Octahedral (cyclopentadienyl)rhodium clusters [Rh6Cp6(μ6-C)] and [Rh6Cp6(μ3-CO)2]: Synthesis, structures and electrochemistry

The 86-electron dicationic octahedral rhodium clusters containing Cp (Cp = C₅H₅) ligands and either an interstitial carbon atom, [Rh₆Cp₆(μ₆-C)]²⁺ ([1]²⁺), or two carbonyl groups, [Rh₆Cp₆(μ₃-CO)₂]²⁺ ([2]²⁺), were synthesized in low yields by reactions of Rh₃Cp₃(μ-CO)₃ with RhCp(C₂H₄)₂ or [RuCp^∗(MeCN)₃]⁺ (Cp^∗ = C₅Me₅), respectively. The structures of [1]²⁺ and [2]²⁺ were determined by X-ray diffraction. Their electrochemical behavior proved that they possess a rather extended electron transfer activity. In accordance with DFT calculations, the nearly octahedral structure of [1]²⁺ and [2]²⁺ is retained both upon oxidation (2+/3+) and the first reduction (2+/+); however, the second reduction (+/0) results in the breaking of one (for [1]⁰) or two (for [2]⁰) Rh-Rh bonds. In the case of the related Dahl’s nickel cluster Ni₆Cp₆ the nearly octahedral structure is retained upon all redox steps (3+/2+/+/0/−/2−).     

A versatile entry into aqueous niobium chemistry: isolation and structure of the intermediate Nb4(μ2-O)2(μ2-OC2H5)4Cl4(OC2H5)4(HOC2H5)4

The reduction of ethanolic solutions of niobium pentachloride with zinc, followed by treatment with aqueous acids serves as a versatile entry into the aqueous solution chemistry of niobium. From the zinc-reduced solution, the major intermediate, Nb₄(μ₂-O)₂(μ₂-OC₂H₅)₄Cl₄(OC₂H₅)₄(HOC₂H₅)₄, was isolated and the crystal structure determined by X-ray crystallography. The complex crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pccn, with Z=4, a=21.0105(9), b=11.0387(5), c=19.1389(8), V=4438.9(3) ų, M_r=1090.19,R₁=0.0327 and wR₂=0.0876. The structure revealed a centrosymmetric tetrameric Nb(IV) complex, consisting of a pair of edge-sharing bi-octahedral Nb₂(μ₂-OC₂H₅)₄Cl₂(OC₂H₅)₂(HOC₂H₅)₂ units that are joined by two axial oxo ligands. The Nb-Nb distance of 2.7458(3) Å is consistent with a single metal-metal bond.     

Chalcogenide-capped triruthenium clusters: X-ray structures of [Ru3(CO)6(μ3-CO){P(C4H3S)3}(μ-dppm)(μ3-O)] and [(μ-H)2Ru3(CO)6{P(C4H3S)3}(μ-dppm)(μ3-S)]

Treatment of [Ru₃(CO)₉{P(C₄H₃S)₃}(μ-dppm)] (1) [dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane] with molecular oxygen in benzene at 60 °C affords oxo-capped [Ru₃(CO)₆(μ₃-CO){P(C₄H₃S)₃}(μ-dppm)(μ₃-O)] (2), while with elemental sulfur and selenium related chalcogenide-capped clusters [Ru₃(CO)₆(μ₃-CO){P(C₄H₃S)₃}(μ-dppm)(μ₃-E)] (3, E = S; 5, E = Se) and bis(chalcogenide) clusters [Ru₃(CO)₆{P(C₄H₃S)₃}(μ-dppm)(μ₃-E)₂] (4, E = S; 6, E = Se) result. Reaction of 1 with H₂S in refluxing THF affords the previously reported [(μ-H)₂Ru₃(CO)₇(μ-dppm)(μ₃-S)] (7) together with the new sulfido-capped dihydride [(μ-H)₂Ru₃(CO)₆{P(C₄H₃S)₃}(μ-dppm)(μ₃-S)] (8). All new compounds have been characterized by spectroscopic data, and 2 and 8 by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Oxo-capped 2 consists of a triangular ruthenium framework capped on opposite sides by oxo and carbonyl groups, while 8 consists of a ruthenium triangle by a capping sulfido ligand and two inequivalent bridging hydride ligands.     

Dynamic properties of the fluxional Rh2H(μ-PPh2)2(PPh3)3 complex

The rhodium dimer [Rh₂H(PPh₂)₂(PPh₃)₃]⁻ was prepared from RhCl(PPh₃)₃ and K₄Sn₉ in the presence of 2,2,2-cryptand in ethylenediamine/toluene solvent mixtures. The [K(2,2,2-crypt)]⁺ salt was isolated and characterized via NMR and X-ray diffraction studies. The solid state structure reveals a binuclear, diphenylphosphido-bridged, 32 electron Rh(I)-Rh(I) complex with edge-shared tetrahedral and square planar Rh centers with overall C_s point symmetry. 1-D and 2-D ¹H, ³¹P, and ³¹P{¹H} NMR experiments were used to characterize the complex.     

Ethanol catalyzed synthesis of titanocene aryl carboxylate complexes and crystal structure of (η-C5H5)2Ti(2-OH-5-S-O2CC6H3)2

A method for the synthesis of titanocene (IV) aryl carboxylate complexes is presented in this paper. It is based on the fact that alcohol can catalyze the reaction between Cp₂TiCl₂ and aryl carboxylate ligands in the presence of sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The effects of the catalyst on the reaction system were studied and the possible reaction mechanism was proposed. This method was used to prepare a series of titanocene (IV) aryl carboxylate complexes and a macrocyclic titanocene (5,5′-dithiodisalicylato titanocene), whose structure was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Reaction of cyanamide and their derivatives with (η-C5H5)Mn(CO)3 and (η-C5H4CH3)Mn(CO)3

The reaction of cyanamide and its derivatives with the (η⁵-C₅H₅)Mn(CO)₂(THF) and (η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃)Mn(CO)₂(THF) complexes affords the cyanamide substituted complexes of types (η⁵-C₅H₅)Mn(CO)₂(NCN(R′)(R″)) (2a-d) and (η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃)Mn(CO)₂(NCN(R′)(R″)) (3a-e). All complexes were characterized by spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C NMR, IR), elemental and mass spectroscopy analysis. Complex 2b (η⁵-C₅H₅)Mn(CO)₂(NCN(CH₃)₂) was additionally examined by single crystal X-ray structure determination.     

Reactivity of electron-deficient triosmium quinoline cluster [Os3(CO)9(μ3-η-C9H6N)(μ-H)] with alkynes

Reactions of the electron-deficient triosmium cluster [Os₃(CO)₉(μ₃-η²-C₉H₆N)(μ-H)] (1) with various alkynes are described. Cluster 1 readily reacts with the activated alkyne dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (dmad) upon mild heating (65-70 °C) to give the adduct [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-C₉H₆N)(μ₃-MeO₂CCCHCO₂Me)] (2). In contrast, a similar reaction of 1 with diphenylacetylene affords previously reported compounds [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-η²-C₉H₆N)(μ-H)] (3), [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-C₄Ph₄)] (4) and [Os₃(CO)₈{μ₃-C(C₆H₄)C₃Ph₃}(μ-H)] (5) while with 2-butyne gives only the known compound [Os₃(CO)₇(μ-C₄Me₄)(μ₃-C₂Me₂)] (6). The new cluster 2 has been characterized by a combination of spectroscopic data and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of the bimetallic cyano-bridged [(η-C5H5)(PPh3)2Ru(μ-CN)Ru(PPh3)2(η-C5H5)][PF6]

The bimetallic cyano-bridged [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Ru(PPh₃)₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)][PF₆] (1) was prepared by reaction of [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)₂RuCl] with N,N′-bis(cyanomethyl)ethylenediamine. The single crystal structure determined by X-ray diffraction showed crystallization on the triclinic P1 space group with a perfect alignment of the cyanide bridges. This accentric crystallization was explored having in view the NLO properties at the macroscopic level, determined by the Kurtz Powder technique. Besides the very low efficiency values for the second harmonic generation, the value obtained for the bimetallic complex 1 showed to be higher than one of the parent complex [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)₂RuCN] (2).     

Synthesis of some pentanuclear platinum clusters [Pt5(CO)6(L)4]. The X-ray structure of [Pt5(μ-CO)5(CO)(PCy3)4]

[Pt₅(μ-CO)₅(CO)L₄] (L = PPh₃1, PPh₂Bz 2, AsPh₃3, PEt₃4, PCy₃5) have been synthesized by reacting [Pt₃(μ-CO)₃(PR₃)₃] with H₂O₂ (1 and 2), by reduction of cis-[PtCl₂(CO)(PEt₃)] with Zn dust (4), and by the Zn reduction of [Pt₃(μ-CO)₃(PCy₃)₃] in the presence of [PtCl₂(CH₃CN)₂] (5). Complex 5 has not been observed previously and has been characterized by X-ray crystallography. Oxidation of the phosphine ligands with H₂O₂ is a new way to synthesize 1 and 2. The first complete NMR characterization of these complexes has also been achieved, and showed that these pentanuclear cluster complexes exhibit similar stereochemistries in solution and in the solid state. The observed ¹J_Pt-Pt values do not have any correlation with the corresponding bond lengths, again pointing out the irregular behaviour of such parameter in Pt complexes.     

Ru2(CO)4(OOCR)2(PPh3)2 sawhorse-type complexes containing μ2-η-carboxylato ligands derived from biologically active acids

The thermal reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with the biologically active acids acetyl salicylic acid (Aspirin), α-methyl-4-(isobutyl)phenylacetic acid (Ibuprofen) and 3α,7α,12α-trihydroxy-5β-cholanic acid (cholic acid) in refluxing tetrahydrofuran, followed by addition of triphenylphosphine, gives the dinuclear complexes Ru₂(CO)₄(OOCR)₂(PPh₃)₂ (1: R = C₆H₄-2-OCOMe, 2: R = CHMe-C₆H₄-4-Buⁱ, 3: C₂₃H₃₉O₃). The single-crystal structural analysis of 1 and 2 reveals a dinuclear Ru₂(CO)₄ sawhorse structure, the diruthenium backbone being bridged by the carboxylato ligands, while the two phosphine ligands occupy the axial positions at the ruthenium atoms. However, chiral carbon atoms in the carboxylic acid undergo racemisation during the thermal reaction.     

Electronic structure of a benzylidyne-capped tricobalt cluster, [Co3Cp3(μ3-CPh)2]. X-ray structures and H NMR paramagnetic shifts of its cation and DFT calculations of its model complex

The cationic tricobalt cluster [Co₃Cp₃(μ₃-CPh)₂]⁺ (1⁺) was synthesized by the electrochemical oxidation of [Co₃Cp₃(μ₃-CPh)₂] (1). A large structural change was observed not only in the Co-Co, but also in the Co-C(cap) bonds upon oxidation of 1 to 1ClO₄. ¹H NMR paramagnetic shifts of this salt were measured in CD₂Cl₂. The π spin density on each sp² carbon atom was estimated to be 0.0089 (o-Ph), −0.0012 (m-Ph), 0.0087 (p-Ph), and 0.0053 (Cp). These values on the phenyl carbon atoms are similar to ca. 1/25 of those of the benzyl radical. It indicates that there is significant spin density on the capping carbon atom, which is delocalized onto the benzylidyne groups from the Co₃C₂ oxidation center by π conjugation between them. These results are consistent with the e^′′ (in the idealized D_3h symmetry) singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) of 1⁺, and are reproduced by B3LYP-DFT calculations of a model complex, [Co₃Cp₃(μ₃-CH)₂] (2), and its cation.     

SS Bond-activation of diorganyl disulfide by anionic [Mn(CO)5]: crystal structures of [Mn(SC5H4NO)3] and [(CO)3Mn(μ-SR)3Co(μ-SR)3Mn(CO)3] (R=C6H4NHCOPh)

The SS bond-activation of diorganyl disulfide by the anionic metal carbonyl fragment [Mn(CO)₅]⁻ gives rise to an extensive chemistry. Oxidative decarbonylation addition of 2,2′-dithiobis(pyridine-N-oxide) to [Mn(CO)₅]⁻, followed by chelation and metal-center oxidation, led to the formation of [Mn^II(SC₅H₄NO)₃]⁻ (1). The effective magnetic moment in solid state by SQUID magnetometer was 5.88 μ_B for complex 1, which is consistent with the Mn^II having a high-spin d⁵ electronic configuration in an octahedral ligand field. The average Mn(II)S, SC and NO bond lengths of 2.581(1), 1.692(4) and 1.326(4) Å, respectively, indicate that the negative charge of the bidentate 1-oxo-2-thiopyridinato [SC₅H₄NO]⁻ ligand in complex 1 is mainly localized on the oxygen atom. The results are consistent with thiolate-donor [SC₅H₄NO]⁻ stabilization of the lower oxidation state of manganese (Mn(I)), while the O,S-chelating [SC₅H₄NO]⁻ ligand enhances the stability of manganese in the higher oxidation state (Mn(II)). Activation of SS bond as well as OH bond of 2,2′-dithiosalicylic acid by [Mn(CO)₅]⁻ yielded [(CO)₃Mn(μ-SC₆H₄C(O)O)₂Mn(CO)₃]²⁻ (4). Oxidative addition of bis(o-benzamidophenyl) disulfide to [Mn(CO)₅]⁻ resulted in the formation of cis-[Mn(CO)₄(SR)₂]⁻ (R=C₆H₄NHCOPh) which was employed as a chelating metallo ligand to synthesize heterotrinuclear [(CO)₃Mn(μ-SR)₃Co(μ-SR)₃Mn(CO)₃]⁻ (8) possessing a homoleptic hexathiolatocobalt(III) core.     

Actinide complexes with the Kläui tripodal oxygen ligand - crystal structure of [{η-C5H5(CH2C(CH3)3)}Co{P(O)(OC2H5)2}3]2U

Reaction between [(C₅H₅)Co{P(O)(OEt)₂}₃]₂UCl₂ and neopentyl lithium affords the novel complex, [{η⁴-C₅H₅(CH₂C(CH₃)₃)}Co{P(O)(OEt)₂}₃]₂U, in which the uranium metal center has been dehalogenated and the neopentyl nucleophiles have attacked the cyclopentadienyl groups on the Kläui ([(C₅H₅)Co{P(O)(OEt)₂}₃]⁻) ligands. The uranium atom in the title compound possesses octahedral geometry defined by the oxygen atoms from two sets of tripodal oxygen ligands, while the cyclopentadienyl ligands are bound η⁴ to the cobalt atoms. The formation of this complex suggests that the Kläui ligand may not be a suitable ligand framework for supporting organometallic complexes of oxophilic early actinides.     

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.     

Synthesis, spectroscopy, tandem mass spectrometry, and electrochemistry of the linearly bridged μ-{trans-1,4-bis[2-(4-pyridyl)ethenyl]-benzene}-{Ru3O(CH3COO)6(py)2}2 cluster

The novel polynuclear [{Ru₃O(CH₃COO)₆(py)₂}₂(BPEB)](PF₆)₂ species containing the linear bridging trans-1,4-bis[2-(4-pyridyl)ethenyl]-benzene ligand (BPEB) was synthesized and its structural characterization carried out by means of positive ion electrospray (ESI-MS) and tandem mass (ESI-MS/MS) spectrometry, as well as by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The doubly charged cation [{Ru₃O(CH₃COO)₆(py)₂}₂(BPEB)]²⁺ was detected in the ESI-MS mass spectrum as a multiple-component isotopomeric ionic cluster centered at m/z 974, which ion abundance and m/z distribution matched perfectly the isotopic pattern calculated for this multiple isotope Ru₃-containing ion. The tandem mass spectrum of [{Ru₃O(CH₃COO)₆(py)₂}₂(BPEB)]²⁺ provided a structural diagnostic dissociation behavior, on the basis of the characteristic charge splitting and sequential ligand loss steps. The cyclic voltammograms of the complex exhibited a quasi-reversible multistep redox behavior, displaying three waves at 1.14, 0.08, and −1.21 V ascribed to the [Ru₃O]^2+/1+/0/1− processes and two waves at −1.56 and −1.78 V ascribed to the BPEB^0/1−/2− redox processes which are also observed in the free ligand, at −1.48 and 1.61 V, respectively. In spite of the conducting nature of the bridging ligand, the electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical results indicated a weak electronic coupling between the triangular cluster centers.     

D and D Nuclear magnetic resonance of new silver(I) complexes with achiral and chiral bases as ligands: Crystal structure of [Ag{(S)-(6-CH3)C5H3N-CHN-C*H(α-CH3)C6H5}(PPh3)2](O3SCF3)

Treatment of equimolar amounts of substituted aniline or amine with substituted benzaldehyde leads to the corresponding achiral or chiral Schiff bases (L). The reaction of the bases with [Ag(O₃SCF₃)(PPh₃)] leads to the preparation of three or four coordinated cationic complexes, [Ag(k¹-L)(PPh₃)_n]⁺ (n = 1 or 2) which have been characterized by IR, ¹D and ²D NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of [Ag{(S)-(6-CH₃)C₅H₃N-CHN-C*H(α-CH₃)C₆H₅}(PPh₃)₂](O₃SCF₃) is reported.     

Chalcogenolato-bridged cyclometallated binuclear palladium complexes: Synthesis, spectroscopy, structures of [Pd2(μ-Cl)(μ-SMes)(C10H6NMe2-C,N)2] and [Pd2(μ-SePh)2(C10H6NMe2-C,N)2]

Reactions of orthometallated binuclear palladium complexes with NaER, obtained by NaBH₄ reduction of R₂E₂ in methanol, gave complexes, [Pd₂(μ-ER)₂(C^∩Y)₂] (HC^∩Y = N,N-dimethylbenzylamine (C₆H₅CH₂NMe₂), N,N-dimethylnaphthylamine (C₁₀H₇NMe₂), tri-o-tolylphosphine {P(tol-o)₃}; ER=SePh, SeMes, TePh, TeMes (Mes = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂). Similar reactions of [Pd₂(μ-Cl)₂(C₁₀H₆NMe₂-C,N)₂] with Pb(SMes)₂ or MesSH in the presence of NaHCO₃ gave chloro/thiolato-bridged complex [Pd₂(μ-Cl)(μ-SMes)(C₁₀H₆NMe₂-C,N)₂]. The newly synthesized complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, UV-Vis, IR, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P, ⁷⁷Se, ¹²⁵Te) spectroscopy. These complexes crystallized out preferentially in sym-cis configuration. A low energy charge transfer transition has been identified from chalcogenolate centers to an emptyπ^∗ orbital of cyclometallated ligand in absorption spectroscopy in these complexes. The structures of [Pd₂(μ-Cl)(μ-SMes)(C₁₀H₆NMe₂-C,N)₂] (1) and [Pd₂(μ-SePh)₂(C₁₀H₆NMe₂-C,N) ₂] (3) have been established by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. In the former, the two palladium atoms are held together by chloro and thiolato bridges whereas in the latter, the two phenylselenolato ligands bridge two palladium atoms. The pyrolysis of [Pd(μ-TeMes)(C₁₀H₆NMe₂-C,N)]₂ (10) in a furnace gave Pd₇Te₃ whereas thermolysis in TOPO afforded primarily PdTe₂.     

A one-dimensional copper (II) coordination polymer [Cu3(ampym)2(μ1,1-N3)4(μ1,3-N3)2(dmf)2]n (ampym = 2-aminopyrimidine) containing both end-on and end-to-end azido bridges

A new polynuclear copper (II) complex, derived from the azido-bridging ligand and 2-aminopyrimidine, has been synthesized and its 3-D structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods at two different temperatures. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic system space group, with the central copper atom lying on an inversion centre. The crystal structure is built up by trinuclear units (each of them contains two double end-on azido bridges) linked through two azide ions in an end-to-end (EE) fashion, to yield the polymer chain [Cu₃(ampym)₂(μ_1,1-N₃)₄(μ_1,3-N₃)₂(dmf)₂]_n. Magnetic susceptibility measurement shows a ferromagnetic interaction above 30 K, whereas a weak anti-ferromagnetic interaction prevails in the range of 30-2 K.     

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⁺.