Aldol condensation reactions of [Co(η-C4Ph4){η-C5H4C(O)CH3}]

The aldol condensation reaction between [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄){η⁵-C₅H₄C(O)CH₃}] and a range of aromatic aldehydes [RCHO] and [RCHCH-CHO] gives a series of α,β-unsaturated ketones [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄){η⁵-C₅H₄C(O)CHCH-R}] and [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄){η⁵-C₅H₄C(O)CHCH-CHCH-R}] (3). The reaction is promoted by various bases: NaH proved to be the most effective whilst ⁿBuLi gave [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄){η⁵-C₅H₄C(OH)(ⁿBu)CH₃}] as the major product. NaOH was ineffective, perhaps indicating that that the methyl protons in [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄){η⁵-C₅H₄C(O)CH₃}] are less acidic than those in [Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅){η⁵-C₅H₄C(O)CH₃}]. Compounds 3 were characterised spectroscopically. Their ¹H NMR spectra are consistent with a trans configuration about their CC bond, and this was confirmed by X-ray crystallography in five cases, which showed that all have the same basic structure with parallel cyclobutadiene and cyclopentadienyl ligands, but they are not identical. The C₅H₄C(O)(CHCH)_n-R (n = 1 or 2) moieties show little evidence for delocalisation and often deviate from planarity. The UV/Vis spectra of those 3 with smaller aromatic rings (R = C₆H₅, 4-C₆H₄NMe₂, 2-C₄H₃S and 1-C₁₀H₇) suggest that these are donor-π-acceptor systems, but as the annellation of R increases (R = 9-C₁₄H₉, 1-C₁₆H₉ and 1-C₂₀H₁₁) the spectra increasingly resemble those of the parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, RH. Reduction of [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄){η⁵-C₅H₄C(O)CHCH-C₁₀H₇-1}] with DIBAL gives a mixture of [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄){η⁵-C₅H₄C(O)CH₂CH₂-C₁₀H₇-1}] and [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄){η⁵-C₅H₄CH(OH)CHCH-C₁₀H₇-1}]. A minor product from the preparation of [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄){η⁵-C₅H₄C(O)CH₃}] was shown by X-ray crystallography to be the η⁴-butadiene complex [Co{η⁴-Ph(H)CC(Ph)-C(Ph)C(H)Ph}{η⁵-C₅H₄C(O)CH₃}].     

Stilbene analogues incorporating the Co(η-C4Ph4)(η-C5H4-) end group

A number of organometallic stilbenes of the general type [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄CHCHR] are reported where R is C₆H₄X-4 (X = H, OMe, Br, NO₂), 1-naphthyl, 9-anthryl, 1-pyrenyl, (η⁵-C₅H₄)Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄), and (η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄Y) {Y = CHO, CHC(CN)₂ and CHCHC₅H₄-η⁵)Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)}. They were prepared by Wittig or Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reactions which yield both E and Z or only E products respectively. The isomers were separated and all compounds characterised by standard spectroscopic techniques as well as by X-ray diffraction methods in many cases. The electrochemistry of the stilbene analogues in dichloromethane solution is also reported. In most, the (η⁵-C₅H₄)Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄) functional group undergoes a reversible one-electron oxidation. For those molecules that also include (η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄Y), this is preceded by the reversible oxidation of the ferrocenyl group. Spectroscopic and structural data suggests that for most compounds there is little electronic interaction between Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄) and the R end groups which are effectively independent of one another. The only exceptions to this are Z and E-[Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄CHCHC₆H₄NO₂-4], and [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄CHCHC₅H₄-η⁵)Fe{η⁵-C₅H₄CHC(CN)₂}] where the electronic spectra are respectively consistent with a significant Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)/NO₂ donor/acceptor interaction and a less significant Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)/C(CN)₂ one. However, OTTLE studies show that in the electronic spectra of [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄CHCHR]⁺ there are low energy absorption bands (950-1800 nm) which are attributed to R → Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)⁺ or, when R is a ferrocenyl-base group, Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄) → (η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄Y)⁺ charge transfer transitions. The ferrocenyl compounds undergo cis/trans isomerisation on the OTTLE experiment timescale.     

A synthetic, structural and reactivity study of [(η-C4R4)Co(η-C5H4X)] complexes, R = Me or Et; X = CHO, CHCHFc, CHCH(η-C5H4)Co(η-C4Ph4), CHC(CN)2: Unexpected formation of [(η-cyclopentadienyl)(η-3,4,5,6-tetraethyl-α-pyrone)cobalt]

The tetraethyl- and tetramethyl-cyclobutadiene complexes [(η⁴-C₄R₄)Co(η⁵-C₅H₄CHO)] R = Et, 5, R = Me, 7, and [(η⁴-C₄R₄)Co(η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂Me)] R = Et, 6, R = Me, 8, are conveniently prepared by photolysis of the corresponding isocobaltocenium cations [(η⁴-C₄R₄)Co(η⁶-C₆H₅Me)]⁺ in acetonitrile, and subsequent treatment with Na[C₅H₄CHO] or Na[C₅H₄CO₂Me]. The aldehydes 5 and 7 undergo Wittig and Knoevenagel reactions with [FcCH₂PPh₃]I and CH₂(CN)₂, to form [(η⁴-C₄R₄)Co(η⁵-C₅H₄CH=CHFc)] and [(η⁴-C₄R₄)Co(η⁵-C₅H₄CH=C(CN)₂], 11 and 15, respectively. The Horner-Wittig reaction of [(η⁴-C₄R₄)Co(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂P(O)(OEt)₂] with [(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)Co(η⁵-C₅H₄CHO)] yields [(η⁴-C₄R₄)Co(η⁵:η⁵-C₅H₄CHCH-C₅H₄)Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)], 12 and 13. [(η⁴-C₄Me₄)Co(η⁵-C₅H₄CHO)] also reacts with t-BuLi and FcLi to furnish the corresponding secondary alcohols, 16 and 17, respectively. Surprisingly, the attempted direct synthesis of 5 by reaction of Na[C₅H₅] and ethyl formate with [(η⁴-C₄Et₄)Co(CO)₂I], 1, instead yielded [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Co(η⁴-3,4,5,6-tetraethyl-α-pyrone)], 18, and a mechanistic proposal is advanced. The X-ray crystal structures of 1, 7, 8, 11(Z), 15 and 18, and also the isocobaltocenium salts [(η⁴-C₄Et₄)Co(η⁶-C₆H₅Me)][PF₆], 2, and [(η⁴-C₄Et₄)Co(η⁶-1,3,5-C₆H₃Me₃)][PF₆], 4, are reported.     

Palladium (II) complexes with mono-oxide 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)metallocene ligands [Fe(η-C5Me4PPh2)(η-C5Me4P{O}Ph2)] and [Os(η-C5H4PPh2)(η-C5H4P{O}Ph2)]

The monoxides [Fe(η⁵-C₅Me₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅Me₄P{O}Ph₂)] (1) and [Os(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅H₄P{O}Ph₂)] (2) have been prepared by treatment of the corresponding diphosphines with CCl₄ and methanol.These ligands react with [Pd(PhCN)₂Cl₂] to give dichloride complexes of different structure.The dimeric complex [{Os(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅H₄P{O}Ph₂)}PdCl(μ-Cl)]₂ (4) contains the monodentate P-coordinated osmocene ligand with the free P{O}Ph₂ group, while the octamethylferrocene ligand gives the chelate k²-P,O complex [{Fe(η⁵-C₅Me₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅Me₄P{O}Ph₂)}PdCl₂] (3).The structures of 3 and 4 have been determined crystallographically.Treatment of 3 and 4 with silver salts in CH₂Cl₂ or acetonitrile leads to the corresponding dicationic complexes[{M(η⁵-C₅R₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅R₄P{O}Ph₂)}Pd(MeCN)_x]²⁺ (5, M = Fe, R = Me; 6, M = Os, R = H). Complex 5 decomposes upon isolation, in contrast 6 is rather stable, probably due to Os-Pd bonding. The dichlorides 3 and 4 catalyze catalytic amination of p-bromotoluene with N-(4-tolyl)morpholine with lower activity than (dppf)PdCl₂, however they perform comparable to (dppf)PdCl₂ activity in coupling of p-bromotoluene with p-methoxyphenyl boronic acid.     

Versatility in the mode of coordination {(N), (N,O), (C,N) or (C,N,O)} of [(η-C5H5)Fe{(η-C5H4)-CHN-(C6H4-2OH)}] to palladium(II)

The study of the reactivity of the ferrocenyliminoalcohol [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe{(η⁵-C₅H₄)-CHN-(C₆H₄-2OH)}] (1b) with Na₂[PdCl₄] or Pd(OAc)₂ has allowed the isolation and characterization of the heterotrimetallic complexes: trans-[Pd{(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe[(η⁵-C₅H₄)-CHN-(C₆H₄-2OH)]}₂Cl₂] (2b), [Pd{[(η⁵-C₅H₃)-CHN-(C₆H₄-2O)]Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)}{(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe[(η⁵-C₅H₄)-CHN-(C₆H₄-2OH)]}] (3b) and trans-[Pd{(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe[(η⁵-C₅H₄)-CHN-(C₆H₄-2O)]}₂] (4b). Ligand 1b acts as a (N) (in 2b) or a (N,O)⁻ (in 4b) ligand; while in 3b the two units of the iminoalcohol exhibit simultaneously different modes of binding {(N) and [C(sp², ferrocene),N,O]²⁻}. The crystal structures of 2b · 3H₂O and 3b · 1/2CHCl₃ are also reported and confirm the mode of binding of the ligand in these compounds. The relative importance of the factors affecting the preferential formation of products (2b-4b) is also discussed. The study of the reactivity of 3b with PPh₃ has enabled the obtention of the cyclopalladated complexes [Pd{[(η⁵-C₅H₃)-CHN-(C₆H₄-2O)]Fe(η⁵- C₅H₅)}(PPh₃)] (6b) and [Pd{[(η⁵-C₅H₃)-CHN-(C₆H₄-2OH)]Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)}Cl(PPh₃)] (7b), in which 1b behaves as a [C(sp², ferrocene),N,O]²⁻ (in 6b) or [C(sp², ferrocene),N]⁻ (in 7b) ligand. Treatment of 3b with MeO₂C-CC-CO₂Me produces [Pd{[(MeO₂C-CC-CO₂Me)₂(η⁵-C₅H₃)-CHN-(C₆H₄-2O)]Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)}] (8b), that arises from the bis(insertion) of the alkyne into the σ[Pd-C(sp², ferrocene)] bond. The comparison of the results obtained for 1b and [C₆H₅-CHN-(C₆H₄-2OH)] (1a) has allowed to establish the influence of the substituents on the imine carbon on their reactivity in front of palladium(II) as well as on the lability of the Pd-ligands bond. ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer studies of 2b-4b and 6b provide conclusive evidence of the effect induced by the mode of binding of 1b on the environment of the iron(II).     

Knoevenagel condensation of [NC-CH2C(O)-NH-CH(CO2Et)-S]2 with ferrocenecarbaldehyde and the activation of the σ(C-S) bond of [(η-C5H5)Fe{(η-C5H4)-CHC(CN)-C(O)-NH-CH(CO2Et)-CH2-S-}]2 induced by palladium(II)

The results obtained from the Knoevenagel condensation between the aldehydes R-CHO {with R=4-MeO-C₆H₄, 4-NO₂-C₆H₄, 4-Cl-C₆H₄, C₆H₅, 2,4,6-Me₃-C₆H₂ or (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)} and [NC-CH₂C(O)-NH-CH(CO₂Et)-S]₂ under different experimental conditions are reported. These studies have allowed the isolation and characterisation of three optically pure polyamides of general formula [R-CHC(CN)-C(O)-NH-CH(CO₂Et)-CH₂-S-]₂ with R=4-MeO-C₆H₄ (3a), 4-NO₂-C₆H₄ (3b) or (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄) (3f). The reactions of 3f with Na₂[PdCl₄] or Pd(AcO)₂ are also studied. The treatment of Pd(AcO)₂ with 3f in a 2:1 molar ratio in refluxing toluene leads to the formation of [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe{(η⁵-C₅H₄)-CHC(CN)-C(O)-NH-C(CO₂Et)CH₂}] (5f). Electrochemical studies based on cyclic voltammetry of compounds 3f and 5f are also reported.     

Synthesis and reactivity of asymmetrically substituted ansa-bridged zirconocene complexes: X-ray crystal structures of [Zr{R(H)C(η-C5Me4)(η-C5H4)}Cl2] (R = Bu, Bu) and [Zr{Bu(H)C(η-C5Me4)(η-C5H4)}(CH2Ph)2]

The dialkyl complexes, (R = Prⁱ, R′ = Me (2a), CH₂Ph (3a); R = Buⁿ, R′ = Me (2b), CH₂Ph (3b); R = Bu^t, R′ = Me (2c), CH₂Ph (3c); R = Ph, R′ = Me (2d), CH₂Ph (3d)), have been synthesized by the reaction of the ansa-metallocene dichloride complex, [Zr{R(H)C(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] (R = Prⁱ (1a), Buⁿ (1b), Bu^t (1c), Ph (1d)), and two molar equivalents of the alkyl Gringard reagent. The insertion reaction of the isocyanide reagent, CNC₆H₃Me₂-2,6, into the zirconium-carbon σ-bond of 2 gave the corresponding η²-iminoacyl derivatives, [Zr{R(H)C(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}{η²-MeCNC₆H₃Me₂-2,6}Me] (R = Prⁱ (4a), Buⁿ (4b), Bu^t (4c), Ph (4d)). The molecular structures of 1b, 1c and 3b have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis of the cyclooctadiene and cyclooctenediyl cobalt complexes. Structures of [(η2,η2-cyclooctadiene)Co(η-1,2,4,5-C6H2Me4)]BF4 and [(η1,η3-cyclooctenediyl)Co(η-9-SMe2-7,8-C2B9H10)

Cobaltacarboranes (η¹, η³-cyclooctenediyl)Co(Carb) (Carb = η-9-SMe₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀, η-1-tBuHN-1,7,9-C₃B₈H₁₀) were synthesized by the reaction of the carborane anions [Carb]⁻ with the acetonitrile complex [(η¹, η³-cyclooctenediyl)Co(MeCN)₃]⁺ generated in situ upon the dissolution of [(η¹, η³-cyclooctenediyl)Co(η-1,4-C₆H₄Me₂)]⁺ in MeCN. The structures of (η¹,η³-cyclooctenediyl)Co(η-9-SMe₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀ and [(η²,η²-cyclooctadiene)Co((η-1,2,4,5-C₆H₂Me₄)]BF₄ were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

New aromatic pentafluoro-λ-sulfanyl (SF5) derivatives, m-SF5(CF2)2C6H4X: (X = N3, Br, OC(O)CHCH2, CHCH2)

Preparation of the following new m-SF₅CF₂CF₂C₆H₄X derivatives has been achieved: X=N₃(2), Br(3), OC(O)CHCH₂(4), CHCH₂(5). The compounds were characterized by their respective IR, NMR, mass spectra (MS) and high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). An improved yield of SF₅(CF₂)₂C₆H₅ (1) is also reported along with the synthesis of the polyacrylate (6) and polystyrene (7) from their respective monomers.     

Allyl complexes of molybdenum with Schiff base ligands. The crystal structures of [MoCl(CO)2{N(C6H4-2-OMe)C(Me)C5H4N}(η-C3H5)] and [MoCl(CO)2{N(Me)C(Ph)C5H4N}(η-C3H5)] are described

Treatment of the molybdenum tetracarbonyl complexes of [Mo(CO)₄L₂] (L₂=pyridyl amine Schiff base ligands) with allyl chloride in refluxing THF afforded η³-allyl complexes [MoCl(CO)₂L₂(η³-allyl)] (1-9). These complexes have been characterised by various techniques including ¹H-NMR, IR and FABMS spectroscopies and the single crystal X-ray structure determinations of the complexes [MoCl(CO)₂{N(C₆H₄-2-OMe)C(Me)C₅H₄N}(η³-C₃H₅)] (3) and [MoCl(CO)₂{N(Me)C(Ph)C₅H₄N}(η³-C₃H₅)] (4).     

Effect of high external pressures on the vibrational spectra of Zeise’s complexes, K[Pt(η-C2H4)Cl3] and [Pt(η-C2H4)Cl2]2

The pressure dependences (dν/dP) of the main IR and Raman bands of Zeise’s complexes, K[Pt(η²-C₂H₄)Cl₃] and [Pt(η²-C₂H₄)Cl₂]₂, have been determined for the first time for selected pressures up to ∼33 kbar with the aid of diamond-anvil cells. Neither complex undergoes a pressure-induced structural change throughout the pressure range investigated. The dν/dP values range from −0.13 to 0.79 cm⁻¹ kbar⁻¹. The negative values have proved particularly informative in identifying the location of the CC stretching modes of the Pt-ethylene groups, a topic of considerable disagreement in the literature.     

Synthesis, structures, and catalytic properties for ethylene polymerization of bridged [η,η-C5H4CHPhArO]TiCl2 complexes

A number of bridged half-sandwich titanium complexes [η⁵:η¹-2-C₅H₄CHPh-4-R¹-6-R²C₆H₂O]TiCl₂ [R¹ = H (5), Me (6), ^tBu (7, 8); R² = H (6, 7), ^tBu (5, 8)] were synthesized from the reaction of their corresponding trimethylsilyl substituted ligand precursors 2-Me₃SiC₅H₄CHPh-4-R¹-6-R²C₆H₂OSiMe₃ [R¹ = H (1), Me (2), ^tBu (3, 4); R² = H (2, 3), ^tBu (1, 4)] with TiCl₄ in hexane. All new complexes were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Molecular structures of complexes 5 and 8 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Upon activation with AlⁱBu₃/Ph₃CB (C₆F₅)₄, complexes 5-8 exhibit reasonable catalytic activity for ethylene polymerization and copolymerization with 1-hexene, producing polyethylene and poly(ethylene-co-1-hexene) with moderate molecular weights.     

Cyclopentadienyl chromium and tungsten complexes with halide, methyl and σ-phenylethynyl ligands: Structures of (η-C5H5)Cr(NO)2(-CC-C6H5), (η-C5H5)Cr(NO)2I and [(η-C5H4)-COOCH3]W(CO)3Cl

With copper(I) iodide as catalyst, σ-alkynyls, compounds (η⁵-C₅H₅)Cr(NO)₂(CC-C₆H₅) (5), [(η⁵-C₅H₄)-COOCH₃]Cr(NO)₂(CC-C₆H₅) (10), and [(η⁵-C₅H₄)-COOCH₃]W(CO)₃(CC-C₆H₅) (13), were prepared from their corresponding metal chloride 1, 6 and 12. Structures of compound 3, 5 and 12 have been solved by X-ray diffraction studies. In the case of 5, there is an internal mirror plane passing through the phenylethynyl ligand and bisecting the Cp ring. The phenyl group is oriented perpendicularly to the Cp with an eclipsed conformation. The twist angle is 0° and 118.4° for -CC-Ph and two NO ligands, respectively. The orientation is rationalized in terms of orbital overlap between ψ₃ of Cp, dπ of Cr atom, and π^∗ of alkynyl ligand, and complemented by molecular orbital calculation. The opposite correlation was observed on the chemical shift assignments of C(2)-C(5) on Cp ring in compounds 6 and 12, using HetCOR NMR spectroscopy. The electron density distribution in the cyclopentadienyl ring is discussed on the basis of ¹³C NMR data and compared with the calculations via density functional B3LYP correlation-exchange method.     

Reactions of nickel-group 6 complexes with a bulky terminal alkyne to afford alkyne-carbonyl coupled products: X-ray structure of the heterobimetallic nickelacyclobutenone complex [(η-C5Me5)Mo(CO)2(η-C5H4Me)] (Ni-Mo)

The nickel-molybdenum complex [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)NiMo(CO)₃(η⁵-C₅H₄Me)] can be considered to contain a partially dative nickel-molybdenum double bond. This complex reacts with the bulky terminal alkyne HCCCPh₂(OMe) (DPMP) to afford the alkyne-carbonyl coupled metallacyclic product (3c, R = CPh₂(OMe), Ni-Mo) regioselectively and exclusively. No traces of a nickel-molybdenum μ-alkyne complex, analogous to similar complexes isolated with less bulky alkynes, were observed. The structure of complex 3c was established via a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. It exhibits the same connectivity as that observed with a related complex formed with the smaller but-2-yne, but some significant differences are observed between the two structures. Reactions of the nickel-molybdenum and -tungsten species [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)NiM(CO)₃(η⁵-C₅H₅)] (M = Mo, W) with DPMP proceeded analogously and afforded similar products.     

Synthesis and properties of carboxy-substituted half-sandwich ruthenium complexes with chelating bisphosphine ligands (η-C5H4CO2H)Ru(η-L)X (X = I, H)

Several Ru(II) complexes (η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂H)Ru(η²-L)I have been prepared by the hydrolysis of the ester linkage in (η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂t-Bu)Ru(η²-L)Cl with trimethylsilyl iodide. The hydrides (η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂H)Ru(η²-L)H may be prepared by reduction of the iodide complexes in KOH/MeOH solutions followed by acidification. Complexes with several chelating bisphosphine ligands have been prepared in this way. The carboxylate anions [(η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂)Ru(η²-L)H]⁻ are readily protonated by weak acids to give the carboxyCp complexes. The pK_a of the carboxy proton of (η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂H)Ru(dppe)H (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) is 11.3 in DMSO. Protonation of the neutral hydride complex (η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂H)Ru(dppf)H gives the cationic dihydride (η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂H)Ru(dppf)H⁺₂; the dihydride structure has been confirmed by measuring the T₁ of its ¹H NMR hydride resonance over a range of temperatures. The oxidations of the halide complexes (η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂H)Ru(dppf)I and (η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂t-Bu)Ru(dppf)Cl (dppf = 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene) have been studied by cyclic voltammetry.     

Atom-transfer radical reactions catalyzed by a coordinatively unsaturated diruthenium amidinate, [(η-C5Me5)Ru(μ2-i-PrNC(Me)Ni-Pr)Ru(η-C5Me5)]

Atom-transfer radical cyclization (ATRC) and addition (ATRA) catalyzed by a coordinatively unsaturated diruthenium amidinate complex 4, [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ru(μ₂-i-PrNC(Me)Ni-Pr)Ru(η⁵-C₅Me₅)]⁺, are investigated, and their features are compared with those of atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). As an example of ATRC, a cationic diruthenium amidinate 4 is found to exhibit excellent catalytic reactivity for the cyclization of N-allyl α-halogenated acetamides including an alkaloid skeleton at ambient temperature. A catalytic species generated in situ from a halide complex, (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ru(μ₂-i-PrNC(Me)Ni-Pr)Ru(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(X) [X=Cl, Br] and sodium salts of weakly coordinating anions such as NaPF₆ and NaBPh₄ also shows high catalytic activity; this actually provides a solution for a problematic instability of 4 as the practical catalyst. The in situ-generated catalyst species 4 is also active towards the intermolecular ATRA of α,α,γ-trichlorinated γ-lactam with alkenes at rt to afford the corresponding α-alkylated γ-lactams in moderate yields. Examination of ATRP of methyl methacrylate (MMA) showed that both the isolated 4 [Y=PF₆] and in situ-generated 4 [Y=PF₆] are effective for the polymerization of MMA in the presence of 2-bromoisobutylate as the initiator. Use of the isolated catalyst results in controlled polymerization at initial stage of the reaction; in contrast, the polymerization with in situ-generated catalyst produces poly(MMA) with wide molecular weight distribution. The isolated catalyst 4 is powerful for the activation of a C-Br bond of macromolecule initiators; BrCMe₂CO₂[O(CH₂)₄]_n-n-Bu (M_n=3800; M_w/M_n=1.2) initiated ATRP of MMA even at 25 °C to afford the poly(THF)-poly(MMA) block copolymer of M_n=26,000 and M_w/M_n=1.2 with the aid of 4. The roles of the coordinatively unsaturated ruthenium species for these reactions are discussed.     

Synthesis and reactivity of η-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl-propenyl rhenium complexes: Molecular structure of [(η:η-C5Me4CH2CHCH2)Re(CO)2]

The fulvene complexes [(η⁶-C₅Me₄CH₂)Re(CO)₂(R)] (1a, RI; 1b, RC₆F₅) react at the exocyclic methylene carbon with a vinylmagnesium bromide solution to produce the anionic species [(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₂(R)]⁻. Protonation with HCl at 0 °C produces the hydride complexes [trans-(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₂(R)(H)] (2a, RI; 2b, RC₆F₅). Thermolysis of an hexane solution of the iodo-hydride (2a) under a CO atmosphere yields the complex [(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₃] (3) and [Re(CO)₅I] as by-product. Thermolysis of 2b produced three new products, mainly the chelated complex [(η⁵:η²-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₂] (4) and complex 3, with a non-coordinated olefin group, in moderated yield, and traces of [Re(CO)₅(C₆F₅)]. Thermolysis of an hexane solution of 2 in presence of an excess of PMe₃, afforded the phosphine derivative [(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₂(PMe₃)] (5). All the complexes were characterized by IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectroscopies and mass spectrometry. The molecular structure of 4 has also been determined. The molecule exhibits a formal three-legged piano-stool structure, with two CO groups, and the third position corresponding to the η²-coordination of the propenyl side arm of the η⁵-C₅Me₄ ring.     

New ferrocenylmethylphosphines - Preparation, characterisation and coordination chemistry of PH(CH2Fc)2, P(CH2Fc)3 [Fc = Fe(η-C5H5)(η-C5H4)] and their derivatives

The new ferrocenylmethylphosphines PH(CH₂Fc)₂ (1) [Fc = Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₄)] and P(CH₂Fc)₃ (2) and the phosphonium salt [P(CH₂Fc)₃(CH₂OH)]I (3) were synthesised from P(CH₂OH)₃ and [FcCH₂NMe₃]I. [P(CH₂Fc)(CH₂OH)₃]Cl (4) was obtained from P(CH₂Fc)(CH₂OH)₂, CH₂O and HCl. The new phosphines and phosphonium salts were fully characterised by NMR and IR spectroscopy and MS. [Mo(CO)₆] reacts with 1 to give [Mo(CO)₅{PH(CH₂Fc)₂}] (5) in high yield, but attempts to employ 2 as a ligand failed. The reaction of [P(CH₂Fc)₃(CH₂OH)]I (3) and [PH(CH₂Fc)₃]I (obtained in situ from 3 and Na₂S₂O₅) with [WI₂(CO)₃(NCMe)₂] gave the complex salts [P(CH₂Fc)₃(CH₂OH)][WI₃(CO)₄] (6) and [PH(CH₂Fc)₃][WI₃(CO)₄] (7), respectively. [P(CH₂Fc)₄]I (8) was synthesized from PH₂CH₂Fc and [FcCH₂NMe₃]I. Crystal structures were obtained for 1, 3-8.