One-pot syntheses of alkenyl-phosphonio complexes of ruthenium(II), rhodium(III) and iridium(III) bearing p-cymene or pentamethylcyclopentadienyl groups

Reaction of [(p-cymene)RuCl₂(PPh₃)] (1) or [Cp^∗MCl₂(PPh₃)] (Cp^∗ = C₅Me₅) (3a: M = Rh; 4a: M = Ir) with 1-alkynes and PPh₃ were carried out in the presence of KPF₆, generating the corresponding alkenyl-phosphonio complexes, [(p-cymene)RuCl(PPh₃){CHCR(PPh₃)}](PF₆) (2a: R = Ph; 2b: R = p-tolyl) or [Cp^∗MCl(PPh₃){CHCPh(PPh₃)}](PF₆) (5: M = Rh; 6: M = Ir). Similar reactions of complexes [Cp^∗RhCl₂(L¹)] (3a: L¹ = PPh₃; 3c: L¹ = P(OMe)₃) with L² (L² = PPh₃, PMePh₂, P(OMe)₃) gave [Cp^∗RhCl(L¹)(L²)](PF₆) (7bb: L¹ = L² = PMePh₂; 7ca: L¹ = P(OMe)₃, L² = PPh₃; 7cc: L¹ = L² = P(OMe)₃). Alkenyl-phosphonio complex 5 was treated with P(OMe)₃ or 2,6-xylyl isocyanide, affording [Cp^∗RhCl(L){CHCPh(PPh₃)}](PF₆) (8a: L = P(OMe)₃; 8b: L = 2,6-xylNC). X-ray structural analyses of 2a, 6 and 8a revealed that the phosphonium moiety bonded to the C_β atom of the alkenyl group are E configuration.     

An unsaturated half-sandwich ruthenium(II) complex containing a dithioimidodiphosphinate ligand

Treatment of [Cp*RuCl₂]_x (Cp* = η⁵-C₅Me₅) with K[N(Ph₂PS)₂] afforded [Cp*Ru{N(Ph₂PS)₂}Cl] (1). Reduction of 1 with Li[BEt₃H] gave the 16-electron half-sandwich Ru(II) complex [Cp*Ru{N(Ph₂PS)₂}] (2). Complexes 1 and 2 have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. The Ru-Cp*(centroid) and average Ru-S distances in 1 are 1.827 and 2.3833(5) Å, respectively. The corresponding bond distances in 2 are 1.739 and 2.379(1) Å. Treatment of 2 with 2-electron ligands L afforded the adducts [Cp*Ru{N(Ph₂PS)₂}L] (L = CO (3), 2,6-Me₂C₆H₄NC (4), MeCO₂CCCO₂Me (5)). Oxidation of 2 with tetramethylthiuram disulfide gave the Ru(IV) complex [Cp*Ru{S₂CNMe₂}₂][N(Ph₂PS)₂] (6). The Ru-Cp*(centroid) and average Ru-S distances in 6 are 1.897 and 2.387(1) Å, respectively.     

Diiron and diruthenium aminocarbyne complexes containing pseudohalides: stereochemistry and reactivity

Acetonitrile is easily displaced from [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(MeCN)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (Xyl) (1a); Me (1b)) upon stirring in THF at room temperature in the presence of [NBu₄][SCN]. The resulting complexes trans-[Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(NCS)(Cp)₂] (R = Xyl (trans-2a); Me (trans-2b)) are completely isomerised to cis-[Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(NCS)(Cp)₂] (R = Xyl (cis-2a); Me (cis-2b)) when heated at reflux temperature. Similarly, the complexes cis-[M₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(NCO)(Cp)₂] (M = Fe, R = Me (4a); M = Ru, R = Xyl (4b); M = Ru, R = Me (4c)) and cis-[M₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(N₃)(Cp)₂] (M = Fe, R = Xyl (5a); M = Fe, R = Me (5b); M = Ru, R = Xyl (5c)) can be obtained by heating at reflux temperature a THF solution of [M₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(MeCN)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (M = Fe, R = Xyl (1a); M = Fe, Me (1b); M = Ru, R = Xyl (1c); M = Ru, R = Me (1d)) in the presence of NaNCO and NaN₃, respectively. The reactions of 5 with MeO₂CCCCO₂Me, HCCCO₂Me and (NC)(H)CC(H)(CN) afford the triazolato complexes [M₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO){N₃C₂(CO₂Me)₂}(Cp)₂] (M = Fe, R = Xyl (6a); M = Fe, R = Me (6b); M = Ru, R = Xyl (6c)), [M₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ- CO)(CO){N₃C₂(H)(CO₂Me)}(Cp)₂] (M = Fe, R = Me (7a); M = Ru, R = Xyl (7b)) and [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO){N₃C₂(H)(CN)}(Cp)₂] (8), respectively. The asymmetrically substituted triazolato complexes 7-8 are obtained as mixtures of N(1) and N(2) bonded isomers, whereas 6 exists only in the N(2) form. Methylation of 6-8 results in the formation of the triazole complexes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO){N₃(Me)C₂(CO₂Me)₂}(Cp)₂][CF₃SO₃] (9), [M₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO){N₃(Me)C₂(H)(CO₂Me)}(Cp)₂][CF₃SO₃] (M = Fe, R = Me (10a); M = Ru, R = Xyl (10b)) and [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO){N₃(Me)C₂(H)(CN)}(Cp)₂][CF₃SO₃], 11. The crystal structures of trans-2b, 4b · CH₂Cl₂, 5a, 6b · 0.5CH₂Cl₂ and 8 · CH₂Cl₂ have been determined.     

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic evaluation in the Heck coupling reactions of S-P-S pincer complexes of the type [Pd{PhP(C6H4-2-S)2}(PAr3)]

A series of palladium complexes of the type [Pd(phPS₂)(PAr₃)] (phPS₂) = [PhP(C₆H₄-2-S)₂]²⁻ have been synthesized in good yields and their crystal structures determined. Heck coupling reactions were carried out using the [Pd(phPS₂)(PPh₃)] (1), [Pd(phPS₂){P(C₆H₄-4-Cl)₃}] (2), [Pd(phPS₂){P(C₆H₄-4-F)₃}] (3), [Pd(phPS₂){P(C₆H₄-4-CF₃)₃}] (4), [Pd(phPS₂){P(C₆H₄-4-Me)₃}] (5) and [Pd(phPS₂){P(C₆H₄-4-OMe)₃}] (6) complexes as catalyst precursors in order to examine the potential effect of the para-substituted triarylphosphines in the reaction of bromobenzene and styrene.     

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, structures, and characterization of benzildiimine complexes of rhodium(III) and iridium(I)

The reactions of trans-[(PPh₃)₂M(CO)Cl] (M = Rh and Ir) with benzildiimine (H₂BDI = 2) derived from benzil-bis(trimethylsilyl)diimine (Si₂BDI) (1) in a 1:2 and 1:1 molar ratio afforded the cationic bis-benzildiiminato complexes [Rh(PPh₃)₂(HBDI)₂]Cl (3) and the mono-benzildiimine complex [Ir(PPh₃)₂(CO)(H₂BDI)]Cl (4), respectively. Both complexes are fully characterized using IR, FAB-MS, NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The single crystal X-ray structure analysis reveals a distorted octahedral coordination geometry for the Rh(III) in 3 and a highly distorted square pyramidal geometry for Ir(I) in 4. In addition, the solid-state structure of Si₂BDI is reported here for the first time showing the substituents highly twisted because of steric reasons.     

Directing iridium-catalyzed C-C bond formation by selection of the ancillary ligands: Polymerization and cyclotrimerization of alkynes

The ability of organoiridium derivatives of catalyzing oligomerization and polymerization of terminal alkynes is markedly influenced by the nature of non-participative ligands coordinated to the metal. The dimeric species [Ir(cod)Cl]₂ and [Ir(cod)(OMe)]₂ (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) as well as the phosphine complexes HIr(cod)(PR₃)₂ (PR₃ = PPh₃, P(p-MeOC₆H₄)₃, P(o-MeOC₆H₄)Ph₂, PCyPh₂) catalyze the polymerization reaction, whereas the diphosphine derivatives HIr(cod)(P-P) (P-P = Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂ (n = 1-4), o-C₆H₄(PPh₂)₂) promote the regioselective formation of 1,2,4-trisubstituted benzenes. On the other hand, the iridium complexes with nitrogen chelating ligands Ir(cod)(N-N)X and Ir(hd)(N-N)X (hd = 1,5-hexadiene; N-N = 1,10-phenanthroline and substituted derivatives; X = halogen) catalyze alkynes polymerization. In most cases one catalytic reaction predominates over the other possible routes, so that polymerization often takes place in the absence of oligomerization side reactions, and conversely cyclotrimerization is rarely accompanied by formation of either polyene or dimers.     

Stereospecific interactions between dinuclear complex cations involving square-planar [Pt(II)(μ-S)2(bpy)] (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) frameworks derived from optically active octahedral Co(III) units with d- or l-penicillaminates

The reaction of the octahedral mononuclear complex, trans(N)-[Co(l-pen-N,O,S)₂]⁻ (pen = penicillaminate), with [PtCl₂(bpy)] (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) stereoselectively gave an optically active S-bridged dinuclear complex, [Pt(bpy){Co(l-pen)₂}]Cl · 3H₂O (2Cl · 3H₂O), whose structure is enantiomeric to the previously reported [Pt(bpy){Co(d-pen)₂}]Cl · 3H₂O (1Cl · 3H₂O). The mixture of equimolar amounts of 1Cl · 3H₂O and 2Cl · 3H₂O in H₂O crystallizes as [Pt(bpy){Co(d-pen)₂}]_0.5[Pt(bpy){Co(l-pen)₂}]_0.5Cl · 7H₂O (3Cl · 7H₂O), in which the enantiomeric complex cations 1 and 2 are included in the ratio of 1:1. The crystal structures of 2Cl · 3H₂O and 3Cl · 7H₂O were determined by X-ray crystallography, and compared with that of 1Cl · 3H₂O. The structural feature for 2 is essentially consistent with that for 1, except for the absolute configurations around the octahedral Co(III) center. The optically active complex cation 2 exists as a monomer, accompanied by no intermolecular interactions in the π-electronic systems of bpy moieties. In the crystals of 3Cl · 7H₂O, on the other hand, the enantiomeric complex cations, [Pt(bpy){Co(d-pen)₂}]⁺ and [Pt(bpy){Co(l-pen)₂}]⁺, are arranged alternately while overlapping the bpy planes along a axis, and the π electronic system of the bpy framework in [Pt(bpy){Co(d-pen)₂}]⁺ interacts with those in [Pt(bpy){Co(l-pen)₂}]⁺. Differences between the crystal structures of 2Cl · 3H₂O and3Cl · 7H₂O significantly reflect their diffuse reflectance spectra. In aqueous solution, each cation in both 2Cl · 3H₂O and 3Cl · 7H₂O is comparatively put on a free environment without such intermolecular interactions.     

Synthesis and characterization of three group 10 complexes containing nido-carborane diphosphine: [MCl(PPh3){7,8-(PPh2)2-7,8-C2B9H10}] (M = Ni, Pd, Pt)

Three group 10 complexes containing nido-carborane diphosphine, [NiCl(PPh₃){7,8-(PPh₂)₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀}] (1), [PdCl(PPh₃){7,8-(PPh₂)₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀}] · 1.25CH₂Cl₂ (2) and [PtCl(PPh₃){7,8-(PPh₂)₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀}] · 2.5CH₂Cl₂ (3) have been synthesized by the reactions of [M(PPh₃)₂Cl₂] (M = Ni, Pd, Pt) with closo carborane diphosphine 1,2-(PPh₂)₂-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀ in ethanol. For complex 3, it could also be obtained under solvothermal condition. All three complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and X-ray structure determination. Single crystal structures show that their structures are similar to each other. In each complex, the nido [7,8-(PPh₂)₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀]⁻, which resulted from the degradation of the initial closo ligand 1,2-(PPh₂)₂-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀ during the reaction process, was coordinated bidentately through the P atoms to M(II) ion, and this resulted in a stable five-membered chelating ring between the bis-diphosphine ligand and the metal. The coordination mode of the metal can be described as a slightly distorted square-planar, in which the remaining two positions were occupied by one Cl⁻ and one PPh₃ group.     

Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic properties of platinum(II) complexes containing the nucleosides adenosine and cytidine

Cytidine (cyt) and adenosine (ado) react with cis-[L₂Pt(μ-OH)]₂(NO₃)₂ (L = PMe₃, PPh₃) in various solvents to give the nucleoside complexes cis-[L₂Pt{cyt(− H),N³N⁴}]₃(NO₃)₃ (L = PMe₃, 1),cis-[L₂Pt{cyt(− H),N⁴}(cyt,N³)]NO₃ (L = PPh₃, 2), cis-[L₂Pt{ado(− H),N¹N⁶}]₂(NO₃)₂ (L = PMe₃, 3) and cis-[L₂Pt{ado(− H),N⁶N⁷}]NO₃ (L = PPh₃, 4). When the condensation reaction is carried out in solution of nitriles (RCN, R = Me, Ph) the amidine derivatives cis-[(PPh₃)₂PtNH=C(R){cyt(− 2H)}]NO₃ (R = Me, 5a; R = Ph, 5b) and cis-[(PPh₃)₂PtNH=C(R){ado(− 2H)}]NO₃ (R = Me, 6a: R = Ph, 6b) are quantitatively formed. The coordination mode of these nucleosides, characterized in solution by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, is similar to that previously observed for the nucleobases 1-methylcytosine (1-MeCy) and 9-methyladenine (9-MeAd). The cytotoxic properties of the new complexes, and those of the nucleobase analogs, cis-[(PPh₃)₂PtNH=C(R){1-MeCy(− 2H)}]NO₃ (R = Me, 7a: R = Ph, 7b), cis-[(PPh₃)₂PtNH=C(R){9-MeAd(− 2H)}]NO₃ (R = Me, 8a: R = Ph, 8b) have been investigated in a wide panel of human cancer cells. Interestingly, whereas the Pt(II) nucleoside complexes (1-4) did not show appreciable cytotoxicity, the corresponding amidine derivatives (7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 5b, and 6b) exhibited a significant in vitro antitumor activity.     

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.     

Ruthenium hydride and vinyl complexes supported by nitrogen-oxygen mixed-donor ligands

The Schiff base, 2-chlorophenylsalicylaldimine (HL₁), is formed readily from salicylaldehyde and 2-chloroaniline. After deprotonation, this ligand is found to react as a bidentate mixed-donor chelate with the complexes [RuRCl(CO)(BTD)(PPh₃)₂] (R = H, CHCHC₆H₅, CHCHC₆H₄Me-4, CHCH^tBu, CCCPhCHPh; BTD = 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole) to form the compounds [RuR(L₁)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] through displacement of the chloride and BTD ligands. An analogous reaction occurs with the osmium complex [OsHCl(CO)(BTD)(PPh₃)₂] to provide [OsH(L₁)(CO)(PPh₃)₂]. The compound [Ru(CHCHC₆H₄Me-4)(L₂)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] is formed through reaction of salicylaldehyde (HL₂) with [Ru(CHCHC₆H₄Me-4)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh₃)₂] in the presence of base. Two further ligands were investigated to extend the study to encompass 5- and 4-membered chelates; 8-hydroxyquinoline (HL₃) and 2-hydroxy-4-methylquinoline (HL₄) react with [Ru(CHCHPh)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh₃)₂] and [Ru(CHCHC₆H₄Me-4)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh₃)₂] in the presence of base to yield the complexes [Ru(CHCHPh)(L₃)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] and [Ru(CHCHC₆H₄Me-4)(L₄)(CO)(PPh₃)₂], respectively. The crystal structure of [Ru(CHCHC₆H₄Me-4)(L₁)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] is reported.     

Insertion of heteroallenes into the rhenium-hydride bond

Dithioformato [Re{η²-SC(H)S}(NO)P₃]BPh₄ (1), thioformamido [Re{η²-RNC(H)S}(NO)P₃]BPh₄ (2) (R = Et, p-tolyl), formamido [Re{η²-PhNC(H)O}(NO)P₃]BPh₄ (3) and formamidinato [Re{η²-p-tolylNC(H)Np-tolyl}(NO)P₃]BPh₄ (4) (P = PPh₂OEt) complexes were prepared by allowing the hydride ReH₂(NO)P₃ to react first with triflic acid and then with the appropriate heteroallene CS₂, RNCS, PhNCO and p-tolylNCNp-tolyl. Treatment of the ReH₂(NO)L(PPh₃)₂ [L = P(OEt)₃, PPh(OEt)₂] and ReH₂(NO)(PPh₃)₃ hydrides first with triflic acid and then with isothiocyanate RNCS (R = Et, p-tolyl) gave the [Re{η²-RNC(H)S}(NO){P(OEt)₃}(PPh₃)₂]BPh₄ (5, 6) and [Re(η²-RNC(H)S)(NO)(PPh₃)₃]BPh₄ (7) derivatives. Depending on the nature of the phosphite, instead, the reaction of ReH₂(NO)L(PPh₃)₂ and ReH₂(NO)(PPh₃)₃ hydrides first with CF₃SO₃H and then with isocyanate R1NCO (R1 = Ph, p-tolyl) gave the chelate [Re{η²-R1NC(H)O}(NO){P(OEt)₃}(PPh₃)₂]BPh₄ (8) and [Re{η²-R1NC(H)O}(NO)(PPh₃)₃]BPh₄(10) complexes with P(OEt)₃ or PPh₃, while the η¹-coordinate [Re{η¹-RNC(H)S}(NO){PPh(OEt)₂}₂(PPh₃)₂]BPh₄ (9) derivative was obtained with the PPh(OEt)₂ phosphite ligand. η¹-Coordinate dithioformato [Re{η¹-SC(H)S}(NO){PPh(OEt)₂}₂(PPh₃)₂]BPh₄ (11) and formato [Re{η¹-OC(H)O}(NO){PPh(OEt)₂}₂(PPh₃)₂]BPh₄ (12) complexes, as well as the formamidinato [Re{η²-p-tolylNC(H)Np-tolyl}(NO){P(OEt)₃}(PPh₃)₂]BPh₄ (13) derivative were also prepared.     

The synthesis, structure, reactivity and electrochemical properties of ruthenium complexes featuring cyanoacetylide ligands

The complex [Ru(CCCN)(dppe)Cp*] (1) is readily obtained (ca. 70%) from the sequential reaction of [Ru(CCH₂)(dppe)Cp*]PF₆ with ⁿBuLi and phenyl cyanate. The complex behaves as a typical transition metal acetylide upon reaction with tetracyanoethene, affording a metallated pentacyanobutadiene. Complex 1 is a useful metalloligand, and its reactions with [W(thf)(CO)₅], [RuCl(PPh₃)₂Cp], [RuCl(dppe)Cp*] or cis-[RuCl₂(dppe)₂] all afforded products featuring the M-CCCN-M′ motif, for which ground state structures indicate a degree of polarisation. Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical studies reveal moderate interactions between the metal centres in the 35-electron dications [{Cp*(dppe)Ru}(μ-CCCN){RuL₂Cp′}]²⁺ (RuL₂Cp′ = Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp, Ru(dppe)Cp*).     

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.     

Functional phosphines. Part XIV. Cationic (P,N)2-coordinated hydrides of iridium(III): catalysts for CO hydrogenation or transfer hydrogenation?

Treatment of trans-[IrCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂] with Ph₂PCH₂CH₂NH₂ in refluxing para-xylene gave (OC-6-43)-[Ir(H)(Cl)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂NH₂)₂]Cl (1) which interacted with K[BH(s-Bu₃)] to produce a mixture of (OC-6-22)-[IrH₂(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂NH₂)₂]Cl (2a) and (OC-6-32)-[Ir(H)(Cl)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂NH₂)₂]Cl (2b). The trans-dihydride 2a was isolated in pure form from the reaction between 1 and KOH/i-PrOH. Different from its isoelectronic (P,N)₂-coordinated Ru^II analogues, the cationic chloro hydrido complex 1 does not act as a catalyst for the direct hydrogenation of acetophenone by molecular H₂, if activated by strong alkoxide base, but rather catalyzes the transfer hydrogenation of the CO bond with methanol or isopropanol as proton/hydride sources. Dihydrido complex 2a is ascribed the role of the actual catalyst as it supports the transfer hydrogenation reaction even in the absence of base. The crystal structure of the addition compound 1 · 2EtOH has been determined.     

Stereosensitive formation and interconversion of sulfur-bridged cobalt(III)-mercury(II) polynuclear complexes with d- and/or l-penicillaminates

The reaction of trans(N)-[Co(d-pen)₂]⁻ (pen = penicillaminate) with HgCl₂ or HgBr₂ in the molar ratios of 1:1 gave the sulfur-bridged heterodinuclear complex, [HgX(OH₂){Co(d-pen)₂}] (X = Cl (1a) or Br (1b)). A similar reaction in the ratio of 2:1 produced the trinuclear complex, [Hg{Co(d-pen)₂}₂] (1c). The enantiomers of 1a and 1c, [HgCl(OH₂){Co(l-pen)₂}] (1a′) and [Hg{Co(l-pen)₂}₂] (1c′), were also obtained by using trans(N)-[Co(l-pen)₂]⁻ instead of trans(N)-[Co(d-pen)₂]⁻. Further, the reaction of cis · cis · cis-[Co(d-pen)(l-pen)]⁻ with HgCl₂ in the molar ratio of 1:1 resulted in the formation of [HgCl(OH₂){Co(d-pen)(l-pen)}] (2a). During the formations of the above six complexes, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1a′, 1c′, and 2a, the octahedral Co(III) units retain their configurations. On the other hand, the reaction of cis · cis · cis-[Co(d-pen)(l-pen)]⁻ with HgCl₂ in the molar ratio of 2:1 gave not [Hg{Co(d-pen)(l-pen}₂] but [Hg{Co(d-pen)₂}{Co(l-pen)₂}] (2c), accompanied by the ligand-exchange on the terminal Co(III) units. The X-ray crystal structural analyses show that the central Hg(II) atom in 1c takes a considerably distorted tetrahedral geometry, whereas that in 2c is of an ideal tetrahedron. The interconversion between the complexes is also examined. The electronic absorption, CD, and NMR spectral behavior of the complexes is discussed in relation to the crystal structures of 1c and 2c.     

Heptacoordinate dithiophosphate W(II) and Mo(II) complexes of diphosphines and iodide

New complexes [MI(CO)₂(dppe){S₂P(OEt)₂}] (M=W, 1a; M=Mo, 1b), [MI(CO)₂(dppm){S₂P(OEt)₂}] (M=W, 2a; M=Mo, 2b) and [W(CO)(dppe){S₂P(OEt)₂}₂][O₂dppe] (3a), were synthesised from [MI₂(CO)₃(NCMe)₂] (M=Mo, W), after treatment with ammonium diethyldithiophosphate and phosphine under different conditions. The structure of the tungsten complexes was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. During the synthesis of 3a, oxidation of the phosphine took place and a molecule of oxidised phosphine occupies channels in the crystal. DFT/B3LYP calculations on models of 1a and 2a showed the capped octahedron structure, observed in most dicarbonyl complexes of this family, to be preferred by 1.4 and 2.6 kcal mol⁻¹ for the dppm and the dppe complexes, respectively. Strong steric repulsions can reverse this trend, as happens with the rigid dppm ligand. Complex 1a adopts a pentagonal bipyramidal geometry, which is often found in related monocarbonyl complexes.     

New oligo-/poly-meric forms for MX:dpex (1:1) complexes (M = Cu, Ag; X = (pseudo-)halide; dpex = Ph2E(CH2)xEPh2, E = (P), As; x = 1, 2)

Single-crystal X-ray structural characterizations of MX:dpam (1:1) (‘dpam’ = Ph₂AsCH₂AsPh₂) are reported for MX = AgCl, Br; CuI, CN/Cl (all isomorphous) and AgI, AgSCN, CuSCN arrays, all being of the novel form [(μ-X){M(μ-X)(As-dpam-As′)₂M′}]_∞, essentially the familiar M(E-dpem-E′)₂M′ binuclear array with both ‘bridging’ and (linking) ‘terminal’ (pseudo-)halides involved in the polymer. A different arrangement of bridging and linking entities is found with AgX:dpae (1:1)_2(∞|∞), X = Br, NCO, ‘dpae’ = Ph₂As(CH₂)₂AsPh₂, now comprising [M(μ-X)₂(As-dpae-As)M] kernels linked by As-dpae-As′, while in the thiocyanate analogue units are linked by the dpae ligands into a two-dimensional web. Synthetic procedures for all adducts have been reported. All compounds have been characterized both in solution (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR, ESI MS) and in the solid state (IR).