Rhenium(I) methoxo carbonyl complexes containing tetraphosphine or triphosphine ligands; facile separation and X-ray crystallographic studies of d/l- and meso-[{Re2(μ-OMe)2(CO)6}2(μ,μ′-1,1,4,7,10,10-hexaphenyl-1,4,7,10-tetra-phosphadecane)]

Reaction of the activated mixture of Re₂(CO)_10, Me₃NO and MeOH with a 1:1 mixture of rac (d/l)- and meso-1,1,4,7,10,10-hexaphenyl-1,4,7,10-tetraphosphadecane (hptpd) yields a mixture of (d/l)- and meso-[{Re₂(μ-OMe)₂(CO)₆}₂(μ,μ′-hptpd)] 1. The diastereomers can be easily separated by selective dissolution of d/l-1 in benzene, and give clearly distinguishable ¹H- and ³¹P-NMR spectra. The fluxional behavior of d/l-1 in solution has been studied by variable-temperature ¹H- and ³¹P-{¹H}-NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of both d/l- and meso-1 have been determined. Both molecules consist of two {Re₂(μ-OMe)₂(CO)₆} moieties which are bridged by the two P---CH₂---CH₂---P moieties of the hptpd ligand. Whilst the molecules of meso-1 possess crystallographic i-symmetry, those of d/l-1 do not have any crystallographic symmetry. These diastereomers therefore give clearly distinguishable Raman spectra in the solid state. Reaction of tris[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]phosphine (tdppep) with the activated mixture affords the complex [{Re₂(μ-OMe)₂(CO)₆}(μ,η²-tdppep)] 2, and the analogous reaction involving bis[2-diphenylphospinoethyl)phenylphosphine (triphos) gives [{Re₂(μ-OMe)₂(CO)₆}(μ,μ′,η³-triphos){Re₂(CO)₉}] 3 and [{Re₂(μ-OMe)₂(CO)₆}(μ,η²-triphos)] 4.     

Synthesis and characterization of planarly chiral nonbridged bis(1-R-indenyl) zirconium dichloride complexes and X-ray structure of rac-[(η-C9H6-1-C(CH3)2---o-C6H4---OCH3)2ZrCl2]·THF

Reactions of the lithium salts of 3-substituted indenes 1, 2 with ZrCl₄(THF)₂ gave two series of nonbridged bis(1-substituted)indenyl zirconocene dichloride complexes. Fractional recrystallization from THF–petroleum ether furnished the pure racemic and mesomeric isomers of [(η⁵-C₉H₆-1-C(R¹)(R²)---o-C₆H₄---OCH₃)₂ZrCl₂]·nTHF (R¹=R²=CH₃, n=1, rac-1a and meso-1b; R¹=CH₃, R²=C₂H₅; n=0.5 or 0, rac-2a and meso-2b), respectively. Complex 1a was further characterized by X-ray diffraction to have a C₂ symmetrically racemic structure, where the six-member rings of the indenyl parts are oriented laterally and two o-CH₃O---C₆H₄---C(CH₃)₂--- substituents are oriented to the open side of the metallocene (Ind: bis-lateral, anti; Substituent: bis-central, syn). The four zirconocene complexes are highly symmetrical in solution as characterized by room temperature ¹H-NMR, however ¹H–¹H NOESY of meso-1b shows that some of the NOE interactions arise from the two separated indenyl parts of the same molecule, which can only be well explained by taking into account the torsion isomers in solution.     

Optically active transition metal compounds : LXXXI. Crystal structure of (+)546-[C5H5Mo(CO)2LL]PF (LL = 2-benzoylpyridine-(R)-1-phenylethylimine)

Racemic [C₅H₅Mo(CO)₂LL]PF₆, (2) with LL = 2-benzoylpyridine-1-phenylethylimine, undergoes spontaneous resolution upon crystallization from acetone/CH₂Cl₂/ethanol. The absolute configuration of the (+)₅₄₆-isomer was shown to be (R) at the Mo atom and (R) at the asymmetric carbon atom. Comparison of 2 with [C₅H₅Mo(CO)₂LL]PF₆ (1) (LL = 2-carbaldehydepyridine-1-phenylethylimine) reveals distinct changes caused by the differences resulting from the presence of the phenyl group in 2 and the change from the (RR)- to the (RS)-configuration.     

Polymerization of MMA by oscillating zirconocene catalysts, diastereomeric zirconocene mixtures, and diastereospecific metallocene pairs

Characteristics of methyl methacrylate (MMA) polymerization using oscillating zirconocene catalysts, (2-Ph-Ind)₂ZrX₂ (X = Cl, 1; X = Me, 2), mixtures of rac- and meso-zirconocene diastereomers, (SBI)ZrMe₂ [3, SBI = Me₂Si(Ind)₂] and (EBI)ZrMe₂ [4, EBI = C₂H₄(Ind)₂], as well as diastereospecific metallocene pairs, rac-4/Cp₂ZrMe₂ (5) and rac-4/CGCTiMe₂ [6, CGC = Me₂Si(Me₄C₅)(t-BuN)], are reported. MMA polymerization using the chloride catalyst precursor 1 activated with a large excess of the modified methyl aluminoxane is sluggish, uncontrolled, and produces atactic PMMA. On the other hand, the polymerization by a 2/1 ratio of 2/B(C₆F₅)₃ or 2/Ph₃CB(C₆F₅)₄ is controlled and produces syndiotactic PMMA. Mixtures of diastereomeric ansa-zirconocenes 3 or 4 containing various rac/meso ratios, when activated with B(C₆F₅)₃, yield bimodal PMMA; this behavior is attributed to the meso-diastereomer that, in its pure form, affords bimodal, syndio-rich atactic PMMA. For MMA polymerization using diastereospecific metallocene pairs, rac-4/5 and rac-4/6, the isospecific catalyst site dominates the polymerization events under the conditions employed in this study, and the aspecific and syndiospecific sites are largely nonproductive, thereby forming only highly isotactic PMMA.     

The crystal structure of (η-C6Me6)Ti[(μ-Cl)2(AlClEt)]2 and the catalytic activity of the (C6Me6)TiAl2Cl8−xEtx(x = 0---4) complexes towards butadiene

The composition of (C₆Me₆)TiAl₂Cl_8−xEt_x complexes in (C₆Me₆)TiAl₂Cl₈ + n Et₃Al (n = 0.5-6) systems was studied by UV-Vis spectroscopy and the X-ray crystal structure of one of them, (η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ti[(μ-Cl)₂(AlClEt)]₂ (IIa-2), has been determined. The complex crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pna2₁ with Z = 4 and lattice parameters a 15.634(3), b 11.355(2), c 14.417(2) Å. The ethyl groups of IIa-2 reside in outer positions of aluminate ligands farther away from the C₆Me₆ ligand. The other part of the complex does not differ remarkably from structures of other (arene)Ti^II complexes. Negligible activity of (C₆Me₆)TiAl₂Cl₈ towards the butadiene cyclotrimerization is considerably increased by addition of 2.5–3.0 equivalents of Et₃Al. As follows from UV-Vis spectra, such systems contain mainly the (C₆Me₆)TiAl₂Cl₅Et₃ complex. It is suggested that the introduction of three Et substituents destabilizes the Ti-(η⁶-C₆Me₆) bond so that the replacement of hexamethylbenzene by butadiene in the first step of a catalytic cycle becomes more feasible.     

The lively chemistry of the di-μ-methylene-bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl-rhodium) complexes, analogues of surface reactions in heterogeneous catalysis

The chemistry of the di-μ-methylene-bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl-rhodium) complexes is reviewed. The complex [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl₂}₂] (1a) reacted with MeLi to give, after oxidative work-up, blood-red cis-[{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(Me)₂], 2. This has the two rhodiums in the +4 oxidation state (d⁵), and linked by a metal-metal bond (2.620 Å). Trans-2 was formed on isomerisation of cis-2 in the presence of Lewis acids, or by direct reaction of 1a with Al₂Me₆, followed by dehydrogenation with acetone. The Rh-methyls in [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(Me)₂] were readily replaced under acidic conditions (HX) to give [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(X)₂] (X = Cl, Br or I); these latter complexes reacted with a variety of RMgX to give [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(R)₂] (R = alkyl, Ph, vinyl, etc.). Trans-2 also reacted with HBF₄ in the presence of L to give first [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(Me)(L)]⁺ and then [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(L)₂]²⁺ (L = MeCN, CO, etc.). The {(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂ core is rather kinetically inert and also forms a variety of complexes with oxy-ligands, both cis-, e.g. [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(μ-OAc)]⁺ and trans-, such as [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(H₂O)₂]²⁺. The complexes [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(R)L]⁺ (R = Me or aryl) in the presence of CO, or [{(η⁵-C₄Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(R)₂] (R = Me, Ph or CO₂Me) in the presence of mild oxidants, readily yield the C---C---C coupled products RCH=CH₂. The mechanisms of these couplings have been elucidated by detailed labelling studies: they are more complex than expected, but allow direct analogies to be drawn to C---C couplints that occur during Fischer-Tropsch reactions on rhodium surfaces.     

Synthesis of metallocenes of zirconium, hafnium, manganese, iron, tin, lead and half-sandwich complexes of rhodium and iridium containing the ligands (η-C5R4CR′2PMe2), where R and R′ may be H or Me

The dimethylphosphino substituted cyclopentadienyl precursor compounds [M(C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)], where M=Li⁺ (1), Na⁺ (2), or K⁺ (3), and [Li(C₅H₄CR′₂PMe₂)], where R′₂=Me₂ (4), or (CH₂)₅ (5), [HC₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂H]X, where X⁻=Cl⁻ (6) or PF₆⁻ (7) and [HC₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂] (8), are described. They have been used to prepare new metallocene compounds, of which representative examples are [Fe(η-C₅R₄CR′₂PMe₂)₂], where R=Me, R′=H (9); R=H and R′₂=Me₂ (10), or (CH₂)₅ (11), [Fe(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₃)₂]I₂ (12), [Fe{η-C₅Me₄CH₂P(O)Me₂}₂] (13), [Zr(η-C₅R₄CR′₂PMe₂)₂Cl₂], where R=H, R′=Me (14), or R=Me, R′=H (15), [Hf(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂]Cl₂] (16), [Zr(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂Me₂] (17), {[Zr(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)₂]Cl}{(C₆F₅)₃BClB(C₆F₅)₃} (18), [Zr{(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)₂Cl₂}PtI₂] (19), [Mn(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)₂] (20), [Mn{(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂B(C₆F₅)₃}₂] (21), [Pb(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂] (23), [Sn(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂] (24), [Pb{η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂B(C₆F₅)₃}₂] (25), [Pb(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂PtI₂] (26), [Rh(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)(C₂H₄)] 29, [M(η,κP-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)I₂], where M=Rh (30), or Ir, (31).     

Synthesis and X-ray crystal structures of rac- and meso-2,2′-propylidene-bis(1-indenyl) zirconium dichlorides

An improved synthesis of 2,2′-bis(1-indenyl)propane and the corresponding ansa-complexes of zirconium are reported. Synthesis of a mixture of rac- and meso-2,2′-propylidene-bis(1-indenyl)zirconium dichlorides involves a treatment of ZrCl₄ with bis[3-(trialkyltin)inden-1-yl]propane, where alkyl = ethyl, butyl, in toluene. This reaction gives the products in 92% yield and might be a convenient synthetic pathway to a number of straightforward ansa-metallocenes. Both rac- and meso-2,2′-propylidene-bis(1-indenyl)zirconium dichlorides were separated and isolated using simple work-up processes, and characterized by X-ray crystal structure analysis (rac:C2/c; a = 15.903(3) Å, b = 11.105(2) Å and c = 11.520(2) Å; β = 121.61(3)°; Z = 4; V = 1732.6(5) ų; R = 0.0350; meso-: P1¯; a = 9.739(2) Å, b = 12.798(4) Å and c = 15.322(4) Å; = 101.18(2)°; β = 121.61(2)°; γ = 90.54(2)°, Z = 4; V = 1795.4(8) ų; R = 0.0417).     

Synthesis and characterisation of [(C5Me4R)2NbS2]2M complexes (M = Fe, Co; R = Me, Et) : organometallic tetrathiometalates with niobocene ligands

Irradiation of Cp₂^* Nb(η²---S₂)H (Cp^* = C₅Me₅) 1a in the presence of Fe(CO)₅ gives the CO-free complex [Cp₂^*NbS₂]₂Fe 2a. The core of 2a contains an FeS₄ tetrahedron which is ligated by two niobocene ligands as shown by X-ray diffraction analysis. In the reaction of 1a or Cp₂^xNb(η²---S₂)H (CP^x = C₅Me₄Et) 1b with Co₂(CO)₈, compounds 3a and 3b of the same type are formed. Electrochemical studies of 2a and 3a,b show that they undergo three reversible 1e⁻ steps. The oxidation of 3b exerts a considerable influence on its absorption spectrum. A qualitative EHMO analysis is in agreement with a strong delocalisation of electron density over the whole NbS₂MS₂Nb system.     

The chemistry of compounds of the type Ru(η---C5Me4Et)(CO)2X (X=Cl, Br or I)

The title compounds react with unidentate ligands, L, containing either phosphorus or arsenic donor atoms to yield the corresponding compounds of the type Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)LX; with didentate phosphorus donor ligands the major species formed is the bridged complex {Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)X}₂{Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh ₂} n = 1, X = Br; n = 2, X = Cl). In contrast, unidentate ligands containing nitrogen donor atoms such as pyridine did not react with Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)₂Cl although reaction with 1,10-phenanthroline or diethylenetriamine yielded the ionic products [Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)L]⁺Cl⁻ (L = phen or (NH₂CH₂CH₂)₂NH). Reaction of Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)₂Br with AgOAc yielded the corresponding acetato complex Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)₂0Ac. Ru(η⁵--- C₅Me₄Et)(CO)₂X reacts with AgY (Y = BF₄ or PF₆) in either acetone or dichloromethane to give the useful solvent intermediates [Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)₂(solvent)]⁺Y⁻, which readily react with ligands L to yield ionic derivatives of the type [Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)₂L]⁺Y⁻ (where L = CO, NCMe, py, C₂H₄ or MeO₂CCCCO₂Me).     

An improved synthetic method and vibrational study of (pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) dicarbonylrhenium dihalides (η-C5Me5)Re(CO)2X2 (X = C1, Br and I)

An improved synthetic method has been found for the preparation of the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl rhenium dicarbonyldihalide complexes. From the reaction of (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Re(CO)₃ with Br₂ or I₂ in THF-H₂O a mixture of cis and trans isomers of (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Re(CO)₂X₂ X = Br and I is formed. On the other hand, the reaction of [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Re(CO)₃C1][SbC1₆] in water gives the cis-(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Re(CO)₂C1₂ complex. The solid IR spectra of the dicarbonyldihalide complexes are recorded and an assignment of the normal modes in terms of local symmetry is suggested by comparison with those observed in analogous molecules. A normal coordinate analysis performed using a modified general valence force field and considering simplified models, confirms most of the experimental assignments. The set of valence force constants reflects the structure of the isomers under study.     

[2-(N,N-Dimethylaminomethyl)ferrocenyl] as a ligand towards mercury

The diorganomercurial bis[2-(N,N-dimethylaminomethyl)ferrocenyl]mercury(II), (FcN)₂Hg (3), can be obtained by the symmetrisation of the heteroleptic (FcN)HgCl (2) with Na₂S₂O₃ or in the transmetallation reaction of 2 with (FcN)Li. By crystallisation only the crystals of rac-(FcN)₂Hg were obtained. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed linear coordinated mercury atom with two η¹-bonded FcN ligands. Additionally, weak chelate interactions exist between mercury and nitrogen atoms of the ---CH₂NMe₂ side chains. According to the ¹H-NMR findings, these interactions are not preserved in solution. Diorganomercurial 3 appears in solution as a mixture of two diastereomers with rac/meso-(FcN)₂Hg ratio of 1:1. This diastereomeric ratio in solution remains constant within a wide temperature range and in different solvents. The NMR spectroscopic data of the heteroleptic organomercurials [(FcN)HgCl]₂·H₂O (1) and (FcN)HgCl (2) indicate the chelate-free structure of this compounds in solution within the studied temperature interval (−80 to 90 °C).     

Binuclear methyplatinum and phenylplatinum complexes with bis(dimethylphosphino)methane ligands

Reaction of cis-[Ptph₂(SMe₂)₂] with Me₂PCH₂PMe₂ (dmpm) gave cis-[PtPh₂(dmpm-P)₂] (1) or cis,cis-[Pt₂Ph₄(μ-dmpm)₂] (2) and reaction of 1 with [Pt₂Me₄(μ-SMe₂)₂] gave cis,cis-[Ph₂Pt(μ-dmpm)₂PtMe₂] (3). Reaction of 1 with trans-[PtClR(SMe₂)₂] gave cis,trans-[Ph₂Pt(μ-dmpm)₂PtClR], R = Me (5) or Ph (6), and in polar solvents, these isomerized to give [Ph₂Pt(μ-dmpm)₂PtR]⁺Cl⁻. When R = Me, further isomerization via the phenyl group transfer gave [PhMePt(μ-dmpm)₂PtPh]⁺Cl⁻. Oxidative addition of methyl iodide occurred reversibly at the cis-[PtMe₂P₂ unit of 3 to give cis,fac-[Ph₂Pt(μ-dmpm)₂PtIMe₃] but complex 2 failed to react with MeI. A comparison with similar known complexes of Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂ (dppm) is made and differences are attributed primarily to the lower steric hindrance of dmpm.     

Stable cationic diene complexes of iron

Complexes having the formula [C₅Me₅Fe(CO)-η⁴-diene]⁺ BF₄⁻ have been prepared by reaction of [C₅Me₅Fe(CO)₂THF]⁺BF₄⁻ with a range of dienes. A Brönsted plot derived from the rates of addition of amine nucleophiles suggests an essentially “soft” nature for the complexes diene.     

Synthesis and magnetism of the first tetranuclear copper(II)–iron(III) complexes of macrocyclic oxamides

Four novel tetranuclear macrocyclic complexes of the formula [(CuLⁱ)₃Fe](ClO₄)₃·3H₂O (i=1–4, Lⁱ are the dianions of the [14]N₄ and [15]N₄ macrocyclic oxamides, namely 2,3-dioxo-5,6:13,14-dibenzo-7,12-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-7,11-diene, 2,3-dioxo-5,6:13,14-dibenzo-9-methyl-7,12-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-7,11-diene and 2,3-dioxo-5,6:14,15-dibenzo-7,13-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-1,4,8,12-tetraazacyclotetradeca-7,12-diene] have been prepared and characterized. These complexes are the first examples of oxamido-bridged Cu(II)–Fe(III) heterometallic species. Cryomagnetic studies on [(CuL¹)₃Fe](ClO₄)₃·3H₂O (1) and [(CuL³)₃Fe](ClO₄)₃·3H₂O (3) (77–300 K) revealed that the Cu(II) and Fe(III) ions interact antiferromagnetically through the oxamido bridge, with the exchange integral J=−30.8 cm⁻¹ for 1 and J=−28.7 cm⁻¹ for 3 based on . The interaction parameters have been compared with that of the related [Cu₃Mn] compound.     

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.     

Syntheses, X-ray structures, and reactions of ruthenium carbonyl complexes containing 1,1-dithiolates

Treatment of [Ru₂(CO)₄(MeCN)₆][BF₄]₂ or [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-O₂CMe)₂(MeCN)₂] with uni-negative 1,1-dithiolate anions via potassium dimethyldithiocarbamate, sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, potassium tert-butylthioxanthate, and ammonium O,O′-diethylthiophosphate gives both monomeric and dimeric products of cis-[Ru(CO)₂(η²-(SS))₂] ((SS)⁻=Me₂NCS₂⁻ (1), Et₂NCS₂⁻ (2), ^tBuSCS₂⁻ (3), (EtO)₂PS₂⁻ (4)) and [Ru(CO)(η²-(Me₂NCS₂))(μ,η²-Me₂NCS₂)]₂ (5). The lightly stabilized MeCN ligands of [Ru₂(CO)₄(MeCN)₆][BF₄]₂ are replaced more readily than the bound acetate ligands of [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-O₂CMe)₂(MeCN)₂] by thiolates to produce cis-[Ru(CO)₂(η²-(SS))₂] with less selectivity. Structures 1 and 5 were determined by X-ray crystallography. Although the two chelating dithiolates are cis to each other in 1, the dithiolates are trans to each other in each of the {Ru(CO)(η²-Me₂NCS₂)₂} fragment of 5. The dimeric product 5 can be prepared alternatively from the decarbonylation reaction of 1 with a suitable amount of Me₃NO in MeCN. However, the dimer [Ru(CO)(η²-Et₂NCS₂)(μ,η²-Et₂NCS₂)]₂ (6), prepared from the reaction of 2 with Me₃NO, has a structure different from 5. The spectral data of 6 probably indicate that the two chelating dithiolates are cis to each other in one {Ru(CO)(η²-Et₂NCS₂)₂}fragment but trans in the other. Both 5 and 6 react readily at ambient temperature with benzyl isocyanide to yield cis-[Ru(CO)(CNCH₂Ph)(η²-(SS))₂] ((SS)=Me₂NCS₂⁻ (7) and Et₂NCS₂⁻ (8)). A dimerization pathway for cis-[Ru(CO)₂(η²-(SS))₂] via decabonylation and isomerization is proposed.     

Some additional aspects of versatile starting compounds for cationic organoiron complexes: molecular structure of the aqua complex [(η-C5Me4Et)Fe(CO)2(OH2)]BF4 and solution behavior of the THF complex [(η---C5R5)Fe(CO)2(THF)]BF4

The structures of the versatile starting compounds for organoiron complexes, the cationic aqua complex [(η⁵-C₅Me₄Et)Fe(CO)₂(OH₂)]BF₄ (1b) and the halide complexes (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe(CO)₂-I (2a), (η⁵-C₅Me₄Et)Fe(CO)₂-I (2b) and (η⁵-C₅Me₄Et)Fe(CO)₂-Cl (3b), are characterized by X-ray crystallography. Complex 1b [Fe---O: 2.022(8) Å and 2.043(9) Å, two independent molecules] is the first structurally characterized example of organoiron aqua complexes. Details of the synthetic procedures for the above complexes and the labile cationic THF complexes [η⁵-C₅R₅)Fe(CO)₂(THF)]BF₄ (4) are disclosed, and the dissociation equilibrium of 4 is confirmed by means of variable temperature ¹H-NMR as well as saturation transfer experiment.     

The transition-metal assisted synthesis of the anti-octadecaborate Anion [B18H21] from the Nido-dodecahydrononaborate anion [B9H12]

When heated under reflux in CH₂Cl₂ solution with [Os(CO)₃Cl₂]₂, two nido-[B₉H₁₂]⁻ units edge-fuse to form anti-[B₁₈H₂₁]⁻.     

Steric effects of the 2-(diphenylphosphino)pyridine bridging ligand in the synthesis of binuclear palladium(II) complexes

Treatment of [Pd{CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂}(Ph₂PPy)Cl] (Ph₂PPy = 2-(diphenylphosphino)pyridine) with cis-[Pd(^tBuNC)₂Cl₂] in dichloromethane affords the mixed isocyanide-tertiary phosphine complex cis-[Pd(^tBuNC)Ph₂PPy)Cl₂], in which the Ph₂PPy is a monodentate P-donor, and [{Pd[CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂]Cl}₂]. The steric effects of the Ph₂PPy bridging ligand in determining the reaction course is discussed. The complex cis-[Pd(^tBuNC)(Ph₂PPy)Cl₂] was crystallographically characterized: P2₁/n, a = 15.143(2), b = 9.527(1), c = 17.517(4) Å, β = 113.96(1)°, V= 2309.4(7) ų, Z = 4. The final R value was 0.044, R^w= 0.046 for the 3078 reflections with I > 3σ(I).