Beyond the metal-metal triple bond in binuclear cyclopentadienylchromium carbonyl chemistry

The cyclopentadienylchromium carbonyls Cp(2)Cr(2)(CO)(n) and Cp*(2)Cr(2)(CO)(n) (Cp = eta(5)-C(5)H(5) and Cp* = eta(5)-Me(5)C(5); n = 3, 2) have been studied by density functional theory using the B3LYP and BP86 functionals. Triplet and singlet structures are found for Cp(2)Cr(2)(CO)(3), with the triplet isomer having an apparent Cr[triple bond, length as m-dash]Cr triple bond (2.295 A by BP86) and predicted to have a lower energy than the singlet isomer having an apparent Cr[quadruple bond, length as m-dash]Cr quadruple bond (2.191 A by BP86). Quintet, septet, and singlet structures, as well as a highly spin contaminated triplet structure, were found for the dicarbonyl Cp(2)Cr(2)(CO)(2). In all of the Cp(2)Cr(2)(CO)(n) (n = 3, 2) structures the carbonyls are asymmetric semi-bridging groups, typically with differences of 0.3-0.5 A between the shortest and longest M-C distances. Very little difference was found between the structures and energetics of the corresponding Cp and Cp* derivatives. These DFT studies suggest that the reported unstable photolytic decarbonylation product of Cp*(2)Cr(2)(CO)(4), characterized only by its infrared nu(CO) frequencies, is the singlet isomer of the tricarbonyl Cp*(2)Cr(2)(CO)(3).     

Unsaturation in binuclear cyclopentadienyliron carbonyls

The binuclear cyclopentadienyliron carbonyls Cp2Fe2(CO)n (n = 4, 3, 2, 1; Cp = eta(5)-C5H5) have been studied by density functional theory (DFT) using the B3LYP and BP86 methods. The trans- and cis-Cp2Fe2(CO)2(mu-CO)2 isomers of Cp2Fe2(CO)4 known experimentally are predicted by DFT methods to be genuine minima with no significant imaginary vibrational frequencies. The energies of these two Cp2Fe2(CO)2(mu-CO)2 structures are very similar, consistent with the experimental observation of an equilibrium between these isomers in solution. An intermediate between the interconversion of the trans- and cis-Cp2Fe2(CO)2(mu-CO)2 dibridged isomers of Cp2Fe2(CO)4 can be the trans unbridged isomer of Cp2Fe2(CO)4 calculated to be 2.3 kcal/mol (B3LYP) or 9.1 kcal/mol (BP86) above the global minimum trans-Cp2Fe2(CO)2(mu-CO)2. For the unsaturated Cp2Fe2(CO)3, the known triplet isomer Cp2Fe2(mu-CO)3 with an Fe=Fe double bond similar to the O=O double bond in O2 is found to be the global minimum. The lowest-energy structure for the even more unsaturated Cp2Fe2(CO)2 is a dibridged structure Cp2Fe2(mu-CO)2, with a short Fe-Fe distance suggestive of the Fe[triple bond]Fe triple bond required to give both Fe atoms the favored 18-electron configuration. Singlet and triplet unbridged structures for Cp2Fe2(CO)2 were also found but at energies considerably higher (20-50 kcal/mol) than that of the global minimum Cp2Fe2(mu-CO)2. The lowest-energy structure for Cp2Fe2(CO) is the triplet unsymmetrically bridged structure Cp2Fe2(mu-CO), with a short Fe-Fe distance (approximately 2.1 A) suggestive of the sigma + 2pi + (2/2)delta Fe[quadruple bond]Fe quadruple bond required to give both Fe atoms the favored 18-electron rare gas configuration.     

Binuclear manganese and rhenium carbonyls M2(CO)n (n = 10, 9, 8, 7): comparison of first row and third row transition metal carbonyl structures

The equilibrium geometries, thermochemistry, and vibrational frequencies of the homoleptic binuclear rhenium carbonyls Re2(CO)n (n = 10, 9, 8, 7) were determined using the MPW1PW91 and BP86 methods from density functional theory (DFT) with the effective core potential basis sets LANL2DZ and SDD. In all cases triplet structures for Re2(CO)n were found to be unfavorable energetically relative to singlet structures, in contrast to corresponding Mn2(CO)n derivatives, apparently owing to the larger ligand field splitting of rhenium. For M2(CO)10 (M = Mn, Re) the unbridged structures (OC)5M-M(CO)5 are preferred energetically over structures with bridging CO groups. For M2(CO)9 (M = Mn, Re) the two low energy structures are (OC)4M(micro-CO)M(CO)4 with an M-M single bond and a four-electron donor bridging CO group and (OC)4M[double bond, length as m-dash]M(CO)5 with no bridging CO groups and an M[double bond, length as m-dash]M distance suggesting a double bond. The lowest energy structures for Re2(CO)8 have Re[triple bond, length as m-dash]Re distances in the range 2.6-2.7 A suggesting the triple bonds required to give the Re atoms the favored 18-electron configuration. Low energy structures for Re2(CO)7 are either of the type (OC)(4)M[triple bond, length as m-dash]M(CO)3 with short metal-metal distances suggesting triple bonds or have a single four-electron donor bridging CO group and longer M-M distances consistent with single or double bonds. The 18-electron rule thus appears to be violated in these highly unsaturated Re2(CO)7 structures.     

Binuclear vanadium carbonyls: the limits of the 18-electron rule

The fact that the stable mononuclear vanadium carbonyl V(CO)6 fails to satisfy the 18-electron rule has led to an investigation of the binuclear vanadium carbonyls V2(CO)n (n = 10-12) using methods from density functional theory. There are several important experimental studies of these homoleptic binuclear vanadium carbonyls. The global minimum for V2(CO)12 is a singlet structure having two V(CO)6 units linked by a long V-V single bond (3.48 A by B3LYP or 3.33 A by BP86) without any bridging CO groups. For V2(CO)11 the global minimum is a singlet structure V2(CO)10(eta2-mu-CO) with a four-electron pi-donor bridging CO group. For V2(CO)10 the global minimum is an unsymmetrical singlet (OC)4VV(CO)6 structure with three semibridging CO groups and a V-V distance of 2.54 A (B3LYP) or 2.51 A (BP86), suggesting a VV triple bond. The theoretical nu(CO) frequencies of this V2(CO)10 isomer agree approximately with those assigned by Ishikawa et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1987, 109, 6644) to a V2(CO)10 isomer produced in the photolysis of gas-phase V(CO)6. In contrast, the laboratory bridging nu(CO) frequency assigned to V2(CO)12 by Ford et al. (Inorg. Chem. 1976, 15, 1666) seems more likely to arise from the lowest-lying triplet isomer of V2(CO)11.     

Binuclear cyclopentadienylcobalt carbonyls: comparison with binuclear iron carbonyls

The binuclear cyclopentadienylcobalt carbonyls Cp2Co2(CO)n (n = 3, 2, 1; Cp = eta5-C5H5) are studied by density functional theory using the B3LYP and BP86 functionals. The experimentally known monobridged isomer Cp2Co2(CO)2(mu-CO) and the tribridged isomer Cp2Co2(mu-CO)3 of Cp2Co2(CO)3 with formal Co-Co single bonds are found to be similar in energy, with the precise relative energies of the two isomers depending on the functional chosen. For Cp2Co2(CO)2, the experimentally known coaxial isomer Cp2Co2(mu-CO)2 with two bridging CO groups and a formal Co=Co double bond (2.360 angstroms by B3LYP or 2.346 angstroms by BP86) is found to lie 38.2 (B3LYP) or 34.9 kcal/mol (BP86) below a perpendicular isomer perpendicular-Cp2Co2(CO)2. Similarly, for Cp2Co2(CO), the coaxial isomer Cp2Co2(mu-CO) with one bridging CO group and a formal CoCo triple bond (2.021 angstroms by B3LYP or 2.050 angstroms by BP86) is found to lie 9.36 (B3LYP) or 9.62 kcal/mol (BP86) below the corresponding perpendicular isomer perpendicular-Cp2Co2(CO). This coaxial isomer Cp2Co2(mu-CO) is a possible intermediate in the known pyrolysis of the trimer (eta5-C5H5)3Co3(mu-CO)3 to give the tetranuclear complex (eta5-C5H5)4Co4(mu3-CO)2. These optimized Cp2Co2(CO)n (n = 3, 2, 1) structures can be compared with the corresponding Fe2(CO)6+n structures since the CpCo and Fe(CO)3 groups are isolobal. In general, the metal-metal bonds are 0.09-0.22 angstroms shorter for the Cp2Co2(CO)n (n = 3, 2, 1) complexes than for the corresponding Fe2(CO)6+n complexes. For Fe2(CO)9, the experimentally well-known Fe2(CO)6(mu-CO)3 isomer is shown to be very close in energy to the unknown Fe2(CO)8(mu-CO) isomer, with the precise relative energies depending on the basis set used.     

Formation of cis-enediyne complexes from rhenium alkynylcarbene complexes

Dimerization of the alkynylcarbene complex Cp(CO)(2)Re=C(Tol)C(triple bond)CCH(3) (8) occurs at 100 degrees C to give a 1.2:1 mixture of enediyne complexes [Cp(CO)(2)Re](2)[eta(2),eta(2)-TolC(triple bond)CC(CH(3))=C(CH(3))C(triple bond)CTol] (10-Eand 10-Z), showing no intrinsic bias toward trans-enediyne complexes. The cyclopropyl-substituted alkynylcarbene complex Cp(CO)(2)Re=C(Tol)C(triple bond)CC(3)H(5) (11) dimerizes at 120 degrees C to give a 5:1 ratio of enediyne complexes [Cp(CO)(2)Re](2)[eta(2),eta(2)-TolC(triple bond)C(C(3)H(5))C=C(C(3)H(5))C(triple bond)CTol] (12-E and 12-Z); no ring expansion product was observed. This suggests that if intermediate A formed by a [1,1.5] Re shift and having carbene character at the remote alkynyl carbon is involved, then interaction of the neighboring Re with the carbene center greatly diminishes the carbene character as compared with that of free cyclopropyl carbenes. The tethered bis-(alkynylcarbene) complex Cp(CO)(2)Re=C(Tol)C(triple bond)CCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)C(triple bond)CC(Tol)= Re(CO)(2)Cp (13) dimerizes rapidly at 12 degrees C to give the cyclic cis-enediyne complex [Cp(CO)(2)Re](2)[eta(2),eta(2)-TolC(triple bond)CC(CH(2)CH(2)CH(2))=CC(triple bond)CTol] (15). Attempted synthesis of the 1,8-disubstituted naphthalene derivative 1,8-[Cp(CO)(2)Re=C(Tol)C(triple bond)C](2)C(10)H(6) (16), in which the alkynylcarbene units are constrained to a parallel geometry, leads to dimerization to [Cp(CO)(2)Re](2)(eta(2),eta(2)-1,2-(tolylethynyl)acenaphthylene] (17). The very rapid dimerizations of both 13 and 16 provide compelling evidence against mechanisms involving cyclopropene intermediates. A mechanism is proposed which involves rate-determining addition of the carbene center of A to the remote alkynyl carbon of a second alkynylcarbene complex to generate vinyl carbene intermediate C, and rearrangement of C to the enediyne complex by a [1,1.5] Re shift.     

The dichotomy of dimetallocenes: coaxial versus perpendicular dimetal units in sandwich compounds

Theoretical studies of the dimetallocene (eta5-C5H5)2Zn2 lead to optimized D5h or D5d structures in which the Zn-Zn bond is coaxial with the C5 axes of the two Cp rings, with a Zn-Zn distance of 2.33 A, corresponding to a Zn-Zn single bond. (eta5-C5H5)2Ni2 (singlet state) and (eta5-C5H5)2Cu2 (triplet) have similar structures with a NiNi triple bond (2.06 A) and a Cu=Cu double bond (2.22 A). However, DFT computations on (C5H5)2Ni2 and (C5H5)2Cu2 (both singlet states) lead to a totally different type of optimized structure (Ci symmetry) lying at significantly lower energies, with the metal-metal bonds perpendicular to the C5 axes of the Cp rings.     

Trapping reactions of an intermediate containing a tungsten-phosphorus triple bond with alkynes

The thermolysis of the phosphinidene complex [Cp*P[W(CO)5]2] (1) in toluene in the presence of tBuC(triple bond)CMe leads to the four-membered ring complexes [[[eta2-C(Me)C(tBu)]Cp*(CO)W(mu3-P)[W(CO)3]][eta4:eta1:eta1-P[W(CO)5]WCp*(CO)C(Me)C(tBu)]] (4) as the major product and [[W[Cp*(CO)2]W(CO)2WCp*(CO)[eta1:eta1-C(Me)C(tBu)]](mu,eta3:eta2:eta1-P2[W(CO)5]] (5). The reaction of 1 with PhC(triple bond)CPh leads to [[W(Co)2[eta2-C(Ph)C(Ph)]][(eta4:eta1-P(W(CO)5]W[Cp*(CO)2)C(Ph)C(Ph)]] (6). The products 4 and 6 can be regarded as the formal cycloaddition products of the phosphido complex intermediate [Cp*(CO)2W(triple bond)P --> W(CO)5] (B), formed by Cp* migration within the phosphinidene complex 1. Furthermore, the reaction of 1 with PhC(triple bond)CPh gives the minor product [[[eta2:eta1-C(Ph)C(Ph)]2[W(CO)4]2][mu,eta1:eta1-P[C(Me)[C(Me)]3C(Me)][C(Ph)](C(Ph)]] (7) as a result of a 1,3-dipolaric cycloaddition of the alkyne into a phosphaallylic subunit of the Cp*P moiety of 1. Compounds 4-7 have been characterized by means of their spectroscopic data as well as by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis.     

Reactivity of transition metal-phosphorus triple bonds towards triply bonded [{CpMo(CO)2}2]: formation of heteronuclear cluster compounds

Thermolysis of [Cp*P{W(CO)5}2] (1) in the presence of [{CpMo(CO)2}2] leads to the novel complexes [{(CO)2Cp*W}{CpMo(CO)2}(micro,eta2:eta1:eta1-P2{W(CO)5}2)] (6; Cp=eta5-C5H5, Cp*=eta5-C5Me5), [{(micro-O)(CpMoWCp*)W(CO)4}{micro3-PW(CO)5}2] (7), [{CpMo(CO)2}2{Cp*W(CO)2}{micro3-PW(CO)5}] (8) and [{CpMo(CO)2}2{Cp*W(CO)2}(micro3-P)] (9). The structural framework of the main products 8 and 9 can be described as a tetrahedral Mo2WP unit that is formed by a cyclisation reaction of [{CpMo(CO)2}2] with an [Cp*(CO)2W[triple chemical bond]P-->W(CO)5] intermediate containing a W--P triple bond and subsequent metal-metal and metal-phosphorus bond formation. Photolysis of 1 in the presence of [{CpMo(CO)2}2] gives 8, 9 and phosphinidene complex [(micro3-PW(CO)5){CpMo(CO)2W(CO)5}] (10), in which the P atom is in a nearly trigonal-planar coordination environment formed by one {CpMo(CO)2} and two {W(CO)5} units. Comprehensive structural and spectroscopic data are given for the products. The reaction pathways are discussed for both activation procedures, and DFT calculations reveal the structures with minimum energy along the stepwise Cp* migration process under formation of the intermediate [Cp*(CO)2W[triple chemical bond]P-->W(CO)5].     

Cp2V] migration along an octatetrayne chain: from the monometallic complex (Cp2V(2-4eta-tBuC triple bond C2-C triple bond CC triple bond CtBu)] to the dimetallic complex

The oxidative addition of one equivalent of [Cp2V] (4) to the tetrayne ligand tBuC triple bond CC triple bond CC triple bond CC triple bond CtBu (5) gives the monometallic complex [Cp2V(3-4eta-tBuC triple bond C-C2-C triple bond CC triple bond CtBu)] (7). Compound 7 reacts further with a second equivalent of [Cp2V] to give the dimetallic complex [(Cp2V)2(1-2eta:7-8eta-tBuC2-C triple bond CC triple bond C-C2tBu)] (8), which involves a shift of the first coordinated [Cp2V] unit from the internal C3-C4 to the external C1-C2 positions on the alkynyl ligand. Compound 8 is also directly obtained by the addition of two equivalents of [Cp2V] to 5. Reversibly, reaction of 8 with 5 leads to 7. This exchange reaction between 7 and 8 by adding successively 5 and 4 has been monitored by EPR spectroscopy. By contrast, the oxidative addition of one or two equivalents of [Cp2V] to the tetrayne ligand PhC triple bond CC triple bond CC triple bond CC triple bond CPh (6) gives the homodimetallic complex [(Cp2V)2(1-2eta:7-8eta-PhC2-CC triple bond CC triple bond C-C2-Ph)] (9). Both monometallic and dimetallic complexes 7, 8, and 9 have been characterized by X-ray diffraction. Magnetic moment measurements for 8 and 9 from 300 to 4 K indicated a weak antiferromagnetic J exchange coupling of -12.5 and -4.1 cm(-1), respectively.     

Ten-electron coordination and reactivity of an arylphosphinidene ligand

Photochemical decarbonylation of [Mo2Cp2(mu-PR*)(CO)4] (Cp = eta5-C5H5; R* = 2,4,6-C6H2tBu3) gives [Mo2Cp2(mu-kappa1:kappa1,eta6-PR*)(CO)2], which shows the first example of a remarkable 10-electron donor arylphosphinidene ligand which bridges two Mo atoms through its phosphorus atom while being pi-bonded to one Mo center through the six carbon atoms of the aryl ring. This causes a severe pyramidal distortion of the P-bound C atom. The complex adds CO to give [Mo2Cp2(mu-kappa1:kappa1,eta4-PR*)(CO)3], which has an 8-electron donor PR* ligand, and then the parent complex [Mo2Cp2(mu-PR*)(CO)4]. Protonation of [Mo2Cp2(mu-kappa1:kappa1,eta6-PR*)(CO)2] gives the hydride [Mo2Cp2(H)(mu-kappa1:kappa1,eta6-PR*)(CO)2]+, which undergoes P-C bond cleavage and hydride migration, affording the phosphido cation [Mo2Cp2(mu-P)(eta6-R*H)(CO)2]+.     

Mixed-transition-metal acetylides: synthesis and characterization of complexes with up to six different transition metals connected by carbon-rich bridging units

The synthesis and reaction chemistry of heteromultimetallic transition-metal complexes by linking diverse metal-complex building blocks with multifunctional carbon-rich alkynyl-, benzene-, and bipyridyl-based bridging units is discussed. In context with this background, the preparation of [1-{(eta(2)-dppf)(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))RuC[triple bond]C}-3-{(tBu(2)bpy)(CO)(3)ReC[triple bond]C}-5-(PPh(2))C(6)H(3)] (10) (dppf = 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene; tBu(2)bpy = 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridyl; Ph = phenyl) is described; this complex can react further, leading to the successful synthesis of heterometallic complexes of higher nuclearity. Heterotetrametallic transition-metal compounds were formed when 10 was reacted with [{(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))RhCl(2)}(2)] (18), [(Et(2)S)(2)PtCl(2)] (20) or [(tht)AuC[triple bond]C-bpy] (24) (Me = methyl; Et = ethyl; tht = tetrahydrothiophene; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl-5-yl). Complexes [1-{(eta(2)-dppf)(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))RuC[triple bond]C}-3-{(tBu(2)bpy)(CO)(3)ReC[triple bond]C}-5-{PPh(2)RhCl(2)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))}C(6)H(3)] (19), [{1-[(eta(2)-dppf)(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))RuC[triple bond]C]-3-[(tBu(2)bpy)(CO)(3)ReC[triple bond]C]-5-(PPh(2))C(6)H(3)}(2)PtCl(2)] (21), and [1-{(eta(2)-dppf)(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))RuC[triple bond]C}-3-{(tBu(2)bpy)(CO)(3)ReC[triple bond]C}-5-{PPh(2)AuC[triple bond]C-bpy}C(6)H(3)] (25) were thereby obtained in good yield. After a prolonged time in solution, complex 25 undergoes a transmetallation reaction to produce [(tBu(2)bpy)(CO)(3)ReC[triple bond]C-bpy] (26). Moreover, the bipyridyl building block in 25 allowed the synthesis of Fe-Ru-Re-Au-Mo- (28) and Fe-Ru-Re-Au-Cu-Ti-based (30) assemblies on addition of [(nbd)Mo(CO)(4)] (27), (nbd = 1,5-norbornadiene), or [{[Ti](mu-sigma,pi-C[triple bond]CSiMe(3))(2)}Cu(N[triple bond]CMe)][PF(6)] (29) ([Ti] = (eta(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)Ti) to 25. The identities of 5, 6, 8, 10-12, 14-16, 19, 21, 25, 26, 28, and 30 have been confirmed by elemental analysis and IR, (1)H, (13)C{(1)H}, and (31)P{(1)H} NMR spectroscopy. From selected samples ESI-TOF mass spectra were measured. The solid-state structures of 8, 12, 19 and 26 were additionally solved by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis, confirming the structural assignment made from spectroscopy.     

High yield synthesis and reactivity of a phosphinidene bridged dimolybdenum complex

Protonation of [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PHR*)(CO)4] (Cp = eta5-C5H5, R* = 2,4,6-C6H2tBu3) with HBF4.OEt2 gives the hydridophosphinidene complex [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PR*)(CO)4]BF4, which is easily deprotonated with H2O to give the known phosphinidene complex [Mo2Cp2(mu-PR*)(CO)4] in 95% yield. Reaction of the latter with I2 gives the unsaturated phosphinidene complex [Mo2Cp2I2(mu-PR*)(CO)2], which exhibits an intermetallic distance of 2.960(2) A. Irradiation of solutions of [Mo2Cp2(mu-PR*)(CO)4] with UV light gives a mixture of the triply bonded [Mo2Cp2(mu-PR*)(mu-CO)2] and the hydridophosphido derivative [Mo2Cp2(mu-H){mu-P(CH2CMe2)C6H2tBu2}(CO)4] as major species. The latter complex results from an intramolecular C-H bond cleavage from a tBu group and has been characterized by spectroscopy and an X-ray study. Irradiation in the presence of HCC(p-tol) results in the insertion of the alkyne into the Mo-P bond to give [Mo2Cp2{mu-eta1:eta2,kappa-C(p-tol)CHPR*}(CO)4] structurally characterized through an X-ray study.     

Unsaturated binuclear cyclopentadienylrhenium carbonyl derivatives: metal-metal multiple bonds and agostic hydrogen atoms

The cyclopentadienylrhenium carbonyls Cp 2Re 2(CO) n (Cp = eta (5)-C 5H 5; n = 5, 4, 3, 2) have been studied by density functional theory. The global minima for the Cp 2Re 2(CO) n ( n = 5, 4, 3, 2) derivatives are predicted to be the singly bridged structure Cp 2Re 2(CO) 4(mu-CO) with a formal Re-Re single bond; the doubly semibridged structure Cp 2Re 2(CO) 4 with a formal ReRe double bond; the triply bridged structure Cp 2Re 2(mu-CO) 3 with a formal ReRe triple bond; and the doubly bridged structure Cp 2Re 2(mu-CO) 2, respectively. The first three of these predicted structures have been realized experimentally in the stable compounds (eta (5)-C 5H 5) 2Re 2(CO) 4(mu-CO), (eta (5)-Me 5C 5) 2Re 2(CO) 4 and (eta (5)-Me 5C 5) 2Re 2(mu-CO) 3. In addition, structures of the type Cp 2Re-Re(CO) n with both rings bonded only to one metal and unknown in manganese chemistry are also found for rhenium but at energies significantly above the global minima. The unsaturated Cp 2Re-Re(CO) n structures ( n = 4, 3, 2) have agostic Cp hydrogen atoms forming C-H-Re bridges to the unsaturated Re(CO) n group with a Re-H distance as short as 2.04 A.     

Re(eta(5)-C5H5)(CO)3]+ family of 17-electron compounds: monomer/dimer equilibria and other reactions

The anodic electrochemical oxidations of ReCp(CO)3 (1, Cp = eta(5)-C5H5), Re(eta(5)-C5H4NH2)(CO)3 (2), and ReCp*(CO)3 (3, Cp* = eta(5)-C5Me5), have been studied in CH2Cl2 containing [NBu4][TFAB] (TFAB = [B(C6F5)4]-) as supporting electrolyte. One-electron oxidations were observed with E(1/2) = 1.16, 0.79, and 0.91 V vs ferrocene for 1-3, respectively. In each case, rapid dimerization of the radical cation gave the dimer dication, [Re2Cp(gamma)2(CO)6]2+ (where Cp(gamma) represents a generic cyclopentadienyl ligand), which may be itself reduced cathodically back to the original 18-electron neutral complex ReCp(gamma)(CO)3. DFT calculations show that the SOMO of 1+ is highly Re-based and hybridized to point away from the metal, thereby facilitating the dimerization process and other reactions of the Re(II) center. The dimers, isolated in all three cases, have long metal-metal bonds that are unsupported by bridging ligands, the bond lengths being calculated as 3.229 A for [Re2Cp2(CO)6]2+ (1(2)2+) and measured as 3.1097 A for [Re2(C5H4NH2)2(CO)6]2+ (2(2)2+) by X-ray crystallography on [Re2(C5H4NH2)2(CO)6][TFAB]2. The monomer/dimer equilibrium constants are between K(dim) = 10(5) M(-1) and 10(7) M(-1) for these systems, so that partial dissociation of the dimers gives a modest amount of the corresponding monomer that is free to undergo radical cation reactions. The radical 1+ slowly abstracts a chlorine atom from dichloromethane to give the 18-electron complex [ReCp(CO)3Cl]+ as a side product. The radical cation 1+ acts as a powerful one-electron oxidant capable of effectively driving outer-sphere electron-transfer reactions with reagents having potentials of up to 0.9 V vs ferrocene.     

Binuclear cyclopentadienylmetal nitrosyls of iron, cobalt, and nickel: comparison with related carbonyl derivatives

The binuclear cyclopentadienylmetal nitrosyls and carbonyls Cp2M2(AO)n (A = N, M = Fe, Co, Ni; A = C, M = Ni; n = 2, 1) are studied by density functional theory using the B3LYP and BP86 functionals. In general, structures with bridging AO ligands are energetically preferred over those with terminal AO ligands. Thus, the global minima for Cp2M2(AO)2 are all found to have closely related axial dimetallocene structures with two symmetrically bridging AO ligands but variable planarity of the central M(mu-AO)2M units. Similarly, the single AO ligands in the global minima for Cp2M2(AO) are found to bridge symmetrically the pair of metal atoms. However, structures with terminal AO groups and a single bridging Cp ligand are also found at accessible energies for CpM2(NO)(mu-Cp) (M = Fe and Co) and CpNi2(CO)(mu-Cp). The metal-metal bond distances in Cp2M2(AO)n derivatives correlate reasonably well with the requirements of the 18-electron rule. In this connection, the unusual dimer Cp2Ni2(mu-NO)2 has a Ni-Ni bond distance suggestive of a single bond and geometry suggesting one one-electron donor bridging NO group and one three-electron donor bridging NO group. However, dissociation of Cp2Ni2(mu-NO)2 into the well-known stable monomer CpNiNO is highly favored energetically.     

异核金属多重键配合物Cp_2MM'(μ-C_8H_8)的理论研究

研究了双核金属多重键配合物Cp2MM'(μ-C8H8)(MM'=ScMn,TiCr,ScCo,TiFe,VMn,VV,CrCr)的结构和成键模式.计算结果表明,对于28价电子体系,Cp2V2(μ-C8H8)基态为含V-V三重键的三态构型,其等电子体Cp2TiCr(μ-C8H8)为Ti-Cr四重键的单态,等电子体Cp2ScMn(μ-C8H8)为Sc-Mn三重键的单态.对于30价电子体系,Cp2Cr2(μ-C8H8)基态为含Cr-Cr三重键的单态,等电子体Cp2VMn(μ-C8H8)为含V-Mn单键的三态,等电子体Cp2ScCo(μ-C8H8)和Cp2TiFe(μ-C8H8)为含Sc-Co和Ti-Fe双键的单态.在三态Cp2MM'(μ-C8H8)中,两个金属原子多为17电子构型,而单态结构中两种金属原子多分别为16和18电子构型.     

Molybdenum-molybdenum multiple bonding in homoleptic molybdenum carbonyls: comparison with their chromium analogues

The binuclear molybdenum carbonyls Mo(2)(CO)(n) (n = 11, 10, 9, 8) have been studied by density functional theory using the BP86 and MPW1PW91 functionals. The lowest energy Mo(2)(CO)(11) structure is a singly bridged singlet structure with a Mo-Mo single bond. This structure is essentially thermoneutral toward dissociation into Mo(CO)(6) + Mo(CO)(5), suggesting limited viability similar to the analogous Cr(2)(CO)(11). The lowest energy Mo(2)(CO)(10) structure is a doubly semibridged singlet structure with a Mo═Mo double bond. This structure is essentially thermoneutral toward disproportionation into Mo(2)(CO)(11) + Mo(2)(CO)(9), suggesting limited viability. The lowest energy Mo(2)(CO)(9) structure has three semibridging CO groups and a Mo≡Mo triple bond analogous to the lowest energy Cr(2)(CO)(9) structure. This structure appears to be viable toward CO dissociation, disproportionation into Mo(2)(CO)(10) + Mo(2)(CO)(8), and fragmentation into Mo(CO)(5) + Mo(CO)(4) and thus appears to be a possible synthetic objective. The lowest energy Mo(2)(CO)(8) structure has one semibridging CO group and a Mo≡Mo triple bond similar to that in the lowest energy Mo(2)(CO)(9) structure. This differs from the lowest energy Cr(2)(CO)(8) structure, which is a triply bridged structure. A higher energy unbridged D(2d) Mo(2)(CO)(8) structure was found with a very short Mo-Mo distance of 2.6 ?. This interesting structure has two degenerate imaginary vibrational frequencies. Following the corresponding normal modes leads to a Mo(2)(CO)(8) structure, lying ~5 kcal/mol above the global minimum, with two four-electron donor bridging CO groups and a Mo═Mo distance suggesting a formal double bond. All of the triplet Mo(2)(CO)(n) (n = 10, 9, 8) structures were found to be relatively high energy structures, lying at least 22 kcal/mol above the corresponding global minimum. The singlet-triplet splittings for the Mo(2)(CO)(n) (n = 10, 9, 8) structures are significantly higher than those of the Cr(2)(CO)(n) analogues. The Mo-Mo Wiberg bond indices confirm our assigned bond orders based on predicted bond distances.     

Manganese carbonyl nitrosyls: comparison with isoelectronic iron carbonyl derivatives

The manganese carbonyl nitrosyls Mn(NO)(CO)4, Mn2(NO)2(CO)n (n = 7, 6, 5, 4), and Mn3(NO)3(CO)9 have been studied by density functional theory (DFT) using the B3LYP and BP86 methods for comparison of their predicted structures with those of isoelectronic iron carbonyl derivatives. DFT predicts a trigonal bipyramidal structure for Mn(NO)(CO)4 with an equatorial NO group very close to the experimental structure. The predicted lowest energy structure for Mn2(NO)2(CO)7 has two bridging NO groups in contrast to the known structure of the isoelectronic Fe2(CO)9, which has three bridging CO groups. The structures for the unsaturated binuclear Mn2(NO)2(CO)n (n = 6, 5, 4) derivatives are similar to those of the corresponding binuclear iron carbonyls Fe2(CO)n+2 derivatives but always with a preference of bridging NO groups over bridging CO groups. The trinuclear Mn3(NO)3(CO)9 is predicted to have a structure analogous to the known structure for Fe3(CO)12 but with two bridging NO groups rather than two bridging CO groups across one of the metal-metal edges of the M3 triangle. The dark red solid photolysis product of Mn(NO)(CO)4 characterized by its nu(CO) and nu(NO) frequencies approximately 45 years ago is suggested by these DFT studies not to be the originally assumed Mn2(NO)2(CO)7 analogous to Fe2(CO)9. Instead, this photolysis product appears to be Mn2(NO)2(CO)5 with a Mn(triple bond)Mn formal triple bond analogous to (eta5-C5H5)2V2(CO)5 obtained from the photolysis of (eta5-C5H5)V(CO)4.     

Nonacarbonyldivanadium: alternatives to metal-metal quadruple bonding

The first structural characterization of the highly unsaturated nonacarbonyldivanadium V(2)(CO)(9) is reported using density functional theory (DFT) with the B3LYP and BP86 functionals. A complicated collection of minima with rather closely spaced energies was found. However, none of these many V(2)(CO)(9) isomers was found to have a sufficiently short vanadium-vanadium distance for the VV quadruple bond required to give both metal atoms the favored 18-electron configuration. Triplet structures for V(2)(CO)(9) were found to be competitive in energy with related singlet structures. Thus, the two lowest-energy isomers of V(2)(CO)(9) are triplets. The four lowest-energy isomers of V(2)(CO)(9) all have three very unsymmetrical bridging CO groups (typically "short" and "long" M-CO distances differing by 0.4-0.5 A) rather than the symmetrical bridging CO groups found experimentally in Fe(2)(CO)(9) and predicted for M(2)(CO)(9) (M = Cr and Mn) from earlier studies. The VV distances in each of these four isomers suggest a metal-metal triple bond. Next higher in energy for V(2)(CO)(9) are three structures with single four-electron donor bridging CO groups identified by their computed nu(CO) frequencies and V-O distances. The V-V distances in these three isomers suggest metal-metal single bonds. This study of V(2)(CO)(9) supports the following general points: (1) Metal-metal bonds of an order higher than three are not favorable in metal carbonyl chemistry. (2) The 18-electron rule for metal carbonyls begins to break down when the metal atom, i.e., vanadium in this case, has only five valence electrons.