Structural characterization of zirconium isopropoxide precursors modified by di- and trichloroacetic acids

Reactions of Zr(OⁱPr)₄(PrⁱOH) with di- and trichloroacetic acid in 1:1 molar ratio in toluene gave the products Zr₂(μ-OⁱPr)₂(μ-OOCCHCl₂)(OⁱPr)₄(OOCCHCl₂)(HOⁱPr) (1) and Zr₂(μ-OⁱPr)₂(μOOCCCl₃)(OⁱPr)₄(OOCCCl₃)(HOⁱPr) (2), respectively, in quantitative yields. The molecular geometry of both (1) and (2) is constituted by a slightly distorted edge-shared bioctahedron and both have almost similar bond dimensions. Addition of dichloroacetic acid in 1:2 molar ratio to Zr(OⁱPr)₄(HOⁱPr) in toluene although yielded the bis-substituted crude product Zr(OⁱPr)₂(OOCCHCl₂)₂(HOⁱPr) (3) but its solution in toluene left for crystallization formed a tri-nuclear oxo product Zr₃(μ₃-O)(μ-OⁱPr)₂(μ-OOCCHCl₂)₃(η-OOCCHCl₂)₂(OⁱPr)₃ (3a). The three zirconium atoms in the structure of (3) are forming an isosceles triangle with a triply bridged oxo moiety at its center.     

Reactivity of the bridged borylene complex [μ-BCl{η-C5H4Me)Mn(CO)2}2]

The reactivity of the bridged chloro borylene complex [μ-BCl{(η⁵-C₅H₄Me)Mn(CO)₂}₂] (2a) towards various protic reagents was studied. Reaction of 2a with isopropanol yielded the alkoxy borylene complex [μ-BOiPr{(η⁵-C₅H₄Me)Mn(CO)₂}₂] (3d) in very high yield. A further series of protic reagents HX (X=HS⁻, BF₄⁻, Co(CO)₄⁻) gave, in the presence of pyridine, the new amino borylene complex [1-(μ-B)-4-H-(NC₅H₅){(C₅H₄Me)Mn(CO)₂}₂] (5a), which represents the product of an unprecedented 1,4-hydroboration of pyridine. Complex 5a was fully characterised in solution by multinuclear NMR studies, in the solid state by X-ray diffraction, and was also subject to DFT-studies.     

Synthesis, characterization and applications in ethylene polymerization of asymmetric ansa-titanocene complexes. Molecular structure of [Ti{Me2Si(η-C5Me4)(η-C5H3iPr)}Cl2]

The ansa-titanocene complexes, [Ti{Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₃R)}Cl₂] (R = Me (5), iPr (6), tBu (7), SiMe₃ (8)), were obtained from the reaction of Li₂{Me₂Si(C₅Me₄)(C₅H₃R)} (R = Me (1), iPr (2), tBu (3), SiMe₃ (4)) with [TiCl₄(THF)₂], respectively. Compounds 5-8 have been tested as catalysts in the polymerization of ethylene and compared with the ansa-titanocene complexes [Ti{Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂}Cl₂] and [Ti{Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂]. The resulting polyethylene showed molecular weights of about 200 000 g mol⁻¹ and polydispersity values of approximately 3. In addition, the molecular structure of 6 has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

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.     

New molybdenum(V) complexes based on the {Mo2O4} structural core with esters or anions of malonic and succinic acid

A series of malonato complexes of molybdenum(V) was prepared by reacting (PyH)₅[MoOCl₄(H₂O)]₃Cl₂ or (PyH)_n[MoOBr₄]_n with malonic acid (H₂mal) or a half-neutralized acid, hydrogen malonate (Hmal⁻), at ambient conditions: (PyH)₃[Mo₂O₄Cl₄(μ₂-Hmal)] · CH₃CN (1), (PyH)₃[Mo₂O₄Br₄(μ₂-Hmal)] · CH₃CN (2), (PyH)₂[Mo₂O₄Cl(η²-mal)(μ₂-Hmal)Py] (3), (3,5-LutH)₂(H₃O) [Mo₂O₄(η²-mal)₂(μ₂-Hmal)] (4), (PyH)[Mo₂O₄Cl₂(μ₂-Memal)Py₂] (5), (3,5-LutH)[Mo₂O₄Cl₂(μ₂-Memal)(3,5-Lut)₂] (6), (PyH)[Mo₂O₄Cl₂(μ₂-Etmal)Py₂] (7), (3,5-LutH)[Mo₂O₄Cl₂(μ₂-Prmal)(3,5-Lut)₂] (8) and [{Mo₂O₄(μ₂-Memal)Py₂}₂(μ₂-OCH₃)₂] (9) (where Py = pyridine, C₅H₅N; PyH⁺ = pyridinium cation, C₅H₅NH⁺; 3,5-Lut = 3,5-lutidine, C₇H₉N; 3,5-LutH⁺ = 3,5-lutidinium cation, C₇H₉NH⁺; mal²⁻ = malonate, ⁻OOCCH₂COO⁻; Memal⁻ = monomethyl malonate, ⁻OOCCH₂COOCH₃; Etmal⁻ = monoethyl malonate, ⁻OOCCH₂COOC₂H₅ and Prmal⁻ = monopropyl malonate, ⁻OOCCH₂COOC₃H₇). The complex anions of compounds 1-8 have a common structural feature: a dinuclear, singly metal-metal bonded {Mo₂O₄}²⁺ core with the carboxylate moiety of the malonato ligand coordinated in a syn-syn bidentate bridging manner to the pair of metal atoms. The remaining four coordination sites of the {Mo₂O₄}²⁺ core are occupied with halides in 1 and 2, with halides/pyridine ligands in 5-8, with a pair of bidentate malonate ions in 4 and with the combination of all in 3. The neutral molecules of 9 consist of two {Mo₂O₄}²⁺ cores linked with a pair of methoxide ions into a chain-like, tetranuclear cluster. An esterification of malonic acid was observed to take place in the reaction mixtures containing alcohols. Solvothermal reactions with malonic acid carried out at 115 °C produced anionic acetato complexes as found in (PyH)[Mo₂O₄Cl₂(μ₂-OOCCH₃)Py₂] · Py (10), (PyH)[Mo₂O₄Cl₂(μ₂-OOCCH₃)Py₂] (11), (3,5-LutH)[Mo₂O₄Cl₂(μ₂-OOCCH₃)(3,5-Lut)₂] (12) and (4-MePyH)₃[Mo₂O₄Cl₂(μ₂-OOCCH₃)(4-MePy)₂]₂Cl (13) (4-MePy = 4-methylpyridine, C₆H₇N). The acetate coordinated in the syn-syn bidentate bridging mode in all. Reactions of (PyH)₅[MoOCl₄(H₂O)]₃Cl₂ with succinic acid (H₂suc) at ambient conditions resulted in a complex with a half-neutralized acid, (PyH)[Mo₂O₄Cl₂(μ₂-Hsuc)Py₂] · Py (14) (Hsuc⁻ = hydrogen succinate, ⁻OOC(CH₂)₂COOH), while those carried out at 115 °C in a tetranuclear succinato complex, (4-MePyH)₂[{Mo₂O₄Cl₂(4-MePy)₂}₂(μ₄-suc)] (15) (suc²⁻ = succinate, ⁻OOC(CH₂)₂COO⁻). The tetranuclear anion of 15 consists of two {Mo₂O₄}²⁺ cores covalently linked with a tetradentate succinato ligand. The compounds were fully characterized by infrared vibrational spectroscopy, elemental analyses and X-ray diffraction studies.     

Hybrid materials composed of tetravanadate motifs: Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of the open framework structure solids [{M(C5H5N)4}2]V4O12 (M = Cu, Co)

Two new inorganic-organic hybrid materials - [{M(C₅H₅N)₄}₂]V₄O₁₂ (M = Cu, 1; M = Co, 2) have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods, X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetry, magnetometry and complete single crystal structure analysis. The structures of 1-2 are comprised of layers containing centrosymmetric {V₄O₁₂} rings connected to {M(C₅H₅N)₄} units by V-O-M bridges (M = Cu, 1; M = Co, 2). The layers are parallel to the (1 0 1) crystal planes and there are pyridine stacking interactions between layers. The effective magnetic moment, μ_eff, values for 1 and 2 are 1.9 μ_B and 3.9 μ_B, respectively, indicating some orbital contributions in each case. Both compounds exhibit Curie-Weiss magnetic behavior over the entire range above the critical temperature.     

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.     

Heterobimetallic Fe-Pd and Fe-Pt NCN pincer complexes (NCN = [C6H2(CH2NMe2)2-2,6])

The meta-diaminoaryl ferrocenes Fc-NCN-H (3) and Fc-CC-NCN-H (5) (Fc = (η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe, NCN-H = C₆H₃(CH₂NMe₂)₂-3,5) can be used as precursors in the preparation of heterobimetallic transition metal complexes of structural type Fc-NCN-MX (NCN = [C₆H₂(CH₂NMe₂)₂-2,6]⁻; MX = PdCl (7), PtCl (8), PtI (9)) and Fc-CC-NCN-MX (MX = PdCl (11), PdI (12), PtCl (13)), respectively. They are accessible by applying different synthesis procedures, including oxidative addition and metallation-transmetallation processes.Cyclovoltammetric studies show that the ferrocene moieties in 3, 5, 7-9 and 11-13 can reversibly be oxidised. The potential of the Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox couple decreases with increasing electron density at the NCN pincer unit. The use of 8 as a possible (electro)chemical sensor in the detection of SO₂ is discussed as well.The solid-state structures of 8 and 13 are reported. The crystals of 8 contain two molecules of 8 in the asymmetric unit. The plane of the C₆H₂ moiety is with 27.2(3)° and 38.2(3)° tilted towards the C₅H₄ entity, while in 13 an angle of 45.9(3)° can be found. The d⁸-electron configured platinum atoms possess a somewhat distorted square-planar surrounding, setup by two Me₂NCH₂ortho-substituents, the NCN C_ipso carbon atom and the chloride ligand.     

Nature of the Ln-Co magnetic interactions in compounds [Ln2Co3(C5H4NPO3)6] · 4H2O with open-framework structures

The reactions of Ln(NO₃)₃ · xH₂O, CoSO₄ · 7H₂O or ZnSO₄ · 6H₂O and 2-pyridylphosphonic acid under hydrothermal conditions result in heterometallic phosphonate compounds with formula [Ln₂M₃(C₅H₄NPO₃)₆] · 4H₂O (Ln₂M₃; M = Co^II or Zn^II; Ln = La^III, Ce^III, Pr^III, Nd^III, Sm^III, Eu^III, Gd^III, Tb^III, Dy^III). These compounds are isostructural and crystallize in a chiral cubic space group I2₁3. Each structure contains the {LnO₉} polyhedra and {MN₂O₄} octahedra which are connected by edge-sharing to form an inorganic open-framework structure with a 3-connected 10-gon (10, 3) topology. The nature of Ln^III-Co^II magnetic interactions in Ln₂Co₃ is investigated by a comparison with their Ln^III-Zn^II analogues. It is found that the Ln^III-Co^II interaction is weak antiferromagnetic for Ln = Ce and ferromagnetic for Ln = Sm, Gd, Tb and Dy. In the cases of Ln = Pr, Nd and Eu, no significant magnetic interaction is observed.     

Preparation of cobalt sandwich diphosphine ligand [(η-C5H4Pr)Co(η-C4(PPh2)2Ph2)] and its chelated palladium complex: Application of diphosphine ligand in the preparation of mono-substituted ferrocenylarenes

The reaction of (η⁵-C₅H₄ⁱPr)Co(PPh₃)₂ with PhCCPPh₂ furnished two isomeric cyclobutadiene-substituted Cp′CoCb diphosphines, [(η⁵-C₅H₄ⁱPr)Co(η⁴-1,2-(PPh₂)₂C₄Ph₂)] (5-cis) and [(η⁵-C₅H₄ⁱPr)Co(η⁴-1,3-(PPh₂)₂C₄Ph₂)] (5-trans). Further reaction of 5-cis with one molar equivalent of Pd(COD)Cl₂ gave palladium complex [(η⁵-C₅H₄ⁱPr)Co(η⁴-1,2-(PPh₂)₂C₄Ph₂)-PdCl₂] (6) in good yield. Both of the molecular structures of 5-cis and 6 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Unexpectedly, the palladium complex 6 was found to be more efficient than the combination of the commonly used Buchwald’s ligand, biphenyl-2-yl-di-tert-butyl-phosphane, with Pd(OAc)₂ as the catalytic precursor in the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction between ferroceneboronic acid and 4-bromoaldehyde. The X-ray structural analysis and DFT study of several palladium complexes containing sandwich-type diphosphine chelating ligands revealed that the variations in bite angles are much larger than those in bite distances. The more energetically favorable conformation in the Pd(II) complexes is the one with bite angle close to 90°.     

Analysis of the main structural trends for biscyclometalated dinuclear rhodium compounds of general formula Rh2(O2CR)2(PC)2 · 2H2O

A new series of biscyclometalated dinuclear rhodium (II) compounds with the general formula Rh₂(O₂CR)₂(PC)₂ · 2H₂O, being PC = (C₆H₄)P(C₆H₅)₂, R = CH₃ (1 · 2H₂O), PC = [(p-CH₃ OC₆H₃)P(p-CH₃ OC₆H₄)₂], R = CF₃ (2 · 2H₂O), PC = (C₆H₄)P[CH(CH₃)₂]₂, R = CH₃ (3 · 2H₂O) and PC = (C₆H₄)P(C₆H₅)₂, R = C₆F₅ (4 · 2H₂O) has been obtained. The crystal structures for these compounds have been determined by X-ray diffraction and the main structural trends, bond lengths, bond angles and torsion angles have been analyzed, and have also been compared with the structural parameters for different analogous complexes described previously in the literature.     

ansa-Chromocenes: An alternative route to Me2Si(C5Me4)2Cr

The mechanism for the preparation of Me₂Si(C₅Me₄)₂Cr, 1, from CrCl₂(THF)_x and Me₂Si(C₅Me₄)₂Li₂ was investigated and - in contrast to earlier claims - no evidence was found for the participation of an auxiliary ligand. The formation and stability of 1 is attributed to the combination of correct reaction conditions and a highly substituted ligand framework. Reactions with other ligands under identical conditions did not lead to the formation of ansa-chromocenes. Reaction with H₄C₂Ind₂Li₂ afforded the η³-Ind bridged dimer {H₄C₂(η⁵-Ind)(μ-,η³-Ind)Cr}₂, 9. Complex 1 does not coordinate PPh₃ or carbenes, but from reaction with two equivalents of xylyl isocyanide the CH-activated complex Me₂Si(C₅Me₄)(η³-C₅Me₃(H)(CH₂)Cr(CNC₆MeH₃)₂, 7, was obtained. Complexes 7 and 9 were characterised by X-ray crystallography.     

Organometallic nickel(II) complexes with dithiophosphate, dithiophosphonate and monothiophosphonate ligands

The hydroxo complex [NBu₄]₂[Ni₂(C₆F₅)₄(μ-OH)₂] reacts with ammonium O,O^′-dialkyldithiophosphates, O-alkyl-p-methoxyphenyldithiophosphonate acids and ammonium O-alkylferrocenyldithiophosphonates in dichloromethane under mild conditions to give, respectively, [NBu₄][Ni(C₆F₅)₂{S(S)P(OR)₂}] (R=Me (1), Et (2), ⁱPr (3)) and [NBu₄][Ni(C₆F₅)₂{S(S)P(OR)Ar}] (Ar=p-MeOC₆H₄, R=Me (4), Et (5), ⁱPr (6); Ar=ferrocenyl; R=Me (7), Et (8), ⁱPr (9)). The monothiophosphonate nickel complexes [NBu₄][Ni(C₆F₅)₂{S(S)P(OR)(ferrocenyl)}] (R=Et (10), ⁱPr (11)) are obtained by reaction of the hydroxo complex with O-alkylferrocenyldithiophosphonate acids. Analytical (C, H, N, S), conductivity, and spectroscopic (IR, ¹H, ¹⁹F and ³¹P NMR, and FAB-MS) data were used for structural assignments. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of [NBu₄][Ni(C₆F₅)₂{S(S)P(OMe)(p-MeOC₆H₄)}] (4) and [NBu₄][Ni(C₆F₅)₂{S(O)P(OEt)(ferrocenyl)}] (10) shows that in both cases the coordination around the nickel atom es essentially square planar with NiC₂S₂ and NiC₂SO central cores, respectively.     

Diverse reactivity of stereoisomers containing quadruply bonded dimolybdenum with oxygen: formation of [{Mo(η-N,N′-diisopropylbenzamidinato)oxo}2(μ-acetato)2(μ-oxo)]

The reaction of quadruply bonded dimolybdenum complex, [Mo₂(μ-OAc)₄] (1), with lithiated amidinato, Li[(NⁱPr)₂CR] (R = ^tBu; 2a, Me; 2b, Ph; 2c), was investigated. The reaction of 1 with 2a afforded the dark-red solid, whereas the product was so highly unstable that the product was not able to be characterized. In the case of acetamidinato 2b, lantern-type mixed-ligand quadruply bonded dimolybdenum complex, [Mo₂(μ-OAc){μ-(NⁱPr)₂CMe}₃] (3), was obtained as a yellow solid. In the reaction with benzamidinato 2c, symmetrical lantern-type dimolybdenum complex, [Mo₂(μ-OAc)₂ {μ-(NⁱPr)₂CPh}₂] (4), was isolated as a yellow solid. In the latter reaction, intermediary red compound (5), which is considered to be stereoisomer of 4 possessing non-lantern-type skeleton, was formed. However, isolation of 5 as a single component was not successful due to isomerization to 4. Complex 5 readily reacted with dry oxygen to give dimolybdenum(V) complex, [{Mo(η-(NⁱPr)₂CPh)oxo}₂ (μ-OAc)₂(μ-oxo)] (6), as a red solid. These complexes were characterized spectroscopically as well as, in some cases, by X-ray analyses.     

Pyridine and phosphine reactions with [CPh3][B(C6F5)4]

Trityl borate salts [4-RPyCPh₃][B(C₆F₅)₄] (R = H 1, ^tBu 2, Et 3, NMe₂4) and [R₃PCPh₃][B(C₆F₅)₄] (R = Me 5, ⁿBu 6, Ph[1] 7, p-MeC₆H₄8) are readily prepared via equimolar reaction of the appropriate pyridine or phosphine and trityl borate [CPh₃][B(C₆F₅)₄]. The analogous reactions of PⁱPr₃ affords the product [(p-ⁱPr₃P-C₆H₄)Ph₂CH][B(C₆F₅)₄] (9) while the corresponding reactions of Cy₃P and ^tBu₃P gave the cyclohexadienyl derivatives [(p-R₃PC₆H₅)CPh₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] (R = Cy 10, ^tBu 11). X-ray structures of 5 and 9 are reported.     

Bis(acetylacetonato)ruthenium(II) complexes containing bulky tertiary phosphines. Formation and redox behaviour of Ru(acac)2 (PR3) (R = Pr, Cy) complexes with ethene, carbon monoxide, and bridging dinitrogen

Reaction of cis-[Ru(acac)₂(η²-C₈H₁₄)₂] (1) (acac = acetylacetonato) with two equivalents of PⁱPr₃ in THF at −25 °C gives trans-[Ru(acac)₂(PⁱPr₃)₂], trans-3, which rapidly isomerizes to cis-3 at room temperature. The poorly soluble complex [Ru(acac)₂(PCy₃)₂] (4), which is isolated similarly from cis-[Ru(acac)₂(η²-C₂H₄)₂] (2) and PCy₃, appears to exist in the cis-configuration in solution according to NMR data, although an X-ray diffraction study of a single crystal shows the presence of trans-4. In benzene or toluene 2 reacts with PⁱPr₃ or PCy₃ to give exclusively cis-[Ru(acac)₂(η²-C₂H₄)(L)] [L = PⁱPr₃ (5), PCy₃ (6)], whereas in THF species believed to be either square pyramidal [Ru(acac)₂L], with apical L, or the corresponding THF adducts, can be detected by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. Complexes 3-6 react with CO (1 bar) giving trans-[Ru(acac)₂(CO)(L)] [L = PⁱPr₃ (trans-8), PCy₃ (trans-9)], which are converted irreversibly into the cis-isomers in refluxing benzene. Complex 5 scavenges traces of dinitrogen from industrial grade dihydrogen giving a bridging dinitrogen complex, cis-[{Ru(acac)₂(PⁱPr₃)} ₂(μ-N₂)] (10). The structures of cis-3, trans-4, 5, 6 and 10 · C₆H₁₄ have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes trans- and cis-3, 5, 6, cis-8, and trans- and cis-9 each show fully reversible one-electron oxidation by cyclic voltammetry in CH₂Cl₂ at −50 °C with E_1/2(Ru^3+/2+) values spanning −0.14 to +0.92 V (versus Ag/AgCl), whereas for the vinylidene complexes [Ru(acac)₂ (CCHR)(PⁱPr₃)] [R = SiMe₃ (11), Ph (12)] the process is irreversible at potentials of +0.75 and +0.62 V, respectively. The trend in potentials reflects the order of expected π-acceptor ability of the ligands: PⁱPr₃, PCy₃ <C ₂H₄ < CCHR < CO. The UV-Vis spectrum of the thermally unstable, electrogenerated Ru^III-ethene cation 6⁺ has been observed at −50 °C. Cyclic voltammetry of the μ-dinitrogen complex 10 shows two, fully reversible processes in CH₂Cl₂ at −50 °C at +0.30 and +0.90 V (versus Ag/AgCl) corresponding to the formation of 10⁺ (Ru^II,III) and 10²⁺ (Ru^III,III). The former, generated electrochemically at −50 °C, shows a band in the near IR at ca. 8900 cm⁻¹ (w_1/2 ca. 3700 cm⁻¹) consistent with the presence of a valence delocalized system. The comproportionation constant for the equilibrium 10 + 10²⁺ ? 2 10⁺ at 223 K is estimated as 10^13.6.     

Rhodium and iridium complexes bearing an alkyloxazoline-substituted indenyl ligand (Indox ligand) and their stereoselective construction of metal-centered chirality

The Indox ligands, [{(S)-(ⁱPr)Indox}_n]H (1) [n=2 (a), 3 (b)] and [{(H)Indox}_n=3]H (2), in which an indenyl group and an oxazoline ring are connected by an ethylene or propylene spacer, have been prepared. Reaction of [Ir(coe)₂Cl]₂ or [RhCl(C₂H₄)₂]₂ with the potassium salt of 1 afforded η⁵-[{(S)-(ⁱPr)Indox}_n]Ir(coe)₂ (3) or η⁵-[{(S)-(ⁱPr)Indox}_n]Rh(C₂H₄)₂ (6) as a 1:1 mixture of two diastereomers. The oxazoline ring in 3 and 6 did not coordinate to the metal center. When the complexes 3 or 6 reacted with iodine in diethyl ether, oxidative addition proceeded and the oxazoline ring coordinated to the metal center to give diiodoiridium(III) or rhodium(III) complexes, η⁵:η¹-[{(S)-(ⁱPr)Indox}_n]M(I)₂ [M=Ir (4), Rh (7)]. The corresponding diiodoiridium(III) complex bearing the Indox ligand 2, η⁵:η¹-[{(H)Indox}_n=2]Ir(I)₂ (5), was also prepared by a similar method. Reaction of 4 or 7 with PPh₃ in THF afforded diiodo-phosphine complexes, η⁵-[{(S)-(ⁱPr)Indox}_n]M(PPh₃)(I)₂ [M=Ir (8), Rh (9)] as a 1:1 mixture of two diastereomers in which the oxazoline ring dissociated from the metal center. The related reaction of 8 or 9 with more than 2 equiv. of AgOTf afforded the cationic complexes, [η⁵:η¹-[{(S)-(ⁱPr)Indox}_n]M(PPh₃)(OTf)]OTf [M=Ir (10), Rh (11)], having a stereogenic center at the metal center as a mixture of only two diastereomers. From ¹H and ³¹P NMR analyses, each diastereomer of 8 or 9 afforded only a single isomer of 10 or 11. The corresponding iridium(III) complex bearing the Indox ligand 2, [η⁵:η¹-[{(H)Indox}_n=3]Ir(PPh₃)(OTf)]OTf (12) was also prepared. The coordinated triflate ligand of 12 was slowly replaced by water in CDCl₃ to afford the dicationic aquo complex, (S^*_pl,R^*_Ir)-[η⁵:η¹-[{(H)Indox}_n=3]Ir(PPh₃)(H₂O)](OTf)₂ (13). The monocationic complex, [η⁵:η¹-[{(S)-(ⁱPr)Indox}_n=2]Ir(PPh₃)(I)]OTf (14a), having metal-centered chirality, was observed as a mixture of only two diastereomers in the reaction of 10a (a mixture of two diastereomers) with 1 equiv. of AgOTf. These observations indicated that the ligand exchange reaction of 8 or 9 with AgOTf contained the following three steps: (i) abstraction of one of the two prochiral iododes by AgOTf, (ii) recoordination of the oxazoline ring, and (iii) exchange of the remaining iodide for the triflate by AgOTf. The stereochemistry around the metal center was determined at the second step. All complexes have been characterized by usual spectroscopic methods as well as elemental analyses, and 4 and 13 have been characterized by X-ray analyses.     

Ln2(O2CCH2PO3)2(H2O)3 · H2O (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm): Layered lanthanide phosphonoacetates containing two-dimensional -Ln-O- linkages

Four novel isostructural lanthanide phosphonate compounds with formula Ln₂(O₂CCH₂PO₃)₂(H₂O)₃ · H₂O [Ln = La (1), Pr (2), Nd (3), Sm (4)] have been prepared through hydrothermal reactions of phosphonoacetate acid and lanthanide nitrates. All show layered structures made up of {LnO₉} polyhedra and {CPO₃} tetrahedra with the lattice water molecules locating between the layers. Within the layer, chains of edge-sharing {LnO₉} polyhedra are connected via corner-sharing by phosphonate oxygens forming a two-dimensional -Ln-O- linkage. Thermal analyses and XRD measurements reveal that the framework structures can be maintained up to 400 °C.     

Synthesis and characterization of four cubical molybdenum(V) tetramers and their catalytic properties for the epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene using H2O2

Molybdenum tetramers: Mo₄(μ³-O)₄[μ-O₂P(CH₂Cl)₂]₄O₄ (1), Mo₄(μ³-O)₄(μ-O₂P(CH₂OH)₂)₄O₄ (2), Mo₄(μ³-O)₄[μ-O₂P(PhOMe)₂]₄O₄ (3), and Mo₄(μ³-O)₄[μ-O₂P(o-C₆H₄(CH₂)₂)]₄O₄ (4) have been synthesized and characterized by IR, UV-Vis, and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. Molybdenum tetramers 1 and 4 along with the ligands L2A and L4 were structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography. An infinite 2D polymeric sheet was formed via inter and intra hydrogen bonds in the crystals of L2A. The crystals of L4 consist of infinite polymeric chains formed through hydrogen bonding. All molybdenum tetramers were tested as catalysts for the epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene in the presence of H₂O₂. Compounds 1 and 2 resulted in more than 80% epoxide after 24 hours at 70 °C, and displayed superior catalytic activities over compounds 3 and 4 under identical conditions. The superior catalytic activities of compounds 1 and 2 may be attributed to their better solubility in the ethanol/H₂O₂ system.     

An NMR study of some reactions of an arachno-molybdapentaborane: Formation of an unstable nido-molybdapentaborane

Photolysis of the molybdaborane [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵:η¹-C₅H₄)-arachno-2-MoB₄H₇] (1) in benzene-d₆ gives ca. 60% conversion to the compound [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵:η¹-C₅H₄)-nido-2-MoB₄H₅] (2). Compound 2 could not be isolated as a solid and is thermally unstable at 20 °C in solution with a half-life of 3-4 h. Repeated photolysis and thermolysis of 1 in the presence of BH₃ · thf gives a low yield of the known metallacarbaborane [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η²:η³-C₃H₃)-closo-1-MoC₂B₉H₉] (3) suggesting that 3 is formed from 1 via 2. Reaction of 1 with PEt₃ gives initially [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵:η¹-C₅H₄)-arachno-2-MoHB₄H₄PEt₃] (4). Longer reaction times (>10 min, 20 °C) give in addition [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵:η¹-C₅H₄)-arachno-1-MoHB₃H₃PEt₃] (5). Both 4 and 5 are unstable in solution or the solid state decomposing to the molybdacarbaborane [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η³:η²- C₃H₃)-nido-1-MoC₂B₃H₅] (6), [Mo(η-C₅H₅)₂H₂] and BH₃ · PEt₃. Compound 1 is deprotonated cleanly by KH in thf at the Mo-H-B bridging proton to give (7).