A 31P1H NMR study of the reactions of [Rh2(μ-Cl)2(cod)2] with unsymmetrical,bidentate ligands and hydrogen

[Rh₂(μ-Cl)₂(cod)₂] reacts with Ph₂PCH₂CH₂OMe (PC₂O), Ph₂P(CH₂)₃NMe₂ (PC₃N), PBuⁿPh₂ or PPh₃ to give [Rh(cod)L₂]Cl (L = PC₂O, PC₃N, PBuⁿPh₂, PPh₃). In the presence of hydrogen, [Rh(cod)L₂]Cl is converted to [RhClH₂L₃]. In contrast, [Rh(cod)(PC₂O)₂]BPh₄ reacts with H₂ to give [RhH₂(PC₂O)₂S₂]BPh₄ (S = solvent). With Ph₂PCH₂CH₂NMe₂ (PC₂N) or Ph₂PCH₂CH₂SMe (PC₂S), [Rh₂(μ-Cl)₂(cod)₂] reacts to form the chelate complexes cis- [Rh(PC₂N)₂]⁺ or cis-[Rh(PC₂S)₂]⁺, neither of which reacts with hydrogen under ambient conditions. The products of the reactions are characterized in situ by ³¹P¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Heteroligand copper(I) complexes of N-thiophosphorylated thioureas and phosphanes: Versatile structures and luminescence

Reaction of the potassium salts of (EtO)₂P(O)CH₂C₆H₄-4-(NHC(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂) (HL^I), (CH₂NHC(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂)₂ (H₂L^II) or cyclam(C(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂)₄ (H₄L^III) with [Cu(PPh₃)₃I] or a mixture of CuI and Ph₂P(CH₂)_1-3PPh₂ or Ph₂P(C₅H₄FeC₅H₄)PPh₂ in aqueous EtOH/CH₂Cl₂ leads to [Cu(PPh₃)L^I] (1), [Cu₂(Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂)₂L^II] (2), [Cu{Ph₂P(CH₂)₂PPh₂}L^I] (3), [Cu{Ph₂P(CH₂)₃PPh₂}L^I] (4), [Cu{Ph₂P(C₅H₄FeC₅H₄)PPh₂}L^I] (5), [Cu₂(PPh₃)₂L^II] (6), [Cu₂(Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂)L^II] (7), [Cu₂{Ph₂P(CH₂)₂PPh₂}₂L^II] (8), [Cu₂{Ph₂P(CH₂)₃PPh₂}₂L^II] (9), [Cu₂{Ph₂P(C₅H₄FeC₅H₄)PPh₂}₂L^II] (10), [Cu₈(Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂)₈L^IIII₄] (11), [Cu₄{Ph₂P(CH₂)₂PPh₂}₄L^III] (12), [Cu₄{Ph₂P(CH₂)₃PPh₂}₄L^III] (13) or [Cu₄{Ph₂P(C₅H₄FeC₅H₄)PPh₂}₄L^III] (14) complexes. The structures of these compounds were investigated by IR, ¹H, ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy; their compositions were examined by microanalysis. The luminescent properties of the complexes 1-14 in the solid state are reported.     

[Co{Ph2P(O)CH2P(O)Ph2}3][CoCl4] · 8CHCl3: Crystal structure and formation from [Co2(Ph2PCH2PPh2)(CO)6] in chloroform

When a solution of [Co₂(Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂)(CO)₆] in chloroform or deuterochloroform is allowed to stand in air at room temperature, it deposits dark green crystals of [Co{Ph₂P(O)CH₂P(O)Ph₂}₃][CoCl₄] · 8CHCl₃. The same product is formed more quickly and in much higher yield (80% based on Co) if the reaction is carried out in the presence of 2 equiv. of [Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂]; the Co^II appears to catalyse the air-oxidation of [Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂]. The salt was characterised by X-ray crystallography and shown to contain octahedral Co^II cations and Co^II tetrahedral anions having normal bond lengths and angles.     

Kinetic studies on the reactions of HCl with trans-[MoL(CNPh)(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)2] (L=N2, H2 or CO)

The kinetics of the reactions between anhydrous HCl and trans-[MoL(CNPh)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂] (L=CO, N₂ or H₂) have been studied in thf at 25.0 °C. When L=CO, the product is [MoH(CO)(CNPh)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂]⁺, and when L=H₂ or N₂ the product is trans-[MoCl(CNHPh)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂]. Using stopped-flow spectrophotometry reveals that the protonation chemistry of trans-[MoL(CNPh)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂] is complicated. It is proposed that in all cases protonation occurs initially at the nitrogen atom of the isonitrile ligand to form trans-[MoL(CNHPh)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂]⁺. Only when L=N₂ is this single protonation sufficient to labilise L to dissociation, and subsequent binding of Cl⁻ gives trans-[MoCl(CNHPh)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂]. At high concentrations of HCl a second protonation occurs which inhibits the substitution. It is proposed that this second proton binds to the dinitrogen ligand. When L=CO or H₂, a second protonation is also observed but in these cases the second protonation is proposed to occur at the carbon atom of the aminocarbyne ligand, generating trans-[MoL(CHNHPh)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂]²⁺. Addition of the second proton labilises the trans-H₂ to dissociation, and subsequent rapid binding of Cl⁻ and dissociation of a proton yields the product trans-[MoCl(CNHPh)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂]. Dissociation of L=CO does not occur from trans-[Mo(CO)(CHNHPh)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂]²⁺, but rather migration of the proton from carbon to molybdenum, and dissociation of the other proton produces [MoH(CO)(CNPh)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂]⁺.     

3,5-diacetyl-1,2,4-triazol bis(4N-substituted thiosemicarbazone) palladium(II) complexes: synthesis, structure, antiproliferative activity and low toxicity on normal kidney cells

Treatment of ⁴N-monosubstituted bis(thiosemicarbazone) ligands of 3,5-diacetyl-1,2,4-triazol series with lithium tetrachloridopalladate gave the dinuclear complexes of general formula [Pd(μ-H₃L^1-5)]₂, but using dichloridobistriphenylphosphinepalladium(II) salt, the first mononuclear bis(thiosemicarbazone)-palladium-triphenylphosphine complexes of the 3,5-diacetyl-1,2,4-triazol series, [Pd(H₃L^1-5)PPh₃], have been obtained. All the compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis and by IR and NMR spectroscopy, and the crystal and molecular structures of dinuclear complexes [Pd(μ-H₃L³)]₂ and [Pd(μ-H₃L⁵)]₂ as well as mononuclear complexes [Pd(H₃L¹)PPh₃], [Pd(H₃L²)PPh₃], [Pd(H₃L³)PPh₃] and [Pd(H₃L⁴)PPh₃] have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The new compounds synthesized have been evaluated for antiproliferative activity in vitro against NCI-H460, A2780 and A2780cisR human cancer cell lines. Subsequent toxicity study, on normal renal LLC-PK1 cells, shows that all compounds investigated exhibit very low toxicity on kidney cells with respect to cisplatin.     

An electrospray mass spectrometry-directed survey of the coordination chemistry of the metalloligand [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4] with platinum(II) and palladium(II) chloride substrates: influence of metal-ligand lability on product type

The reactivity of the metalloligand [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] towards a wide range of platinum(II) and palladium(II) chloride complex substrates [L₂MCl₂] has been explored, using the technique of electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry to directly analyse reaction solutions. In the majority of cases, products are formed by addition of the ML₂²⁺ fragment to the {Pt₂S₂} core, giving trinuclear species [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄ML₂]²⁺. The adducts with Pt(diene) [diene=cyclo-octa-1,5-diene (cod), norbornadiene], Pd(cod), Pd(bipy) (bipy=2,2^′-bipyridine), Pt(PMe₃)₂ and Pt(PTA)₂ (PTA=phosphatriaza-adamantane) moieties were synthesised and characterised on the macroscopic scale, with [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Pt(cod)] (BF₄)₂ and [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Pd(bipy)] (PF₆)₂ also characterised by X-ray diffraction studies. No metal scrambling was found to occur, as has been observed in some previous cases involving the related complexes [Pt₂(μ-Se)₂(PPh₃)₄] and [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(dppe)₂] (dppe=Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂). With cis-[PtCl₂(SOMe₂)₂] the species [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄PtCl(SOMe₂)]⁺ was formed, as a result of the lability of the SOMe₂ ligand. With palladium(II)-phosphine systems, the observed product species is dependent on the phosphine; the bulky PPh₃ ligand in [PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂] leads primarily to the analogous known species [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄PdCl(PPh₃)]⁺, and a small amount of the metal-scrambled species [PtPd₂S₂(PPh₃)₅Cl]⁺. In contrast, [PdCl₂(PTA)₂], containing the small PTA ligand gave [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Pd(PTA)₂]²⁺.     

The arylation of [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4]

Routes to the synthesis of the mixed sulfide-phenylthiolate complex [Pt₂(μ-S)(μ-SPh)(PPh₃)₄]⁺ have been explored; reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with excess Ph₂IBr proceeds readily to selectively produce this complex, which was structurally characterised as its PF₆⁻ salt. Reactions of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with other potent arylating reagents (1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene) also produce the corresponding nitroaryl-thiolate complexes [Pt₂(μ-S){μ-SC₆H₂(NO₂)₂X}(PPh₃)₄]⁺ (X = H, F). The complex [Pt₂(μ-S)(μ-SPh)(PPh₃)₄]⁺ reacts with Me₂SO₄ to produce the mixed alkyl/aryl bis-thiolate complex [Pt₂(μ-SMe)(μ-SPh)(PPh₃)₄]²⁺, but corresponding reactions with the nitroaryl-thiolate complexes are plagued by elimination of the nitroaryl group and formation of [Pt₂(μ-SMe)₂(PPh₃)₄]²⁺. [Pt₂(μ-S)(μ-SPh)(PPh₃)₄]⁺ also reacts with Ph₃PAuCl to give [Pt₂(μ-SAuPPh₃)(μ-SPh)(PPh₃)₄]²⁺.     

Rhodium(III) cis-dihydrido complexes with 3,6-bis(2′-pyridyl)pyridazine (dppn) and bidiazines. Crystal and molecular structure of [Rh(H)2(dppn)(PPh3)2]PF6· CH2Cl2

The acetone complex [Rh(H)₂(acetone)₂(PPh₃)₂]- PF₆ reacts with bidiazines and 3,6-bis(2′-pyridyl)- pyridazine (dppn) giving the air stable cis-dihydrido rhodium(III) [Rh(H)₂(L)(PPh₃)₂]PF₆ complexes. The structure of the dichloromethane solvate of [Rh(H)₂(dppn)(PPh₃)₂]PF₆ has been determined by X-ray crystal structure analysis. Crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁/a, with a = 18.629(6), b = 15.339(5), c = 17.146(5) Å, β = 101.02(3)° and Z = 4. The structure has been solved from diffractometer data by Patterson and Fourier methods and refined by block-matrix least-squares to R = 0.076 for 6225 observed reflections. In the structure discrete [Rh(H)₂(dppn)(PPh₃)₂]⁺ cationic complexes, PF₆⁻ anions and dichloromethane solvent molecules are present. The Rh atom is octahedrally surrounded by two cis hydride ligands and by two cis nitrogen atoms from a dppn molecule acting as a bidentate chelating ligand through two neighbouring pyridyl and pyridazinyl nitrogen atoms. Two P atoms from PPh₃, ligands in trans apical positions complete to octahedral the coordination of Rh.     

Bis(dimethylphosphino)methane complexes of ruthenium carbonyl

Reaction of Me₂PCH₂PMe₂ with [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] in a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio in the presence of [(Ph₃P)₂N]CN catalyst gives [Ru₃(CO)₁₀(μ-Me₂PCH₂PMe₂)] and [Ru₃(CO)₈(μ-Me₂PCH₂PMe₂)₂] respectively. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectroscopies.     

Thallium(III) complexes of the metalloligands [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4] and [Pt2(μ-Se)2(PPh3)4]

Reactions of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with the diarylthallium(III) bromides Ar₂TlBr [Ar = Ph and p-ClC₆H₄] in methanol gave good yields of the thallium(III) adducts [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄TlAr₂]⁺, isolated as their salts. The corresponding selenide complex [Pt₂(μ-Se)₂(PPh₃)₄TlPh₂]BPh₄ was similarly synthesised from [Pt₂(μ-Se)₂(PPh₃)₄], Ph₂TlBr and NaBPh₄. The reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with PhTlBr₂ gave [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄TlBrPh]⁺, while reaction with TlBr₃ gave the dibromothallium(III) adduct [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄TlBr₂]⁺[TlBr₄]⁻. The latter complex is a rare example of a thallium(III) dihalide complex stabilised solely by sulfur donor ligands. X-ray crystal structure determinations on the complexes [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄TlPh₂]BPh₄, [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄TlBrPh]BPh₄ and [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄TlBr₂][TlBr₄] reveal a greater interaction between the thallium(III) centre and the two sulfide ligands on stepwise replacement of Ph by Br, as indicated by shorter Tl-S and Pt?Tl distances, and an increasing S-Tl-S bond angle. Investigations of the ESI MS fragmentation behaviour of the thallium(III) complexes are reported.     

Oxidative addition of methyl iodide to [Rh(CO)2I]2: synthesis, structure and reactivity of neutral rhodium acetyl complexes, [Rh(CO)(NCR)(COMe)I2]2

Reaction of [Rh(CO)₂I]₂ (1) with MeI in nitrile solvents gives the neutral acetyl complexes, [Rh(CO)(NCR)(COMe)I₂]₂ (R=Me, 3a; ^tBu, 3b; vinyl, 3c; allyl, 3d). Dimeric, iodide-bridged structures have been confirmed by X-ray crystallography for 3a and 3b. The complexes are centrosymmetric with approximate octahedral geometry about each Rh centre. The iodide bridges are asymmetric, with Rh-(μ-I) trans to acetyl longer than Rh-(μ-I) trans to terminal iodide. In coordinating solvents, 3a forms mononuclear complexes, [Rh(CO)(sol)₂(COMe)I₂] (sol=MeCN, MeOH). Complex 3a reacts with pyridine to give [Rh(CO)(py)(COMe)I₂]₂ and [Rh(CO)(py)₂(COMe)I₂] and with chelating diphosphines to give [Rh(Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂)(COMe)I₂] (n=2, 3, 4). Addition of MeI to [Ir(CO)₂(NCMe)I] is two orders of magnitude slower than to [Ir(CO)₂I₂]⁻. A mechanism for the reaction of 1 with MeI in MeCN is proposed, involving initial bridge cleavage by solvent to give [Rh(CO)₂(NCMe)I] and participation of the anion [Rh(CO)₂I₂]⁻ as a reactive intermediate. The possible role of neutral Rh(III) species in the mechanism of Rh-catalysed methanol carbonylation is discussed.     

Extending the coordination chemistry of cobalt with the metalloligand [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4]: Synthesis of the first cobalt(III) derivatives

The coordination chemistry of the metalloligand [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] towards cobalt(II) and cobalt(III) centres has been explored using an electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI MS)-directed methodology. Reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with CoCl₂·6H₂O in methanol gave a green-yellow suspension of the known adduct [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄CoCl₂], and the CoBr₂ adduct could be similarly prepared. When in situ-generated [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄CoCl₂] is reacted with 8-hydroxyquinoline (HQ) and base, the initial product is the cobalt(II) adduct [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄CoQ]⁺, which is then converted in air to the cobalt(III) adduct [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄CoQ₂]⁺, isolated as its hexafluorophosphate salt. The corresponding picolinate (Pic) derivative [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Co(Pic)₂]⁺ was similarly prepared, however reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄], CoCl₂·6H₂O and 8-(tosylamino)quinoline (HTQ) produced only the cobalt(II) adduct [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄CoTQ]⁺. Reactions of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄], CoCl₂·6H₂O and dithiocarbamates gave cobalt(III) complexes [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Co(S₂CNR₂)₂]⁺ [R = Et or R₂ = (CH₂)₄], and proceeded much more rapidly, consistent with the known ability of the dithiocarbamate ligand to stabilize cobalt in higher oxidation states. A study of the fragmentation of cobalt(III) adducts by positive-ion ESI mass spectrometry indicated that [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄CoQ₂]⁺ fragments to form the radical cation [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄]⁺, which could also be generated by ESI MS analysis of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] in methanol-NaOH solution. In contrast, the corresponding indium(III) derivative [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄InQ₂]⁺, and the cobalt(III) dithiocarbamate [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Co(S₂CN(CH₂)₄)₂]⁺ are much more reluctant to fragment under analogous conditions, and the differences are discussed in terms of cobalt(III) redox chemistry.     

Synthesis, properties and solution speciation of lanthanide chloride complexes of triphenylphosphine oxide

The reaction of Ph₃PO with LnCl₃ · nH₂O (Ln=La-Lu ≠ Pm) in a 3.5:1 ratio in acetone produces [LnCl₃(Ph₃PO)₃], whilst from a 6:1 ratio in ethanol the products are [LnCl₂(Ph₃PO)₄]Cl · n(solvate). In the presence of [NH₄][PF₆] in ethanol solution, [LnCl₂(Ph₃PO)₄]PF₆ can be isolated. The last complexes are stable in solution but the [LnCl₃(Ph₃PO)₃] and [LnCl₂(Ph₃PO)₄]Cl partially interconvert in non-coordinating solvents, the neutral species being preferred by the lighter lanthanides, the cationic tetrakis complexes becoming more favoured towards the end of the series. The complexes have been characterised in the solid state by analysis and IR spectroscopy and in solution by ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy and conductance measurements. The crystal structures of trans-[LnCl₂(Ph₃PO)₄]Cl · nEtOH (Ln=Tb or Yb) and mer-[LnCl₃(Ph₃PO)₃] · 0.5Me₂CO (Ln=La or Ce) are reported and discussed.     

Synthesis,reactivity, and X-ray crystal structure of a remarkably stable bis(alkoxo)platinum complex

Platinum complexes of the ligand Ph₂PCH₂CMe₂OH are described including [Pt(PPh₂CH₂CMe₂O)₂] which contains PtO bonds of unprecedented stability that readily undergo insertion of SO₂ and CO.     

Synthesis and characterization of ruthenium and osmium complexes of heterocyclic bidentate ligands (N, X), X = S, Se

The reaction of [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃] and [OsBr₂(PPh₃)₃] precursors with a series of heterocyclic bidentate (N, X) ligands, X = S, Se, gave complexes [M(R-pyS)₂(PPh₃)₂], (R = H, 3-CF₃, 5-CF₃, 3-Me₃Si); [M(R-pymS)₂(PPh₃)₂], (R = 4-CF₃, 4,6-MeCF₃) and [M(R-pySe)₂(PPh₃)₂], (R = H, 3-CF₃, 5-CF₃), where M is Ru or Os, pyS and pymS the anions of pyridine-2-thione and pyrimidine-2-thione, respectively, and pySe is the anion produced by the reductive cleavage of the Se-Se bond in the dipyridyl-2,2′-diselenide. All of the compounds obtained were characterized by microanalysis, IR, FAB, NMR spectroscopy and by cyclic voltammetry. Compounds [Ru(3-CF₃-pyS)₂(PPh₃)₂] · 2(CH₂Cl₂) (2), [Ru(3-Me₃Si-pyS)₂(PPh₃)₂] (4), [Ru(4-CF₃-pymS)₂(PPh₃)₂] (5), [Ru(3-CF₃-pySe)₂(PPh₃)₂] · 2(CH₂Cl₂) (8), [Os(3-CF₃-pyS)₂(PPh₃)₂] · (CHCl₃) (11), [Os(3-Me₃Si-pyS)₂(PPh₃)₂] (13), [Os(3-CF₃-pySe)₂(PPh₃)₂] · 2(CH₂Cl₂) (17), [Os(5-CF₃-pySe)₂(PPh₃)₂] · 2(H₂O) (18) and [OsCl₂(4,6-MeCF₃-pymS)(PPh₃)₂] (19) were also characterized by X-ray diffraction. In all cases, the metal is in a distorted octahedral environment with the heterocyclic ligand acting as a bidentate (N, S) chelate system.     

Synthesis, spectroscopy, structure and photophysical properties of dinaphthylmethylarsine complexes of palladium(II) and platinum(II)

Dinaphthylmethylarsine complexes of palladium(II) and platinum(II) with the formulae [MX₂L₂] (M = Pd, Pt; L = di(1-naphthyl)methylarsine = Nap₂AsMe and X = Cl, Br, I), [M₂Cl₂(μ-Cl)₂L₂], [PdCl(S₂CNEt₂)L], [Pd₂Cl₂(μ-OAc)₂L₂] and [MCl₂(PR₃)L] (PR₃ = PEt₃, PPr₃, PBu₃, PMePh₂) have been prepared. These complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, Raman, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P) and UV-vis spectroscopy. The stereochemistry of the complexes has been deduced from the spectroscopic data. The crystal structures of trans-[PdCl₂(PEt₃)(Nap₂AsMe)] and of [Pd(S₂CNEt₂)₂], a follow-up product, were determined. The UV-vis spectra of [MX₂L₂] complexes show a red shift on going from X = Cl to X = I. The complexes [PdX₂L₂] and [PtX₂L₂] are strongly luminescent in fluid solution and in the solid at ambient temperature.     

Reactivity of [MO] (M = Tc, Re) core towards 2-mercapto-1,3-azole ligands. Formation of a new organometallic complex of Re(IV) and X-ray crystal structures

Imidazole-2-thiol derivatives H₂L^1-3 (H₂L¹ = 1H-benzoimidazole-2-thiol, H₂L² = 5-methyl-1H-benzoimidazole-2-thiol, and H₂L³ = 1H-imidazole-2-thiol) act as neutral monodentate ligands in a number of technetium and rhenium complexes. Disubstituted M(V) (M = Tc, Re) complexes of the type [AsPh₄]{[MOCl₂(H₂Lⁿ)₂(H₂O)]Cl₂} are formed when [MOCl₄]⁻ react with H₂L^1-3 in 1:2 stoichiometric ratio. Single crystal X-ray structure determinations were carried out on [AsPh₄]{[TcOCl₂(H₂L¹)₂(H₂O)]Cl₂}. The coordination sphere is pseudo-octahedral in which the sulfur atoms of two ligands sit in the equatorial plane and a water molecule is in trans to the TcO multiple bond. All the complexes react with an excess of the corresponding ligand to form tetrasubstituted cationic species {[MO(H₂Lⁿ)₄]Cl₃}. These complexes can be also isolated by reaction of [MOCl₄]⁻ with an excess of ligand. No complex is obtained with benzothiazole-2-thiol (HL⁴) and benzoxazole-2-thiol (HL⁵). Ligand exchange reactions of [ReOCl₃(PPh₃)₂] with HL^4,5 have also been investigated. Treating the oxo-precursor with HL⁴ no product is isolated, while with HL⁵ the chelate oxo-compound [ReOCl₂(L⁵)(PPh₃)] is formed as two isomers. An interesting organometallic complex of Re(IV) [ReCl₃(L^5∗)(PPh₃)₂] is obtained when a slight excess of HL⁵ reacts with [ReOCl₃(PPh₃)₂] in refluxing benzene solution and in air. Geometry about the Re atom is approximately octahedral in which the equatorial plane contains three Cl atoms and the carbon atom of the benzoxazole ligand anion, the apical positions are occupied by two PPh₃. The reaction with O-ethyl S-hydrogen p-tolyl carbonothioimidate HL⁶ which contains the same heteroatoms of HL⁵ does not form an organometallic species, but forms the chelate oxo-Re(V) complex [ReOCl₂(L⁶)(PPh₃)]. The solid-state structure has been authenticated by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis and structural investigations of bulky imino- and amido-phosphine palladium dimers

The reactions of palladium(II) dimers [Pd₂Br₂(L1)₂] and [Pd₂Br₂(L2)₂] (where L1⁻ is [Ph₂PCHC(Ph)N(2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)]⁻ and L2⁻ is [Ph₂PCHC(Ph)N(2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)]⁻) with AgBF₄ in a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ and MeOH give palladium(I) dimers [Pd₂(HL1)₂][BF₄]₂ and [Pd₂(HL2)₂][BF₄]₂, respectively. These exhibit unusual coordination geometries of the metal centre. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations showed that a phenyl ring of the bridging phosphine is involved in bonding via a delocalised metal-phosphine–phenyl interaction. The remarkable kinetic stability of these palladium(I) species may explain the early termination steps in the CO/ethylene copolymerisation reaction catalysed by Pd(II)–amidophosphines or enolisable Pd(II)–iminophosphines.     

New synthesis of seven-coordinate complexes of molybdenum(II) and tungsten(II) containing bidentate phosphorus ligands, [MI2(CO)3{Ph2P(CH2)nPPh2}] (n = 1–6)

A new high yielding synthesis of the seven-coordinate complexes [MI₂(CO)₃{Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂}] (M = Mo and W; n = 1–6) is described. The procedure involves reacting the complexes [MI₂(CO)₃(NCMe)₂] in CH₂Cl₂ with an equimolar amount of the bidentate phosphorus ligand. The low temperature (−70 °C) ¹³C NMR spectra of the complexes [Wl₂(CO)₃{Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂}] (n = 3 and 5) indicates that the geometry is capped octahedral with a carbonyl ligand in the unique capping position.     

Gallium and indium compounds supported by a [PNP] pincer ligand

The new bis(phosphino)amido ligand, [MePNP^Ph], that incorporates (i) an ortho-tolylene linker between nitrogen and phosphorus and (ii) phenyl substituents on phosphorus, has been synthesized as its protonated derivative, [MePNP^Ph]H, via sequential treatment of (2-Br,4-Me-C₆H₃)₂NH with (i) BuⁿLi, (ii) Ph₂PCl and (iii) HCl. Deprotonation of [MePNP^Ph]H with BuⁿLi in THF affords the lithium derivative which has been isolated as both mono and bis THF adducts, [MePNP^Ph]Li(THF) and [MePNP^Ph]Li(THF)₂. Treatment of [MePNP^Ph]Li(THF)₂ with GaCl₃ and InX₃ (X = Cl, Br, I) gives a series of [MePNP^Ph]MX₂ complexes in which the [PNP] donor binds in a “T”-shaped manner and the metal has a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. The reaction of [MePNP^Ph]Li(THF)₂ with “GaI” yields the Ga-Ga bonded complex [κ²-MePNP^Ph](GaI)(GaI)[κ²-MePNP^Ph] in which the [MePNP^Ph] ligand binds in a κ²-P,N manner. The bis(phosphino)amine [MePNP^Ph]H may also serve as a ligand and treatment of [MePNP^Ph]H with GaBr₃ affords [κ²-{[MePNP^Ph]H}GaBr₂][GaBr₄], in which the [MePNP^Ph]H ligand coordinates in a κ²-P,P manner such that the gallium adopts a tetrahedral geometry.