Synthesis, crystal structure and vibrational spectroscopy of a novel mixed ligands Ni(II) pentaborate: [Ni(C4H10N2)(C2H8N2)2][B5O6(OH)4]2

A novel organic-inorganic hybrid pentaborate [Ni(C₄H₁₀N₂)(C₂H₈N₂)₂][B₅O₆(OH)₄]₂ has been synthesized by hydrothermal reaction and characterized by FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, elemental analyses and DTA-TGA. Its crystal structure was determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure consists of isolated polyborate anion [B₅O₆(OH)₄]⁻ and nickel complex cation of [Ni(C₄H₁₀N₂)(C₂H₈N₂)₂]²⁺, in which the two kinds of ligands come from the decomposition of triethylenetriamine material. The [B₅O₆(OH)₄]⁻ units are connected to one another through hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional framework with large channel along the a and c axes, in which the templating [Ni(C₄H₁₀N₂)(C₂H₈N₂)₂]²⁺ cations are located. The assignments of the record FT-IR absorption frequencies and Raman shifts were given.     

Synthesis and characterization of carbamoyl methyl pyrazole(CMPz) compounds of palladium(II) chloride: The crystal and molecular structure of [PdCl2{C3H3N2CH2CONBu2}2]

Carbamoyl methyl pyrazole compound of palladium(II) chloride of the type [PdCl₂L₂] (where L =  C₅H₇N₂CH₂CON(C₄H₉)₂, C₅H₇N₂CH₂CON(ⁱC₄H₉)₂, C₃H₃N₂CH₂CON(C₄H₉)₂, or C₃H₃N₂CH₂CON(ⁱC₄H₉)₂) has been synthesized and characterized by IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The structure of the compound [PdCl₂{C₃H₃N₂CH₂CONⁱBu₂}₂] has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction and shows that the ligands are bonded through the soft pyrazolyl nitrogen atom to the palladium(II) chloride in a trans disposition.     

Synthesis, characterization, electrochemical and spectroscopic investigation of cobalt(III) Schiff base complexes with axial amine ligands: The layered crystal structure of [Co(salophen)(4-picoline)2]ClO4 · CH2Cl2

Cobalt(III) complexes with potentially tetradentate salophen (H₂salophen = N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediamine) as equatorial ligand and with different axial amine ligands (NH₃, cyclohexylamine, aniline, 4-picoline and pyridine) were synthesized and characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, elemental analysis. Electronic spectra and electrochemical properties of the complexes were studied in DMF solutions. The lowest energy transitions, which occur between 464.8 and 477 nm, are attributed mainly to the intraligand charge transfer, confirmed by Zindo/S electronic structure calculations. The reduction potentials of Co(III)/Co(II) are more affected than those of Co(II)/Co(I) by the axial amine ligands. The crystal structure of the [Co^III(salophen)(4- picoline)₂]ClO₄ · CH₂Cl₂ was determined, indicating that the cobalt(III) center is six coordinated surrounded by the tetradentate salophen ligand and two 4-picoline ligands. The crystal packing of the complex shows a layered structure, in which the perchlorate counter ions and also the lattice solvent molecules are intercalated between the bc planes of the complex cations.     

Syntheses and luminescence behavior of tetranuclear copper(I) diynyl complexes: X-ray crystal structure of [Cu4(PPh3)4(μ3-η-CCCCPh)4]

A series of luminescent tetranuclear cuboidal copper(I) diynyl complexes, [Cu₄(PAr₃)₄(μ₃-η¹-CCCCR′)₄] (Ar=Ph, R′=Ph, C₆H₄CH₃-p, C₆H₄OCH₃-p; Ar=C₆H₄CH₃-p, C₆H₄F-p, R′=Ph) has been synthesized and characterized. The X-ray crystal structure of [Cu₄(PPh₃)₄(μ₃-η¹-CCCCPh)₄] has been determined. The origin of the low-energy emission in the complexes is assigned as derived from a metal-centered 3d⁹4s¹ state, mixed with LMCT [diynyl→Cu₄] and IL [π-π*(diynyl)] states.     

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.     

Solution-mediated syntheses and characterizations of two new zincophosphites [C6H14N2]0.5[Zn(H2PO3)2] and [C4H12N2]0.5[(CH3)2NH2][Zn2(HPO3)3]

Two new zincophosphites [C₆H₁₄N₂]_0.5[Zn(H₂PO₃)₂] 1 and [C₄H₁₂N₂]_0.5[(CH₃)₂NH₂][Zn₂(HPO₃)₃] 2 have been solvothermally synthesized in mixed solvents of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and 1,4-dioxane (DOA), respectively. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that compound 1 exhibits a neutral inorganic chain formed by ZnO₄ and HPO₂(OH) units. Interestingly, the left- and right-handed hydrogen-bonded helical chains are alternately formed via the hydrogen-bonds between two adjacent chains. Compound 2 exhibits a layer structure with 4- and 12-MRs formed by ZnO₄ and HPO₃ units, in which two kinds of organic amine molecules both act as countercations to compensate the overall negative electrostatic charge of the anionic network.     

Supramolecular assemblies of new 2-D complexes: Syntheses, crystal structures, spectroscopic and magnetic properties of {[MnAu2(CN)4(NITpPy)2(H2O)2]}n and {[Co(N(CN)2)2(NITpPy)2(H2O)2]}n

Two new complexes, {[MnAu₂(CN)₄(NITpPy)₂(H₂O)₂]}_n (1) and {[Co(N(CN)₂)₂(NITpPy)₂(H₂O)₂]}_n (2), have been synthesized and characterized. The single-crystal X-ray analysis for the complexes 1 and 2 demonstrates that each M(II) (M = Mn or Co) ion assumes a distorted octahedral MN₄O₂ coordination polyhedron. Four nitrogen atoms come from the cyanide groups and the pyridyl rings in a common plane, and two oxygen atoms come from the H₂O molecules in trans-positions. The structures of complexes 1 and 2 illustrate that aurophilicity and/or hydrogen bonding interactions play important roles in increasing dimensionality. Magnetic investigations on complexes 1 and 2 show the presence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions.     

A new mixed-valence hexanuclear cobalt complex, [Co4Co2(dea)2(Hdea)4)(piv)4](ClO4)2·H2O: Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties

A new Co^II/Co^III hexanuclear complex, [Co₄^IICo₂^III(dea)₂(Hdea)₄)(piv)₄](ClO₄)₂·H₂O 1, has been obtained by reacting cobalt(II) perchlorate, diethanolamine, and pivalic acid (H₂dea = diethanolamine and piv = pivalato anion). The cobalt ions are held together by four μ₃ and four μ₂ alkoxo bridges as well as by four syn-syn carboxylato groups. The hexanuclear motif contains four Co(II) and two Co(III) ions. The {Co^II₄Co^III₂(μ₂-O)₄(μ₃-O)₄} core can be described as a four face-sharing monovacant and bivacant distorted heterocubane units. The cobalt(III) ions are hexacoordinated. Two of the cobalt(II) are hexacoordinated, while the two others are pentacoordinated with a bipyramidal stereochemistry. The magnetic properties of 1 have been investigated in the temperature range 1.9-300 K. Compound 1 exhibits an overall antiferromagnetic behaviour with a ground singlet spin state.     

Reactions of [Os3(CO)10(MeCN)2] with ethynyl thiophenes: The formation of linked clusters

The reaction of 2 equiv. of [Os₃(CO)₁₀(MeCN)₂] with R-CC-L-CC-R (R = H, L = (C₄H₂S); R = SiMe₃, L = (C₄H₂S-C₄H₂S), (C₄H₂S-C₄H₂S-C₄H₂S), (C₄H₂S)-(C₁₄H₈)-(C₄H₂S)) affords the series of linked clusters [{Os₃(CO)₁₀}(HCC(C₄H₂S)CCH){Os₃(CO)₁₀}] (1), [{Os₃(CO)₁₀}(Me₃SiCC(C₄H₂S-C₄H₂S)CCSiMe₃){Os₃(CO)₁₀}] (2), [{Os₃(CO)₁₀}(Me₃SiCC(C₄H₂S-C₄H₂S-C₄H₂S)CCSiMe₃){Os₃(CO)₁₀}] (4) and [{Os₃(CO)₁₀}(Me₃SiCC(C₄H₂S)-(C₁₄H₈)-(C₄H₂S)CCSiMe₃){Os₃(CO)₁₀}] (6) as the major products. The complexes have been characterised by a range of spectroscopic methods and, in the case of 1 and 2 by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The alkyne groups cap the osmium triangles in the expected μ₃-η²-||-bonding mode and each triangle is coordinated by nine terminal and one μ₂-carbonyl group. Solution UV-Vis spectra of the complexes were similar to those observed for the free ligands consistent with there being little delocalisation between the cluster units and the thiophene groups.     

Cobalt(II) and nickel(II) coordination polymers constructed from P,P′-diphenylmethylenediphosphinic acid (H2pcp) and 4,4′-bipyridine (bipy): Structural isomerism in [Co(pcp)(bipy)0.5(H2O)2]

The P,P′diphenylmethylenediphosphinic acid (H₂pcp) reacts with Co(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O and 4,4′-bipyridine to give a mixture of two polymeric isomers of formula [Co(pcp)(bipy)_0.5(H₂O)₂], {red (1) and pink (2)} and the new violet hybrid [Co(Hpcp)₂] (3). The pure red and violet species have been obtained by the reaction of H₂pcp with Co(CH₃COO)₂ · 4H₂O and bipy or with Co(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O, respectively. The analogous reaction of Ni(CH₃COO)₂ · 4H₂O or Ni(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O with H₂pcp and bipy affords only the [Ni(pcp)(bipy)_0.5(H₂O)₂] species (4). The two cobalt isomers present different structural arrangements. Whereas the red isomer (1) shows an undulated 2D layered structure, the pink one (2) forms an infinite monodimensional strand. Both the architectures extend to higher dimensions through hydrogen bonding interactions. The nickel derivative is isomorphous with the red cobalt isomer. The violet [Co(Hpcp)₂] (3), which is isomorphous with the complexes of the reported series [M(Hpcp)₂], M = Ca(II), Mg(II), presents a monodimensional polymeric structure. Compounds 1 and 4 show a very similar thermal behaviour, the two water molecules being lost in the temperature range 25-150 and 160-320 °C, respectively. Temperature dependent X-ray powder diffractometry (TDXD) has been performed on compound 1 in order to follow the structural transformations that occur during the heating process.     

Photolytic CO-substitution reaction of organoiron thiocarboxylate derivatives CpFe(CO)2SCOR (R=alkyl, aryl) with diphosphines (Ph2P(CH2)nPPh2) (n=1-6): X-ray crystal structure of [CpFe(dppm)SCO(3,5-(NO2)2C6H3)]

The photolytic CO-substitution reaction of the organoiron thiocarboxylate complexes CpFe(CO)₂SCOR (R=CH₃, 2-CH₃C₆H₄, 2-NO₂C₆H₄, 4-NO₂C₆H₄, 3,5-(NO₂)₂C₆H₃) with diphosphines (Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂) [n=1 (dppm), n=2 (dppe), n=3 (dpppr), n=4 (dppb), n=5 (dppp), n=6 (dpph)] at room temperature using 1:2 (metal-ligand) molar ratio afforded exclusively the disubstituted complexes CpFe(Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂)SCOR when n=1, 2 and 3 and the monosubstituted analogs CpFe(CO)(Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂)SCOR when n=4, 5 and 6. This reaction was found to be strongly influenced by the backbone length of the diphosphine ligand, the nature of the R group of the thiocarboxylate moiety and the metal-ligand molar ratios. The crystal structure of CpFe(dppm)SCO(3,5-(NO₂)₂C₆H₃) was determined.     

Complexes of the fac-{Re(CO)3} core with tridentate ligands derived from arylpiperazines

Arylpiperazines, XC₆H₄N(CH₂CH₂)₂NH, are readily alkylated to give the N-alkylpiperazines of the type XC₆H₄N(CH₂CH₂)₂N(CH₂)_nNH₂. The amine functions of these derivatives are in turn easily subjected to mono- or dialkylation to provide potentially tridentate ligands of the types XC₆H₄N(CH₂CH₂)₂N(CH₂)_nN(H)(CH₂Y) and XC₆H₄N(CH₂CH₂)₂N(CH₂)_nN(CH₂Y)(CH₂Z), respectively. The latter class of dialkylated derivatives may be symmetrically (Y=Z) or unsymmetrically (Y ≠ Z) substituted. The donor groups Y and Z of this study include pyridine, imidazole, methyl-imidazole, thiazole, carboxylate and thiolate.The reactions of these ligands with [NEt₄]₂[Re(CO)₃Br₃] yield complexes of the type [Re(CO)₃{(YCH₂)N(H)(CH₂)_n(H)_xN(CH₂CH₂)₂N(H)_yC₆H₄X}]ⁿ and [Re(CO)₃{(ZCH₂)(YCH₂)N(CH₂)_n(H)_xN(CH₂CH₂)₂N(H)_yC₆H₄X}]ⁿ where the molecular charge n (0, +1, or +2) depends on the nature of the donor groups Y and Z (whether neutral or anionic or a combination of neutral and anionic) and on the degree of protonation of the piperazine unit (x=0 or 1; y=0 or 1). This variety of tridentate chelators provides complexes with fac-{Re(CO)₃N₃}, {Re(CO)₃N₂O}, {Re(CO)₃NO₂}, {Re(CO)₃N₂S} and {Re(CO)₃NS₂} coordination geometries. The structures of the model compound [Re(CO)₃{(CH₃N₂C₃H₂CH₂)N(H)CH₂CH₂-piperidine}]Br · H₂O, [Re(CO)₃{(CH₃N₂C₃H₂CH₂)N(H)CH₂CH₂-Fphenpip}]Br, [Re(CO)₃{(NC₅H₄CH₂)N(H)CH₂CH₂-Fphenpip}]Br, [Re(CO)₃{(O₂CCH₂)₂NCH₂CH₂CH₂-CH₃OphenpipH}] · xCH₃OH (x≈0.875), [Re(CO)₃{(NC₅H₄CH₂)₂NCH₂CH₂CH₂-CH₃OphenpipH}]Br₂ · 2CH₂Cl₂ · H₂O and [Re(CO)₃{(CH₃N₂C₃H₂CH₂)(O₂CCH₂)NCH₂CH₂CH₂-CH₃OphenpipH₂}]BrCl · 1.5CH₃OH · H₂O are discussed (phenpip: phenylpiperazine, -C₆H₄N(CH₂CH₂)₂N-).     

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.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and structure of an open framework Co0.7Zn1.3(PO4)2(NH3-CH2CH2NH3) and Co6.2(OH)4(PO4)4Zn1.80, a new adamite type phase

The hydrothermal reaction of cobalt(II)oxalate di-hydrate, zinc oxide, and triethyl-orthophosphate, using 1,2-diaminoethane as structure directing template in water, produced two major crystal phases in almost equal amount: the purple crystals of [NH₃-CH₂CH₂NH₃][Co_0.7Zn_1.3(PO₄)₂] (1) and the red burgundy crystals of Co_6.2(OH)₄(PO₄)₄Zn_1.80 (2), a new adamite type phase. The structure of [NH₃-CH₂CH₂NH₃] [Co_0.7Zn_1.3(PO₄)₂] (1) exhibits a 3D open framework built from PO₄ and (Co/Zn)O₄ tetrahedra, and (Co/Zn)O₅ trigonal bipyramids, forming two major channels, an 8-membered ring channel and a 16-membered ring channel, that host the ethanediammonium ions. The Co_6.2(OH)₄(PO₄)₄Zn_1.80 (2) is isomorphous with adamite-type M₂(OH)XO₄ structure, with a condensed vertex and edge sharing network of (Co/Zn)O₅, and distorted CoO₆, and PO₄ subunits. The cobalt preference for higher coordination numbers is displayed in this structure, where the octahedral sites are wholly occupied by cobalt. Thermal analysis confirmed that these compounds display high thermal stability.     

Synthesis and characterization of complexes of the type [Pt(amine)4]I2 and trans-[Pt(CH3NH2)2(H3CNC(CH3)2)2]I2 by crystallography and multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Complexes of the type [Pt(amine)₄]I₂ were synthesized and characterized mainly by multinuclear (¹⁹⁵Pt, ¹H and ¹³C) magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The compounds were prepared with different primary amines, but not with bulky amines, due to steric hindrance. In ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR, the signals were observed between −2715 and −2769 ppm in D₂O. The coupling constant ³J(¹⁹⁵Pt-¹H) for the MeNH₂ complex is 42 Hz. In ¹³C NMR, the average values of the coupling constants ²J(¹⁹⁵Pt-¹³C) and ³J(¹⁹⁵Pt-¹³C) are 18 and 30 Hz, respectively. The crystal structure of [Pt(EtNH₂)₄]I₂ was determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The Pt atom is located on an inversion center. The structure is stabilized by H-bonding between the amines and the iodide ions. The compound with n-BuNH₂ was found by crystallographic methods to be [Pt(n-BuNH₂)₄]₂I₃(n-BuNHCOO). The crystal contains two independent [Pt(CH₃NH₂)₄]²⁺ cations, three iodide ions and a carbamate ion formed from the reaction of butylamine with CO₂ from the air. When the compound [Pt(CH₃NH₂)₄]I₂ was dissolved in acetone, crystals identified as trans-[Pt(CH₃NH₂)₂(H₃CNC(CH₃)₂)₂]I₂ were isolated and characterized by crystallographic methods. Two trans bonded MeNH₂ ligands had reacted with acetone to produce the two N-bonded Schiff base Pt(II) compound.     

Bifunctional chelates with mixed aromatic and aliphatic amine donors for labeling of biomolecules with the {Tc(CO)3} and {Re(CO)3} cores

A series of tridentate ligands consisting of mixed aromatic and aliphatic amine derivatives of single amino acid chelates and phenylpiperazine have been developed, and their reactions with [NEt₄]₂[ReBr₃(CO)₃] have been investigated. The compounds [Re(CO)₃{(NC₅H₄CH₂)NCH₃(C₂H₄)NHCH₃}]Br (4), [Re(CO)₃{(NC₅H₄CH₂)NCH₃(C₂H₄)NCH₃(CH₂)_xCOOC₂H₅}]Br (x = 1, 5; x = 4, 6) [Re(CO)₃{(NC₅H₄CH₂)NH(C₂H₄)N(CH₃)₂}]Br (7), [Re(CO)₃{(NC₅H₄CH₂)N(CH ₂COOC₂H₅)(C₂H₄)N(CH₃)₂}]Br (8) and [Re(CO)₃(NC₅H₄CH₂)(C₂H₄NH₂)N(CH₂)₃-CH₃Ophenpip]Br (9) (phenpip: phenylpiperazine, -C₆H₄-(CH₂CH₂)₂N-) were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, NMR, IR, HSMS and X-ray crystallography. All complexes exhibit fac-{Re(CO)₃N₃} coordination geometry in the cationic molecular unit. Crystal data for C₁₃H₁₇BrN₃O₃Re (4): orthorhombic, Pbca, a = 13.4510(8) Å, b = 10.5728(6) Å, c = 22.5378(13) Å, V = 3205.2(3) ų, Z = 8; C₁₇H₂₃BrN₃O₅Re (5): orthorhombic, Pcca, a = 16.5907(7) Å,b = 14.8387(6) Å, c = 16.7075(7) Å, V = 4113.1(3) ų, Z = 8; C₁₃H₂₅BrN₃O₇Re (7 · 4H₂O): monoclinic, P2₁/n, a = 14.0698(17) Å, b = 9.6760(12) Å, c = 15.6099 (19) Å, β = 114.930(2)°, V = 1927.1(4) ų, Z = 4; C₁₇H₂₃BrN₃O₅Re (8): monoclinic, P2₁/n, a = 7.5312(5) Å, b = 16.0366(10) Å, c = 16.8741(10) Å, β = 98.9990(10)°, V = 2012.9(2) ų, Z = 4.     

Decarbonylation of As2Co2(CO)6, a binuclear cobalt carbonyl derivative of diarsenic

The structures and relative energies of the As₂Co₂(CO)_n (n = 6, 5, 4) derivatives are predicted by density functional theory to be analogous to those of the corresponding H₂C₂Co₂(CO)_n derivatives. Thus As₂Co₂(CO)₆ is predicted to have three carbonyls on one cobalt atom eclipsed relative to the three carbonyls on the other cobalt atom. The corresponding As₂Co₂(CO)₆ structure with a staggered rather than eclipsed arrangement of the Co(CO)₃ units is a transition state rather than a genuine minimum. For As₂Co₂(CO)₅ the structure in which an equatorial group is removed from the As₂Co₂(CO)₆ structure and a singly bridged As₂Co₂(CO)₄(μ-CO) structure are predicted to have essentially the same energies, within <2 kcal/mol. A higher energy As₂Co₂(CO)₅ structure by 9 ± 2 kcal/mol is derived from the As₂Co₂(CO)₆ structure by removal of an axial carbonyl group. The two unbridged As₂Co₂(CO)₅ structures correspond to those observed experimentally in the photolysis of As₂Co₂(CO)₆ in Nujol matrices at low temperatures. In such photolysis experiments the higher energy isomer is produced initially and then converted to the lower energy isomer upon annealing. A singly bridged structure was found for As₂Co₂(CO)₄. The analogous structure was not observed in the previous work with H₂C₂Co₂(CO)₄. However, such a H₂C₂Co(CO)₃(μ-CO) structure is found here for the acetylene complex. This singly bridged structure is predicted to lie 1.9 kcal/mol below the H₂C₂Co₂(CO)₄4-1S structure by the BP86 method but 3.5 kcal/mol above the latter by the B3LYP method. In addition to the singly bridged As₂Co₂(CO)₄ structure, the same six unbridged structures were located for As₂Co₂(CO)₄ that were previously found for H₂C₂Co₂(CO)₆.     

‘Synthetic prospecting’ using an electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry directed survey of the alkylation and arylation chemistry of [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4]

Electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) has been used as an analytical tool in a wide-ranging scoping study of the alkylation and arylation reactions of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄]. From these experiments, the factors that influence the formation of different product species - formed by mono- or di-alkylation - are determined. If the alkylating agent is an alkyl chloride or sulfate, monoalkylation followed by dialkylation of the two sulfido groups occurs, dependent on the alkylating power of the reagent used. For example, n-butyl chloride gives solely [Pt₂(μ-S)(μ-SBu)(PPh₃)₄]⁺ while dimethyl sulfate gives [Pt₂(μ-SMe)₂(PPh₃)₄]²⁺. This species, previously unisolated is stable in the absence of good nucleophiles, but the addition of potassium iodide results in rapid conversion to [Pt₂(μ-SMe)₂(PPh₃)₃I]⁺. This iodo complex is also observed from the reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with excess MeI, after the initial formation of mono- and di-methylated species. In these reactions, the iodide presumably displaces a phosphine ligand, which is then quaternised by excess alkylating agent. Changing the alkylating agent to a longer chain alkyl iodide or methyl bromide decreases the rate of alkylation of the sulfide in the initially formed [Pt₂(μ-S)(μ-SR)(PPh₃)₄]⁺. Mixed-thiolate species of the type [Pt₂(μ-SMe)(μ-SR)(PPh₃)₄]²⁺ are easily generated by reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)(μ-SR)(PPh₃)₄]⁺ with excess Me₂SO₄ and is also dependent on the avoidance of nucleophiles. Reactions towards α,ω-dialkylating agents are surveyed; the chain length is found to have a dramatic effect on the rate of the second intramolecular cyclisation process, illustrated by a competitive reactivity study involving a mixture of Br(CH₂)₄Br and Br(CH₂)₅Br; on completion of the reaction the former gives [Pt₂{μ-S(CH₂)₄S}(PPh₃)₄]²⁺ while the latter predominantly gives monoalkylated[Pt₂(μ-S){μ-S(CH₂)₅Br}(PPh₃)₄]⁺. The reactivity of o- and p-dihaloxylenes has been explored, with the reaction with p-BrCH₂C₆H₄CH₂Br giving the bridged species [(PPh₃)₄Pt₂(μ-S)(μ-SCH₂C₆H₄CH₂S)(μ-S)Pt₂(PPh₃)₄]²⁺. Arylation reactions of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with halobenzenes and 2-bromoheterocyclic compounds (pyridine, thiophene) are also described.     

A hexanuclear iron(III) complex [Fe6O2(OH)2(PhCOO)10(hedmp)2]·3CH3CN assembled from 2-hydroxyethyl-3,5-dimethyl pyrazole

In order to assemble polynuclear iron(III) complexes, the coordination chemistry of the 2-hydroxyethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazole (hedmp-H) ligand has been investigated. Reaction of hedmp-H with trinuclear iron carboxylate precursor [Fe₃O(PhCOO)₆(H₂O)₃]Cl in acetonitrile yielded the hexanuclear Fe(III) complex [Fe₆O₂(OH)₂(PhCOO)₁₀(hedmp)₂]·3CH₃CN (1). This aggregate has been characterized by employing various analytical techniques, spectroscopic studies and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Detailed magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed that 1 displays an S_T = 5 ground state.     

Syntheses and characterization of the W(II) and W(III) N2 complexes, [WCl2(PMe3)3]2N2 and [WCl3(PMe3)2]2N2

Refluxing WCl₄(PMe₃)₃ under a nitrogen atmosphere in the presence of two equivalents of sodium amalgam leads to a reduction to the W(II) complex [cis,mer-WCl₂(PMe₃)₃]₂N₂ (1), which can be converted to [mer,trans-WCl₃(PMe₃)₂]₂N₂ (2) via appropriate oxidation/chlorination. Structural data have been obtained for both complexes, and demonstrate significantly increased steric crowding in 1 due to PMe₃/PMe₃ interactions. The N-N bond distances in the two compounds are similar, at 1.279(4) and 1.243(18) Å, respectively.