorporating marine derived bioligand: Synthesis, spectral and structural studies

A series of water soluble compounds of general formula [{(η⁶-arene)Ru(HMP)Cl}], [η⁶-arene = η⁶-cymene (1), η⁶-HMB (2), η⁶-C₆H₆ (3); HMP = 5-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4-pyrone] have been prepared by the reaction of [{(η⁶-arene) RuCl₂}₂] with HMP. The complexes 1 and 2 react with NaN₃ to give in excellent yield tetra-azido complexes [{(η⁶-arene)Ru(μN₃)N₃}₂] (arene = cymene 4, HMB = 5) but similar reaction of complex 3 with NaN₃ yielded di-azdo complex [{(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(μN₃)Cl}₂] (6). Reaction of [{(η⁶-arene)Ru(μN₃)Cl}₂] with HMP in the presence of NaOMe resulted in the formation of azido complex [{(η⁶-arene)Ru(HMP)N₃}]. Mono and dinuclear complexes [{(η⁶-arene)Ru(HMP)(L₁)}]⁺ and [{(η⁶-arene)Ru(HMP)}₂(μL₂)]²⁺ were also prepared by the reaction of complexes 1 and 2 with the appropriate ligand, L₁ or L₂ in the presence of AgBF₄ (L₁ = PyCN, DMAP; L₂ = 4,4′-bipy, pyrazine). The complexes are characterized on the basis of spectroscopic data and molecular structures of three representative compounds have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction study.     

Oxidative addition of thiols to (CO)3Mo(μ-dppm)2Ru(CO)3 with formation of hydrido, bridged-thiolate complexes (dppm = Ph2PCH2PPh2)

The room temperature reactions of RSH (R = Et, Ph) with (CO)₃Mo(μ-dppm)₂Ru(CO)₃ (1) in toluene yield (CO)₂Mo(μ-SR)(μ-CO)(μ-dppm)₂Ru(H)(CO) [R = Et (3); Ph (4)], which are characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopies and, in the case of 3, by X-ray crystallography. The complexes contain a trans,trans-Mo(μ-dppm)₂Ru unit with a bridging thiolate, a terminal hydride at the Ru, three terminal CO ligands (two at the Mo, and one at the Ru), and one semi-bridged CO closer to the Mo.     

The syntheses, structures and redox properties of phosphine-gold(I) and triruthenium-carbonyl cluster derivatives of tolans

The syntheses of several ethynyl-gold(I)phosphine substituted tolans (1,2-diaryl acetylenes) of general form [Au(CCC₆H₄CCC₆H₄X)(PPh₃)] are described [X = Me (2a), OMe (2b), CO₂Me (2c), NO₂ (2d), CN (2e)]. These complexes react readily with [Ru₃(CO)₁₀(μ-dppm)] to give the heterometallic clusters [Ru₃(μ-AuPPh₃)(μ-η¹,η²-C₂C₆H₄CCC₆H₄X)(CO)₇(μ-dppm)] (3a-e). The crystallographically determined molecular structures of 2b, 2d, 2e and 3a-e are reported here, that of 2a having been described on a previous occasion. Structural, spectroscopic and electrochemical studies were conducted and have revealed little electronic interaction between the remote substituent and the organometallic end-caps.     

The influence of substituents (R) at N atom of thiophene-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazones {(C4H3S)HCN-N(H)-C(S)NHR} on bonding, nuclearity and H-bonded networks of copper(I) complexes

The nuclearity, bonding and H-bonded networks of copper(I) halide complexes with thiophene-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazones {(C₄H₃S)HC²N³-N(H)-C¹(S)N¹HR} are influenced by R substituents at N¹ atom. Thiophene-2-carbaldehyde-N¹-methyl thiosemicarbazone (HttscMe) or thiophene-2-carbaldehyde-N¹-ethyl thiosemicarbazone (HttscEt) have yielded halogen-bridged dinuclear complexes, [Cu₂(μ-X)₂(η¹-S-Htsc)₂(Ph₃P)₂] (Htsc, X: HttscMe, I, 1; Br, 2; Cl, 3; HttscEt, I, 4; Br, 5; Cl, 6), while thiophene-2-carbaldehyde-N¹-phenyl thiosemicarbazone (HttscPh) has yielded mononuclear complexes, [CuX(η¹-S-HttscPh)₂] (X, I, 7a; Br 8; Cl, 9) and a sulfur bridged dinuclear complex, [Cu₂(μ-S-HttscPh)₂(η¹-S-HttscPh)₂I₂] 7b co-existing with 7a in the same unit cell. These results are in contrast to S-bridged dimers [Cu₂(μ-S-Httsc)₂(η¹-Br)₂(Ph₃P)₂] · 2H₂O and [Cu₂(μ-S-Httsc)₂(η¹-Cl)₂(Ph₃P)₂] · 2CH₃CN obtained for R = H and X = Cl, Br (Httsc = thiophene-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone) as reported earlier. The intermolecular CH_Ph?π interaction in 1-3 (2.797 Å, 1; 3.264 Å, 2; 3.257 Å, 3) have formed linear polymers, whereas the CH_Ph?X and N³?HCH interactions in 4-6 (2.791, 2.69 Å, 5; 2.776, 2.745 Å, 6, respectively) have led to the formation of H-bonded 2D polymer. The PhN¹H?π, interactions (2.547 Å, 8, 2.599 Å, 9) have formed H-bonded dimers only. The Cu?Cu separations are 3.221-3.404 Å (1-6).     

Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic effect of ring-substituted and ansa-bridged vanadocene complexes

The cytotoxic effect of vanadocene dichloride (Cp₂VCl₂, 1) and its ring-substituted, (η⁵-C₅H₄Me)₂VCl₂ (2), (η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂VCl₂ (3), (η⁵-C₅H₄R)₂VCl₂ (4: R = MeOCH₂CH₂-, 5: R = 2-MeOC₆H₄CH₂-, 6: R = 4-MeOC₆H₄CH₂-) and ansa-bridged analogs Me₂C(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂VCl₂ (7) and Me₄C₂(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂VCl₂ (8) was investigated. Synthesis of two new methoxy-functionalized compounds (4 and 5) is described. They were characterized by spectroscopic methods and X-ray diffraction analysis. The cytotoxicity studies were performed with leukemic cells MOLT-4.     

Cytotoxic studies of substituted titanocene and ansa-titanocene anticancer drugs

A variety of substituted titanocene and ansa-titanocene complexes have been synthesized and characterized using traditional methods. The cytotoxic activity of the different titanocene complexes was tested against tumour cell lines human adenocarcinoma HeLa, human myelogenous leukemia K562, human malignant melanoma Fem-x and normal immunocompetent cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells PBMC. Alkenyl substitution, either on the cyclopentadienyl ring or on the silicon-atom ansa-bridge of the titanocene compounds [Ti{Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₃{CMe₂CH₂CH₂CHCH₂})}Cl₂] (8), [Ti{Me(CH₂CH)Si(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] (9) and [Ti(η⁵-C₅H₄{CMe₂CH₂CH₂CHCH₂})₂Cl₂] (12) showed higher cytotoxic activities (IC₅₀ values from 24 ± 3 to 151 ± 10 μM) relative to complexes bearing an additional alkenyl-substituted silyl substituent on the silicon bridge [Ti{Me{(CH₂CH)Me₂SiCH₂CH₂}Si(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] (10) and [Ti{Me{(CH₂CH)₃SiCH₂CH₂}Si(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] (11) which causes a dramatic decrease of the cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ values from 155 ± 9 to >200 μM). In addition, the synthesis of the analogous niobocene complex [Nb(η⁵-C₅H₄{CMe₂CH₂CH₂CH=CH₂})₂Cl₂] (13), is described. Structural studies based on DFT calculations of the most active complexes 8, 9 and 12 and the X-ray crystal structure of 13 are reported.     

Phosphorus-carbon bond formation via reactions of triphenylphosphine with acetylene and pentamethylcyclopentadienyl coordinated to iridium(III)

Phosphorus-carbon bond is formed via: (i) the apparent HCCH insertion into Ir-P bond to produce Ir-CHCH-PPh₃ group and (ii) the activation of the ring-methyl group of the coordinated Cp^* (C₅Me₅ ⁻) to produce Ir(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂-PPh₃) group from reactions of iridium(III)-Cp^* complexes, [Cp^*IrL₃]ⁿ⁺ (n=1, 2); Cp^*=C₅Me₅ ⁻; L₃=Cl(PPh₃)₂ (3), (CH₃CN)₃ (5). The following new P-C bond containing iridium(III) complexes have been prepared: [Cp^*Ir(-CHCH-PPh₃)Cl(PPh₃)]⁺ (4) from 3 with HCCH; [Ir(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂-PPh₃)(H)(PPh₃)₂]²⁺ (6) from 5 with PPh₃; [Cp^*Ir(-CHCH-PPh₃)₂(PPh₃)]²⁺ (7) from 5 with HCCH and PPh₃; [Ir(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂-PPh₃)(-CHCH-PPh₃)Cl(PPh₃)]²⁺ (8) from [Ir(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂-PPh₃)(Cl)(PPh₃)₂]²⁺ (6-Cl) with HCCH; [Ir(η⁵-C₅Me₃(1,3-CH₂-PPh₃)₂(H)(PPh₃)₂)]³⁺ (10) from [Ir(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂-PPh₃)(NCCH₃)₂(PPh₃)]³⁺ (9) with PPh₃; [Ir(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂-PPh₃)(-CHCH-PPh₃)₂(PPh₃)]³⁺ (11) from 9 with HCCH and PPh₃.     

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.     

An NMR study of some reactions of an arachno-molybdapentaborane: Formation of an unstable nido-molybdapentaborane

Photolysis of the molybdaborane [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵:η¹-C₅H₄)-arachno-2-MoB₄H₇] (1) in benzene-d₆ gives ca. 60% conversion to the compound [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵:η¹-C₅H₄)-nido-2-MoB₄H₅] (2). Compound 2 could not be isolated as a solid and is thermally unstable at 20 °C in solution with a half-life of 3-4 h. Repeated photolysis and thermolysis of 1 in the presence of BH₃ · thf gives a low yield of the known metallacarbaborane [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η²:η³-C₃H₃)-closo-1-MoC₂B₉H₉] (3) suggesting that 3 is formed from 1 via 2. Reaction of 1 with PEt₃ gives initially [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵:η¹-C₅H₄)-arachno-2-MoHB₄H₄PEt₃] (4). Longer reaction times (>10 min, 20 °C) give in addition [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵:η¹-C₅H₄)-arachno-1-MoHB₃H₃PEt₃] (5). Both 4 and 5 are unstable in solution or the solid state decomposing to the molybdacarbaborane [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η³:η²- C₃H₃)-nido-1-MoC₂B₃H₅] (6), [Mo(η-C₅H₅)₂H₂] and BH₃ · PEt₃. Compound 1 is deprotonated cleanly by KH in thf at the Mo-H-B bridging proton to give (7).     

Relative stability of half-sandwich η-benzene Ru(II) complexes of tridentate (2-pyridyl)alkylamine ligands of varying chelate ring-size: Nucleophilic addition of hydride ion onto the benzene ring

A full account of half-sandwich complexes of ruthenium(II) having three-legged “piano-stool” geometry supported by tridentate (2-pyridyl)alkylamine ligands is presented. Reaction of the dimer [{(η⁶-C₆H₆)RuCl(μ-Cl)}₂] with N-methyl-N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (MeL^∗) in CH₃OH in the presence of NH₄PF₆ affords the complex [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(MeL^∗)][PF₆]₂ (1). A similar reaction with N-methyl-N,N-bis(2-pyridylethyl)amine (MeL^∗∗), however, affords a non-organometallic Ru(III)-dimeric complex (5) (the composition of this complex has been established by physicochemical method). Nucleophilic addition reaction on 1 with NaBH₄ leads to the isolation of a cyclohexadienyl complex [(η⁵-C₆H₇)Ru(MeL^∗)][PF₆] (3). The molecular structure of 1 · 2CH₃CN, 3, and previously reported cyclohexadienyl complex [(η⁵-C₆H₇)Ru(MeL)][PF₆] (4) [MeL = N-methyl-[(2-pyridyl)ethyl(2-pyridyl)-methyl]amine], obtained from the reaction between NaBH₄ and previously reported “piano-stool” complex [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(MeL)][PF₆]₂ (2), has been confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Solution-state structure of new complexes 1 and 3 has been elucidated by their ¹H NMR spectra in CD₃CN. The behavior of complex 3 has been investigated with the aid of two-dimensional ¹H NMR spectroscopy, as well. An attempt has been made to provide a rationale for the effect of supporting tridentate N-donor ligand [MeL, MeL^∗, and MeL^∗∗], varying in the chelate ring-size on (i) the relative stability of half-sandwich η⁶-benzene Ru(II) complexes and (ii) the electrophilicity of Ru(II)-coordinated benzene ring on the nucleophilic addition reactions.     

Cyclometalated ruthenium(II) complexes of benzo[h]quinoline (bzqH)[Ru(bzq)(NCMe)4], [Ru(bzq)(LL)(NCMe)2], and [Ru(bzq)(LL)2] (LL = bpy, phen)

Cyclometalation of benzo[h]quinoline (bzqH) by [RuCl(μ-Cl)(η⁶-C₆H₆)]₂ in acetonitrile occurs in a similar way to that of 2-phenylpyridine (phpyH) to afford [Ru(bzq)(MeCN)₄]PF₆ (3) in 52% yield. The properties of 3 containing ‘non-flexible’ benzo[h]quinoline were compared with the corresponding [Ru(phpy)(MeCN)₄]PF₆ (1) complex with ‘flexible’ 2-phenylpyridine. The [Ru(phpy)(MeCN)₄]PF₆ complex is known to react in MeCN solvent with ‘non-flexible’ diimine 1,10-phenanthroline to form [Ru(phpy)(phen)(MeCN)₂]PF₆, being unreactive toward ‘flexible’ 2,2′-bipyridine under the same conditions. In contrast, complex 3 reacts both with phen and bpy in MeCN to form [Ru(bzq)(LL)(MeCN)₂]PF₆ {LL = bpy (4) and phen (5)}. Similar reaction of 3 in methanol results in the substitution of all four MeCN ligands to form [Ru(bzq)(LL)₂]PF₆ {LL = bpy (6) and phen (7)}. Photosolvolysis of 4 and 5 in MeOH occurs similarly to afford [Ru(bzq)(LL)(MeCN)(MeOH)]PF₆ as a major product. This contrasts with the behavior of [Ru(phpy)(LL)(MeCN)₂]PF₆, which lose one and two MeCN ligands for LL = bpy and phen, respectively. The results reported demonstrate a profound sensitivity of properties of octahedral compounds to the flexibility of cyclometalated ligand. Analogous to the 2-phenylpyridine counterparts, compounds 4-7 are involved in the electron exchange with reduced active site of glucose oxidase from Aspergillus niger. Structure of complexes 4 and 6 was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.     

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.     

Bis(acetylacetonato)ruthenium(II) complexes containing bulky tertiary phosphines. Formation and redox behaviour of Ru(acac)2 (PR3) (R = Pr, Cy) complexes with ethene, carbon monoxide, and bridging dinitrogen

Reaction of cis-[Ru(acac)₂(η²-C₈H₁₄)₂] (1) (acac = acetylacetonato) with two equivalents of PⁱPr₃ in THF at −25 °C gives trans-[Ru(acac)₂(PⁱPr₃)₂], trans-3, which rapidly isomerizes to cis-3 at room temperature. The poorly soluble complex [Ru(acac)₂(PCy₃)₂] (4), which is isolated similarly from cis-[Ru(acac)₂(η²-C₂H₄)₂] (2) and PCy₃, appears to exist in the cis-configuration in solution according to NMR data, although an X-ray diffraction study of a single crystal shows the presence of trans-4. In benzene or toluene 2 reacts with PⁱPr₃ or PCy₃ to give exclusively cis-[Ru(acac)₂(η²-C₂H₄)(L)] [L = PⁱPr₃ (5), PCy₃ (6)], whereas in THF species believed to be either square pyramidal [Ru(acac)₂L], with apical L, or the corresponding THF adducts, can be detected by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. Complexes 3-6 react with CO (1 bar) giving trans-[Ru(acac)₂(CO)(L)] [L = PⁱPr₃ (trans-8), PCy₃ (trans-9)], which are converted irreversibly into the cis-isomers in refluxing benzene. Complex 5 scavenges traces of dinitrogen from industrial grade dihydrogen giving a bridging dinitrogen complex, cis-[{Ru(acac)₂(PⁱPr₃)} ₂(μ-N₂)] (10). The structures of cis-3, trans-4, 5, 6 and 10 · C₆H₁₄ have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes trans- and cis-3, 5, 6, cis-8, and trans- and cis-9 each show fully reversible one-electron oxidation by cyclic voltammetry in CH₂Cl₂ at −50 °C with E_1/2(Ru^3+/2+) values spanning −0.14 to +0.92 V (versus Ag/AgCl), whereas for the vinylidene complexes [Ru(acac)₂ (CCHR)(PⁱPr₃)] [R = SiMe₃ (11), Ph (12)] the process is irreversible at potentials of +0.75 and +0.62 V, respectively. The trend in potentials reflects the order of expected π-acceptor ability of the ligands: PⁱPr₃, PCy₃ <C ₂H₄ < CCHR < CO. The UV-Vis spectrum of the thermally unstable, electrogenerated Ru^III-ethene cation 6⁺ has been observed at −50 °C. Cyclic voltammetry of the μ-dinitrogen complex 10 shows two, fully reversible processes in CH₂Cl₂ at −50 °C at +0.30 and +0.90 V (versus Ag/AgCl) corresponding to the formation of 10⁺ (Ru^II,III) and 10²⁺ (Ru^III,III). The former, generated electrochemically at −50 °C, shows a band in the near IR at ca. 8900 cm⁻¹ (w_1/2 ca. 3700 cm⁻¹) consistent with the presence of a valence delocalized system. The comproportionation constant for the equilibrium 10 + 10²⁺ ? 2 10⁺ at 223 K is estimated as 10^13.6.     

C-ansa-zirconocene complexes with O/S donor ligands: Novel homoleptic six coordinate 4-mercaptophenolate complex of Zr(IV)

New C-ansa-zirconocene complexes containing methoxythiophenolate and mercaptophenolate ligands have been synthesized and characterized. The reaction of (HSC₆H₄-n-OMe) (n = 2, 3 or 4) with [Zr{(t-Bu)HC(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Me₂] (1) led to the formation of monosubstituted complexes [Zr{(t-Bu)HC(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Me(κ,S-SC₆H₄-n-OMe)] (n = 2 (2); n = 3 (3)) and the disubstituted complex [Zr{(t-Bu)HC(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}(κ,S-SC₆H₄-4-OMe)₂] (4). The complexes [Zr{(R)HC(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}(κ,O-OC₆H₄-4-SH)₂] (R = t-Bu (6); R = CH₂CHCH₂ (7)) and [Zr(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂(OC₆H₄-n-SH)₂] (n = 3 (9); n = 4 (10)) have been synthesized using the corresponding dimethyl zirconocene and mercaptophenol. However, the reaction of [Zr{(t-Bu)HC(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] (11) with 4-mercaptophenol in the presence of NEt₃ led to the formation of the first example of a homoleptic six-coordinate mercaptophenolate complex of zirconium, namely [HNEt₃]₂[Zr(κ,O-OC₆H₄-4-SH)₆] (12). Complex 12 can be obtained in higher yield by the reaction of ZrCl₄ with six equivalents of 4-mercaptophenol and NEt_3. The reaction of 12 with [Zr(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂Cl₂] gave the unexpected disubstituted complex [Zr(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂(OC₆H₄-4-SH)₂] (10). The molecular structures of 4 and 12 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

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.     

Synthesis of benzene ruthenium triazolato complexes by [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of activated alkynes and fumaronitrile to benzene ruthenium azido complexes

The dinuclear complex [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(μ-N₃)Cl]₂ (1) is obtained by the reaction of [(η⁶-C₆H₆)RuCl₂]₂ with sodium azide in ethanol. The benzene ruthenium β-diketonato complexes of the general formula [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(L∩L)Cl] {L∩L = O,O′-acac (2); O,O′-bzac (3); O,O′-dbzm (4)} are obtained in methanol by the reaction of [(η⁶-C₆H₆)RuCl₂]₂ with the corresponding β-diketonates. These complexes further react with sodium azide in ethanol to yield complexes of the type [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(L∩L)N₃] [L∩L = O,O′-acac (5); L∩L = O,O′-bzac (6); L∩L = O,O′-dbzm (7)]. The complexes 5-7 are obtained as well by treating 1 with sodium salts of β-diketonates. These neutral benzene ruthenium azido complexes undergo [3+2] dipolar cycloaddition reaction with activated alkynes (MeO₂CCCCO₂Me, EtO₂CCCCO₂Et) or fumaronitrile (NCHCCHCN) to yield the corresponding benzene ruthenium triazolato complexes; [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(O,O′-acac){N₃C₂(CO₂Me)₂}] (8), [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(O,O′-acac){N₃C₂(CO₂Et)₂}] (9), [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(O,O′-acac){N₃C₂HCN}] (10), [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(O,O′-bzac){N₃C₂HCN}] (11) and [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(O,O′-dbzm){N₃C₂HCN}] (12). These complexes are fully characterized on the basis of microanalyses, FT-IR and FT-NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structure of [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(O,O′- acac){N₃C₂(CO₂C₂H₅)₂}] (9) is confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction study.