A novel arene bonding mode in the mixed-metal cluster Os4Ru(μ-H) 3(CO) 12(μ3-η-C6H5) P(OMe)3

The ionic coupling of [Os₄H₂(CO)₁₂]²⁻ with [Ru(η⁶-C₆H₆)(MeCN)₃]²⁺ affords the neutral mixed metal cluster Os₄Ru(μH)₂(CO)₁₂(η⁶-C₆H₆) 1. The reaction of 1 with trimethylphosphite leads to the initial formation of the addition product Os₄Ru(μH)₂(CO)₁₂(η⁶-C₆H₆)P(OMe)₃ 2, but this complex rearranges in solution to give Os₄Ru(μ-H)₃(CO)₁₂(μ₃-η⁶-C₆H₅)P(OMe)₃ 3. An X-ray structure of 3 shows that the metal core of the cluster is a ruthenium-spiked Os₄ tetrahedron, with one hydrogen atom from the arene having transferred to the Os₄ core, and one arene carbon bridging an Os-Os edge, while the ring as a whole remains η⁶-bound to the Ru atom.     

Reactions of transition-metal carbonyls with anhydrous HF

The reactions of a wide range of transition-metal carbonyls with anhydrous HF are described. In particular, Ru₃(CO)₁₂, Os₃(CO)₁₂ and Ir₄(CO)₁₂ give the solution stable [Ru₃(CO)₁₂H]⁺, [Ru(CO)₅H]⁺, [Os₃(CO)₁₂H]⁺, [Os(CO)₅H]⁺ and [Ir₄(CO)₁₂H₂]²⁺ respectively, which have been characterised by a combination of ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy.     

Reaction of [(μ-H)Os3(CO)11] anion with dioxygen

The anion [(μ-H)Os₃(CO)₁₁]⁻ reacts with dioxygen in solution to give a yellow species which further reacts with Os₆(CO)₁₈ to yield [(μ-H)Os₃(CO)₁₀.(/gm₂-O₂C).Os₆(CO)₁₇]⁻. The structure of the oxygen intermediate is proposed, and a mechanism of the reaction suggested.     

Oxidative addition of 2,2′-dipyridyl disulfphide to the cluster [Os3(CO)10(MeCN)2]

The cluster [Os₃(CO)₁₀(MeCN)₂] reacts with 2,2′-dipyridyl disulphide (1, pySSpy) to give a range of oxidative addition products which were separated by TLC on silica and crystallization : [Os₃(pyS)₂(CO)₁₀] (2), [Os₃(pyS)₂(CO)₉] (3), [Os₂(pyS)₂(CO)₆] (4) and [Os(pyS)₂(CO)₂] (5), together with some of the hydride [Os₃H(pyS)(CO)₉] (6), which is not an expected oxidative addition product. The X-ray crystal structures of compounds 2, 3, 4 and 6 (compounds 2 and 6 occurring within a single crystal), together with the known structure of compound 5, reveal several modes of pyS bonding : chelating pyS, μ₂-pyS (both sulphur-bonded and nitrogen, sulphur-bonded) and μ₃-pyS.     

Induction effects on IR-predissociation spectra of (SF6)2, (SiF4)2 and (SiH4)2

The observed difference in transition strength for (SF₆)₂, (SiF₄)₂ and (SiH₄)₂ IR-predissociation spectra is explained by induction effects (μ₀₁²/R₁₂⁶) which have to be included in the interaction Hamiltonian in addition to the dominant dipole-dipole term (μ₀₁²/R₁₂³).     

Electron transfer in organometallic clusters : XI. Redox chemistry of M3(CO)12(M = Ru, Os) and PPh3 derivatives; mechanism of catalysed nucleophilic substitution

The generality of a two-electron reduction process involving an mechanism has been established for M₃(CO)₁₂ and M₃(CO)₁₂−n(PPh₃)_n (M = Ru, Os) clusters in all solvents. Detailed coulometric and spectral studies in CH₂Cl₂ provide strong evidence for the formation of an ‘opened’ M₃(CO)₁₂²⁻ species the triangulo radical anions M₃(CO)₁₂^−· having a half-life of < 10⁻⁶ s in CH₂Cl₂. However, the electrochemical response is sensitive to the presence of water and is concentration dependent. An electrochemical response for “opened” M₃(CO)₁₂²⁻ is only detected at low concentrations < 5 × 10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³ and under drybox conditions. The electroactive species ground at higher concentrations and in the presence of water M₃(CO)₁₁²⁻ and M₆(CO)₁₈²⁻ were confirmed by a study of the electrochemistry of these anions in CH₂Cl₂; HM₃(CO)₁₁⁻ is not a product. The couple [M₆(CO)₁₈]^−/2− is chemically reversible under certain conditions but oxidation of HM₃(CO)₁₁⁻ is chemically irreversible. Different electrochemical behaviour for Ru₃(CO)₁₂ is found when [PPN][X] (X = OAc⁻, Cl⁻) salts are supporting electrolytes. In these solutions formation of the ultimate electroactive species [μ-C(O)XRu₃(CO)₁₀]⁻ at the electrode is stopped under CO or at low temperatures but Ru₃(CO)₁₂^−· is still trapped by reversible attack by X presumably as [η¹-C(O)XRu₃(CO)₁₁]⁻. It is shown that electrode-initiated electron catalysed substitution of M₃(CO)₁₂ only takes place on the electrochemical timescale when M = Ru, but it is slow, inefficient and non-selective, whereas BPK-initiated nucleophilic substitution of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ is only specific and fast in ether solvents particulary THF. Metal---metal bond cleavage is the most important influence on the rate and specificity of catalytic substitution by electron or [PPN]-initiation. The redox chemistry of M₃(CO)₁₂ clusters (M = Fe, Ru, Os) is a consequence of the relative rates of metal---metal bond dissociation, metal-metal bond strength and ligand dissociation and in many aspects resembles their photochemistry.     

Studies of N-heterocyclic compounds with triosmium clusters: Formation of the heterocyclic-linked dicluster compound [Os 6(μ-H)2(μ3-C6H4N3)2(CO)18]

The cluster [Os₃(CO)₁₀(MeCN)₂] reacts with indazole (C₇H₆N₂) to give two isomeric products [0s₃(μ-H)(μ-C₇H₅N₂)(CO)₁₀] in which the five-membered ring has been metallated with N-H cleavage to give an N,N-bonded isomer or with C-H cleavage to give a C,N-bonded isomer. These two isomers have very similar X-ray structures but can be clearly distinguished by ¹H NMR methods. They are shown to correspond to related clusters derived from pyrazole. Benzotriazole (C₆H₅N₃) also reacts (as shown earlier by others) to give two isomers: an N,N-bonded species [Os₃(μ-H)(μ-C₆H₄N₃)(CO)₁₀] coordinated only through the five-membered ring and a minor C,N-bonded isomer [Os₃(μ-H)(μ-C₆H₄N₃)(CO)₁₀], metallated at the C₆ ring and coordinated through both rings. The former isomer reacts with Me₃NO in acetonitrile to give [Os₃(μ-H)(μ-C₆H₄N₃)(CO)₉(MeCN)] which thermally looses MeCN to produce the coupled product [Os₆(μ-H)₂(μ₃-C₆H₄N₃)₂(CO)₁₈] which was shown by X-ray structure determination to have all six nitrogen atoms coordinated to osmium, a novel situation for coordinated benzotriazole. The two Os₃ units are linked together by an OsNNOsNN ring in a boat conformation with the whole cluster adopting C₂ symmetry.     

Protonation and hydrogenation of triosmium clusters containing the bridging diphosphine ligands Ph2P(CH2nPPh2 (n = 1 to 4)

Members of the series of bridging diphosphine clusters [Os₃(CO)₁₀(diphos)] where diphos = Ph₂P(CH_2nPPh₂ [dppm (n = 1), dppe (n = 2), dppp (n = 3), or dppb (n = 4)] show interesting differences in their reactivity towards H⁺ and H₂. Protonation leads to [Os₃(μ-H)(CO)₁₀(diphos)]⁺ with the hydrides bridging the same osmium atoms as the diphos ligand when diphos is dppe, dppp, or dppb, whereas the hydride and dppm bridge different edges in [Os₃9μ-H)(CO)₁₀(dppm)]⁺. Hydrogenation of the 1,2-diphos compounds leads to [Os₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₈(diphos)] (diphos = dppm, dppe, dppp) in good to excellent yield but the dppb analogue could not be made. Geometric and electronic factors affecting the ability to incorporate hydride ligands in these clusters are discussed.     

Geometrical isomerization of fac/mer-Mo(CO)3(phosphite)3 and cis/trans-Mo(CO)4(phosphite)2 catalyzed by Me3SiOSO2CF3

Geometrical isomerization of fac-Mo(CO)₃L₃ (L = P(OPh)₃, P(OMe)₃, P(OEt)₃) to the mer form and that of cis-Mo(CO)₄L₂ (L = P(OPh)₃, P(OMe)₃, PPh₂(OMe)) to the trans form were observed in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature in the presence of a catalytic amount of Me₃SiOSO₂CF₃ (TMSOTf). Crossover experiments suggest that a ligand dissociation is not involved in the isomerization. A catalytic cycle involving an interaction of the silicon atom in Me₃Si⁺ with one oxygen in P(OR)₃ ligands has been proposed. The first isolation and the X-ray structure analysis were attained for mer-Mo(CO)₃{P(OPh)₃}₃ through the TSMOTf-assisted isomerization of fac-Mo(CO)₃{P(OPh)₃}₃.     

Micellar effects on photoinduced redox reactions of Fe(bpy)2(CN)2

Excitation of solutions of Fe(bipy)₂(CN)₂ by a 266-nm laser pulse produces a hydrated electron and the oxidized complex, Fe(bipy)₂ (CN)₂⁺, in the primary photochemical step, in homogeneous aqueous solution as well as in aqueous solutions containing cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles. In all cases nascent hydrated electrons react with ground state Fe(bipy)₂(CN)₂ to form Fe(bipy)₂(CN)₂⁻, and comparison of the decay constants in the three media (H₂O: k = 2.8 × 10¹⁰ M⁻¹ s⁻¹; CTAB: k = 2.9 × 10¹⁰ M⁻¹ s⁻¹; SDS: k = 5.5 × 10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹), shows that the reaction is essentially unaffected by CTAB micelles but is much slower in SDS solution. Similar micellar effects were found for the back reaction between e_aq⁻ and Fe(bpy)₂(CN)₂⁺. Rate constants for the scavenging of the photogenerated hydrated electrons by methyl viologen (MV²⁺) cations and NO₃⁻ anions were measured in the three systems, and the results indicate that for scavenging by MV²⁺ the rate constants are decreased in the micelle systems (k in H₂O, 8.4 × 10¹⁰; CTAB, 3.5 × 10¹⁰ and SDS, 1.58 × 10¹⁰ M⁻¹ s⁻¹), whereas for NO₃⁻ the CTAB micelle decreases while the SDS micelle enhances the scavenging compared to water solution (k in H₂O, 8.3 × 10⁹; CTAB, 7 × 10⁸; and SDS, 2.05 × 10¹⁰ M⁻¹ s⁻¹). For the comproportionation reaction between Fe(bipy)₂(CN)₂⁺ and Fe(bipy)₂(CN)₂⁻ both micelles reduce the rate (k in H₂O, 3.3 × 10¹⁰; CTAB, 2.3 × 10¹⁰; and SDS, 1.05 × 10¹⁰ M⁻¹s⁻¹), but while the reaction of Fe(bipy)₂(CN)₂⁺ with MV⁺ is increased in CTAB compared to water, it is slowed in SDS (k in H₂O, 2.4 × 10¹⁰; CTAB, 8.9 × 10¹⁰; and SDS, 1.8 × 10¹⁰ M⁻¹s⁻¹). All effects observed in these microheterogeneous systems can be uniformly interpreted in terms of Coulombic interactions between the actual reactants and the charged surface of the micelles.     

Phosphinegold(I) derivatives of the metal-rich metallaborane, HFe4(CO)12BH2: a novel phosphine exchange involving cation and cluster-bound phosphine ligands

The preparation and characterisation of three new gold(I) phosphine derivatives of the ferraborane, HFe₄(CO)₁₂BH₂ are reported. In HFe₄(CO)₁₂(AuPPh₃)BH (2), the AuPPh₃ fragment formally replaces an Fe---H---B bridging hydrogen atom in the parent compound HFe₄(CO)₁₂BH₂. A comparison between 2 and the structurally characterised di-gold derivative, Fe₄(CO)₁₂(AuPPh₃)₂BH (1) is made to gain insight into the relative site preference for the heavy metal fragments in 1. Preparation of the bis(triethylphosphine)gold(I) derivative of HFe₄(CO)₁₂BH₂ from the PPN⁺ salt of its conjugate base illustrates a novel exchange reaction between the PPh₃ groups in the PPN⁺ cation and the initially, gold-associated PEt₃ groups. This leads to a distribution of products Fe₄(CO)₁₂(AuPR₃(AuPR′₃BH where R = R′ = Ph (1) or R = R′ = Et (3) or R = Ph and R′ = et (4).     

Vibrational dependence of the NH3 (v2)+NO and NO(v)+NH3 charge transfer cross sections

A tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer is used to study the charge transfer reactions NH₃⁺ + NO and NO⁺ + NH₃ over a collision energy range 1.5–13 eV. The vibrational state of the reagent ions is selected by resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization. For the 0.9 eV exothermic process NH₃⁺ + NO → NH₃ + NO⁺ excitation of the v₂ umbrella bending mode (v₂ = 0–12) causes no marked change in the charge transfer cross section, while in the reverse process NO⁺ + NH₃ → NO + NH₃⁺ excitation of the NO⁺ vibration (v = 0–6) strongly enhanced the charge transfer cross section.     

Charge transfer photochemistry of Ru(bpz)3 with carboxylic acids and carboxylate ions

Ru(bpz)₃²⁺ (bpz = 2,2′-bipyrazine) has six peripheral uncoordinated nitrogen atoms potentially available for protonation in presence of acids. The emission from ^*Ru(bpz)₃²⁺ is efficiently quenched by organic acids and the observed quenching rate constants are explained in terms of proton transfer from acids to ^*Ru(bpz)₃²⁺. The absorption and emission intensity of Ru(bpz)₃²⁺ increases with increasing concentration of carboxylate ion suggesting the complex formation between the two reactants in the ground state. From these studies, the formation constant (K_f) have been evaluated by Benesi–Hildebrand method. The K_f values indicate that generally the ion pair association constants estimated from absorption and emission techniques are comparable and these values are sensitive to the structure of the carboxylate ions.     

Syntheses of gold-manganese and gold-rhenium clusters, [(Ph3PAu)3M(CO)4] and [(Ph3PAu)4M(CO)4] (M = Mn, Re), and the crystal structure of [(Ph3PAu)4Mn(CO)4]BF4

The specific additions of one, three or four Ph₃PAu groups to [M(CO)₅]⁻ (M=Mn, Re) are described. Thus [M(CO)₅] ⁻ in THF reacts with [(Ph₃PAu)₃O]BF₄ to give [(Ph₃PAu)₄Mn(CO)₄]BF₄. An X-ray crystal structure of the M = Mn example shows the cation to have a trigonal bipyramidal Au₄Mn core with the Mn in an equatorial site. The previously known neutral (Ph₃PAu)₃M(CO)₄ clusters are formed by addition of two Ph₃PAu groups, using the mixed reagent [(Ph₃PAu) ₃O]BF₄/[ppn][Co(CO)₄], to Ph₃PAuM(CO)₅, which itself is readily prepared from [M(CO)₅]⁻ and Ph₃PAuCl.     

The reaction of (μ-H)2Os3(CO)9(PPh3) with ethylene affords the ethylidene complex (μ-H)2Os3(CO)9(PPh3)(μ-CHCH3)

The product isolated from the reaction of (μ-H)₂Os₃(CO)₉(PPh₃) with ethylene is shown to be the ethylidene complex (μ-H)₂Os₃(CO)₉(PPh₃)(μ-CHCH₃) (1) rather than the ethylene complex (μ-H)(H)Os₃(CO)₉(PPh₃)(C₂H₄), as previously claimed. The characterization of 1 is based on a combination of ¹H and ¹³C NMR results. The ¹H NMR data (δ 6.84 (1 H_D), 2.53 (3 H_C), J(CD) = 7.4 Hz) establish the presence of the ethylidene moiety, whereas detailed analysis of the 1-D and 2-D ¹³C NMR spectra of ¹³CO-enriched 1 indicates the relative positions of the ethylidene, hydride, and phosphine ligands on the triosmium framework.     

Stabilization and electron spin resonance characterization of Ru(bpy)3 and Ru(bpy)3 by radiolysis of Ru(bpy)3 adsorbed on silica gel

Ru(bpy)₃³⁺, which is important in artificial photosynthetic systems due to its high reduction potential, is stabilized together with its counter anion, Ru(bpy)₃⁺, by radiolysis of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ adsorbed on silica gel at 77 K. Both species are characterized by electron spin resonance.     

Structural and theoretical studies of Xe(OChF5)2 and [XeOChF5][AsF6] (Ch = Se, Te)

The XeOSeF₅⁺ cation has been synthesized for the first time and characterized in solution by ¹⁹F, ⁷⁷Se and ¹²⁹Xe NMR spectroscopy and in the solid state by X-ray crystallography and Raman spectroscopy with AsF₆⁻ as its counter anion. The X-ray crystal structures of the tellurium analogue and of the Xe(OChF₅)₂ derivatives have also been determined: [XeOChF₅][AsF₆] crystallize in tetragonal systems, P4/n, a=6.1356(1) Å, c=13.8232(2) Å, V=520.383(14) Å³, Z=2 and R₁=0.0453 at −60°C (Te) and a=6.1195(7) Å, c=13.0315(2) Å, V=488.01(8) Å³, Z=2 and R₁=0.0730 at −113°C (Se); Xe(OTeF₅)₂ crystallizes in a monoclinic system, P2₁/c, a=10.289(2) Å, b=9.605(2) Å, c=10.478(2) Å, β=106.599(4)°, V=992.3(3) Å³, Z=4 and R₁=0.0680 at −127°C; Xe(OSeF₅)₂ crystallizes in a triclinic system, , a=8.3859(6) Å, c=12.0355(13) Å, V=732.98(11) Å³, Z=3 and R₁=0.0504 at −45°C. The energy minimized geometries and vibrational frequencies of the XeOChF₅⁺ cations and Xe(OChF₅)₂ were calculated using density functional theory, allowing for definitive assignments of their experimental vibrational spectra.     

Polymerization of ethylene with (C5Me5)2Zr(NMe2)2 cocatalyzed by common alkyl aluminums

Polymerizations of ethylene have been carried out by using Cp₂^*Zr(NMe₂)₂ (Cp^*=C₅Me₅) compound combined with common alkyl aluminums (AlR₃) and methylaluminoxane (MAO) as cocatalysts. The AlMe₃ cocatalyzed system showed no activity due to the formation of stable but inactive heterodinuclear [Cp₂^*2Zr(μ-Me)₂AlMe₂]⁺ cations; however, the bulkier AlR₃ [AlEt₃, Al(i-Bu)₃ and Al(i-Bu)₂H] cocatalyzed systems showed very high activities. Especially, Cp₂^*Zr(NMe₂)₂/Al(i-Bu)₃ catalyst showed higher catalytic activity and produced higher molecular weight (MW) polymer than Cp₂^*Zr(NMe₂)₂/MAO catalyst, demonstrating both MAO and bulky AlR₃ are effective cocatalysts for Cp₂^*Zr(NMe₂)₂ compound.     

The synthesis of phosphine derivatives of [Fe4N(CO)12]: Crystal structures of [Fe4N(CO)9(NO)(PPh3)2], [HFe4N (CO)11)PPh3)] and [(PPh3)2N][Fe4N(CO)11(PMe2Ph)]

Phosphines react with butterfly tetranuelear nitrido-iron clusters, [Fe₄N(CO)₁₂]⁻ and [Fe₄N(CO)₁₁(NO)], to give mono- and di-substituted complexes. X-Ray analyses of the title compounds showed that the phosphine ligands are bound to the wing-tip atoms.     

The electrolyte NRTL model and speciation approach as applied to multicomponent aqueous solutions of H2SO4, Fe2(SO4)3, MgSO4 and Al2(SO4)3 at 230–270 °C

This work presents chemical modeling of solubilities of metal sulfates in aqueous solutions of sulfuric acid at high temperatures. Calculations were compared with experimental solubility measurements of hematite (Fe₂O₃) in aqueous ternary and quaternary systems of H₂SO₄, MgSO₄ and Al₂(SO₄)₃ at high temperatures. A hybrid model of ion-association and electrolyte non-random two liquid (ENRTL) theory was employed to fit solubility data in three ternary systems H₂SO₄–MgSO₄–H₂O, H₂SO₄–Al₂(SO₄)₃–H₂O at 235–270 °C and H₂SO₄–Fe₂(SO₄)₃–H₂O at 150–270 °C. Employing the Aspen Plus™ property program, the electrolyte NRTL local composition model was used for calculating activity coefficients of the ions Al³⁺, Mg²⁺ Fe³⁺ and SO₄²⁻, HSO₄⁻, OH⁻, H₃O⁺, respectively, as well as molecular species. The solid phases were hydronium alunite (H₃O)Al₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆, hematite Fe₂O₃ and magnesium sulfate monohydrate (MgSO₄)·H₂O which were employed as constraint precipitation solids in calculating the metal sulfate solubilities. A correlation for the equilibrium constants of the association reactions of complex species versus temperature was implemented. Based on the maximum-likelihood principle, the binary interaction energy parameters for the ionic species as well as the coefficients for equilibrium constants of the reactions were obtained simultaneously using the solubility data of the ternary systems. Following that, the solubilities of metal sulfates in the quaternary systems H₂SO₄–Fe₂(SO₄)₃–MgSO₄–H₂O, H₂SO₄–Fe₂(SO₄)₃–Al₂(SO₄)₃–H₂O at 250 °C and H₂SO₄–Al₂(SO₄)₃–MgSO₄–H₂O at 230–270 °C were predicted. The calculated results were in excellent agreement with the experimental data.