Synthesis and investigation of [Cp(PMe(3))Rh(H)(H(2))](+) and its partially deuterated and tritiated isotopomers: evidence for a hydride/dihydrogen structure

Hydrogenolysis of [Cp(PMe(3))Rh(Me)(CH(2)Cl(2))](+)BAr'(4)(-) (4, Ar' = 3,5-C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2)) in dichloromethane afforded the nonclassical polyhydride complex [Cp*PMe(3))Rh(H)(H(2))](+)BAr'(4)(-) (1), which exhibits a single hydride resonance at all accessible temperatures in the (1)H NMR spectrum. Exposure of solutions of 1 to D(2) or T(2) gas resulted in partial isotopic substitution in the hydride sites. Formulation of 1 as a hydride/dihydrogen complex was based upon T(1) (T(1)(min) = 23 ms at 150 K, 500 MHz), J(H-D) (ca. 10 Hz), and J(H-T) (ca. 70 Hz) measurements. The barrier (Delta G(++)) to exchange of hydride with dihydrogen sites was determined to be less than ca. 5 kcal/mol. Protonation of Cp(PMe(3))Rh(H)(2) (2) using H(OEt(2))(2)BAr'(4) resulted in binuclear species [(Cp(PMe(3))Rh(H))(2)(mu-H)](+)BAr'(4)(-) (3), which is formed in a reaction involving 1 as an intermediate. Complex 3 contains two terminal hydrides and one bridging hydride ligand which exchange with a barrier of 9.1 kcal/mol as observed by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Additionally, the structures of 3 and 4, determined by X-ray diffraction, are reported.     

Temperature- and solvent-dependent binding of dihydrogen in iridium pincer complexes

Mixtures of deuterium labeled complexes (p-XPOCOP)IrH2-xDx (1-6-d0-2) {POCOP = [C6H2-1,3-[OP(tBu)2]2] X = MeO (1), Me (2), H (3), F (4), C6F5 (5), and ArF = 3,5-(CF3)2-C6H3 (6)} have been generated by reaction of (p-XPOCOP)IrH2 complexes with HD gas in benzene followed by removal of the solvent under high vacuum. Spectroscopic analysis employing 1H and 2D NMR reveals significant temperature and solvent dependent isotopic shifts and HD coupling constants. Complexes 1-6-d1 in toluene and pentane between 296 and 213 K exhibit coupling constants JHD of 3.8-9.0 Hz, suggesting the presence of an elongated H2 ligand, which is confirmed by T1(min) measurements of complexes 1, 3, and 6 in toluene-d8. In contrast, complex 6-d1 exhibits JHD = 0 Hz in CH2Cl2 or CDCl2F whereas isotopic shifts up to -4.05 ppm have been observed by lowering the temperature from 233 to 133 K in CDCl2F. The large and temperature-dependent isotope effects are attributed to nonstatistical occupation of two different hydride environments. The experimental observations are interpreted in terms of a two component model involving rapid equilibration of solvated Ir(III) dihydride and Ir(I) dihydrogen structures.     

Preparation and characterization of ruthenium(II) monophosphaferrocene complexes. Reactivity, dynamic solution behavior, and X-ray structure of [RuH(2)(eta(2)-H(2))(PCy(3))2(2-phenyl-3,4-dimethylphosphaferrocene)

The bis(dihydrogen) complex RuH(2)(H(2))(2)(PCy(3))(2) (1) reacts with 2-phenyl-3,4-dimethylphosphaferrocene (L(1)) to give RuH(2)(H(2))(PCy(3))(2)(L(1)) (2). This dihydride-dihydrogen complex has been characterized by X-ray crystallography and variable-temperature (1)H and (31)P NMR spectroscopy. The exchange between the dihydrogen ligand and the two hydrides is characterized by a DeltaG() of 46.2 kJ/mol at 263 K. H/D exchange is readily observed when heating a C(7)D(8) solution of 2 (J(H-D) = 30 Hz). The H(2) ligand in 2 can be displaced by ethylene or carbon monoxide leading to the corresponding ethylene or carbonyl complexes. The reaction of 1 with 2 equiv of 3,4-dimethylphosphaferrocene (L(2)) yields the dihydride complex RuH(2)(PCy(3))(2)(L(2))(2) (5).     

Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity of Dicationic Dihydrogen Complexes of Osmium

The dicationic Os(II) complex [Os(bpy)(PPh(3))(2)(CO)(H(2))](2+) has been prepared as the triflate salt. The presence of a bound dihydrogen ligand is indicated by a short T(1) minimum value consistent with an H-H distance of 1.05 ?. In the partially deuterated derivative J(HD) = 25.5 Hz was observed. By comparison to other structurally characterized complexes, the observed H-D coupling is most consistent with a H-H distance greater than 1 ?, which requires that the bound H(2) ligand be in the slow rotation regime. The dicationic complex is a strong acid, indicating that the bound H(2) is substantially activated toward heterolytic cleavage. The H(2) ligand is tightly bound to the metal center, and does not undergo exchange with D(2) over the course of several weeks at room temperature. A related dicationic Os(II) complex, [Os(bpy)(2)(CO)(H(2))](2+), has also been prepared. A short T(1) minimum value and a J(HD) value of 29.0 Hz in the partially deuterated derivative is most consistent with a H-H distance of 0.99 ?. The bound H(2) ligand of this complex is significantly less activated toward heterolytic cleavage and is stable in solution for less than a day at room temperature.     

A combined experimental and computational study of dihydrido(phosphinooxazoline)iridium complexes

The reaction of a [(PHOX)Ir(COD)](+) complex (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) with dihydrogen was studied by NMR spectroscopy (PHOX = chiral phosphinooxazoline ligand). A single [(PHOX)Ir(H)(2)(COD)](+) isomer was formed as the primary product at -40 degrees C in THF. Subsequent reaction with H(2) at -40 to 0 degrees C led to a mixture of two diastereomeric [(PHOX)Ir(H)(2)(solvent)(2)](+) complexes with concomitant loss of cyclooctane. The stereochemistry of the three hydride complexes could be assigned from the NMR data. The structures and energies of the observed hydride complexes and the possible stereoisomers were calculated using density functional theory. The substantial energy differences (up to 39 kcal/mol) between the various stereoisomers demonstrate the strong influence of the chiral ligand. The observed stereoselective formation of dihydride complexes can be explained by steric effects of the PHOX ligand combined with a strong electronic influence of the coordinating N and P atoms, favoring addition of a hydride trans to the Ir-N bond.     

Molybdenocene trihydride complexes: influence of a [Me2Si] ansa bridge on classical versus nonclassical nature, stability with respect to elimination of dihydrogen, and acidity

Experimental and computational studies on a series of cationic molybdenocene trihydride complexes, namely [Cp(2)MoH(3)]+, [(Cp(Bu)t)(2)MoH(3)]+, [Cp(2)MoH(3)]+, and ([Me(2)Si(C(5)Me(4))(2)]MoH(3))+, demonstrate that the most stable form for the ansa molybdenocene derivative is a nonclassical dihydrogen-hydride isomer, ([Me(2)Si(C(5)Me(4))(2)]Mo(eta(2)-H(2))(H))+, whereas the stable forms for the non-ansa complexes are classical trihydrides, [Cp(2)Mo(H)(3)]+, [(Cp(Bu)t)(2)Mo(H)(3)]+, and [Cp(2)Mo(H)(3)]+. In addition to altering the classical versus nonclassical nature of [Cp(2)MoH(3)]+ and ([Me(2)Si(C(5)Me(4))(2)]Mo(eta(2)-H(2))(H))+, the [Me(2)Si] ansa bridge also markedly influences the stability of the complex with respect to elimination of H(2) and dissociation of H+. Finally, computational studies on ([H(2)Si(C(5)H(4))(2)]MoH(2)D)+ and ([H(2)Si(C(5)H(4))(2)]MoHD(2))+ establish that deuterium exhibits a greater preference than hydrogen to occupy dihydrogen versus hydride sites.     

Parahydrogen induced polarization and the oxidative addition of hydrogen to iridium tribromostannyl carbonylate anions

Activation of dihydrogen by a system composed of (Bu(4)N)[IrBr(2)(CO)(2)] (1) and tin dibromide in varying ratios was studied using parahydrogen induced polarization (PHIP) which allows the detection of transient dihydrides not observable in conventional (1)H NMR spectra. While the oxidative addition of dihydrogen to neutral and cationic Ir(I) species is common, there are only a few examples of H(2) addition to anionic complexes. Tin dibromide reacts with iridium(I) complex 1 in acetone forming equilibrium mixtures of cis- and trans-tribromostannyl derivatives [IrBr(n)()(SnBr(3))(2)(-)(n)()(CO)(2)](-), n = 0,1, the existence of which is inferred from the stereochemistries of the dihydrogen addition products determined using PHIP. The sigma-donating effect of the SnBr(3)(-) ligand facilitates the oxidative addition to the iridium center. The structures of the dihydrides formed upon addition of dihydrogen are assigned on the basis of hydride chemical shifts and values of (2)J((1)H-(117,119)Sn). The only dihydride observed in conventional (1)H NMR spectra is cis-trans-cis-[IrH(2)(SnBr(3))(2)(CO)(2)](-), the identity of which was confirmed using the (13)C labeled Ir(I) precursor. Both [IrBr(2)(CO)(2)](-) and its tribromostannyl derivatives catalyze cis-pairwise addition of dihydrogen to phenylacetylene.     

Dynamics of a cis-dihydrogen/hydride complex of iridium

Insertion of CS2 into one of the Ir-H bonds of [Ir(H)5(PCy3)2] takes place to afford the dihydrido dithioformate complex cis-[Ir(H)2(eta2-S2CH)(PCy3)2] accompanied by the elimination of H2. Protonation of the dithioformate complex using HBF4.Et2O gives cis-[Ir(H)(eta2-H2)(eta2-S2CH)(PCy3)2][BF4] wherein the H atom undergoes site exchange between the dihydrogen and the hydride ligands. The dynamics was found to be so extremely rapid with respect to the NMR time scale that the barrier to exchange could not be measured. Partial deuteration of the hydride ligands resulted in a J(H,D) of 6.5 and 7.7 Hz for the H2D and the HD2 isotopomers of cis-[Ir(H)(eta2-H2)(eta2-S2CH)(PCy3)2][BF4], respectively. The H-H distance (d(HH)) for this complex has been calculated to be 1.05 A, which can be categorized under the class of elongated dihydrogen complexes. The cis-[Ir(H)(eta2-H2)(eta2-S2CH)(PCy3)2][BF4] complex undergoes substitution of the bound H2 moiety with CH(3)CN and CO resulting in new hydride derivatives, cis-[Ir(H)(L)(eta2-S2CH)(PCy3)2][BF4] (L = CH3CN, CO). Reaction of cis-[Ir(H)2(eta2-S2CH)(PCy3)2] with electrophilic reagents such as MeOTf and Me3SiOTf afforded a new hydride aquo complex cis-[Ir(H)(H2O)(eta2-S2CH)(PCy3)2][OTf] via the elimination of CH4 and Me3SiH, respectively, followed by the binding of a water molecule (present in trace quantities in the solvent) to the iridium center. The X-ray crystal structures of cis-[Ir(H)2(eta2-S2CH)(PCy3)2] and cis-[Ir(H)(H2O)(eta2-S2CH)(PCy3)2][OTf] have been determined.     

A ruthenium-dihydrogen putative intermediate in ketone hydrogenation

The compound fac-[Ru((R)-BINAP)(H)(2-PrOH)3]+ (6) (BINAP = 2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl) reacts with (R,R)-dpen (dpen = 1,2-diphenylethylenediamine) under H2 at -60 degrees C in 2-PrOH-d8/CD2Cl2 to generate the cationic dihydrogen putative intermediate trans-[Ru((R)-BINAP)(H)(eta2-H2)((R,R)-dpen)]+ (2') without H-D exchange between the hydrogen ligands and the solvent. A 1H NMR study concludes that the dihydrogen ligand in 2' does not protonate 2-PrOH to a catalytically significant extent, and that 2' requires an added base or hydride source to be an active catalyst.     

The synthesis and reactivity of a molybdenum (IV) stretched-dihydrogen complex

Reaction of [Mo(NPh)(PMe3)3(o-(Me3SiN)2C6H4)] (1) with molecular hydrogen (ca. 1 atm) at -10 degrees C in toluene-d8 results in the formation of dihydrogen complex [Mo(NPh)(PMe3)2(H2)(o-(Me3SiN)2C6H4)] (2) by 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopy. In solution at -50 degrees C 1 and 2 are present in a 1:3 ratio, respectively. The nature of dihydrogen ligand bonding in 2 was probed by T1 analysis and analysis of the JH-D coupling constant in the deuterium hydride isotopomer of 2 giving H-H distances of 1.18 A and 1.17 A, respectively. When allowed to warm to 30 degrees C, 2 reacts affording [Mo(NPh)(PMe3)3(o-(Me3SiN)(NH)C6H4)] (3) over a 1 h period. The X-ray structures of 1 and 3 are reported.     

Dihydrogen complexes of rhodium: [RhH2(H2)x (PR3)2]+ (R = Cy, iPr; x = 1, 2)

Addition of H2 (4 atm at 298 K) to [Rh(nbd)(PR3)2][BAr(F)4] [R = Cy, iPr] affords Rh(III) dihydride/dihydrogen complexes. For R = Cy, complex 1a results, which has been shown by low-temperature NMR experiments to be the bis-dihydrogen/bis-hydride complex [Rh(H)2(eta2-H2)2(PCy3)2][BAr(F)4]. An X-ray diffraction study on 1a confirmed the {Rh(PCy3)2} core structure, but due to a poor data set, the hydrogen ligands were not located. DFT calculations at the B3LYP/DZVP level support the formulation as a Rh(III) dihydride/dihydrogen complex with cis hydride ligands. For R = iPr, the equivalent species, [Rh(H)2(eta2-H2)2(P iPr3)2][BAr(F)4] 2a, is formed, along with another complex that was spectroscopically identified as the mono-dihydrogen, bis-hydride solvent complex [Rh(H)2(eta2-H2)(CD2Cl2)(P iPr3)2][BAr(F)4] 2b. The analogous complex with PCy3 ligands, [Rh(H)2(eta2-H2)(CD2Cl2)(PCy3)2][BAr(F)4] 1b, can be observed by reducing the H2 pressure to 2 atm (at 298 K). Under vacuum, the dihydrogen ligands are lost in these complexes to form the spectroscopically characterized species, tentatively identified as the bis hydrides [Rh(H)2(L)2(PR3)2][BAr(F)4] (1c R = Cy; 2c R = iPr; L = CD2Cl2 or agostic interaction). Exposure of 1c or 2c to a H2 atmosphere regenerates the dihydrogen/bis-hydride complexes, while adding acetonitrile affords the bis-hydride MeCN adduct complexes [Rh(H)2(NCMe)2(PR3)2][BAr(F)4]. The dihydrogen complexes lose [HPR3][BAr(F)4] at or just above ambient temperature, suggested to be by heterolytic splitting of coordinated H2, to ultimately afford the dicationic cluster compounds of the type [Rh6(PR3)6(mu-H)12][BAr(F)4]2 in moderate yield.     

Pendant bases as proton relays in iron hydride and dihydrogen complexes

The complex trans-[HFe(PNP)(dmpm)(CH(3)CN)]BPh(4), 3, (where PNP is Et(2)PCH(2)N(CH(3))CH(2)PEt(2) and dmpm is Me(2)PCH(2)PMe(2)) can be successively protonated in two steps using increasingly strong acids. Protonation with 1 equiv of p-cyanoanilinium tetrafluoroborate in acetone-d(6) at -80 degrees C results in ligand protonation and the formation of endo (4a) and exo (4b) isomers of trans-[HFe(PNHP)(dmpm)(CH(3)CN)](BPh(4))(2). The endo isomer undergoes rapid intramolecular proton/hydride exchange with an activation barrier of 12 kcal/mol. The exo isomer does not exchange. Studies of the reaction of 3 with a weaker acid (anisidinium tetrafluoroborate) in acetonitrile indicate that a rapid intermolecular proton exchange interconverts isomers 4a and 4b, and a pK(a) value of 12 was determined for these two isomers. Protonation of 3 with 2 equiv of triflic acid results in the protonation of both the PNP ligand and the metal hydride to form the dihydrogen complex [(H(2))Fe(PNHP)(dmpm)(CH(3)CN)](3+), 11. Studies of related complexes [HFe(PNP)(dmpm)(CO)](+) (12) and [HFe(depp)(dmpm)(CH(3)CN)](+) (10) (where depp is bis(diethylphosphino)propane) confirm the important roles of the pendant base and the ligand trans to the hydride ligand in the rapid intra- and intermolecular hydride/proton exchange reactions observed for 4. Features required for an effective proton relay and their potential relevance to the iron-only hydrogenase enzymes are discussed.     

16-electron elongated dihydrogen complex stabilized by agostic interaction

A 16-electron dicationic dihydrogen complex [Ru(eta2-H...H)(PP)2][OTf]2 [4; PP = (C6H5CH2)2PCH2CH2P(CH2C6H5)2] has been prepared and characterized by protonating the precursor hydride complex [Ru(H)(PP)2)][OTf] (2) using HOTf. The hydride and dihydrogen complexes are stabilized via agostic interaction of the ortho C-H fragment of the phenyl ring on the benzyl group. The intact nature of the H-H bond in this derivative was established from the short spin-lattice relaxation time and the observation of a substantial J(H,D) of 22.0 Hz for the HD isotopomer. The H-H bond distance calculated from J(H,D) is 1.05 A, which falls under the category of elongated dihydrogen ligands.     

Synthesis and properties of compressed dihydride complexes of iridium: theoretical and spectroscopic investigations

Reaction of [Cp*Ir(P-P)Cl][B(C6F5)4] (P-P = bisdimethydiphosphinomethane (dmpm), bisdiphenyldiphosphinomethane (dppm)) with [Et3Si][B(C6F5)4] in methylene chloride under 1 atm of hydrogen gas affords the dicationic compressed dihydride complexes [Cp*Ir(P-P)H2][B(C6F5)4]2. These dicationic complexes are highly acidic and are very readily deprotonated to the corresponding monohydride cations. When the preparative reaction is carried out under HD gas, the hydride resonance exhibits JHD = 7-9 Hz, depending upon the temperature of observation, with higher values of JHD observed at higher temperatures. A thermally labile rhodium analogue, [CpRh(dmpm)(H2)][B(C6F5)4]2, was prepared similarly. A sample prepared with HD gas gave JHD = 31 Hz and J(HRh) = 31 Hz, allowing the Rh complex to be identified as a dihydrogen complex. Quantum dynamics calculations on a density functional theory (DFT) potential energy surface have been used to explore the structure of the Ir complexes, with particular emphasis on the nature of the potential energy surface governing the interaction between the two hydride ligands and the Ir center.     

An elongated dihydrogen complex of iridium

Reaction of [Cp*Ir(dmpm)Cl]Cl with [Et3Si]B(ArF)4 (dmpm = bisdimethyl-phosphinomethane; ArF = C6F5) under hydrogen gas affords the dicationic complex [Cp*Ir(dmpm)H2]2+ (1), which is readily deprotonated by weak bases to give [Cp*Ir(dmpm)H]+. Complex 1 exists as a mixture of two isomers (97:3). On the basis of the magnitude of 2JH-P couplings and T1 measurements, a cis-dihydride or dihydrogen complex structure is suggested for the predominant isomer 1-cis (2JH-P = 6 Hz), with the minor isomer assigned a transoid structure 1-trans (2JH-P = 20 Hz). When the preparative reaction is carried out with HD gas, the resonance in the 1H NMR spectrum assigned to 1-cis-d1 exhibits1JH-D = 9.0 Hz. The observed values of 1JH-D vary significantly with temperature, increasing from 7.0 Hz at 223K to 9.0 Hz at 300 K. The observed chemical shift of 1-cis-d1 also varies significantly with temperature. These observations are interpreted in terms of a dynamic equilibrium between a cis-dihydride and a dihydrogen complex.     

M-P versus M=M bonds as protonation sites in the organophosphide-bridged complexes [M2Cp2(mu-PR2)(mu-PR'2)(CO)2], (M = Mo, W; R, R' = Ph, Et, Cy)

The unsaturated complexes [W2Cp2(mu-PR2)(mu-PR'2)(CO)2] (Cp = eta5-C5H5; R = R' = Ph, Et; R = Et, R' = Ph) react with HBF4.OEt2 at 243 K in dichloromethane solution to give the corresponding complexes [W2Cp2(H)(mu-PR2)(mu-PR'2)(CO)2]BF4, which contain a terminal hydride ligand. The latter rearrange at room temperature to give [W2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PR2)(mu-PR'2)(CO)2]BF4, which display a bridging hydride and carbonyl ligands arranged parallel to each other (W-W = 2.7589(8) A when R = R' = Ph). This explains why the removal of a proton from the latter gives first the unstable isomer cis-[W2Cp2(mu-PPh2)2(CO)2]. The molybdenum complex [Mo2Cp2(mu-PPh2)2(CO)2] behaves similarly, and thus the thermally unstable new complexes [Mo2Cp2(H)(mu-PPh2)2(CO)2]BF4 and cis-[Mo2Cp2(mu-PPh2)2(CO)2] could be characterized. In contrast, related dimolybdenum complexes having electron-rich phosphide ligands behave differently. Thus, the complexes [Mo2Cp2(mu-PR2)2(CO)2] (R = Cy, Et) react with HBF4.OEt2 to give first the agostic type phosphine-bridged complexes [Mo2Cp2(mu-PR2)(mu-kappa2-HPR2)(CO)2]BF4 (Mo-Mo = 2.748(4) A for R = Cy). These complexes experience intramolecular exchange of the agostic H atom between the two inequivalent P positions and at room-temperature reach a proton-catalyzed equilibrium with their hydride-bridged tautomers [ratio agostic/hydride = 10 (R = Cy), 30 (R = Et)]. The mixed-phosphide complex [Mo2Cp2(mu-PCy2)(mu-PPh2)(CO)2] behaves similarly, except that protonation now occurs specifically at the dicyclohexylphosphide ligand [ratio agostic/hydride = 0.5]. The reaction of the agostic complex [Mo2Cp2(mu-PCy2)(mu-kappa2-HPCy2)(CO)2]BF4 with CN(t)Bu gave mono- or disubstituted hydride derivatives [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PCy2)2(CO)2-x(CNtBu)x]BF4 (Mo-Mo = 2.7901(7) A for x = 1). The photochemical removal of a CO ligand from the agostic complex also gives a hydride derivative, the triply bonded complex [Mo2Cp2(H)(mu-PCy2)2(CO)]BF4 (Mo-Mo = 2.537(2) A). Protonation of [Mo2Cp2(mu-PCy2)2(mu-CO)] gives the hydroxycarbyne derivative [Mo2Cp2(mu-COH)(mu-PCy2)2]BF4, which does not transform into its hydride isomer.     

First investigation of non-classical dihydrogen bonding between an early transition-metal hydride and alcohols: IR, NMR, and DFT approach

The interaction of [NbCp(2)H(3)] with fluorinated alcohols to give dihydrogen-bonded complexes was studied by a combination of IR, NMR and DFT methods. IR spectra were examined in the range from 200-295 K, affording a clear picture of dihydrogen-bond formation when [NbCp(2)H(3)]/HOR(f) mixtures (HOR(f) = hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) or perfluoro-tert-butanol (PFTB)) were quickly cooled to 200 K. Through examination of the OH region, the dihydrogen-bond energetics were determined to be 4.5+/-0.3 kcal mol(-1) for TFE (TFE = trifluoroethanol) and 5.7+/-0.3 kcal mol(-1) for HFIP. (1)H NMR studies of solutions of [NbCp(2)H(2)(B)H(A)] and HFIP in [D(8)]toluene revealed high-field shifts of the hydrides H(A) and H(B), characteristic of dihydrogen-bond formation, upon addition of alcohol. The magnitude of signal shifts and T(1) relaxation time measurements show preferential coordination of the alcohol to the central hydride H(A), but are also consistent with a bifurcated character of the dihydrogen bonding. Estimations of hydride-proton distances based on T(1) data are in good accord with the results of DFT calculations. DFT calculations for the interaction of [NbCp(2)H(3)] with a series of non-fluorinated (MeOH, CH(3)COOH) and fluorinated (CF(3)OH, TFE, HFIP, PFTB and CF(3)COOH) proton donors of different strengths showed dihydrogen-bond formation, with binding energies ranging from -5.7 to -12.3 kcal mol(-1), depending on the proton donor strength. Coordination of proton donors occurs both to the central and to the lateral hydrides of [NbCp(2)H(3)], the former interaction being of bifurcated type and energetically slightly more favourable. In the case of the strong acid H(3)O(+), the proton transfer occurs without any barrier, and no dihydrogen-bonded intermediates are found. Proton transfer to [NbCp(2)H(3)] gives bis(dihydrogen) [NbCp(2)(eta(2)-H(2))(2)](+) and dihydride(dihydrogen) complexes [NbCp(2)(H)(2)(eta(2)-H(2))](+) (with lateral hydrides and central dihydrogen), the former product being slightly more stable. When two molecules of TFA were included in the calculations, in addition to the dihydrogen-bonded adduct, an ionic pair formed by the cationic bis(dihydrogen) complex [NbCp(2)(eta(2)-H(2))(2)](+) and the homoconjugated anion pair (CF(3)COO...H...OOCCF(3))(-) was found as a minimum. It is very likely that these ionic pairs may be intermediates in the H/D exchange between the hydride ligands and the OD group observed with the more acidic alcohols in the NMR studies.     

Ruthenium dihydrogen complexes with wide bite angle diphosphines

The wide bite angle diphosphines homoxantphos (10,11-dihydro-4,5,-bis(diphenylphosphino)dibenzo[b,f]oxepine), sixantphos (4,6-bis(diphenylphosphino)-10,10-dimethylphenoxasilin), and thixantphos (2,8-dimethyl-4,6-bis(diphenylphosphino)phenoxathiin) were used to prepare cis[MH(2)(diphosphine)(2)] complexes (1a-f) by reaction of [Ru(cod)(cot)] (cod = cyclo-octa-1,5-diene, cot = cyclo-octa-1,3,5-triene) with 2 equiv of the diphosphine under dihydrogen pressure. The electronic properties of the thixantphos ligand were varied. Complexes 1a-f can be protonated with HBF(4) or CF(3)COOH to yield hydrido(dihydrogen) complexes cis[MH(H(2))(diphosphine)(2)](+) (2a-f), which were characterized by VT (variable temperature) NMR and T(1) measurements. These complexes show fast hydrogen atom exchange between the eta(2)-H(2) and the terminal hydride at all temperatures studied. They are thermally unstable toward dihydrogen loss yielding the cationic monohydride complexes cis[MH(diphosphine)(2)](+) (3a-f). Coordination of the eta(2)-H(2) is dominated by sigma --> d donation, and hence, the H-H distance is hardly influenced by the electronic properties of the ligands.     

Ruthenium agostic (phosphinoaryl)borane complexes: multinuclear solid-state and solution NMR, X-ray, and DFT studies

The reactivity of the (o-phosphinophenyl)(amino)borane compound HB(N(i)Pr(2))C(6)H(4)(o-PPh(2)) prepared from Li(C(6)H(4))PPh(2) and HBCl(N(i)Pr(2)) toward the bis(dihydrogen) complex RuH(2)(H(2))(2)(PCy(3))(2) (1) was studied by a combination of DFT, X-ray, and multinuclear NMR techniques including solid-state NMR, a technique rarely employed in organometallic chemistry. The study showed that the complex RuH(2){HB(N(i)Pr(2))C(6)H(4)(o-PPh(2))}(PCy(3))(2) (3), isolated in excellent yield as yellow crystals and characterized by X-ray diffraction, led in solution to PCy(3) dissociation and formation of an unsaturated 16-electron complex RuH(2){HB(N(i)Pr(2))C(6)H(4)(o-PPh(2))}(PCy(3)) (4), with a hydride trans to a vacant site. In both cases, the (phosphinoaryl)(amino)borane acts as a bifunctional ligand through the phosphine moiety and a Ru-H-B interaction, thus featuring an agostic interaction.     

An iron(II) dihydrogen hydrido complex containing the tripodal tetraphosphine ligand P(CH2CH2PMe2)3

The dihydrogen hydrido complex [FeH(H2)(PP3)]+ 1 (PP3 = P(CH2CH2PMe2)3 2) was formed by the protonation of the dihydrido complex FeH2(PP3) 3 with methanol or ethanol. The observation of H-D coupling in partially deuterated isotopomers of 1 and measurement of T1 relaxation times for the hydrido and dihydrogen resonances of 1 confirmed the presence of the eta2-dihydrogen ligand. Complex 1 shows dynamic NMR behaviour in both the 31P and 1H NMR spectra with facile exchange between the protons in the eta2-dihydrogen ligand and the eta1-hydrido ligand. The dihydrogen ligand of 1 is easily displaced by both anionic and neutral ligands to afford the corresponding hydrido complexes [FeHX(PP3)]+ (X = CO 11, X = PPh3 12) or FeHX(PP3)(X = Cl 13, X = Br 14, X = I 15, X = N3 16). Small quantities of the alkoxy hydrido complexes FeH(OR)(PP3)(R = Me 4; R = Et 5) are observed in methanol and ethanol solutions containing 1. In methanol solution, FeH(OMe)(PP3) 4 reacts to form the carbonyl hydrido complex [FeH(CO)(PP3)]+ 11 and isotopic labelling confirms that the carbonyl ligand of 11 is derived from the methanol solvent. The mechanism of methanol oxidation presumably proceeds through beta-hydride elimination from FeH(OMe)(PP3) to produce formaldehyde as an intermediate which is further dehydrogenated to form the carbonyl ligand. [FeH(H2)(PP3)]+ 1 and FeHCl(PP3) 13 react rapidly with paraformaldehyde to also form [FeH(CO)(PP3)]+ 11. Complex 11 also decarbonylates acetaldehyde to afford the methyl carbonyl complex [FeMe(CO)(PP3)]+ 17. The structure of 17 was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.