Ruthenium(II/III) mediated transformation of 1,2-bis(2′-pyridylmethyleneimino)benzene (L) to 2-(2′-benzimidazolyl)pyridine (L′H) and its in situ formed complexes with Ru(II): X-ray structure of trans-[Ru(PPh3)2(L′H)2](ClO4)2

A series of ruthenium (II) complexes of formulae trans-[Ru(PPh₃)₂(L′H)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1), [Ru(bpy)(L′H)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2), [Ru(bpy)₂(L′H)](ClO₄)₂ (3), cis-[Ru(DMSO)₂(L′H)₂]Cl₂ (4), and [Ru(L′H)₃](PF₆)₂ (5) (where L′H = 2-(2′-benzimidazolyl)pyridine) have been synthesized by reaction of the appropriate ruthenium precursor with 1,2-bis(2′-pyridylmethyleneimino)benzene (L). The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, spectroscopic and electrochemical data. All the complexes were found to be diamagnetic and hence metal is in +2 oxidation state. The molecular structure of trans-[Ru(PPh₃)₂(L′H)₂](ClO₄)₂ has been determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The molecular structure shows that Ru(II) is at the center of inversion of an octahedron with N₄P₂ coordination sphere. The ligand acts as a bidentate N,N′donor. The electronic spectra of the complexes display intense MLCT bands in the visible region.Cyclic voltammetric studies show quasi-reversible oxidative response at 0.99-1.32 V (vs Ag/AgCl reference electrode) due to Ru(III)/Ru(II) couple.     

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.     

Luminescent probes for indole-binding proteins derived from ruthenium(II) polypyridine complexes

We report here the synthesis, characterisation, electrochemical, photophysical and protein-binding properties of four luminescent ruthenium(II) polypyridine indole complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(L1)](PF₆)₂ (1), [Ru(bpy)₂(L2)](PF₆)₂ (2), [Ru(L1)₃](PF₆)₂ (1a), and [Ru(L2)₃](PF₆)₂ (2a) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; L1 = 4-(N-(2-indol-3-ylethyl)amido)-4′-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine; L2 = 4-(N-(6-N-(2-indol-3-ylethyl)hexanamidyl)amido)-4′-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine). Their indole-free counterparts, [Ru(bpy)₂(L3)](PF₆)₂ (3) and [Ru(L3)₃](PF₆)₂ (3a) (L3 = 4-(N-(ethyl)amido)-4′-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine), have also been synthesised for comparison purposes. Cyclic voltammetric studies revealed ruthenium-based oxidation at ca. +1.3 V versus SCE and diimine-based reductions at ca. −1.20 to −2.28 V. The indole moieties of complexes 1, 2, 1a and 2a displayed an irreversible wave at ca. +1.1 V versus SCE. All the ruthenium(II) complexes exhibited intense and long-lived orange-red triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer ³MLCT (dπ(Ru) → π*(L1-L3)) luminescence upon visible-light irradiation in fluid solutions at 298 K and in alcohol glass at 77 K. The binding of the indole-containing complexes to bovine serum album (BSA) has been studied by quenching experiments and emission titrations.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of new dinuclear Mn(III) compounds with 4-ClC6H4COO and 4-BrC6H4COO bridges

Four new dinuclear Mn(III) compounds have been synthesised: [{Mn(bpy)(H₂O)}₂(μ-4-ClC₆H₄COO)₂(μ-O)}](ClO₄)₂ (1), [{Mn(EtOH)(phen)}₂(μ-O)(μ-4-ClC₆H₄COO)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2), [{Mn(bpy)(EtOH)}(μ-4-BrC₆H₄COO)₂(μ-O){Mn(bpy)(ClO₄)](ClO₄) (3) and [{Mn(H₂O)(phen)}₂(μ-4-BrC₆H₄COO)₂(μ-O)](ClO₄)₂ (4). The crystal structures of 2 and 3 are evidence for the tendency of the ethanol and the perchlorate to act as ligands. Due to the coordination of these groups, the environment of the manganese ions is elongated in the monodentate ligand direction, and this distortion is more important when this ligand is the perchlorate. The magnetic properties of the four compounds have been analysed: compounds 1, 3 and 4 show antiferromagnetic behaviour, with J = −6.33 cm⁻¹ for 1, J = −6.76 cm⁻¹ for 3 and J = −3.08 cm⁻¹ for 4 (H = −JS₁·S₂), while compound 2 shows a very weak ferromagnetic coupling. For this compound, at low temperature the most important effect on the χ_MT data is the zero-field splitting of the ion, and the best fit was obtained with |D_Mn| = 2.38 cm⁻¹ and |E_Mn| = 0.22 cm⁻¹.     

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.     

Hydrogen bonding: further evidence for the cause of the color change of nitrosylpentaamminechromium (III) compounds. Crystal structures of [Cr(NO)(NH3)5](PF6)2 and [Cr(NO)(NH3)5]Cl(PF6)

The crystal structures of [Cr(NO)(NH₃)₅](PF₆)₂ (red) and [Cr(NO)(NH₃)₅]Cl(PF₆) (brown) have been determined. The [Cr(NO)(NH₃)₅]²⁺(A) complex cations in these compounds have a slightly distorted octahedral geometry with a strictly linear Cr-N-O arrangement (from symmetry). The short interatomic distances (2.399 Å × 4) between the O (nitrosyl) and H (ammonia in adjacent complex cations) atoms in A(PF₆)₂ indicate the existence of hydrogen bonds, while the interatomic distances (3.258 Å × 8) between those in ACl(PF₆) are much longer, and the hydrogen bonds should be weak in spite of the presence of the smaller counter anion of chloride ion in ACl(PF₆). Comparisons of the five crystal structures of A(PF₆)₂, ACl₂, ACl(ClO₄), ACl(PF₆), and A(ClO₄)₂ have led to the conclusion that the existence of the strong hydrogen bonds gives red crystals of A(PF₆)₂, while the absence of hydrogen bonds results in the formation of green crystals of A(ClO₄)₂ (O ? H, 3.595 Å × 2). The color change of the crystals (from red to green) with the change of outer sphere anions is attributed to the change of the strength of the hydrogen bonding between the complex cations.     

Acid dissociation of 2,2′-dipyridylamine in non-aqueous medium when chelated to some Ru(II)N4 cores

[Ru(2,2′-bipyridine)₂(Hdpa)](BF₄)₂ · 2H₂O (1), [Ru(1,10-phenanthroline)₂(Hdpa)] (PF₆)₂ · CH₂Cl₂ (2) and [Ru(4,4,4′,4′-tetramethyl-2,2′- bisoxazoline)₂(Hdpa)] (PF₆)₂ (3) are synthesized where Hdpa is 2,2′-dipyridylamine. The X-ray crystal structures of 1 and 2 have been determined. Hdpa in 1 and 2 is found to bind the metal via the two pyridyl N ends. Comparing the NMR spectra in DMSO-d₆, it is concluded that 3 has a similar structure. The pK_a values (for the dissociation of the NH proton in Hdpa) of free Hdpa and its complexes are determined in acetonitrile by exploiting molar conductance. These correlate linearly with the chemical shift of the NH proton in the respective entities.     

Versatile coordination behaviour of Ph2AsCH2AsPh2 with Ru(II)

Treatment of ‘RuCl₃ · 3H₂O’ with Ph₂AsCH₂AsPh₂ (dpam) in hot EtOH gives either trans-[RuCl₂(dpam-As,As′)(dpam-As)₂] (1), or cis-[RuCl₂(dpam-As,As′)₂] (2), depending on the mole ratio. On exposure to light, solutions of 2 isomerise to trans-[RuCl₂(dpam-As,As′)₂] (3). Treatment of [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃] with two equivalents of dpam in CH₂Cl₂ gave a mixture of two products, from which trans-[RuCl₂(PPh₃) (dpam-As,As′)(dpam-As)] (4) was isolated by recrystallisation. The crystal structures of 1-4 are reported. Complexes 1-3 in CH₂Cl₂ undergo electrochemical oxidation to Ru(III), and the Ru(III) form of 2 undergoes isomerisation on the voltammetric timescale to the Ru(III) form of 3.     

Structural, photophysical and electrochemical studies of [RuN6] complexes having polypyridine and azole mixed-donor sites

The mixed-ligand ruthenium(II) complexes [(phen)₂Ru(pzbzimH₃)](ClO₄)₂·3H₂O (1), [(phen)₂Ru(bzimH)₂](ClO₄)₂·3H₂O (2) and [(bpy)₂Ru(bpybzimH₂)](ClO₄)₂ (3), where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, pzbzimH₃ = pyrazole-3,5-bis(benzimidazole), bzimH = benzimidazole and bpybzimH₂ = 6,6′-bis(benzimidazole-2-yl)-2,2′-bipyridine have been synthesized and spectroscopically characterized. The X-ray structures of the three compounds have been determined which show that relative to the polypyridine ligands (phen or bpy) two donor nitrogens of the second ligand occupy cis position. In case of 3, bpybzimH₂ ligand is coordinated in puckered form where its bpy unit acts in a monodentate fashion. The electrochemical properties, absorption and emission spectral characteristics and lifetimes of luminescence decay of the complexes have been compared. Deprotonation of the azole NH moieties of the complexes lead to substantial lowering of redox potentials of the Ru^II/Ru^III couple as well as the MLCT and emission band energies. Spectrophotometric and spectrofluorometric titrations of complexes 1 and 3 have been carried out in 3:2 acetonitrile-water as a function of pH over the range 3.5-12.0 and the pK values have been determined. The kinetic parameters for the decay of the ³MLCT excited states of 1 at different pH at 298 K have been evaluated.     

Diastereoisomerically pure pyrazole-3,5-dicarboxylate-bridged dinuclear ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) complexes of 2,2-bipyridine: structural, electrochemical and spectral studies

Pyrazole-3,5-dicarboxylate-bridged dinuclear ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) complexes of 2,2^′-bipyridine of composition [(bpy)₂Ru(pzdc)Ru(bpy)₂](ClO₄) · H₂O (1) and [(bpy)₂Os(pzdc)Os(bpy)₂](ClO₄) · H₂O (2) have been obtained in high yield and have been separated to their homochiral (ΛΛ/ΔΔ) rac (1a, 2a) and heterochiral (ΛΔ/ΔΛ) meso (1b, 2b) diastereoisomers. The distinctive structural features of these diastereoisomers have been characterized by 1-D and 2-D ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray crystal structure of rac-[(bpy)₂Os(pzdc)Os(bpy)₂](ClO₄) · H₂O (2a) has been determined. The electrochemical and electronic spectral studies have established that there remain difference in properties and hence difference in intermetallic communication between the diastereoisomeric forms in each case.     

Ligand effects in cis-Ru(N-N)2L2 species where N-N is a substituted 2,2′-bisoxazoline and L is monodentate

Starting from previously reported cis-Ru(MeL)₂Cl₂, where MeL is 4,4,4′,4′-tetramethyl-2,2′-bisoxazoline, cis-Ru(MeL)₂Br₂ (1), cis-Ru(MeL)₂I₂ (2), cis-Ru(MeL)₂(NCS)₂ · H₂O (3), cis-Ru(MeL)₂(N₃)₂ (4) and cis-[Ru(MeL)₂(MeCN)₂](PF₆)₂ · (CH₃)₂CO (5) are synthesised. The X-ray crystal structures of complexes 1, 2, 3 and 5 have been determined. All the five new complexes have been characterized by FTIR, ESIMS and ¹H NMR. In cyclic voltammetry in acetonitrile at a glassy carbon electrode, the complexes display a quasireversible Ru(II/III) couple in the range 0.32-1.71 V versus NHE. The Ru(II/III) potentials yield a satisfactorily linear correlation with Chatt’s ligand constants P_L for the monodantate ligands. From the intercept and by comparing the known situation in Ru(2,2′-bipyridine)₂L₂, it is concluded that MeL, a non-aromatic diimine, is significantly more π-acidic than 2,2′-bipyridine.     

Novel long bipyridine-type linking ligands containing an intervening naphthalene fragment: [Zn(L)(NO3)2], [Zn(L)(NO3)2], and [Cd(L)1.5(NO3)2] (L = (4-py)-CHN-C10H6-NCH-(4-py); L = (3-py)-CHN-C10H6-NCH-(3-py))

Novel bipyridine-type linking ligands L¹ ((4-py)-CHN-C₁₀H₆-NCH-(4-py)) and L² ((3-py)-CHN-C₁₀H₆-NCH-(3-py)), a pair of isomers due to possessing different pairs of terminal pyridyl groups, were prepared by the Schiff-base condensation. In ligand L¹, the N?N separation between the terminal pyridyl groups is 16.0 Å, with their nitrogen donor atoms at the para positions (4,4′). The corresponding N?N separation in ligand L² is 14.2 Å, with the nitrogen donor atoms at the meta positions (3,3′). 1-D zigzag-chain coordination polymers [Zn(L¹)(NO₃)₂] (1) and [Zn(L²)(NO₃)₂] (2) were prepared by reactions of Zn(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O with ligands L¹ and L², respectively, by solution diffusion. Polymer 3, [Cd(L¹)_1.5(NO₃)₂], prepared from Cd(NO₃)₂ · 4H₂O and L¹, exhibits a 1-D ladder structure, whose repeating ladder unit consists of four Cd metals and four L¹ ligands to create a large 76-membered ring with dimensions of 20.8 × 20.8 Å. All products were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis, DNA-binding and photocleavage studies of ruthenium complexes [Ru(bpy)2(mitatp)] and [Ru(bpy)2(nitatp)]

Two new ruthenium complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(mitatp)](ClO₄)₂1 and [Ru(bpy)₂(nitatp)](ClO₄)₂2 (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, mitatp = 5-methoxy-isatino[1,2-b]-1,4,8,9-tetraazatriphenylene, nitatp = 5-nitro-isatino[1,2-b]-1,4,8,9-tetraazatriphenylene) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, mass spectrometry and cyclic voltammetry. Spectroscopic and viscosity measurements proved that the two Ru(II) complexes intercalate DNA with larger binding constants than that of [Ru(bpy)₂(dppz)]²⁺ (dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine) and possess the excited lifetime of microsecond scale upon binding to DNA. Both complexes can efficiently photocleave pBR322 DNA in vitro under irradiation. Singlet oxygen (¹O₂) was proved to contribute to the DNA photocleavage process, the ¹O₂ quantum yields was determined to be 0.43 and 0.36 for 1 and 2, respectively. Moreover, a photoinduced electron transfer mechanism was also found to be involved in the DNA cleavage process.     

Synthesis and characterisation of bis(2,2′-bipyridine)(4-carboxy-4′-(pyrid-2-ylmethylamido)-2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) di(hexafluorophosphate): Comparison of spectroelectrochemical properties with related complexes

The new complex, [Ru^II(bpy)₂(4-HCOO-4′-pyCH₂ NHCO-bpy)](PF₆)₂ · 3H₂O (1), where 4-HCOO-4′-pyCH₂NHCO-bpy is 4-(carboxylic acid)-4′-pyrid-2-ylmethylamido-2,2′-bipyridine, has been synthesised from [Ru(bpy)₂(H₂dcbpy)](PF₆)₂ (H₂dcbpy is 4,4′-(dicarboxylic acid)-2,2′-bipyridine) and characterised by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods. An X-ray crystal structure determination of the trihydrate of the [Ru(bpy)₂(H₂dcbpy)](PF₆)₂ precursor is reported, since it represented a different solvate to an existing structure. The structure shows a distorted octahedral arrangement of the ligands around the ruthenium(II) centre and is consistent with the carboxyl groups being protonated. A comparative study of the electrochemical and photophysical properties of [Ru^II(bpy)₂(4-HCOO-4′-pyCH₂NHCO-bpy)]²⁺ (1), [Ru(bpy)₂(H₂dcbpy)]²⁺ (2), [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ (3), [Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂] (4) and [Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂]⁺ (5) was then undertaken to determine their variation upon changing the ligands occupying two of the six ruthenium(II) coordination sites. The ruthenium(II) complexes exhibit intense ligand centred (LC) transition bands in the UV region, and broad MLCT bands in the visible region. The ruthenium(III) complex, 5, displayed overlapping LC bands in the UV region and a LMCT band in the visible. 1, 2 and 3 were found, via cyclic voltammetry at a glassy carbon electrode, to exhibit very positive reversible formal potentials of 996, 992 and 893 mV (versus Fc/Fc⁺) respectively for the Ru(III)/Ru(II) half-cell reaction. As expected the reversible potential derived from oxidation of 4 (−77 mV (versus Fc/Fc⁺)) was in excellent agreement with that found via reduction of 5 (−84 mV (versus Fc/Fc⁺)). Spectroelectrochemical experiments in an optically transparent thin-layer electrochemical cell configuration allowed UV-Vis spectra of the Ru(III) redox state to be obtained for 1, 2, 3 and 4 and also confirmed that 5 was the product of oxidative bulk electrolysis of 4. These spectrochemical measurements also confirmed that the oxidation of all Ru(II) complexes and reduction of the corresponding Ru(III) complex are fully reversible in both the chemical and electrochemical senses.     

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.     

Mixed ligand complexes of osmium(II)-2,2-bipyridine: synthesis, spectral characterization and electrochemical properties of bis-chelated-arylazoimidazole-bipyridine-osmium(II) and X-ray crystal structure of [(2,2-bipyridine)-bis-{1-methyl-2-(p-tolylazo)imidazole}osmium(II) hexafluorophosphate

Reaction of ctc-OsBr₂(RaaiR^′)₂ [RaaiR^′=1-alkyl-2-(arylazo)imidazole, p-R-C₆H₄-NN-C₃H₂-NN-1-R^′, where R=H (a), Me (b), Cl (c) and R^′=Me (2), Et (3) and CH₂Ph (4)] with 2,2^′-bipyridine (bpy) in presence of AgNO₃ in EtOH followed by the addition of NH₄PF₆ afforded a mixed ligand complex [Os(bpy)(RaaiR^′)₂](PF₆)₂. The structure of the complex, in one case [Os(bpy)(MeaaiMe)₂](PF₆)₂ · 4H₂O, has been confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The complexes are diamagnetic (low spin d⁶, s=0) and they show intense MLCT transition in the visible region (480-525 nm) and a weak transition at longer wavelength (>850 nm) in CH₃CN solution. Cyclic voltammetry of the complexes show two metal oxidation, Os(II)/Os(III) at 0.72-0.76 V and Os(III)/Os(IV) at 1.34-1.42 V and three successive ligand reductions.     

Hydrogen-halide versus alkyl-halide oxidative addition in dimethyl platinum(II) complexes: Crystal structure of [PtBr2(bpy)]

Dimethyl platinum(II) complexes [PtMe₂(NN)] {NN = bu₂bpy (4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine) (1a), bpy (2,2′-bipyridine) (1b), phen (1,10-phenanthroline) (1c)} reacted with commercial 3-bromo-1-propanol in the presence of 1,3-propylene oxide to afford cis, trans- [PtBrMe₂{(CH₂)₃OH}(NN)] (NN = bu₂bpy (2a), bpy (2b), phen (2c)). On the other hand, [PtMe₂(NN)] (1a)-(1b) reacted with the trace of HBr in commercial 3-bromo-1-propanol to give [PtBr₂(NN)] (NN = bu₂bpy (3a), bpy (3b)). The reaction pathways were monitored by ¹H NMR at various temperatures. Treatment of 1a-1b with a large excess of 3-bromo-1-propanol at −80 °C gave the corresponding methyl(hydrido)platinum(IV) complexes [PtBr(H)Me₂(NN)] (NN = bu₂bpy (4a), bpy (4b)) via the oxidative addition of dimethyl platinum(II) complexes with HBr. The complexes [PtBr(H)Me₂(NN)] decomposed by reductive elimination of methane above −20 °C for bu₂bpy and from −20 to 0 °C for bpy analogue to give methane and platinum(II) complexes [PtBrMe(NN)] (5a)-(5b) and then decomposed at about 0 °C to yield [PtBr₂(NN)] and methane. When the reactions were performed at a molar ratio of Pt:RX/1:10, the corresponding complexes [PtBrMe(NN)] (5a)-(5b) were also obtained. The crystal structure of the complex 3b shows that platinum adopts square planar geometry with a twofold axis through the platinum atom. The Pt…Pt distance (5.164 Å) is considerably larger than the interplanar spacing (3.400 Å) and there is no platinum-platinum interaction.     

Bis(O2S2 macrocycle) complexes of palladium(II)

Two isomeric dibenzo-O₂S₂ macrocycles L¹ and L² have been synthesised and their coordination chemistry towards palladium(II) has been investigated. Two-step approaches via reactions of 1:1-type complexes, [cis-Cl₂LPd] (1a: L = L¹, 1b: L = L²), with different O₂S₂ macrocycle systems (L¹ and L²) have led to the isolation of the following bis(O₂S₂ macrocycle) palladium(II) complexes in the solid state: [Pd(L¹)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2a) and a mixture of [Pd(L¹)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2a) + [Pd(L²)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2b).     

Unexpected formation and structure elucidation of mer-[RuCl3(TMSO)(bpy)] derived from [H(TMSO)][trans-RuCl4(TMSO)2] under mild condition

Treatment of [H(TMSO)][trans-RuCl₄(TMSO)₂] (1) with 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) in ethanol at room temperature resulted an unknown mer-[RuCl₃(TMSO)(bpy)] (3) and a known cis-[RuCl₂(TMSO)₄] (4) (TMSO =  tetramethylene sulfoxide) complexes. The 3 was obtained by the substitution with bpy in mer-[RuCl₃(TMSO)₃] (2), whereas 4 was obtained by one-electron reduction of 2, suggesting that 2 is a precursor for both 3 and 4. The structure of 3 was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The reaction is a new synthetic procedure for 3 and/or 3 and 4 in mild reaction conditions from the anionic complex 1. It involves simultaneous substitution and redox reaction. This is the first known example of precisely characterized Ru(III)-chloride-TMSO-bpy-complex derived from anionic [H(TMSO)][trans-RuCl₄(TMSO)₂] at room temperature.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of trans-[Mo2(H2DMepyF)2(CH3CN)4](BF4)6 (HDMepyF=N,N-di(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)formamidine)

Reaction of Mo₂(O₂CCH₃)₂(DMepyF)₂ (HDMepyF=N,N^′-di(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)formamidine) with HBF₄ in CH₂Cl₂/CH₃CN afforded the complex trans-[Mo₂(H₂DMepyF)₂(CH₃CN)₄](BF₄)₆ (1), which crystallized in two forms, trans-[Mo₂(H₂DMepyF)₂(CH₃CN)₄](ax-CH₃CN)₂(BF ₄)₆ · 2CH₃CN (1a), and trans- [Mo₂(H₂DMepyF)₂(CH₃CN)₄](ax-BF₄) ₂(BF₄)₄ · 2CH₃CN (1b). The molecular structures of complexes (1) consist of two quadruply bonded molybdenum atoms, which are spanned by two trans-bridging formamidinate ligands and coordinated by four trans-CH₃CN. Each H₂DMepyF⁺ ligand adopts an s-cis,s-cis- conformation. The difference between 1a and 1b is that complex 1a contains two CH₃CN molecules as axial ligands, while 1b contains two BF₄⁻ anions as axial ligands. Complex 1 is the first dimolybdenum complex containing a pair of trans bridging ligands and two pairs of trans-CH₃CN ligands.