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.     

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.     

Novel Rh-Mn mixed-metal carbonyl cluster containing μ3 and μ-bridging carbyne ligands, [(μ3-CC6H5)(μ-CC6H5)Rh2Mn2Cp2(μ-CO)3(CO)3]: structure, electrochemistry and catalytic properties

The cationic carbyne complex [Cp(CO)₂MnCC₆H₅]BBr₄ (1) reacts with PPN[Rh(CO)₄] (2) to give the title cluster [(μ₃-CC₆H₅)(μ-CC₆H₅) Rh₂Mn₂Cp₂(μ-CO)₃(CO)₃] (3) whose structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The electrochemical properties of 3 have been investigated using cyclic voltammetric method. At 60 °C and 2.0 MPa of initial total CO/H₂ (1:1) pressure, the catalytic activity of 3 towards hydroformylation of styrene has also been checked.     

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⁺.     

Fe-Rh and Fe-Ir clusters substituted by diphenylacetylene: Synthesis, solid state structure and electrochemical behaviour of [Fe2Ir2(CO)10(μ4:η-PhCCPh)], [FeIr2(CO)9(μ3:η-PhCCPh)], and [Fe2Rh(CO)8(μ3:η-PhCCPh)]

The reaction between [Fe₂Ir₂(CO)₁₂]²⁻ and diphenylacetylene in refluxing CH₃CN yields the substituted cluster [Fe₂Ir₂(CO)₁₀(PhC₂Ph)]²⁻ (1). In the crystals, the four metal atoms define a butterfly arrangement whose Ir-Ir hinge is parallel to the acetylenic C₂ unit. The neutral triangular cluster [FeIr₂(CO)₉(PhC₂Ph)] (2) is obtained by the treatment of 1 with acids at room temperature; in this 48 valence electrons species, the C-C and the Ir-Ir bonds are also parallel, in the coordination mode.The cluster [Fe₂Rh(CO)₁₀]⁻ reacts with diphenylacetylene in refluxing THF yielding [Fe₂Rh(CO)₈(PhC₂Ph)]⁻ (3). In this 46 C.V.E.’s cluster, the C₂ unit is perpendicular to the Fe-Fe edge, exemplifying the bonding mode. According to ¹³C NMR spectra, the structure of the three clusters is maintained in solution. Electrochemical investigations show that the one-electron oxidation of [Fe₂Ir₂(CO)₁₀(L)]²⁻ (L = 2CO, PhC₂Ph) as well as the one-electron reduction of [Fe₂Rh(CO)₈(PhC₂Ph)]⁻ only generates the respective short lived products.     

Synthesis and characterisation of [Pt2(μ-S)(μ-I)(PPh3)4] - A cationic iodo analogue of the metalloligand [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4]

Reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with a number of transition metal-iodo complexes leads to the formation of the cationic iodo analogue [Pt₂(μ-S)(μ-I)(PPh₃)₄]⁺, identified using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI MS). Synthetic routes to this complex were developed, using the reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with either [PtI₂(PPh₃)₂] or elemental iodine. The complex was characterised by NMR spectroscopy, ESI MS and an X-ray structure determination, which reveals the presence of a planar, disordered {Pt₂SI}⁺ core. Monitoring the iodine reaction by ESI MS allows the identification of various iodine species, including the short-lived intermediate [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄I]⁺, which allows a mechanism for the reaction to be proposed.     

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−).     

N-Heterocyclic carbene gold(I) and silver(I) adducts of [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4]

Reaction of the metalloligand [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes IPrAuCl, IMesAuCl and IMesAgCl in methanol gave the first examples of metal adducts of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] that contain NHC ligands, namely [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄AuL]⁺ (L = IPr, IMes) and [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄AgIMes]⁺. The complexes were isolated as hexafluorophosphate salts. Reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with excess IPrAuCl in refluxing methanol yielded only the mono-adduct, in contrast to the behaviour with the gold(I) phosphine complex Ph₃PAuCl, which undergoes double addition giving [Pt₂(μ-SAuPPh₃)₂(PPh₃)₄]²⁺. The X-ray structure of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄AuIPr]PF₆ was determined and reveals that the ‘free’ sulfide is substantially sterically protected by the IPr ligand, accounting for the low reactivity towards addition of a second AgIPr⁺ moiety.     

Synthesis and characterisation of adducts of [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4] with organo-palladium and platinum-hydride substrates

The reactions of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] towards a range of palladium(II) complexes containing organometallic ligands (cyclopalladated N-donor ligands, η³-allyl, phenyl) have been explored, leading to the formation of a series of cationic, trinuclear sulfido-bridged aggregates containing {Pt₂PdS₂} cores. [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] also reacts with the platinum(II) hydride complex trans-[PtHCl(PPh₃)₂] giving the adduct [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄PtH(PPh₃)]⁺. X-ray crystal structure determinations on the complexes [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄PdPh(PPh₃)]PF₆ and [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄PtH(PPh₃)]PF₆ are reported, and show the expected bis μ₃-sulfido aggregates with three square-planar metal centres.     

A novel tetranuclear hydrogenphosphate-bridged Cu(II) cluster. Synthesis, structure, spectroscopy and magnetism of [Cu4(dpyam)4(μ4,η-HPO4)2(μ-X)2]X2(H2O)6 (X = Cl, Br)

Two novel tetranuclear compounds with an unprecedented mode of a hydrogenphosphato bridge, [Cu₄(dpyam)₄(μ₄,η³-HPO₄)₂(μ-X)₂]²⁺ (in which dpyam = di-2-pyridylamine and X = Cl (1), Br (2)) have been synthesised and characterised structurally and magnetically. The Cu(II) ions in the structures each display a square-pyramidal geometry, with two tridentate hydrogenphosphato groups bridging four copper atoms in a μ₄,η³ coordination mode which is rarely found in hydrogenphosphate metal compounds. Each (different) pair of Cu(II) ions is additionally bridged by halide ions, with relatively long Cu-X distances (2.551(3)-2.604(3) Å for 1 and 2.707(1)-2.766(2) Å for 2) and subsequently also a small Cu-X-Cu angle (65.7(1)° and 65.1(1)° for 1 and 61.6(1)° and 62.4(1) for 2) and a large Cu-X-Cu angle (95.5(1)° and 96.5(1)° for 1 and 91.1(1)° and 92.6(1)° for 2). Cu?Cu distances in the tetranuclear units varies from 2.802(3) to 5.232(3) Å for 1 and from 2.834(1) to5.233(1) Å in 2. The lattice structures are stabilised by extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The magnetic susceptibility measurements down to 5 K revealed a weak ferromagnetic interaction between the outer pairs of Cu(II) ions which vary from 22 to 46 cm⁻¹ in 1 and 12 to 33 cm⁻¹ in 2 and a moderately strong antiferromagnetic interaction between the inner Cu(II) ions of −79 cm⁻¹ in 1 and −83 cm⁻¹ in 2, via the Cu-O-P-O-Cu pathway.     

Heterobimetallic platinum-bismuth aggregates derived from [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4]

The metalloligand [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] reacts with Bi(S₂CNEt₂)₃ or Bi(S₂COEt)₃ in methanol to produce the orange cationic adducts [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Bi(S₂CNEt₂)₂]⁺ and [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Bi(S₂COEt)₂]⁺, respectively, isolated as their hexafluorophosphate salts. An X-ray structure determination on [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Bi(S₂CNEt₂)₂]PF₆ reveals the presence of a six-coordinated bismuth centre with an approximately nido-pentagonal bipyramidal coordination geometry. Fragmentation pathways for both complexes have been probed using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry; ions [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₂Bi(S₂CXEt_n)₂]⁺ (X = O, n = 1, X = N, n = 2) are formed by selective loss of two PPh₃ ligands, and at higher cone voltages the species [(Ph₃P)PtS₂Bi]⁺ is observed. Ions formed by loss of CS₂ are also observed for the xanthate but not the dithiocarbamate ions.     

Thiotungstates containing the syn-[W2(O/S)2(μ-S)2] (E = O, S) and cuboidal [W2Cu2(μ3-S)4] cores

Reaction of [W^VIS₄]²⁻ with ethane-1,2-dithiol edtH₂ in the presence of the sulfide scavenger Cd²⁺ yielded the dinuclear tungstate syn-[{(edt)W^V(O/S)}₂(μ-S)₂]²⁻ (1), with the terminal S/O disordered over the two tungsten sites in the ratio 0.8:02. In the presence of thiocyanate, phosphine and CuI, the anionic cuboidal clusters of composition [{(SCN)₃W^V}₂{Cu^I(PPh₃)}₂(μ₃-S)₄]²⁻ (2) and (3, diphos = 1,2-bis(o-diphenylphosphinophenyl)ethane), and possibly via an intermediate [{(SCN)₃W^VS}₂(μ-S)₂]⁴⁻. The crystal and molecular structures of [Et₄N]₂1, [Et₄N]₂2 · H₂O and [Et₄N]₂3 · H₂O have been determined.     

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.     

Sulfide-bridged aggregates from the metalloligand [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4] and β-diketonate complexes of cobalt(II) and zinc(II)

Reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with a range of zinc(II) and cobalt(II) complexes ML₂, where L is a β-diketonate ligand CH₃COCHCOCH₃, PhCOCHCOPh, CF₃COCHCOTh (Th = 2-thienyl)] permits the synthesis of adducts [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄M(diketonate)]⁺, isolated as their salts in moderate yields. The cobalt and zinc acetylacetonate complexes were characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies, which reveal isomorphous structures, with tetrahedral heterometal centres.     

Structure, magnetic properties, catalase activity and DFT studies of [Mn2(μ-RCOO)2(μ-OR)2] type dinuclear manganese(III,III) complexes

Three Mn(III,III) complexes containing dibenzoylmethane (dbm), Mn₂(OMe)₂(dbm)₂(ClH₂CCOO)₂ (1), Mn₂(OMe)₂(dbm)₂(Cl₂HCCOO)₂ (2) and Mn₂(OMe)₂(dbm)₂(Cl₃CCOO)₂ (3) were synthesized. Crystal structure determination and magnetic characterization were done for 2. The Mn?Mn distance in complex 2 is 2.865 Å. It exhibits antiferromagnetic coupling with exchange parameter |J| = 20.4 cm⁻¹ (H = −2JS_AS_B). All three complexes, though insoluble in common solvents, catalyse the disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide when dispersed on silica gel with turnover numbers ∼150-300. DFT simulations showed that bridging moieties have remarkable effect on intermetallic distances in dimanganese(III,III) complexes.     

Reaction of [Pt3(μ-CO)3(PBu3)3] with activated olefins and alkynes: the X-ray-structure of [Pt(CO)(PBu3)(CF3CCCF3)]

The reactions of the triangulo-cluster [Pt₃(μ-CO)₃(P^tBu₃)₃] with activated olefins and alkynes have been examined under various conditions. At low temperature, cluster fragmentation occurs yielding the Pt(0) complexes [Pt(CO)(P^tBu₃)(olefin)] (olefin = maleic anhydride and maleimide), while di(tert-butyl)acetylenedicarboxilate reacts quantitatively giving the dinuclear Pt(0) complex [Pt₂(CO)₂(P^tBu₃)₂(μ-η²:η²-^tBuO₂CCCCO₂^tBu)]. At higher temperature and in the presence of alkyne in large excess, the latter dimer converts quantitatively to the monomers [Pt(CO)(P^tBu₃)(alkyne)] (alkyne = CF₃CCCF₃ and ^tBuO₂CCCCO₂^tBu). The stereochemistry of these complexes has been established by NMR and IR measurements. The structure of [Pt(CO)(P^tBu₃)(CF₃CCCF₃)] was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

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.     

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.