Synthesis,Characterization and Crystal Structures of New Difurylphosphido-bridged Dinuclear Ruthenium Carbonyl Complexes Derived from Ferrocenylacetylene Ligands

The difurylphosphido-bridged dinuclear complex [Ru₂(CO)₆(μ-PFu₂)(μ-η¹,η²-Fu)] (Fu = 2-furyl) 1 readily reacts with two equivalents of each of the terminal alkynes HC≡CR (R = Fc, p-C₆H₄Fc, p-C₆H₄NO₂, Fc = Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₄)) by an interesting head-to-tail ynyl coupling with a furan group to form a series of phosphido-bridged diruthenium compounds containing a novel furyl-substituted C₄ hydrocarbyl chain of stoichiometry [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-PFu₂){μ-η¹,η¹,η²,η³-RCC(H)C(R)C(H)Fu}] (R = Fc 2, p-C₆H₄Fc 3, p-C₆H₄NO₂ 4) in moderate to good yields. Reaction of 1 with an equimolar amount of HC≡CFc and HC≡C(p-C₆H₄NO₂) afforded a pair of isomers of [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-PFu₂){μ-η¹,η¹,η²,η³-R¹CC(H)C(R²)C(H)Fu}] (R¹ = Fc, R² = p-C₆H₄NO₂ 5a; R¹ = p-C₆H₄NO₂, R² = Fc 5b) together with a small mixture of 4. X-ray crystal structures of 2, 3, 5a and 5b are reported. All of these new alkyne-derived dinuclear complexes are electron precise with 34 cluster valence electrons in which the μ-η¹,η²-furyl ligand acts as a three-electron donor and the μ-phosphido Ru₂ framework is retained in the products upon alkyne coupling reactions. The resulting organic fragment of each complex is coordinated to the Ru atoms via a π, a π-allyl and two σ bonds, and donates seven electrons to the metal core. Dedicated to the memory of Professor F. Albert Cotton.     

B-Alkylation and Arylation of [(η5-C5Me5Mo)2B5H9]: Synthesis and Characterization of Isomeric [(η5-C5Me5Mo)2B5H9-nRn] (When R = n-Bu, n = 2, 1; R = Ph, n = 2, 1)

Abstract  Reaction of [(η⁵-C₅Me₅Mo)₂B₅H₉], 1 with 5-fold excess of n-BuLi at −70 °C followed by excess of RI (R = n-Bu or Ph) at room temperature yielded B-R inserted metallaboranes [(η⁵-C₅Me₅Mo)₂B₅H₈R] (2: R = n-Bu, 5: R = Ph), [(η⁵-C₅Me₅Mo)₂B₅H₇R₂] (3, 4: R = n-Bu; 6, 7: R = Ph). Isolated yields of mono-alkyl/arylated species are better than di-alkyl/arylated ones. All the new cluster compounds have been characterized by IR, ¹H, ¹¹B, ¹³C NMR and mass spectroscopy as simple substitution derivatives of [(η⁵-C₅Me₅Mo)₂B₅H₉] and the structural types of one of these species, 2 was established by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Graphical Abstract  Reaction of [(η⁵-C₅Me₅Mo)₂B₅H₉], with 5-fold excess of n-BuLi at −70 °C followed by excess of RI (R = n-Bu or Ph) at room temperature yielded B-R inserted metallaboranes [(η⁵-C₅Me₅Mo)₂B₅H_9-nR_n] (When R = n-Bu, n = 2, 1; R = Ph, n = 2, 1).      

Synthesis and Characterizations of Ferrocenyl Carbonyl Chromium and Cobalt Clusters

Two novel bimetallic complexes, [Cr(CO)₃(η ⁶-C₆H₅)–C≡C–C₆H₄–Fc] (Fc = C₅H₅FeC₅H₄] (1) and [Cr(CO)₃(η ⁶-C₆H₅)–C ≡ C–Fc–C(CH₃)₂–Fc] (3), were synthesized by the Sonogashira coupling reaction. By using of (1) and (3) as ligands to react with Co₂(CO)₈, two others novel polymetallic complexes, [Cr(CO)₃(η ⁶-C₆H₅){Co₂(CO)₆-η ²-μ ²-C≡C–}–C₆H₄–Fc] (2) and [Cr(CO)₃(η ⁶-C₆H₅){Co₂(CO)₆-η ²-μ ²-C≡C–}Fc–C(CH₃)₂–Fc] (4) were obtained. Four carbonyl complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR and MS. The molecular structures of complexes (1), (2) and (4) were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The interactions among the ferrocenyl, Cr(CO)₃ and Co₂(CO)₆-η ²-μ ²-C≡C– units were investigated by cyclic voltammetry.     

Cationic tris(pyrazolyl)borate bipyrimidine complexes

The cationic complexes, [Tp^RNi(bpym)]⁺ {Tp^R = tris(3,5-diphenylpyrazolyl)borate, R = Ph₂ 1; tris(3-phenyl-5-methylpyrazolyl)borate, R = Ph,Me 2} were synthesized by reacting [Tp^RNiBr] (R = Ph₂; Ph,Me) with bipyrimidine followed by subsequent addition of KPF₆ in CH₂Cl₂. The green solids have been characterized by IR, UV–Vis and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Crystallographic studies of [Tp^Ph,MeNi(bpym)]PF₆ reveal a five-coordinate square pyramidal nickel centre with a κ³-coordinated Tp^Ph,Me ligand and a chelating bipyrimidine ligand. Cyclic voltammetric studies show irreversible reduction with the degree of reversibility dependent on the type of Tp^R ligand.     

Structural studies of seven homoisoflavonoids, six thiohomoisoflavonoids, and four structurally related compounds

¹H and ¹³C NMR chemical shifts have been determined and assigned based on PFG ¹H, ¹³C HMQC, and HMBC experiments for 3-(4′-X-benzyl)-4-chromenones (Ia, X = CN and Ib, X = NO₂), 3-(4′-X-benzyl)-4-thiochromenones (IIa, X = Cl and IIb, X = Br), (E)-3-(4′-X-benzylidene)-4-chromanones (IIIa–IIIe, X = OCH₃, CH₃, Cl, N(CH₃)₂, Br), (Z)-3-(4′-X-benzylidene)4-thiochromanones (IVa–IVd, X = Cl, Br, F, OCH₃), 2-benzyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthol (V), 2-benzyl- and (E)-2-benzylidene-1-tetralones (VI and VII), and (E)-2-benzylidene-1-benzosuberol (VIII). The crystal structures have been determined for the following seven compounds: derivatives of 4-chromanones (IIIa–IIId), 1-tetrahydronaphtol (V), and 1-tetralones (VI and VII). The molecular features and intermolecular interactions in crystal state have been discussed.     

Synthesis and structures of substituted tetramethylcyclopentadienyl dinuclear metal carbonyl compounds

Cyclopentadienes (C₅Me₄R) [R = Allyl (1), n-Butyl (2), Benzyl (3), and PhMe-2 (4)] reacted with Fe(CO)₅ in refluxing xylene to give new substituted tetramethylcyclopentadienyl dinuclear iron carbonyl complexes [(η ⁵-C₅Me₄R)Fe(CO)(μ-CO)]₂ [R = Allyl (5), n-Butyl (6), Benzyl (7), and PhMe-2 (8)], respectively. The four new complexes 5–8 were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and ¹H NMR spectra. The crystal structures of complexes 5–7 were determined using single crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure of complex 5 showed that allyl underwent isomerization to give the corresponding methyl-vinyl. A possible mechanism is discussed. The X-ray crystal structures of complexes 5, 6, and 7 confirm the structure with bridging and terminal CO groups. They show that the steric effects of substituents influence the Fe–Fe bond distances of the complexes.     

Stereochemistry of the insertion of disubstituted alkynes into the metal aminocarbyne bond in diiron complexes

Terminal alkynes (HCCR^′) (R^′=COOMe, CH₂OH) insert into the metal-carbyne bond of the diiron complexes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(NCMe)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R=Xyl, 1a; CH₂Ph, 1b; Me, 1c; Xyl=2,6-Me₂C₆H₃), affording the corresponding μ-vinyliminium complexes [Fe₂{μ-σ:η³-C(R^′)CHCN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R=Xyl, R^′=COOMe, 2; R=CH₂Ph, R^′=COOMe, 3; R=Me, R^′=COOMe, 4; R=Xyl, R^′=CH₂OH, 5; R=Me, R^′=CH₂OH, 6). The insertion is regiospecific and C-C bond formation selectively occurs between the carbyne carbon and the CH moiety of the alkyne. Disubstituted alkynes (R^′CCR^′) also insert into the metal-carbyne bond leading to the formation of [Fe₂{μ-σ:η³-C(R^′)C(R^′)CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R^′=Me, R=Xyl, 8; R^′=Et, R=Xyl, 9; R^′=COOMe, R=Xyl, 10; R^′=COOMe, R=CH₂Ph, 11; R^′=COOMe, R=Me, 12). Complexes 2, 3, 5, 8, 9 and 11, in which the iminium nitrogen is unsymmetrically substituted, give rise to E and/or Z isomers. When iminium substituents are Me and Xyl, the NMR and structural investigations (X-ray structure analysis of 2 and 8) indicate that complexes obtained from terminal alkynes preferentially adopt the E configuration, whereas those derived from internal alkynes are exclusively Z. In complexes 8 and 9, trans and cis isomers have been observed, by NMR spectroscopy, and the structures of trans-8 and cis-8 have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies. Trans to cis isomerization occurs upon heating in THF at reflux temperature. In contrast to the case of HCCR^′, the insertion of 2-hexyne is not regiospecific: both [Fe₂{μ-σ:η³-C(CH₂CH₂CH₃)C(Me)CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R=Xyl, 13; R=Me, 15) and [Fe₂{μ-σ:η³-C(Me)C(CH₂CH₂CH₃)CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R=Xyl, 14, R=Me, 16) are obtained and these compounds are present in solution as a mixture of cis and trans isomers, with predominance of the former.     

Reactivity of diacetylplatinum(II) complexes: oxidative addition of alkyl halides and crystal structures of acetyl platinum(IV) complexes

Diacetylplatinum(II) complexes [Pt(COMe)₂(N^N)] (N^N = bpy, 3a; 4,4′-t-Bu₂-bpy, 3b) were found to undergo oxidative addition reactions with organyl halides. The reaction of 3a with methyl iodide and propargyl bromide led to the formation of the cis addition products (OC-6-34)-[Pt(COMe)₂(R)X(bpy)] (R = Me, X = I, 4a; CH₂C≡CH, X = Br, 4k). Analogous reactions of 3a with ethyl iodide, benzyl bromide, and substituted benzyl bromides, 3-(bromomethyl)pyridine, 2-(bromomethyl)thiophene, allyl bromide, and cyclohex-2-enyl bromide led to exclusive formation of the trans addition products (OC-6-43)-[Pt(COMe)₂(R)X(bpy)] (X = I, R = Et, 4b; X = Br, R = CH₂C₆H₅, 4c; CH₂C₆H₄(o-Br), 4d; CH₂C₆H₄(p-COOH), 4e; CH₂-3-py (3-pyridylmethyl), 4f; CH₂-2-tp (2-thiophenylmethyl), 4g; CH₂CH=CH₂, 4h; c-hex-2-enyl (cyclohex-2-enyl), 4i). All complexes 4 were characterized by microanalysis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy. Additionally, complexes 4a, 4f, and 4g were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Reactions of 3a and 3b with o-, m- and p-bis(bromomethyl)benzene, respectively, led to the formation of dinuclear platinum(IV) complexes [{Pt(COMe)₂Br(N^N)}₂-{μ-(CH₂)₂C₆H₄}] (5). These complexes were characterized by microanalysis, IR spectroscopy, and depending on their solubility by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, too. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of complex [{Pt(COMe)₂Br(bpy)}₂{μ-m-(CH₂)₂C₆H₄}] (5b) confirmed its dinuclear composition. The solid-state structures of 4a, 4f, 4g, and 5b are discussed in terms of C–H···O and O–H···O hydrogen bonds as well as π–π stacking between aromatic rings.     

Synthesis of aryl-functionalized, 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles and derivatives by arylation of zwitterionic ruthenium triazolato complexes

The synthesis of a series of ruthenium 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazolato complexes, 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles, and a triazolium salt is reported. Treatment of the ruthenium azido complex [Ru]-N₃ ( 1 , [Ru] = (η⁵-C₅H₅)(dppe)Ru, dppe = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂) with an excess of ethyl propiolate results in the formation of a mixture of the Z- and E-forms of zwitterionic N(1)-bound N(3)-ethyl acryl-4-carboxylate triazolato complexes [Ru]N₃(CH=CHCO₂Et)C₂H(CO₂) ( Z - 2 ) and ( E - 2 ). The arylation of 2 with aromatic bromides gives a series of cationic N(1)-bound N(3)-ethyl acryl-4-alkoxycarbonyl triazolato complexes {[Ru]N₃(CH=CHCO₂Et)C₂H(CO₂CH₂R)}[Br] ( 3a , R = Ph ; 3b , R = C₆F₅; 3c , R = 4-C₆H₄CN, 3d , R = 2,6-C₆H₃F₂) and the subsequent cleavage of the Ru-N bond of 3a–d gives 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles N₃(CH=CHCO₂Et)C₂H(CO₂CH₂R) ( 4a , R = Ph; 4b , R = C₆F₅; 4c , R = 4-C₆H₄CN; 4d , R = 2,6-C₆H₃F₂) and [Ru]-Br. A 1,2,3-triazolium salt [N₃(CH=CHCO₂Et)(CH₂C₆F₅)C₂H₂][Br] ( 5 ) was formed by transformation of 4b in BrCH₂C₆F₅/chloroform mixture. The structures of Z-3a and Z-5 were confirmed by single-crystal x-ray diffraction analysis and both complexes participate in non-covalent aromatic interactions in the solid-state structures which can be favorable in the binding of DNA/biomolecular targets and have shown great potential in the application of biologically active anticancer drugs.     

Synthesis and structures of fulvene-bridged diruthenium complexes

Three diruthenium carbonyl complexes, namely (η ³:η ⁵-C₅H₄C(CH₂)₂)Ru₂(CO)₅ (1), (η ³:η ⁵-C₅H₄C(CHCH₂)(C₂H₅))Ru₂(CO)₅ (2), and (η ¹:η ⁵-C₅H₄C₅H₈)Ru₂(CO)₆ (3), were obtained from the reactions of C₅H₄C(Me)₂, C₅H₄C(Et)₂, and C₅H₄C(CH₂)₄, respectively, with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ in refluxing xylene. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and ¹H NMR spectra. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis for complexes 1 and 2 revealed that the fulvene ligands bridge two ruthenium atoms in η ³:η ⁵ fashion.     

Preparation, Structure, and Thermal Decomposition of Co(II) Complexeswith 2,3- and 2,5-Dichlorobenzoic Acid and Imidazole

Summary.  The reaction products of Co(II)-2,3- and -2,5-dichlorobenzoate with imidazole (1, 2; CoL ₂⋯2imdċ2H₂O, L=C₇H₃Cl₂O, imd=imidazole) were characterized by their spectroscopic and thermochemical properties. The compounds crystallize in the monoclonic system with space group = P2₁/c, a=13.848(3), b=12.841(3) ?, c= 7.064(2) ?, β=98.12 °, V=1243.5(4) ?³, Z=2 for 1 and space group =P2₁/n, a=13.293(3), b= 6.964(2), c=13.800(3) ?, β=108.92(3) °, V=1208.6(4) ?³, Z=2 for 2. The complexes lose their crystal water in one step at 333 K and subsequently decompose to CoO with intermediate formation of Co₃O₄. Received August 9, 1999. Accepted (revised) February 11, 2000     

Preparation, Structure, and Thermal Decomposition of Co(II) Complexeswith 2,3- and 2,5-Dichlorobenzoic Acid and Imidazole

 The reaction products of Co(II)-2,3- and -2,5-dichlorobenzoate with imidazole (1, 2; CoL ₂⋯2imdċ2H₂O, L=C₇H₃Cl₂O, imd=imidazole) were characterized by their spectroscopic and thermochemical properties. The compounds crystallize in the monoclonic system with space group = P2₁/c, a=13.848(3), b=12.841(3) ?, c= 7.064(2) ?, β=98.12 °, V=1243.5(4) ?³, Z=2 for 1 and space group =P2₁/n, a=13.293(3), b= 6.964(2), c=13.800(3) ?, β=108.92(3) °, V=1208.6(4) ?³, Z=2 for 2. The complexes lose their crystal water in one step at 333 K and subsequently decompose to CoO with intermediate formation of Co₃O₄.     

Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of Long-Chain Isonicotinic Ester Ligand-Containing Arene Ruthenium Complexes and Nanoparticles

Arene ruthenium complexes containing long-chain N-ligands L¹ = NC₅H₄–4-COO–C₆H₄–4-O–(CH₂)₉–CH₃ or L² = NC₅H₄–4-COO–(CH₂)₁₀–O–C₆H₄–4-COO–C₆H₄–4-C₆H₄–4-CN derived from isonicotinic acid, of the type [(arene)Ru(L)Cl₂] (arene = C₆H₆, L = L¹: 1; arene = p-MeC₆H₄Pr ⁱ , L = L¹: 2; arene = C₆Me₆, L = L¹: 3; arene = C₆H₆, L = L²: 4; arene = p-MeC₆H₄Pr ⁱ , L = L²: 5; arene = C₆Me₆, L = L²: 6) have been synthesized from the corresponding [(arene)RuCl₂]₂ precursor with the long-chain N-ligand L in dichloromethane. Ruthenium nanoparticles stabilized by L¹ have been prepared by the solvent-free reduction of 1 with hydrogen or by reducing [(arene)Ru(H₂O)₃]SO₄ in ethanol in the presence of L¹ with hydrogen. These complexes and nanoparticles show a high anticancer activity towards human ovarian cell lines, the highest cytotoxicity being obtained for complex 2 (IC₅₀ = 2 μM for A2780 and 7 μM for A2780cisR).     

Reaction of 2-methyl-3-morpholino-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one with Ru3(CO)12

The reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with 2-methyl-3-morpholino-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one (1) produced the Ru₆(CO)₁₆(μ₄-η¹:η¹:η²:η²-PhC(O)-C(Me)=C)₂ (2), Ru₂O₂(CO)₄(η³-OC(Ph)C(Me)C(H)C(Me)₂C(Ph))₂ (3), and [Ru(CO)₂(PhCO₂)(O(CH₂-CH₂)₂NH]₂ (4) complexes, which were characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy. The structures of the complexes were established by X-ray diffraction. The formation of the complexes is accompanied by deamination of ligand 1. Complexes 2 and 3 bearing the vinyl ketone groups contain five-membered oxaruthenacycles and dihydropyran rings. Morpholine is not removed from the reaction mixture and leads to the formation of complex 4. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2063–2068, December, 2006.     

Nitrile ligands activation in dinuclear aminocarbyne complexes

The diiron complexes [Fe(Cp)(CO){μ-η²:η²-C[N(Me)(R)]NC(C₆H₃R′)CCH(Tol)}Fe(Cp)(CO)] (R = Xyl, R′ = H, 3a; R = Xyl, R′ = Br, 3b; R = Xyl, R′ = OMe, 3c; R = Xyl, R′ = CO₂Me, 3d; R = Xyl, R′ = CF₃, 3e; R = Me, R′ = H, 3f; R = Me, R′ = CF₃, 3g) are obtained in good yields from the reaction of [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(p-NCC₆H₄R′)(Cp)₂]⁺ (R = Xyl, R′ = H, 2a; R = Xyl, R′ = Br, 2b; R = Xyl, R′ = OMe, 2c; R = Xyl, R′ = CO₂Me, 2d; R = Xyl, R′ = CF₃, 2e; R = Me, R′ = H, 2f; R = Me, R′ = CF₃, 2g) with TolCCLi. The formation of 3 involves addition of the acetylide at the coordinated nitrile and C-N coupling with the bridging aminocarbyne together with orthometallation of the p-substituted aromatic ring and breaking of the Fe-Fe bond. Complexes 3a-e which contain the N(Me)(Xyl) group exist in solution as mixtures of the E-trans and Z-trans isomers, whereas the compounds 3f,g, which posses an exocyclic NMe₂ group, exist only in the Z-cis form. The crystal structures of Z-trans-3b, E-trans-3c, Z-trans-3e and Z-cis-3g have been determined by X-ray diffraction experiments.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of cyclopentadienyl dimolybdenum carbonyl complexes

Reactions of the fulvenes C₅H₄C(R ₁ R ₂) [(R ₁ = CH₂CH₃, R ₂ = CH₃ (1); R ₁ = R ₂ = C₂H₅ (2); R ₁, R ₂ = (CH₂)₄ (3), R ₁,R ₂ = (CH₂)₅ (4)] with Mo(CO)₆ in refluxing xylene gave the corresponding cyclopentadienyl dimolybdenum carbonyl complexes [(η⁵-C₅H₄CR₁′R₂′Mo(CO)₃]₂ [(R ₁′ = CH₂CH₃, R ₂′ = CH₃ (5); R ₁′ = R ₂′ = C₂H₅ (6); R ₁′, R ₂′ = CH(CH₂)₃ (7); R ₁′, R ₂′ = CH(CH₂)₄ (8)], which were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and ¹H NMR spectra. The molecular structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The results indicated the exocyclic double bond of the ligands 1 and 2 changed into a single bond and the exocyclic double bond of the ligands 3 and 4 underwent a double-bond isomerization process.     

Chemistry of chromium bis-acetylide complexes

Abstract  

Stable paramagnetic Cr(II) and Cr(III) bis(alkynyl) complexes of the type [trans(RC≡C)₂Cr(dmpe)₂] ⁿ⁺ (R = Ph, SiMe₃, SiEt₃, C≡C–SiMe₃ n = 0, 1) were prepared and characterised by NMR, cyclic voltammetry, EPR, magnetic measurements, and X-ray single-crystal diffraction studies.     

A photochemical route to ferrocenyl‐substituted ferrapyrrolinone complexes

In the presence of iron pentacarbonyl, photochemical reaction between phenylisocyanate and ferrocenylacetylene results in ferrapyrrolinone complex [Fe₂(CO)₆(μ₂‐η³‐FcC═C(H)C(O)NPh)] ( 1 ) and maleimide 3‐ferrocenyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H ‐pyrrole‐2,5‐dione ( 2 ). Under similar experimental conditions, ferrocenyl−/phenyl‐substituted butadiyne primarily shows the activation of only one C☰C bond and results in ferrapyrrolinone complexes [Fe₂(CO)₆(μ₂‐η³‐FcC═C(C☰CR)C(O)NPh)] ( 3 , R = Fc; 3a , R = Ph), maleimides 3‐ferrocenyl‐1‐phenyl‐4‐(ferrocenylethynyl)‐1H –pyrrole‐2,5‐dione ( 5 ) and 3‐ferrocenyl‐1‐phenyl‐4‐(phenylethynyl)‐1H –pyrrole‐2,5‐dione ( 5a ) and [Fe₂(CO)₆(μ₂‐η³‐FcC═C(R)C(O)NPh)] ( 4 ; R  = 3‐ferrocenyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H ‐pyrrole‐2,5‐dione). Compound 4 consists of ferrapyrrolinone and a maleimide unit, formed by the activation of both C☰C bonds of diferrocenylbutadiyne. Activation of both C☰C bonds in a substituted butadiyne is a rare observation. Formation of the ferrapyrrolinone compounds is an advance over the earlier reported methods which generally use internal alkynes and involve prior synthesis of other clusters.     

Synthesis and reactivity of cyclopentadienyl ruthenium complexes containing ferrocenylselenolates

The heterotrimetallic complex 1,1′-[Fc(SeRuCp(PPh₃)₂)₂] is accessible by the reaction of 1,1′-[Fc(SeLi)₂·2THF] (Fc = Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂, THF = Tetrahydrofuran) with two equivalents of CpRu(PPh₃)₂Cl in high yield. Complex 1,1′-[Fc(SeLi)₂·2THF] can be prepared by treatment of 1,1′-[Fc(SeSiMe₃)₂] with two equivalents of n-BuLi in THF solution. 1,1′-[Fc(SeRuCp(PPh₃)₂)₂] is converted to 1,1′-[Fc(SeRuCpCO(PPh₃))₂] under CO atmosphere in THF solution. The complexes 1,1′-[Fc(SeRuCp(PP))₂] [PP = Ph₂P(CH₂)PPh₂ (dppm), Ph₂P(CH₂)₂PPh₂ (dppe), Ph₂P(CH=CH)₂PPh₂ (dppee), Ph₂P(CH₂)₃PPh₂ (dppp)] are obtained in a one-pot reaction of CpRu(PPh₃)₂Cl and 1,1′-[Fc(SeLi)₂·2THF] with the chelating bisphosphine ligand.     

Density functional theory analysis of some triple-decker sandwich complexes of iron containing cyclo-P5 and cyclo-As5 ligands

Structure and bonding in triple-decker cationic complexes [(η⁵-Cp)Fe(μ,η:η⁵-E₅) Fe(η⁵-Cp)]⁺ (1: E = CH, 2: E = P, 3: E = As) and [(η⁵-Cp)Fe(μ,η:η⁵-Cp)Fe(η⁵-E₅)]⁺ (E = P, As) are examined by density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6-31+G* level. These species exhibit the lowest energy when all the three ligands are eclipsed. In the complexes with bifacially coordinated cyclo-E₅, the perfectly eclipsed D_5h sandwich structure a is found to be a potential minimum. The energy difference between the fully eclipsed and the staggered conformations b and c are within 1.0, 2.1, and 6.3 kcal/mol, respectively, for E = CH, P, and As. The isomeric species with monofacially coordinated cyclo-E₅ (E =P, As), [(η⁵ -Cp)Fe(μ,η :η⁵-Cp)Fe(η⁵-E₅)]⁺ are predicted to be about 30 and 60 kcal/mol higher in energy , respectively, for E = P and As. The calculations predict that the bifacially coordinated cyclo-E₅ (E =P, As) undergoes significant ring expansion leading to ``loosening of bonds' as observed experimentally. The consequent loss of aromaticity in the central cyclo-E₅ indicates that significant π-electron density from the ring can be directed towards bonding with the iron centers on both sides. The diffuse nature of the π-orbitals of cyclo-P₅ and cyclo-As₅ can lead to better overlap with the iron d-orbitals and result in stronger bonding. This is reflected in the bond order values of 0.377 and 0.372 for the Fe-P and Fe-As bonds in 2a and 3a, respectively. The natural population analysis reveals that the Fe atom that is coordinated to a cyclo-E₅ (E = P, As) possesses a negative charge of −0.23 to −0.38 units due to transfer of electron density from the inorganic ring to the metal center.