Polymerization of 3‐ethynylthiophene with homogeneous and heterogeneous Rh catalysts

3‐Ethynylthiophene (3ETh) was polymerized with Rh(I) complexes: [Rh(cod)acac], [Rh(nbd)acac], [Rh(cod)Cl]₂, and [Rh(nbd)Cl]₂ (cod is η²:η²‐cycloocta‐1,5‐diene and nbd η²:η²‐norborna‐2,5‐diene), used as homogeneous catalysts and with the last two complexes anchored on mesoporous polybenzimidazole (PBI) beads: [Rh(cod)Cl]₂/PBI and [Rh(nbd)Cl]₂/PBI used as heterogeneous catalysts. All tested catalyst systems give high‐cis poly(3ETh). In situ NMR study of homogeneous polymerizations induced with [Rh(cod)acac] and [Rh(nbd)acac] complexes has revealed: (i) a transformation of acac ligands into free acetylacetone (Hacac) occurring since the early stage of polymerization, which suggests that this reaction is part of the initiation, (ii) that the initiation is rather slow in both of these polymerization systems, and (iii) a release of cod ligand from [Rh(cod)acac] complex but no release of nbd ligand from [Rh(nbd)acac] complex during the polymerization. The stability of diene ligand binding to Rh‐atom in [Rh(diene)acac] catalysts remarkably affects only the molecular weight but not the yield of poly(3ETh). The heterogeneous catalyst systems also provide high‐cis poly(3ETh), which is of very low contamination with catalyst residues since a leaching of anchored Rh complexes is negligible. The course of heterogeneous polymerizations is somewhat affected by limitations arising from the diffusion of monomer inside catalyst beads. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2776–2787, 2008     

Novel quasi‐scorpionate ligand structures based on a bis‐N‐heterocyclic carbene chelate core: synthesis,complexation and catalysis

A series of novel quasi‐scorpionate CNC donor ligands, MeC(2‐C₅H₄N){CH₂(imidazole‐R)} (R = methyl, n‐butyl, n‐propenyl), in which a chelating bis(NHC) core is supplemented by a hemi‐labile pyridyl donor, were prepared. The coordination chemistry of these ligands was investigated with silver, palladium, rhodium and iridium. The single crystal X‐ray structures of [Rh(NC₂^Me)(COD)]Cl 8a and [Ir(NC₂^Pr)(COD)]Br 9b were determined. The catalytic potential of the rhodium and iridium complexes was assessed in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones; the iridium complexes, which show superior performance, form very effective and stable catalysts. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Symmetric and dissymmetric N‐heterocyclic carbene rhodium(I) complexes: a comparative study of their catalytic activities in transfer hydrogenation reaction

Six new [RhBr(NHC)(cod)] (NHC = N‐heterocyclic carbene; cod = 1,5‐cyclooctadiene) type rhodium complexes ( 4–6 ) have been prepared by the reaction of [Rh(μ‐OMe)(cod)]₂ with a series of corresponding imidazoli(in)ium bromides ( 1–3 ) bearing mesityl (Mes) or 2,4,6‐trimethylbenzyl (CH₂Mes) substituents at N¹ and N³ positions. They have been fully characterized by ¹ H, ¹³ C and heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation NMR analyses, elemental analysis and mass spectroscopy. Complexes of type [(NHC)RhBr(CO)₂] (NHC = imidazol‐2‐ylidene) ( 7b–9b ) were also synthesized to compare σ‐donor/π‐acceptor strength of NHC ligands. Transfer hydrogenation (TH) reaction of acetophenone has been comparatively studied by using complexes 4–6 as catalysts. The symmetrically CH₂Mes‐substituted rhodium complex bearing a saturated NHC ligand ( 5a ) showed the highest catalytic activity for TH reaction. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Zinc (II), palladium (II) and cadmium (II) complexes containing 4‐methoxy‐N‐(pyridin‐2‐ylmethylene) aniline derivatives: Synthesis,characterization and methyl methacrylate polymerization

A series of Zn (II), Pd (II) and Cd (II) complexes, [(L) _n MX ₂ ] _m (L = L‐a–L‐c; M = Zn, Pd; X = Cl; M = Cd; X = Br; n, m = 1 or 2), containing 4‐methoxy‐N‐(pyridin‐2‐ylmethylene) aniline ( L‐a ), 4‐methoxy‐N‐(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl) aniline ( L‐b ) and 4‐methoxy‐N‐methyl‐N‐(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl) aniline ( L‐c ) have been synthesized and characterized. The X‐ray crystal structures of Pd (II) complexes [L ₁ PdCl ₂ ] (L = L‐b and L‐c) revealed distorted square planar geometries obtained via coordinative interaction of the nitrogen atoms of pyridine and amine moieties and two chloro ligands. The geometry around Zn (II) center in [(L‐a)ZnCl ₂ ] and [(L‐c)ZnCl ₂ ] can be best described as distorted tetrahedral, whereas [(L‐b) ₂ ZnCl ₂ ] and [(L‐b) ₂ CdBr ₂ ] achieved 6‐coordinated octahedral geometries around Zn and Cd centers through 2‐equivalent ligands, respectively. In addition, a dimeric [(L‐c)Cd(μ ‐ Br)Br] ₂ complex exhibited typical 5‐coordinated trigonal bipyramidal geometry around Cd center. The polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of modified methylaluminoxane was evaluated by all the synthesized complexes at 60°C. Among these complexes, [(L‐b)PdCl ₂ ] showed the highest catalytic activity [3.80 × 10⁴ g poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/mol Pd hr^?1], yielding high molecular weight (9.12 × 10⁵ g mol^?1) PMMA. Syndio‐enriched PMMA (characterized using ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy) of about 0.68 was obtained with T_g in the range 120–128°C. Unlike imine and amine moieties, the introduction of N‐methyl moiety has an adverse effect on the catalytic activity, but the syndiotacticity remained unaffected.     

Terminal and Bridging Parent Amido 1,5‐Cyclooctadiene Complexes of Rhodium and Iridium

The ready availability of rare parent amido d⁸ complexes of the type [{M(μ‐NH₂)(cod)}₂] (M=Rh ( 1 ), Ir ( 2 ); cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) through the direct use of gaseous ammonia has allowed the study of their reactivity. Both complexes 1 and 2 exchanged the di‐olefines by carbon monoxide to give the dinuclear tetracarbonyl derivatives [{M(μ‐NH₂)(CO)₂}₂] (M=Rh or Ir). The diiridium(I) complex 2 reacted with chloroalkanes such as CH₂Cl₂ or CHCl₃, giving the diiridium(II) products [(Cl)(cod)Ir(μ‐NH₂)₂Ir(cod)(R)] (R=CH₂Cl or CHCl₂) as a result of a two‐center oxidative addition and concomitant metal–metal bond formation. However, reaction with ClCH₂CH₂Cl afforded the symmetrical adduct [{Ir(μ‐NH₂)(Cl)(cod)}₂] upon release of ethylene. We found that the rhodium complex 1 exchanged the di‐olefines stepwise upon addition of selected phosphanes (PPh₃, PMePh₂, PMe₂Ph) without splitting of the amido bridges, allowing the detection of mixed COD/phosphane dinuclear complexes [(cod)Rh(μ‐NH₂)₂Rh(PR₃)₂], and finally the isolation of the respective tetraphosphanes [{Rh(μ‐NH₂)(PR₃)₂}₂]. On the other hand, the iridium complex 2 reacted with PMe₂Ph by splitting the amido bridges and leading to the very rare terminal amido complex [Ir(cod)(NH₂)(PMePh₂)₂]. This compound was found to be very reactive towards traces of water, giving the more stable terminal hydroxo complex [Ir(cod)(OH)(PMePh₂)₂]. The heterocyclic carbene IPr (IPr=1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene) also split the amido bridges in complexes 1 and 2 , allowing in the case of iridium to characterize in situ the terminal amido complex [Ir(cod)(IPr)(NH₂)]. However, when rhodium was involved, the known hydroxo complex [Rh(cod)(IPr)(OH)] was isolated as final product. On the other hand, we tested complexes 1 and 2 as catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone with iPrOH without the use of any base or in the presence of Cs₂CO₃, finding that the iridium complex 2 is more active than the rhodium analogue 1 .     

Synthesis,characterization and hydroformylation activity of 7‐azaindolate‐bridged dinuclear rhodium(I)phosphines with pendant polar‐groups

New dinuclear Rh(I)–Phosphines of the types [Rh(µ‐azi)(CO)(L)]₂ ( 1,3 – 7 ) and [Rh(µ‐azi)(L)]₂ ( 8 ) with pendant polar groups, and a chealated mononuclear compound [Rh(azi‐H)(CO)(L)] ( 2 ) (where azi = 7‐azaindolate, L = polar phosphine) were isolated from the reaction of [Rh(µ‐Cl)(CO)₂]₂ with 7‐azaindolate followed by some polar mono‐ and bis‐phosphines ( L ₁ – L ₈ ). A relationship between Δδ³¹P‐NMR and ν(CO) values was considered to define the impact of polar‐groups on σ‐donor properties of the phosphines. These compounds were evaluated as catalyst precursors in the hydroformylation of 1‐hexene and 1‐dodecene both in mono‐ and biphasic aqueous organic systems. While the biphasic hydroformylations (water + toluene) gave exclusively the aldehydes, the monophasic one (aqueous ethanol) showed propensity to form both aldehydes and alcohols. The influence of bimetallic cooperative effects, and σ‐donor and hydrophilic properties of the phosphines with pendant polar‐groups in enhancing the yields and selectivity of hydroformylation products was emphasized. In addition, when strong σ‐donor phosphine was used, the π‐acceptor nature of pyridine ring of 7‐azaindolate spacer was found to be a considerable factor in facilitating the facile cleavage of CO group during hydroformylation and in supplementing the cooperative effects. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bio‐Inspired Transition Metal–Organic Hydride Conjugates for Catalysis of Transfer Hydrogenation: Experiment and Theory

Taking inspiration from yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (yADH), a benzimidazolium (BI⁺) organic hydride‐acceptor domain has been coupled with a 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen) metal‐binding domain to afford a novel multifunctional ligand ( L ^BI+) with hydride‐carrier capacity ( L ^BI++H^?? L ^BIH). Complexes of the type [Cp*M( L ^BI)Cl][PF₆]₂ (M=Rh, Ir) have been made and fully characterised by cyclic voltammetry, UV/Vis spectroelectrochemistry, and, for the Ir^III congener, X‐ray crystallography. [Cp*Rh( L ^BI)Cl][PF₆]₂ catalyses the transfer hydrogenation of imines by formate ion in very goods yield under conditions where the corresponding [Cp*Ir( L ^BI)Cl][PF₆] and [Cp*M(phen)Cl][PF₆] (M=Rh, Ir) complexes are almost inert as catalysts. Possible alternatives for the catalysis pathway are canvassed, and the free energies of intermediates and transition states determined by DFT calculations. The DFT study supports a mechanism involving formate‐driven Rh?H formation (90 kJ mol^?1 free‐energy barrier), transfer of hydride between the Rh and BI⁺ centres to generate a tethered benzimidazoline (BIH) hydride donor, binding of imine substrate at Rh, back‐transfer of hydride from the BIH organic hydride donor to the Rh‐activated imine substrate (89 kJ mol^?1 barrier), and exergonic protonation of the metal‐bound amide by formic acid with release of amine product to close the catalytic cycle. Parallels with the mechanism of biological hydride transfer in yADH are discussed.     

Asymmetric polymerisation of substituted phenylacetylene using chiral Rh(2,5-norbornadiene)(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-proline) catalyst

The Rh(nbd)(l-proline) (nbd = 2,5-norbornadiene) catalyst was synthesised with l-proline as ligand. The achiral monomer phenylacetylene, having two hydroxyl groups and a dodecyl group (DoDHPA), was polymerised for the first time using an isolated chiral Rh(nbd)(l-proline) as catalyst to afford polymers of M_r of 28.5 × 10⁴ and 36.2 × 10⁴. The resulting polymers exhibited the Cotton effect at wavelengths assignable to the main chain, indicating that the polymers adopted one-handed helical conformation. These findings suggest that the rhodium complex with chiral amine may be the true active species for helix-sense-selective polymerisation (HSSP) of DoDHPA.     

Polymerization of substituted acetylenes by various rhodium catalysts: Comparison of catalyst activity and effect of additives

This research deals with comparison of the activity of various Rh catalysts in the polymerization of monosubstituted acetylenes and the effect of various amines used in conjunction with [Rh(nbd)Cl]₂ in the polymerization of phenylacetylene. A zwitterionic Rh complex, Rh⁺(nbd)[(η⁶‐C₆H₅)B^?(C₆H₅)₃] ( 3 ), was able to polymerize phenylacetylene ( 5a ), t‐butylacetylene ( 5b ), N‐propargylhexanamide ( 5c ) and n‐hexyl propiolate ( 5d ), and displayed higher activity than the other catalysts examined, that is [Rh(nbd)Cl]₂ ( 1 ), [Rh(cod)(O‐o‐cresol)]₂ ( 2 ), and Rh‐vinyl complex ( 4 ). Monomers 5a and 5c polymerized virtually quantitatively or in fair yields with all these catalysts, while monomer 5b was polymerizable only with catalyts 3 and 4 . Monomer 5d did not polymerize in high yields with these Rh complexes. The catalytic activity tended to decrease in the order of 3 > 4 > 2 > 1 . Although polymerization of 5a did not proceed at all in toluene with [Rh(nbd)Cl]₂ alone, it smoothly polymerized in the presence of various amines as cocatalysts. The polymerization rate as well as the molecular weight of polymer depended on the basicity and steric bulkiness of amines. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4530–4536, 2005     

Reactivity of [M2(μ‐Cl)2(cod)2] (M=Ir,Rh) and [Ru(Cl)2(cod)(CH3CN)2] with Na[H2B(bt)2]: Formation of Agostic versus Borate Complexes

Treatment of [M₂(μ‐Cl)₂(cod)₂] (M=Ir and Rh) with Na[H₂B(bt)₂] (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene and bt=2‐mercaptobenzothiazolyl) at low temperature led to the formation of dimetallaheterocycles [(Mcod)₂(bt)₂], 1 and 2 ( 1 : M=Ir and 2 : M=Rh) and a borate complex [Rh(cod){κ²‐S,S′‐H₂B(bt)₂}], 3 . Compounds 1 and 2 are structurally characterized metal analogues of 1,5‐cyclooctadiene. Metal–metal bond distances of 3.6195(9) Å in 1 and 3.6749(9) Å in 2 are too long to consider as bonding. In an attempt to generate the Ru analogue of 1 and 2 , that is [(Rucod)₂(bt)₂], we have carried out the reaction of [Ru(Cl)₂(cod)(CH₃CN)₂] with Na[H₂B(bt)₂]. Interestingly, the reaction yielded agostic complexes [Ru(cod)L{κ³‐H,S,S′‐H₂B(bt)₂}], 4 and 5 ( 4 : L=Cl; 5 : L=C₇H₄NS₂). One of the key differences between 4 and 5 is the presence of different ancillary ligands at the metal center. The natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis of 1 and 2 shows that there is four lone pairs of electrons on each metal center with a significant amount of d character. Furthermore, the electronic structures and the bonding of these complexes have been established on the ground of quantum‐chemical calculations. All of the new compounds were characterized by IR, ¹H, ¹¹B, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, and X‐ray crystallographic analysis.     

Square‐Planar Carbonylchlororhodium(I) Complexes Containing trans‐Spanning Diphosphine Ligands as Catalysts for the Carbonylation of Methanol

The rhodium(I) complexes trans‐[Rh(diphos)(CO)Cl] 7 (diphos=pbpb), 8 (diphos=nbpb), and 9 (diphos=cbpb) were synthesized (Scheme 4) and used as catalysts for the carbonylation of MeOH to AcOH (Scheme 1). The trans coordination imposed by the rigid C‐spacer framework of the diphos ligands pbpb, nbpb, and cbpb, demonstrated by ³¹P‐NMR and IR spectroscopy of 7 – 9 and unambiguously confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis of 7 , improved the thermal stability of the rhodium(I) system under carbonylation conditions and, hence, the catalytic performance of the complexes. For the catalytic carbonylation of MeOH, the active catalyst could be prepared in situ from the mixture of [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ and the corresponding diphos ligand pbpb, nbpb, or cbpb, giving the same results as carbonylation in the presence of the isolated complexes 7, 8 or 9 (see Table). The highest activity was observed for complex 7 (or the mixture [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂/pbpb, the catalytic turnover number (TON) being 950 after 15 min (170°, 22 bar).     

Two modes of asymmetric polymerization of phenylacetylenes having an L‐amino alcohol residue and two hydroxy groups

Four novel chiral phenylacetylenes having an L ‐amino alcohol residue and two hydroxymethyl groups were synthesized and polymerized by an achiral catalyst ((nbd)Rh⁺[η⁶‐(C₆H₅)B^?(C₆H₅)₃]) or a chiral catalytic system ([Rh(nbd)Cl]₂/(S)‐ or (R)‐phenylethylamine ((S)‐ or (R)‐PEA)). The two resulting polymers having an L ‐valinol or L ‐phenylalaninol residue showed Cotton effects at wavelengths around 430 nm. This observation indicated that they had an excess of one‐handed helical backbones. Positive and negative Cotton effects were observed only for the polymers having an L ‐valinol residue produced by using (R)‐ and (S)‐PEA as a cocatalyst, respectively, although the monomer had the same chirality. Even when the achiral catalyst was used, the two resulting polymers having an L ‐valinol or L ‐phenylalaninol residue showed Cotton effects despite the long distance between the chiral groups and the main chain. We have found the first example of a new type of chiral monomer, that is, a chiral phenylacetylene monomer having an L ‐amino alcohol residue and two hydroxy groups that was suitable for both modes of asymmetric polymerization, that is, the helix‐sense‐selective polymerization ( HSSP ) with the chiral catalytic system and the asymmetric‐induced polymerization ( AIP ) with the achiral catalyst. The other two monomers having L ‐alaninol and L ‐tyrosinol were found to be unsuitable to neither HSSP nor AIP because of their polymers' low solubility. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

A Metal‐Containing N‐Heterocyclic Germylene Based on an Oxalamidine Framework

A metal‐containing N‐heterocyclic germylene based on a N‐mesityl (Mes)‐substituted oxalamidine framework is reported. The precursor (MesN=)₂C–C(–N(H)Mes)₂ ( 1 H₂) was converted into its rhodium complex [Rh(κ²N‐ 1 H₂)(cod)][OTf] ( 2 ) (cod = 1,5‐cyclooctadiene; OTf = triflate) in 62 % isolated yield. Subsequent reaction of 2 with Ge{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂ gave the crystalline N‐heterocyclic germylene [Rh(cod)(μ‐ 1 )Ge][OTf] ( 3 ) in 50 % yield. The compounds under study were fully characterized by various methods, also including X‐ray crystallographic studies on single crystals of 2 and 3 . Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that π conjugation in the bridging oxalamidine framework is increased and n(N)–p(Ge) π bonding is decreased upon κ²N metal coordination; a further weakening of the Ge–N bond occurs through triflate coordination to the Ge^II atom. Nevertheless, preliminary coordination studies revealed that 3 behaves as 2‐electron (L ‐type) germylene donor ligand. Treatment of 3 with [Ir(cod)Cl]₂ furnished the heterobimetallic complex [Rh(cod)(μ‐ 1 )Ge‐Ir(cod)Cl][OTf] ( 4 ), as evidenced by NMR spectroscopic investigations and DFT calculations.     

Rhodium(I) carbonyl complexes of ether‐phosphine ligands and their reactivity

The reactions of dimeric complex [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ with hemilabile ether‐phosphine ligands Ph₂P(CH₂) _nOR [n = 1, R = CH₃ (a); n = 2, R = C₂H₅ (b)] yield cis‐[Rh(CO)₂Cl(P ～ O)] (1) [P ～ O = η ¹‐(P) coordinated]. Halide abstraction reactions of 1 with AgClO₄ produce cis‐[Rh(CO)₂(P ∩ O)]ClO₄ (2) [P ∩ O = η ²‐(P,O)chelated]. Oxidative addition reactions of 1 with CH₃I and I₂ give rhodium(III) complexes [Rh(CO)(COCH₃)ClI(P ∩ O)] (3) and [Rh(CO)ClI₂(P ∩ O)] (4) respectively. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of 1 for carbonylation of methanol is higher than that of the well‐known [Rh(CO)₂I₂]^? species. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Redox‐Switchable Ring‐Closing Metathesis: Catalyst Design,Synthesis, and Study

High yielding syntheses of 1‐(ferrocenylmethyl)‐3‐mesitylimidazolium iodide ( 1 ) and 1‐(ferrocenylmethyl)‐3‐mesitylimidazol‐2‐ylidene ( 2 ) were developed. Complexation of 2 to [{Ir(cod)Cl}₂] (cod=cis,cis‐1,5‐cyclooctadiene) or [Ru(PCy₃)Cl₂(?CH‐o‐O‐iPrC₆H₄)] (Cy=cyclohexyl) afforded 3 ([Ir( 2 )(cod)Cl]) and 5 ([Ru( 2 )Cl₂(?CH‐o‐O‐iPrC₆H₄)]), respectively. Complex 4 ([Ir( 2 )(CO)₂Cl]) was obtained by bubbling carbon monoxide through a solution of 3 in CH₂Cl₂. Spectroelectrochemical IR analysis of 4 revealed that the oxidation of the ferrocene moiety in 2 significantly reduced the electron‐donating ability of the N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand (ΔTEP=9 cm^?1; TEP=Tolman electronic parameter). The oxidation of 5 with [Fe(η⁵‐C₅H₄COMe)Cp][BF₄] as well as the subsequent reduction of the corresponding product [ 5 ][BF₄] with decamethylferrocene (Fc*) each proceeded in greater than 95 % yield. Mössbauer, UV/Vis and EPR spectroscopy analysis confirmed that [ 5 ][BF₄] contained a ferrocenium species, indicating that the iron center was selectively oxidized over the ruthenium center. Complexes 5 and [ 5 ][BF₄] were found to catalyze the ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) of diethyl diallylmalonate with observed pseudo‐first‐order rate constants (k_obs) of 3.1×10^?4 and 1.2×10^?5 s^?1, respectively. By adding suitable oxidants or reductants over the course of a RCM reaction, complex 5 was switched between different states of catalytic activity. A second‐generation N‐heterocyclic carbene that featured a 1′,2′,3′,4′,5′‐ pentamethylferrocenyl moiety ( 10 ) was also prepared and metal complexes containing this ligand were found to undergo iron‐centered oxidations at lower potentials than analogous complexes supported by 2 (0.30–0.36 V vs. 0.56–0.62 V, respectively). Redox switching experiments using [Ru( 10 )Cl₂(?CH‐o‐O‐iPrC₆H₄)] revealed that greater than 94 % of the initial catalytic activity was restored after an oxidation–reduction cycle.     

1,2,4‐Triazol‐3‐ylidenes with an N‐2,4‐Dinitrophenyl Substituent as Strongly π‐Accepting N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes

The synthesis and characterisation of a series of new Rh and Au complexes bearing 1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐ylidenes with a N‐2,4‐dinitrophenyl (N‐DNP) substituent are described. IR, NMR, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and computational analyses of the Rh complexes revealed that the N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) behaved as strong π acceptors and weak σ donors. In particular, a natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis revealed that the contributions of the Rh→C_carbene π backbonding interaction energies (ΔE_bb) to the bond dissociation energies (BDE) of the Rh? C_carbene bond for [RhCl(NHC)(cod)] (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) reached up to 63 %. The Au complex exhibited superior catalytic activity in the intermolecular hydroalkoxylation of cyclohexene with 2‐methoxyethanol. The NBO analysis suggested that the high catalytic activity of the Au^I complex resulted from the enhanced π acidity of the Au atom.     

Standard Enthalpies of Formation for Solid Complexes of Chromium Chloride with L—α—Amino Acids

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Synthesis,structural and chemosensitivity studies of arene d6 metal complexes having N‐phenyl‐N´‐(pyridyl/pyrimidyl)thiourea derivatives

The d⁶ metal complexes of thiourea derivatives were synthesized to investigate its cytotoxicity. Treatment of various N‐phenyl‐N´ pyridyl/pyrimidyl thiourea ligands with half‐sandwich d⁶ metal precursors yielded a series of cationic complexes. Reactions of ligand (L1‐L3) with [(p‐cymene)RuCl₂]₂ and [Cp*MCl₂]₂ (M = Rh/Ir) led to the formation of a series of cationic complexes bearing general formula [(arene)M(L1)к²_(N,S)Cl]⁺, [(arene)M(L2)к²_(N,S)Cl]⁺ and [(arene)M(L3)к²_(N,S)Cl]⁺ [arene = p‐cymene, M = Ru ( 1 , 4 , 7 ); Cp*, M = Rh ( 2 , 5 , 8 ); Cp*, Ir ( 3 , 6 , 9 )]. These compounds were isolated as their chloride salts. X‐ray crystallographic studies of the complexes revealed the coordination of the ligands to the metal in a bidentate chelating N,S‐ manner. Further the cytotoxicity studies of the thiourea derivatives and its complexes evaluated against HCT‐116 (human colorectal cancer), MIA‐PaCa‐2 (human pancreatic cancer) and ARPE‐19 (non‐cancer retinal epithelium) cancer cell lines showed that the thiourea ligands displayed no activity. Upon complexation however, the metal compounds possesses cytotoxicity and whilst potency is less than cisplatin, several complexes exhibited greater selectivity for HCT‐116 or MIA‐PaCa‐2 cells compared to ARPE‐19 cells than cisplatin in vitro. Rhodium complexes of thiourea derivatives were found to be more potent as compared to ruthenium and iridium complexes.     

Chirale Halbsandwich‐Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl‐Rhodium(III)‐ und Iridium(III)‐Komplexe mit Schiff‐Basen aus Salicylaldehyd und α‐Aminosäureestern [1]

Chiral Half‐sandwich Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl Rhodium(III) and Iridium(III) Complexes with Schiff Bases from Salicylaldehyde and α‐Amino Acid Esters [1] A series of diastereoisomeric half‐sandwich complexes with Schiff bases from salicylaldehyde and L‐α‐amino acid esters including chiral metal atoms, [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(Cl)M(N,O‐Schiff base)], has been obtained from chloro bridged complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)(Cl)M(μ‐Cl)]₂ (M = Rh, Ir). Abstraction of chloride from these complexes with Ag[BF₄] or Ag[SO₃CF₃] affords the highly sensitive compounds [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)M(N,O‐Schiff base]⁺X^? (M = Rh, Ir; X = BF₄, CF₃SO₃) to which PPh₃ can be added under formation of [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)M(PPh₃)(N,O‐Schiff base)]⁺X^?. The diastereoisomeric ratio of the complexes ( 1 ‐ 7 and 11 ‐ 12 ) has been determined from NMR spectra.     

Ligand‐Centred Reactivity of Bis(picolyl)amine Iridium: Sequential Deprotonation,Oxidation and Oxygenation of a “Non‐Innocent” Ligand

Treatment of [Ir(bpa)(cod)]⁺ complex [ 1 ]⁺ with a strong base (e.g., tBuO^?) led to unexpected double deprotonation to form the anionic [Ir(bpa?2H)(cod)]^? species [ 3 ]^?, via the mono‐deprotonated neutral amido complex [Ir(bpa?H)(cod)] as an isolable intermediate. A certain degree of aromaticity of the obtained metal–chelate ring may explain the favourable double deprotonation. The rhodium analogue [ 4 ]^? was prepared in situ. The new species [M(bpa?2H)(cod)]^? (M=Rh, Ir) are best described as two‐electron reduced analogues of the cationic imine complexes [M^I(cod)(Py‐CH₂‐N?CH‐Py)]⁺. One‐electron oxidation of [ 3 ]^? and [ 4 ]^? produced the ligand radical complexes [ 3 ]^. and [ 4 ]^.. Oxygenation of [ 3 ]^? with O₂ gave the neutral carboxamido complex [Ir(cod)(py‐CH₂‐N‐CO‐py)] via the ligand radical complex [ 3 ]^. as a detectable intermediate.