The reaction between orthodiphenylphosphinobenzaldehyde and [(η-C5Me5)MCl(μ-Cl)]2 (M=Rh and Ir)

The benzaldehyde functionalized phosphine Ph₂PC₆H₄CHO-2 underwent reaction with [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)MCl(μ-Cl)]₂ (M=Rh, Ir) to form (η⁵-C₅Me₅)MCl₂(κP-Ph₂PC₆H₄CHO-2), which underwent activation of the aldehyde C-H bond to form (η⁵-C₅Me₅)MCl(κP,κC-Ph₂PC₆H₄CO-2). Formally the reaction involves oxidative addition of C-H across the metal and reductive elimination of HCl. The structure of (η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl(κP,κC-Ph₂PC₆H₄CO-2) has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Mononuclear arene ruthenium complexes containing 5,6-diphenyl-3-(pyridine-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazine as chelating ligand: Synthesis and molecular structure

The mononuclear cations of the general formula [(η⁶-arene)RuCl(pdpt)]⁺ (pdpt = 5,6-diphenyl-3-(pyridine-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazine; arene = C₆H₆ (1); C₆H₅Me (2); p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me (3); C₆Me₆ (4)) have been synthesised from 5,6-diphenyl-3-(pyridine-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazine (pdpt) and the corresponding chloro complexes [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂, [(η⁶-C₆H₅Me)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂, [(η⁶p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ and [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂, respectively. The X-ray crystal structure analyses of [1][PF₆] · (C₆H₆)_2.5 and [2][PF₆] · (CH₃CN)₂ reveal a typical piano-stool geometry around the metal centre and in the crystal packing a complexed networks of intermolecular interactions.     

Macropolyhedral boron-containing cluster chemistry: two-electron variations in intercluster bonding intimacy. Contrasting structures of 19-vertex [(η-C5Me5)HIrB18H19(PHPh2)] and [(η-C5Me5)IrB18H18(PH2Ph)]

Fused double-cluster [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrB₁₈H₁₈(PH₂Ph)] (8), from syn-[(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrB₁₈H₂₀] (1) and PH₂Ph, retains the three-atoms-in-common cluster fusion intimacy of 1, in contrast to [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)HIrB₁₈H₁₉(PHPh₂)] (6), from PHPh₂ with 1, which exhibits an opening to a two atoms-in-common cluster fusion intimacy. Compound 8 forms via spontaneous dihydrogen loss from its precursor [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)HIrB₁₈H₁₉(PH₂Ph)] (7), which has two-atoms-in-common cluster-fusion intimacy and is structurally analogous to 6.     

Rhodium and iridium olefin complexes with bulky cyclopentadienyl and hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands

The synthesis of a series of rhodium and iridium complexes bearing bulky cyclopentadienyl or hydro(trispyrazolyl)borate ligands is described. The rhodium cyclopentadienyl and hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate diene compounds, [(η⁵-C₅Me₄Bu^t)Rh(η⁴-2,3-MeRC₄H₄] (R = H, 1; Me, 2) and Tp^MsRh(η⁴-2,3-MeRC₄H₄) (R = H, 3; Me, 4; Tp^Ms is hydrotris(3-mesitylpyrazol-1-yl)borate), respectively, have been prepared from the corresponding Rh(I) diene precursors and Zn(C₅Me₄Bu^t)₂ (for 1 and 2), or TlTp^Ms (for 3 and 4), as effective C₅Me₄Bu^t or Tp^Ms transfer reagents. In contrast with these results, attempts to obtain a bis(ethylene) derivative of the Tp^tolIr(I) unit (Tp^tol stands for hydrotris(3-p-tolylpyrazol-1-yl)borate) have provided instead the Ir(III) complex [(κ⁴-N,N′,N″,C-Tp^tol)-Ir(C₂H₅)(C₂H₄)] (5), whose formation requires C-H bond activation of a molecule of ethylene and of one of the Tp^tolp-tolyl substituents. In refluxing toluene 5 experiences metalation of a second p-tolyl substituent to give [(κ⁵-N,N′,N″,C,C′-Tp^tol)-Ir(C₂H₄)] (6), which features unusual κ⁵-Tp^tol coordination. The latter compound reacts with carbon monoxide to yield the corresponding carbonyl, 7.     

Phosphorus-carbon bond formation via reactions of triphenylphosphine with acetylene and pentamethylcyclopentadienyl coordinated to iridium(III)

Phosphorus-carbon bond is formed via: (i) the apparent HCCH insertion into Ir-P bond to produce Ir-CHCH-PPh₃ group and (ii) the activation of the ring-methyl group of the coordinated Cp^* (C₅Me₅ ⁻) to produce Ir(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂-PPh₃) group from reactions of iridium(III)-Cp^* complexes, [Cp^*IrL₃]ⁿ⁺ (n=1, 2); Cp^*=C₅Me₅ ⁻; L₃=Cl(PPh₃)₂ (3), (CH₃CN)₃ (5). The following new P-C bond containing iridium(III) complexes have been prepared: [Cp^*Ir(-CHCH-PPh₃)Cl(PPh₃)]⁺ (4) from 3 with HCCH; [Ir(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂-PPh₃)(H)(PPh₃)₂]²⁺ (6) from 5 with PPh₃; [Cp^*Ir(-CHCH-PPh₃)₂(PPh₃)]²⁺ (7) from 5 with HCCH and PPh₃; [Ir(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂-PPh₃)(-CHCH-PPh₃)Cl(PPh₃)]²⁺ (8) from [Ir(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂-PPh₃)(Cl)(PPh₃)₂]²⁺ (6-Cl) with HCCH; [Ir(η⁵-C₅Me₃(1,3-CH₂-PPh₃)₂(H)(PPh₃)₂)]³⁺ (10) from [Ir(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂-PPh₃)(NCCH₃)₂(PPh₃)]³⁺ (9) with PPh₃; [Ir(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂-PPh₃)(-CHCH-PPh₃)₂(PPh₃)]³⁺ (11) from 9 with HCCH and PPh₃.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of mononuclear [2.2]paracyclophane complexes of rhodium and iridium supported by the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl ligand [M(η-pcp)(η-C5Me5)](BF4)2 (M=Rh and Ir)

Mononuclear [2.2]paracyclophane complexes of Rh and Ir, [M(η⁶-pcp)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)](BF₄)₂ (M=Rh (1) and Ir (2); pcp=[2.2]paracyclophane) were crystallized and their structures were first characterized crystallographically. On both pcp complexes the metal atom is bonded to the benzene ring on one side of the pcp ligand in the η⁶-coordination mode. The metal atom is also supported by the η⁵-C₅Me₅ ligand to afford a triple-decker sandwich structure. In Rh pcp complex 1 the average RhC(pcp) and RhC(C₅Me₅) distances are 2.284(2) and 2.161(2) Å, respectively. The average C(pcp)C(pcp) distance of 1.407(4) Å with the Rh atom is longer than that (1.388(4) Å) without a Rh atom. Similarly, the average IrC(pcp) and IrC(C₅Me₅) distances in Ir pcp complex 2 are 2.275(3) and 2.174(3) Å, respectively. The average C(pcp)C(pcp) distance of 1.410(4) Å with the Ir atom is longer than that (1.388(4) Å) without an Ir atom. It is interesting that the average interannular distances of 2.97 Å for 1 and 2 between two decks of the pcp ligand are shorter than that (3.09 Å) of the metal-free pcp ligand, indicative of the decrease of the repulsive π-interaction between benzene rings. The Rh pcp complex gave the well-resolved ¹H NMR signals of [Rh(η⁶-pcp)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)]²⁺, whereas the Ir pcp complex exhibited two kinds of ¹H NMR signals which were assigned as [Ir(η⁶-pcp)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)]²⁺ and [Ir₂(η⁶-pcp)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂]⁴⁺ in (CD₃)₂CO at 23 °C.     

Synthesis, molecular structure, substitution and C-C coupling reactions of ruthenium complexes containing (η-C9H7)Ru(PPh3) as a molecular unit

The 2-methallyl complex [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(η³-2-MeC₃H₄)(PPh₃)] (3), prepared from [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(PPh₃)₂Cl] (2) and 2-MeC₃H₄MgCl, reacts with HX (X = Cl, CF₃CO₂) in the presence of ethene to give the chiral-at-metal compounds [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(C₂H₄)(PPh₃)X] (4, 5) in nearly quantitative yields. Treatment of 2 with AgPF₆ and ethene affords [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(C₂H₄)(PPh₃)₂]PF₆ (6), which reacts with acetone to give the substitution product [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(OCMe₂)(PPh₃)₂]PF₆ (7). The molecular structure of 7 has been determined crystallographically. Whereas treatment of 4 with CH(CO₂Et)N₂ yields the olefin complex [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru{η²-(Z)-C₂H₂(CO₂Et)₂}(PPh₃)Cl] (8), the reactions of 4 and 5 with Ph₂CN₂, PhCHN₂ and (Me₃Si)CHN₂ lead to the formation of the carbeneruthenium(II) derivatives [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(CRR′)(PPh₃)Cl] (9-11) and [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(CRR′)(PPh₃)(κ¹-O₂CCF₃)] (12-14), respectively. Treatment of 9 (R = R′ = Ph), 10 (R = H, R′ = Ph) and 11 (R = H, R′ = SiMe₃) with MeLi produces the hydrido(olefin) complexes [(η⁵-C₉H₇)RuH(η²-CH₂CPh₂)(PPh₃)] (15), [(η⁵-C₉H₇)RuH(η²-CH₂CHPh)(PPh₃)] (18a,b) and [(η⁵-C₉H₇)RuH(η²-CH₂CHSiMe₃)(PPh₃)] (19) via C-C coupling and β-hydride shift. The analogous reactions of 11 with PhLi gives the η³-benzyl compound [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru{η³-(Me₃Si)CHC₆H₅}(PPh₃)] (20). The η³-allyl complex [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(η³-1-PhC₃H₄)(PPh₃)] (17) was prepared from 10 and CH₂CHMgBr by nucleophilic attack.     

Reactions of ‘GaI’ with organometallic transition metal halides

Two approaches towards the synthesis of phosphine ligated half-sandwich complexes [(η^x-C_xH_x)M(PR₃)₂GaI₂]_n containing diiodogallyl ligands have been investigated. Insertion of ‘GaI’ into the Mo-I bond of (η⁷-C₇H₇)Mo(CO)₂I has been shown to yield the crystallographically characterized dimeric complex [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Mo(CO)₂GaI₂]₂ (2). Attempts to substitute the carbonyl ligands by the phosphine ligand dppe [dppe = bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane] have been shown instead to yield the sparingly soluble complex [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Mo(CO)₂GaI₂]₂(μ-dppe) (3) in which the phosphine bridges two [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Mo(CO)₂GaI₂] units via a pair of P → Ga donor/acceptor bonds. By contrast, attempts to insert ‘GaI’ directly into the metal-halogen bond of phosphine ligated complexes such as (η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(PPh₃)₂Cl or (η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(dppe)Cl have been shown to result in the formation of the tetraiodogallate species(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(PPh₃)₂(μ-I)GaI₃ (5) and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(dppe)]⁺[GaI₄]⁻ (7).     

C-ansa-zirconocene complexes with O/S donor ligands: Novel homoleptic six coordinate 4-mercaptophenolate complex of Zr(IV)

New C-ansa-zirconocene complexes containing methoxythiophenolate and mercaptophenolate ligands have been synthesized and characterized. The reaction of (HSC₆H₄-n-OMe) (n = 2, 3 or 4) with [Zr{(t-Bu)HC(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Me₂] (1) led to the formation of monosubstituted complexes [Zr{(t-Bu)HC(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Me(κ,S-SC₆H₄-n-OMe)] (n = 2 (2); n = 3 (3)) and the disubstituted complex [Zr{(t-Bu)HC(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}(κ,S-SC₆H₄-4-OMe)₂] (4). The complexes [Zr{(R)HC(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}(κ,O-OC₆H₄-4-SH)₂] (R = t-Bu (6); R = CH₂CHCH₂ (7)) and [Zr(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂(OC₆H₄-n-SH)₂] (n = 3 (9); n = 4 (10)) have been synthesized using the corresponding dimethyl zirconocene and mercaptophenol. However, the reaction of [Zr{(t-Bu)HC(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] (11) with 4-mercaptophenol in the presence of NEt₃ led to the formation of the first example of a homoleptic six-coordinate mercaptophenolate complex of zirconium, namely [HNEt₃]₂[Zr(κ,O-OC₆H₄-4-SH)₆] (12). Complex 12 can be obtained in higher yield by the reaction of ZrCl₄ with six equivalents of 4-mercaptophenol and NEt_3. The reaction of 12 with [Zr(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂Cl₂] gave the unexpected disubstituted complex [Zr(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂(OC₆H₄-4-SH)₂] (10). The molecular structures of 4 and 12 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis of cyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II) complexes containing tethered functionalities

The reaction of [C₅H₄(CH₂)_nX]Tl (1: n = 2, X = NMe₂, OMe, CN; n = 3, X = NMe₂) with [(η⁶-C₆H₆)RuCl(μ-Cl)]₂, 2, afforded the sandwich compounds [{η⁵-C₅H₄(CH₂)_nX}Ru(η⁶-C₆H₆)]PF₆, 3, and [η⁵-C₅H₄(CH₂)_nX]₂Ru, 4. Photolytic cleavage of 3 in acetonitrile afforded the tethered products [{η⁵:κN-C₅H₄(CH₂)_nX}Ru(CH₃CN)₂]PF₆, 5.     

Reactions of the borole complex CpRh(η-C4H4BPh) with monocationic organometallic fragments

The B-phenylborole complex CpRh(η⁵-C₄H₄BPh) (1) reacts with [ML]⁺ fragments to give the arene-type cationic complexes [CpRh(μ-η⁵:η⁶-C₄H₄BPh)ML]⁺ (ML = RuCp^∗ (3), Co(C₄Me₄) (4), Rh(cod) (5), and Ir(cod) (6)). Cation 4 undergoes a reversible rearrangement into the triple-decker complex [CpRh(μ-η⁵:η⁵-C₄H₄BPh)Co(C₄Me₄)]⁺ (7) under visible light irradiation in CH₂Cl₂ solution. DFT calculations revealed greater stability of arene-type complexes over triple-decker isomers. The structure of [3]BF₄ was determined by X-ray diffraction.     

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.     

Synthesis, characterization of some organolanthanide complexes containing 2-pyridylmethyl substituted fluorenyl ligand and catalytic activity of organolanthanide(II) complexes

A series of organolanthanide complexes with 2-pyridylmethyl substituted fluorenyl ligand were synthesized via reaction of [(Me₃Si)₂N]₃Ln^III(μ-Cl)Li(THF)₃ (Ln = Yb, Eu, Nd, Y) with the functionalized fluorene compound. Treatment of [(Me₃Si)₂N]₃Ln^III(μ-Cl)Li(THF)₃ (Ln = Yb, Eu) with 2 equiv. of C₅H₄NCH₂C₁₃H₉ (1) at 60-80 °C in toluene afforded the corresponding organolanthanide(II) complexes with formula [η⁵:η¹- C₅H₄NCH₂C₁₃H₈]₂Ln [Ln = Yb (2), Eu (3)] via tandem silylamine elimination/homolysis of the Ln-N bond reaction. Reaction of [(Me₃Si)₂N]₃Ln^III(μ-Cl)Li(THF)₃ (Ln = Y, Nd) with 2 equiv. of C₅H₄NCH₂C₁₃H₉ in toluene at 80 °C produced the corresponding organolanthanide(III) complexes with formula [η⁵:η¹-C₅H₄NCH₂C₁₃H₈]₂LnCl [Ln = Y (4), Nd (5)]. Complexes 4 and 5 could also be prepared by treatment of 2 equiv. of lithium fluorenide [η⁵:η¹-C₅H₄NCH₂C₁₃H₈]Li(THF)₂ (6) with corresponding LnCl₃. All compounds were fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and elemental analyses. The structures of complexes 4 and 6 were additionally determined by single-crystal X-ray analyses. The catalytic properties of the divalent organolanthanide complexes 2 and 3 on the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (CL) have been studied. The temperatures, solvents effects on the catalytic activities of the complexes were examined.     

Reduction chemistry of the mixed ligand metallocene [(C5Me5)(C8H8)U]2(μ-C8H8) with bipyridines

The U⁴⁺ cyclooctatetraenyl complex, [(C₅Me₅)(C₈H₈)U]₂(μ-C₈H₈), 1, reacts with two equiv of 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (Me₂bipy) and 2 equiv of 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy) to form 2 equiv of (η⁵-C₅Me₅)(η⁸-C₈H₈)U(Me₂bipy-κ²N,N′) and (η⁵-C₅Me₅)(η⁸-C₈H₈)U(bipy-κ²N,N′), respectively. X-ray crystallography, infrared spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations indicate that the products are best described as U⁴⁺ complexes of bipyridyl radical anions. Hence, only one of the (C₈H₈)²⁻ ligands in 1 acts as a reductant and delivers 2 electrons per equiv of 1. Since the reduction potentials of uncomplexed (C₈H₈)²⁻, Me₂bipy, and bipy are −1.86, −2.15, and −2.10 V vs SCE, respectively, it is likely that prior coordination of the bipyridine reagents enhances the electron transfer.     

Oxidation of [Ir(η-C5Me5)(C3S5)] [C3S5 = 4,5-disulfanyl-1,3-dithiole-2-thionate(2−)] and X-ray crystal structure of [IrBr(η-C5Me5)(μ-C2S4)IrBr(η-C5Me5)]

[Ir(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(C₃S₅)] [C₃S₅²⁻ = 4,5-disulfanyl-1,3-dithiole-2-thionate(2−)] was prepared by a reaction of [NMe₄]₂[C₃S₅] with [Ir(η⁵- C₅Me₅)Cl₂]₂ in ethanol. It was reacted with bromine to afford a paramagnetic species [IrBr(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(C₃S₅)] with the Ir-Br bond and in the one-electron-oxidized state, and a diamagnetic dinuclear species [IrBr(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(μ-C₂S₄)IrBr(η⁵-C₅Me₅)]. ESR spectra for the one-electron-oxidized species in solution are discussed. The X-ray crystal structural analysis for the latter complex revealed the geometry consisting of dinuclear IrBr(η⁵-C₅Me₅) moieties bridged by the C₂S₄²⁻ ligand.     

Optically active iridium complexes with cyclopentadienyl-phosphine ligands: synthesis and oxidative addition of methyl iodide

The dimer [Ir(μ-Cl)(C₈H₁₄)₂]₂ reacts with the ligands (S)-(C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂)Li and (R)-(C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂)Li to give (S)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(C₈H₁₄)] and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(C₈H₁₄)], which upon treatment with CH₃I at room temperature afford the cationic iridium(III) compounds (S,S_Ir)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(C₈H₁₄)][I] as a single diastereomer, and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(C₈H₁₄)][I] as a 9:1 mixture of two diastereomers. If the oxidative addition reaction is performed at reflux in methylene chloride, the starting complexes convert to the neutral compounds (S)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(I)] and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(I)] as 1.6:1 and 3.3:1 mixtures of diastereoisomers, respectively. Carbonyl iridium complexes are synthesized by reacting [IrCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂] with the ligands to afford (S)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(CO)] and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(CO)]. They give upon treatment with CH₃I the cationic species (S)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(CO)][I] and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(CO)][I] as 1.6:1 and 3:1 mixture of diastereomers, respectively. No migratory-insertion of the methyl group into the carbonyl-metal bond has been observed even after prolonged heating.     

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).     

Comparative reactivity study of cyclopentadienyl and fulvalene molybdenum complexes

The reactions of cis-1,1′-[η⁵:η⁵-(C₅H₃CO₂Me)₂]Mo₂(CO)₆ (1), in the presence of 1 equiv. of Me₃NO, and [(η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂Me)Mo(CO)₃]₂ (2) with dppe produce CO labilization and formation of the dinuclear zwitterions trans-1,1′-[η⁵:η⁵-(C₅H₃CO₂Me)₂]Mo₂(CO)₅(dppe) (3) and disproportionation species [(η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂Me)Mo(CO)₂(dppe)]⁺ [(η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂Me)Mo(CO)₃]⁻ (4), respectively. Using the same method, the reactions of trans-1,1′-[η⁵:η⁵-(C₅H₃CO₂Me)₂]Mo₂(CO)₆I₂ and (η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂Me)Mo(CO)₃I with PPh₃ in the presence of 1 and 2 equiv. of Me₃NO yield trans-1,1′-[η⁵:η⁵-(C₅H₃CO₂Me)₂]Mo₂(CO)₄(PPh₃)₂I₂ (5) and (η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂Me)Mo(CO)₂(PPh₃)I (6). The reactions of the several anionic carbonyl species {trans-1,1′-[η⁵:η⁵-(C₅H₃CO₂Me)₂]Mo₂(CO)₆}²⁻, [(η⁵:η⁵-C₁₀H₈)W₂(CO)₆]²⁻ and [(η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂Me)Mo(CO)₃]⁻ with S₂Ph₂ give rise to the thiolate–fulvalene complexes cis-1,1′-[η⁵:η⁵-(C₅H₃CO₂Me)₂]Mo₂(CO)₄(μ-SPh)₂ (7) and (η⁵:η⁵-C₁₀H₈)W₂(CO)₆(SPh)₂ (8) and the thiolate-bridged dimer [(η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂Me)Mo(CO)(μ-SPh)]₂ (9). Treatment of 6 with 1 equiv. of HCCCCH and with (η⁵-C₅H₅)Mo(CO)(dppe)(CCCCH), in the presence of CuI at room temperature, afford the cyclopentadiene complexes (η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂Me)Mo(CO)₂(PPh₃)(CCCCH) (10) and (η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂Me)(PPh₃)(CO)₂Mo(CCCC)Mo(CO)(dppe)(η⁵-C₅H₅) (11), respectively. The reaction of (η⁵-C₅H₅)Mo(CO)(dppe)(CCCCH) with Co₂(CO)₈ yields [Co₂{μ-HC₂CC[Mo(CO)(dppe)(η⁵-C₅H₅)]}(CO)₆] (12). All the new compounds have been characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods.     

Oxidation of [Ir(η-C5Me5)(C8H4S8)] and crystal structures of [IrI(η-C5Me5)(C8H4S8)](I3) and [IrI(η-C5Me5)(C8H4S8)](I3)1/2(I7)1/2

[Ir(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(C₈H₄S₈)] (1) [ = 2-{(4,5-ethylenedithio)-1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene}-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithionate(2−)] was reacted with iodine in dichloromethane to afford one-electron- and two-electron-oxidized species [IrI(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(C₈H₄S₈)] (2), [IrI(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(C₈H₄S₈)](I₃) (3) and [IrI(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(C₈H₄S₈)](I₅) (4). The oxidized species exhibit electrical conductivities of (1.1-5.0) × 10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹ measured for compacted pellets at room temperature. The X-ray crystal structures of the two-electron-oxidized complexes 3 and 4 revealed the Ir-I bonds for both of them and the presence of for 3 and ions for 4 as the counter anions. They have many S-S and S-I non-bonding contacts to form two-dimensional molecular interaction sheets in the solid state.     

New arene ruthenium complexes with planar chirality

1,2,4-Trimethyl-cyclohexadiene reacts with RuCl₃ · nH₂O in refluxing ethanol to afford quantitatively [RuCl₂(1,2,4-C₆H₃Me₃)]₂ (1), the coordination of 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene to the ruthenium atom introducing planar chirality at the η⁶-arene ligand. The dinuclear complex 1 reacts with two equivalents of triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) to give quantitatively, as a racemic mixture of enantiomers, [RuCl₂(1,2,4-C₆H₃Me₃)(PPh₃)] (2), the structure of which has been determined by a single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of (rac)-2. Similarly, 1 reacts with two equivalents of the enantiopure phosphine (1S,2S,5R)-(+)-neomenthyldiphenylphosphine (nmdpp) to afford in good yield [RuCl₂(1,2,4-C₆H₃Me₃)(nmdpp)] (3) as a mixture of diastereoisomers, from which the isomer 3a was isolated by crystallisation. A single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of 3a allowed the determination of the absolute configuration at the planar chiral η⁶-arene moiety. Finally, complex 1 reacts with one equivalent of the diphosphine ligand 1,1^′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppfc) to give the heteronuclear complex [RuCl₂(1,2,4-C₆H₃Me₃) (dppfc)RuCl₂(1,2,4-C₆H₃Me₃)] (4). All complexes were fully characterised by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, NMR and IR spectroscopies.