The effect of pH on the reduction kinetics of P-680 in tris-treated chloroplasts

The primary donor of Photosystem II (PS II), P-680, was photo-oxidized by a short flash and its rate of reduction was measured at different pH values by following the recovery of the absorption change at 820 nm in chloroplasts pretreated with a high concentration of Tris. The re-reduction is biphasic with a fast phase (dominant after the first flash) attributed to the donation by a donor, D₁, and a slow phase (usually dominant after the second flash) attributed to a back-reaction with the primary acceptor.

It is found that pH has a strong influence on the donation from D₁ (τ = 2 μs at pH 9, 44 μs at pH 4), but no influence on the back reaction (τ ≈ 200 μs). pH also influences the stability of the charge separation since the contribution of donation from D₁ at the second flash increases at lower pH, getting close to 100% at pH 4.     

Chemistry of vinylidene complexes XI. Synthesis of trinuclear MnFePt complexes by means of consecutive assembling out of mono- and dimetal vinylidene precursors

The dimetal μ-vinylidene complexes Cp(CO)₂MnPt(μ-C = CHPh)L₂ (L = tert.-phosphine or -phosphite), which have been obtained by coupling of the mononuclear complex Cp(CO)₂Mn=C=CHPh and unsaturated PtL₂ unit, add smoothly the Fe(CO)₄ moiety to produce trimetal MnFePt compounds. The μ₃-vinylidene cluster CpMnFePt(μ₃-C=CHPh)(CO)₆(PPh₃) was prepared in quantitative yields from the reactions of Cp(CO)₂MnPt(μ-C=CHPh)(PPh₃)L (L = PPh₃ or CO) with Fe₂(CO)₉ in benzene at 20 °C. The phosphite-substituted complexes Cp(CO)₂Mnpt(μ-C=CHPh)L₂ (L = P(OEt)₃ or P(OPrⁱ)₃) react under analogous conditions with Fe₂(CO)₉ to give mixtures (2:3) of the penta- and hexacarbonyl clusters, CpMnFePt(μ₃-C = CHPh)(CO)₅L₂ and CpMnFePt(μ₃-C = CHPh)(CO)₆L, respectively. The similar reaction of the dimetal complex Cp(CO)₂MnPt(μ-C = CHPh)(dppm), in which the Pt atom is chelated by dppm = Ph₂PCH₂PPhPin2 ligand, gives only a 15% yield of the analogous trimetal μ₃-vinylidene hexacarbonyl product CpMnFePt(μ₃-C = CHPh)(CO)(dppm), but the major product (40%) is the tetranuclear μ₄-vinylidene cluster (dppm)PtFe₃(μ₄-C = CHPh)(CO)₉. The IR and ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR data for the new complexes are reported and discussed.     

The structure of the dichromium compound Cr2(μ-OH)2(μ-3,5Cl2-form)2(η-3,5Cl2-form)2

With exposure to trace amounts of air and moisture, the Cr₂(II, II) complex Cr₂(μ-3,5Cl₂-form)₄, where 3,5Cl₂-form is [(3,5-Cl₂C₆H₃)NC(H)N(3,5-Cl₂C₆H₃)⁻], undergoes an oxidative addition reaction. Structural information from the X-ray crystal structure of the edge-sharing bioctahedral (ESBO) Cr₂(III, III) product Cr₂(μ-OH)₂(μ-3,5Cl₂-form)₂(η²-3,5Cl₂-form)₂ (1) indicates 1 has a significantly longer Cr–Cr distance [2.732(2) Å] than Cr₂(μ-3,5Cl₂-form)₄ [1.9162(10) Å], but the shortest Cr–Cr distance in an ESBO Cr₂(III, III) complex recorded to date.     

Dinuclear sulfide–thiolate complexes [Pt2(μ-S)(μ-SR)(PPh3)4] as cationic metalloligands

The cationic monoalkylated derivatives of the well-known metalloligand [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄], viz. [Pt₂(μ-S)(μ-SR)(PPh₃)₄]⁺ (R = n-Bu, CH₂Ph) are themselves able to act as metalloligands towards the Ph₃PAu⁺ and R′Hg⁺ (R′ = Ph or ferrocenyl) fragments, by reaction with Ph₃PAuCl or R′HgCl, respectively. The resulting dicationic products [Pt₂(μ-SR)(μ-SAuPPh₃)(PPh₃)₄]²⁺ and [Pt₂(μ-SR)(μ-SHgR′)(PPh₃)₄]²⁺ are readily isolated as their hexafluorophosphate salts, and have been fully characterised by spectroscopic techniques and an X-ray structure determination on [Pt₂(μ-SR)(μ-SHgFc)(PPh₃)₄](PF₆)₂.     

Manganese(II) complexes of an acyclic phenol-based dinucleating ligand with four methoxyethyl chelating arms: synthesis, structure, magnetism and electrochemistry

Dinuclear manganese(II) complexes [Mn₂(bomp)(PhCO₂)₂]BPh₄ (1), [Mn₂(bomp)(MeCO₂)₂]BPh₄ (2), and [Mn₂(bomp)(PhCO₂)₂]PF₆ (3) were synthesized with a dinucleating ligand 2,6-bis[bis(2-methoxyethyl)aminomethyl]-4-methylphenol [H(bomp)]. Dinuclear zinc complex [Zn₂(bomp)(PhCO₂)₂]PF₆ (4) was also synthesized for the purpose of comparison. X-ray analysis revealed that the complex 1·CHCl₃ contains two manganese ions bridged by the phenolic oxygen and two benzoate groups, forming a μ-phenoxo-bis(μ-benzoato)dimanganese(II) core. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1–3 over the temperature range 1.8–300 K indicated antiferromagnetic interaction (J=−4 to −6 cm⁻¹). Cyclic voltammograms of 3 showed a quasi-reversible oxidation process at +0.9 V versus a saturated sodium chloride calomel reference electrode, assigned to Mn^IIMn^II/Mn^IIMn^III.     

Reactivity of {(Ph3P)Pt[μ-η-H---SiH(Ar)]}2 (Ar=2-isopropyl-6-methylphenyl) with phosphines. X-ray crystal structure of trans-{(dppe)Pt[μ-SiH(Ar)]}2

The dinuclear Pt---Si complex {(Ph₃P)Pt{μ-η²-H---SiH(IMP)]}₂ (trans-1a–cis-1b=3:1; IMP=2-isopropyl-6-methylphenyl) reacted with basic phosphines such as 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) and dimethylphenylphosphine (PMe₂Ph) to afford different dinuclear Pt---Si complexes with loss of H₂, {(P)₂Pt[μ-SiH(IMP)]}₂ [P=dppe, trans-2a (major), cis-2b (trace); PMe₂Ph, 3 (trans only)]. Complexes 2 and 3 were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography (2a). In contrast, the reaction of 1a,b with the sterically demanding tricyclohexylphosphine (PCy₃) afforded {(Cy₃P)Pt{μ-η²-H---SiH(IMP)]}₂ (trans-4a–cis-4b 2:1) analogous to 1a,b where the central Pt₂Si₂(μ-H)₂ core remains intact but the PPh₃ ligands have been replaced by PCy₃. Complexes 4a and 4b was characterized by multinuclear NMR and IR spectroscopies.     

Structural determinations, magnetic and EPR studies of complexes involving the Cr(OH)2Cr unit

Five heterometallic compounds with formulae [Ba(H₂O)₄Cr₂(μ-OH)₂(nta)₂] · 3H₂O (I), [M(bpy)₂(H₂O)₂] [Cr₂(OH)₂(nta)₂] · 7H₂O, where M²⁺ = Zn, (II); Ni, (III); Co, (IV) and [Mn(H₂O)₃(bpy)Cr₂(OH)₂(nta)₂] · (bpy) · 5H₂O (V); bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, (nta = nitrilotriacetate ion) have been prepared by reaction of I with the corresponding M^II-sulfates in the presence of 2,2′-bipyridine. Substances I–V have been characterized by magnetic susceptibility measurements, EPR and X-ray determinations. I represents a 2D coordination polymer formed by coordination of centrosymmetrical dimeric chromium(III) units and Barium cations. The 10-coordinate Ba polyhedron is completed by four water molecules. Compounds II–IV are isostructural and consist of non-centrosymmetric dimeric anions [Cr₂(μ-OH)₂(nta)₂]²⁻, complex cations [M^II(bpy)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁺ and solvate water molecules. The octahedral coordination of chromium atoms implies four donor atoms of the nta³⁻ ligands and two bridging OH groups. Multiple hydrogen bonds of coordinated and solvate water molecules link anions and cations in a 3D network. A similar [Cr₂(μ-OH)₂(nta)₂]²⁻ unit is found in V. The bridging function is performed by a carboxylate oxygen atom of the nta ligand that leads to the formation of a trinuclear complex [Mn(bpy)(H₂O)₂Cr₂(μ-OH)₂(nta)₂]. Experimental and calculated frequency and temperature dependences of EPR spectra of these compounds are presented. The fine structure appearing on the EPR spectra of compound V is analyzed in detail at different temperatures. It is established that the main part of the EPR signals is due to the transitions in the spin states of a spin multiplet with S = 2. Analyses of experimental and calculated spectra confirm the absence of interaction between metal ions (M^II) and Cr-dimers in complexes III and IV and the presence of weak Mn–Cr interactions in V. The temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibilities for I–V was fitted on the basis of the expression derived from isotropic Hamiltonian including a bi-quadratic exchange term.     

Heterobimetallic chloro bridgedcomplexes of (η:η−C10H16)-ruthenium(IV) with palladium(II), platinum(II), rhodium(III), iridium(III), copper(I) and rhodium(I)

Metathesis of [(η³:η³−C₁₀H₁₆)Ru(Cl) (μ−Cl)]₂ (1) with [R₃P) (Cl)M(μ-Cl)]₂ (M = Pd, Pt), [Me₂NCH₂C₆H₄Pd(μ-Cl)]₂ and [(OC)₂Rh(μ-Cl)]₂ affords the heterobimetallic chloro bridged complexes (η³:η³-C₁₀H₁₆) (Cl)Ru(μ-Cl)₂M(PR₃)(Cl) (M = Pd, Pt), (η³:η³-C₁₀H₁₆) (Cl)Ru(μ-Cl)₂PdC₆H₄CH₂NMe₂ and (η³:η³-C₁₀H₁₆) (Cl)Ru(μ-Cl)₂Rh(CO)₂, respectively. Complex 1 reacts with [Cp^*M(Cl) (μ-Cl)]₂ (M = Rh, Ir), [p-cymene Ru(Cl) (μ-Cl]₂ and [(Cy₃P)Cu(μ-Cl)]₂ to give an equilibrium of the heterobimetallic complexes and of educts. The structures of (η³:η³-C₁₀H₁₆)Ru(μ-Cl)₂Pd(PR₃) (Cl) (R = Et, Bu) and of one diastereoisomer of (η³:η³-C₁₀H₁₆)Ru(μ-Cl)₂IrCp^*(Cl) were determined by X-ray diffraction.     

The kinetics and energetics of formation of a molecular hydrogen complex involving a dinuclear ruthenium(II) centre

The reversible equilibrium conversion under H₂ of [RuCl(dppb) (μ-Cl)]₂ (1) to generate (η²-H₂) (dppb) (μ-Cl)₃RuCl(dppb) in CH₂Cl₂ (dppb = Ph₂P(CH₂)₄PPh₂) has been studied at 0–25 °C by UV-Vis and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, and by stoppe kinetics; the equilibrium constant and corresponding thermodynamic parameters, and the forward and reverse rate constants at 25 °C have been determined. A measured ΔH° value of 0 kJ mol⁻¹ allows for an estimation of an exothermicity of 60 kJ mol⁻¹ for binding an η²-H₂ at an Ru(II) centre; a ΔS° value of 60 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ indicates that in solution 1 contain s coordinated CH₂Cl₂. The kinetic and thermodynamic data are compared to those obtained from a previously studied hydrogenation of styrene catalyzed by 1. Preliminary findings on related systems containing Ph₂P(CH₂)₃PPh₂ and (C₆H₁₁)₂P(C₆H₁₁)₂ are also noted.     

Thirst impairment elicited by intraventricular administration of vasopressin antagonists

To determine whether centrally released vasopressin influences thirst, observations of osmotic thirst threshold, osmotic load excretion and postloading restitution of plasma osmolality were made in dogs in control experiments and during infusion of AVP antagonists into the third ventricle. Significant elevation of osmotic thirst threshold was elicited by infusion of d(CH₂)₅AVP at a rate of 0.2–2.0 μg·min⁻¹ and of d(Et₂)AVP at a rate of 0.3 μg·min⁻¹ (V₁ antagonists, weak V₂ agonists) as well as by administration of d(CH₂)₅[D-Ile²,Abu⁴]AVP at a rate of 0.4 μg·min⁻¹ (potent V₂ antagonist, weak V₁ antagonist). Administration of d(CH₂)₅AVP at a rate of 2.0 μg·min⁻¹ was associated with a significant suppression of the postloading water intake and osmotic load excretion and with a delay in restitution of plasma osmolality. These findings indicate that centrally released vasopressin may participate in the control of thirst.     

Polynuclear copper(II) complexes with μ2-1,1-azide bridges. Structural and magnetic properties

Two novel, weakly antiferromagnetically coupled, tetranuclear copper(II) complexes [Cu₄(PAP)₂(μ₂-1,1-N₃)₂(μ₂-1,3-N₃)₂(μ₂-CH₃OH)₂(N₃)₄ (1) (PAP = 1,4-bis-(2′-pyridylamino)phthalazine) and [Cu₄(PAP3Me)₂ (μ₂-1,1-N₃)₂(μ₂-1,3-N₃)₂(H₂O)₂(NO₂)₂]- (NO₃)₂ (2) (PAP3Me = 1,4-bis-(3′-methyl-2′-pyridyl)aminophthalazine) contain a unique structural with two μ₂-1,1-azide intramolecular bridges, and two μ₂-1,3-azide intermolecular bridges linking pairs of copper(II) centers. Four terminal azide groups complete the five-coordinate structures in 1, while two terminal waters and two nitrates complete the coordination spheres in 2. The dinuclear complexes [Cu₂(PPD)(μ₂-1,1-N₃)(N₃)₂(CF₃SO₃)]CH₃OH) (3) and [Cu₂(PPD)(μ₂-1,1-N₃)(N₃)₂(H₂O)(ClO₄)] (4) (PPD = 3,6-bis-(1′-pyrazolyl)pyridazine) contain pairs of copper centers with intramolecular μ₂-1,1-azid and pyridazine bridges, and exhibit strong antiferromagnetic coupling. A one-dimensional chain structure in 3 occurs through intermolecular μ₂-1,1-azide bridging interactions. Intramolecular Cu-N₃-Cu bridge angles in 1 and 2 are small (107.9 and 109.4°, respectively), but very large in 3 and 4 (122.5 and 123.2°, respectively), in keeping with the magnetic properties. 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c with a = 26.71(1), b = 13.51(3), c = 16.84(1) Å, β = 117.35(3)° and R = 0.070, R_w = 0.050. 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/c with a = 8.42(1), b = 20.808(9), c = 12.615(4) Å, β = 102.95(5)° and R = 0.045, R_w = 0.039. 4crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1, with a = 10.253(3), b = 12.338(5), c = 8.072(4) Å, = 100.65(4), β = 101.93(3), γ = 87.82(3)° and R = 0.038, R_w = 0.036 . The magnetic properties of 1 and 2 indicate the presence of weak net antiferromagnetic exchange, as indicated by the presence of a low temperature maximum in χ_m (80 K (1), 65 K (2)), but the data do not fit the Bleaney-Bowers equation unless the exchange integral is treated as a temperature dependent term. A similar situation has been observed for other related compounds, and various approaches to the problem will be discussed. Magnetically 3 and 4 are well described by the Bleaney-Bowers equation, exhibiting very strong antiferromagnetic exchange (− 2J = 768(24) cm⁻¹ (3); − 2J = 829(11) cm⁻¹ (4)).     

Cis- and trans-titanium complexes with doubly silyl-bridged dicyclopentadienyl ligands: molecular structure of [(TiCl)2(μ-O){(SiMe2)2(η-C5H3)2}]2(μ-O)2

The reaction of TiCl₄ with Li₂[(SiMe₂)₂(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂] in toluene at room temperature afforded a mixture of cis- and trans-[(TiCl₃)₂{(SiMe₂)₂(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂}] in a molar ratio of 1/2 after recrystallization. The complex trans-[(TiCl₃)₂{(SiMe₂)₂(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂}] was hydrolyzed immediately by the addition of water to THF solutions to give trans-[(TiCl₂)₂(μ-O){(SiMe₂)₂(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂}] as a solid insoluble in all organic solvents, whereas hydrolysis of cis-[(TiCl₃)₂{(SiMe₂)₂(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂}] under different conditions led to the dinuclear μ-oxo complex cis-[(TiCl₂)₂)(μ-O){(SiMe₂)₂(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂}] and two oxo complexes of the same stoichiometry [(TiCl)₂(μ-O){(SiMe₂)₂(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂}]₂(μ-O)₂ as crystalline solids. Alkylation of cis- and trans-[(TiCl₃)₂{(SiMe₂)₂(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂}] with MgCIMe led respectively to the partially alkylated cis-[(TiMe₂Cl)₂{(SiMe₂)₂(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂}] and the totally alkylated trans-[(TiMe₃)₂{(SiMe₂)₂(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂}] compounds. The crystal and molecular structure of the tetranuclear oxo complex [(TiCl)₂(μ-O){(SiMe₂)₂(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂}]₂(μ-O)₂ was determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis, structure, and heterogeneous catalytic activity of tungsten chalcogenide cubane cluster containing alkaline earth metal complex

A new compound containing a cubane tungsten chalcogenide cluster [W₄(μ₃-Te)₄(CN)₁₂]⁶⁻ and Ca²⁺ complex units has been prepared by the reaction of aqueous solution of K₆[W₄(μ₃-Te)₄(CN)₁₂] · 5H₂O with the solution of a Ca(NO₃)₂ and phen(1,10-phenanthroline) (1:2 molar ratio) in a solvent mixture of H₂O/EtOH. The structure of [{Ca(phen)₂(H₂O)}{Ca(phen)(H₂O)₄}{Ca(phen)₂(H₂O)₃}][W₄Te₄(CN)₁₂] · 5H₂O 1 has been determined by X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 contains [{Ca(phen)(H₂O)₄}{Ca(phen)₂(H₂O)₃}][W₄(μ₃- Te)₄(CN)₁₂] units bridged by {Ca(phen)₂(H₂O)}²⁺ units to form an one-dimensional zigzag chain structure. Interestingly, compound 1 showed a heterogeneous catalytic activity in the transesterification of a range of esters with methanol under the mild conditions. Moreover, it can be reused without any loss of activity through 10 runs with ester.     

Organometallic chemistry of diphosphazanes. Rhodium(I) complexes of RN(PX2)2 (R = C6H5; X = OC6H5, OC6H4Br−p, R = CH3; X = OC6H5)

Reactions of [Rh(COD)Cl]₂ with the ligand RN(PX₂)₂ (1: R = C₆H₅; X = OC₆H₅) give mono- or disubstituted complexes of the type [Rh₂(COD)Cl₂{ν²−C₆H₅N(P(OC₆H₅)₂)₂}] or [RhCl{ν²−C₆H₅ N(P(OC₆H₅)₂)₂ }]₂ depending on the reaction conditions. Reaction of 1 with [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ gives the symmetric binuclear complex, [Rh(CO)Cl{μ−C₆H₅N(P(OC₆H₅)₂)₂} ₂, whereas the same reaction with 2 (R = CH₃; X = OC₆H₅) leads to the formation of an asymmetric complex of the type [Rh(CO)(μ−CO)Cl{μ−CH₃N(P(OC₆H₅)₂)₂}₂ containing both terminal and bridging CO groups. Interestingly the reaction of 3 (R = C₆H₅, X = OC₆H₄Br−p with either [Rh(COD)Cl]₂ or [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ leads only to the formation of the chlorine bridged binuclear complex, [RhCl{ν²−C₆H₅N(P(OC₆H₄Br−p)₂)₂}]₂. The structural elucidation of the complexes was carried out by elemental analyses, IR and ³¹P NMR spectroscopic data.     

Mixed-metal butterfly acetamidediato clusters derived from a highly reactive ruthenium oxo cluster: synthesis and characterization of [(PPh3)2N][MRu3(CO)12(η-μ3-NC(μ-O)CH3)], (M = Mn or Re)

Analogy with the isolable oxo cluster [Fe₃(CO)₉(μ₃-O)]²⁻, which is structurally interesting and synthetically useful, prompted the present attempt to synthesize its ruthenium analog. Although the high reactivity of [Ru₃(CO)₉(μ₃-O)]²⁻ (I) prevented its isolation, the reaction of this species with [M(CO)₃(NCCH₃)]⁺, where M = Mn or Re, yields [PPN][MRu₃(CO)₁₂(η²-μ₃-NC(μ-O)CH₃]⁻. The high nucleophilicity of the oxo ligand in [Ru₃(CO)₉(μ₃-O)]²⁻ (I) appears to be responsible for the conversion of acetonitrile to an acetamidediato ligand and for the instability of I. The crystal structure of [PPN][MnRu₃(CO)₁₂(η²-μ₃-NC(μ-O)CH₃)]] reveals a hinged butterfly array of metal atoms in which the acetamidediato ligand bridges the two wings with μ₃-N bonding to an Mn and two Ru atoms, and μ-O bonding to an Ru atom.     

Beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonists for the treatment of frequent urination and urinary incontinence: 2-[4-(2-[[(1S,2R)-2-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methylethyl]amino]ethyl)phenoxy]-2-methylpropionic acid.

In a search for novel analogues of β₃-adrenoceptor (AR) agonists relaxing the bladder for treatment of urinary dysfunction, 2-[4-(2-{[(1S,2R)-2-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methylethyl]amino}ethyl)phenoxy]-2-methylpropionic acids (1a–e), into which a fibrate-like structure had been incorporated, were synthesised. Compound 1a was found to be a selective β₃-AR agonist in functional assays using the ferret detrusor (β₃-AR), rat uterus (β₂-AR), and rat atrium (β₁-AR); β₃: EC₅₀=7.8 nM, β₂: IC₅₀=7,300 nM, β₁: EC₂₀=23,000 nM. The introduction of a chlorine atom or methyl substituent at the ortho-position on the phenyl ring of 1a further improved β₃-AR selectivity. In an in vivo study, 1a lowered intrabladder pressure (ED₅₀=31 μg/kg) in rats, without increasing heart rate, in keeping with the in vitro results. Consequently, it is proposed that 1a and its analogues (1b–e), possess β₃-AR agonistic activity in the absence of undesirable β₁- or β₂-AR mediated actions, and may be useful for clinical treatment and pharmacological studies.     

Reactions between ruthenium cluster carbonyls and 1,4-diphenylbuta-1,3-diyne

The complexes RuC(CCPh)=CPhC(CCPh)=CPh(CO)₃(NMe₃) (3), Ru₂μ-C(CCPh)=CPhC(CCPh)=CPh(CO)₆ (1), Ru₂μ-[C(CCPh)=CPh]₂CO(CO)₆ (2), Ru₃(μ₃-PhC₂CCPh)(μ-CO)(CO)₉ (4) and Ru₄(μ₄-PhC₂CCPh)(CO)₁₂ (5) have been isolated from reactions between PhC₂C₂Ph and Ru₃(CO)₁₂ or RU₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂. The molecular structures of complexes 1, 2, 3 and 5 have been determined from single-crystal X-ray studies. All complexes have precedents in similar products obtained from reactions involving mono-ynes; in the present cases, each alkyne fragment retains a phenylethynyl (PhCC---) group as a non-coordinated substituent.     

Dialkyl-μ-ethylidene-μ-methylene-bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)-dirhodium complexes: synthesis, spectra and decomposition reactions

The dialkyl-μ-ethylidene-μ-methylene-bis (pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)-dirhodium complexes [{(C₅Me₅)Rh}₂(μ-CH₂)(μ-CHMe) (R)₂] (4, P=Me; 5, Et; 6, n-Bu; 7, CH=CH₂; and 8, Z-CH=CHMe) have been prepared from RMgBr and [{(C₅Me₅)Rh}₂(μ-CH₂)(μ-CHMe)(X)₂] (2, X=Cl; 3, X=Br). Structures deduced from the NMR spectra show that the dialkyl complexes can exist in one trans and two cis forms. The decomposition of the dimethyl complex 4 is compared with that of the related di-μ-methylene complex; it reacts readily (30°C, MeCN solution) in the presence of one-electron oxidisers to give propene and methane and a little ethene and some butenes. Mass-spectrometric analysis of the ¹³C labelling in the organics originating from [{(C₅Me₅)Rh}₂(μ-CH₂)(μ-CHMe) (¹³CH₃)₂] shows that methane derives from the Rh---Me, ethene half from the ethylidene and half from coupling of Rh-methyl and a bridging methylene, while the propene arises almost entirely from the ethylidene and a rhodium methyl. The butenes come from coupling of ethylidene, methylene and a Rh-methyl, but only quite small amounts are formed; thus C+C coupling is the major decomposition path for the μ-ethylidenes, in contrast to the di-μ-methylene complexes where C+C+C coupling predominates. The divinyl complex [{(C₅Me₅)Rh}₂(μ-CH₂)(μ-CHMe) (CH=CH₂)₂] also underwent internal C+C coupling on reaction with AgBF₄ in MeCN to give a mixture of the allyl and methylallyl cations [(C₅Me₅)Rh(η³-CH₂CHCHR)(MeCN)]⁺(10, R=H; 11, R=Me).     

Ligand induced P---H bond formation and a comparison of the reactivity of two isomers of the carbonyl hydride [Pt2(μ-PBu2)2(H)(CO)(PBu2H)]CF3SO3

The Pt₂ ^(II) isomeric terminal hydrides [(CO)(H)Pt(μ-PBu^t ₂)₂Pt(PBu^t ₂H)]CF₃SO₃ (1a), and [(CO)Pt(μ-PBu^t ₂)₂Pt(PBu^t ₂H)(H)]CF₃SO₃ (1b), react rapidly with 1 atm of carbon monoxide to give the same mixture of two isomers of the Pt₂ ^(I) dicarbonyl [Pt₂(μ-PBu^t ₂)(CO)₂(PBu^t ₂H)₂]CF₃SO₃ (3-Pt); the solid state structure of the isomer bearing the carbonyl ligands pseudo-trans to the bridging phosphide was solved by X-ray diffraction. A remarkable difference was instead found between the reactivity of 1a and 1b towards carbon disulfide or isoprene. In both cases 1b reacts slowly to afford [Pt₂(μ-PBu^t ₂)(μ,η²,η²-CS₂)(PBu^t ₂H)₂]CF₃SO₃ (4-Pt), and [Pt₂(μ-PBu^t ₂)(μ,η²,η²-isoprene) (PBu^t ₂H)₂]CF₃SO₃ (6-Pt), respectively. In the same experimental conditions, 1a is totally inert. A common mechanism, proceeding through the preassociation of the incoming ligand followed by the P---H bond formation between one of the bridging P atoms and the hydride ligand, has been suggested for these reactions.