Synthesis and characterization of half-sandwich iridium(III) and rhodium(III) complexes bearing organochalcogen ligands

Reactions of [Cp*M(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (M = Ir, Rh; Cp* = η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) with bi- or tri-dentate organochalcogen ligands Mbit (L1), Mbpit (L2), Mbbit (L3) and [Tm^Me]⁻ (L4) (Mbit = 1,1′-methylenebis(3-methyl-imidazole-2-thione); Mbpit = 1,1′-methylene bis (3-iso-propyl-imidazole-2-thione), Mbbit = 1,1′-methylene bis (3-tert-butyl-imidazole-2-thione)) and [Tm^Me]⁻ (Tm^Me = tris (2-mercapto-1-methylimidazolyl) borate) result in the formation of the 18-electron half-sandwich complexes [Cp*M(Mbit)Cl]Cl (M = Ir, 1a; M = Rh, 1b), [Cp*M(Mbpit)Cl]Cl (M = Ir, 2a; M = Rh, 2b), [Cp*M(Mbbit)Cl]Cl (M = Ir, 3a; M = Rh, 3b) and [Cp*M(Tm^Me)]Cl (M = Ir, 4a; M = Rh, 4b), respectively. All complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, NMR and IR spectra. The molecular structures of 1a, 2b and 4a have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis and characterization of half-sandwich Rh, Ir complexes containing mono-thiolate-ortho-carborane ligand

Two binuclear complexes [Cp^∗M(Cl)Carb^S]₂ (Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅Me₅, M = Rh (1a), Carb^S = SC₂(H)B₁₀H₁₀, Ir (1b)) were synthesized by the reaction of LiCarb^S with the dimeric metal complexes [Cp^∗MCl(μ-Cl)]₂ (M = Rh, Ir). Four mononuclear complexes Cp^∗M(Cl)(L)Carb^S (L = BuⁿPPh₂, M = Rh (2a), Ir (2b); L = PPh₃, M = Rh (4a), Ir (4b)) were synthesized by reactions of 1a or 1b with L (L = BuⁿPPh₂ (2); PPh₃ (4)) in moderate yields, respectively. Complexes 3a, 3b, 5a, 5b were obtained by treatment of 2a, 2b, 4a, 4b with AgPF₆ in high yields, respectively. All of these compounds were fully characterized by IR, NMR, and elemental analysis, and the crystal structures of 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 4a, 4b were also confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Their structures showed 3a, 3b and 5a, 5b could be expected as good candidates for heterolytic dihydrogen activation. Preliminary experiments on the dihydrogen activation driven by these half-sandwich Rh, Ir complexes were done under mild conditions.     

‘A rendezvous with an old flame’: revisiting olefin hydrogenation with new rhodium and iridium catalysts

A novel tridentate hemilabile ligand 2 containing phosphine, imine and pyridyl donor groups has been prepared in analogy with the synthesis of the known related ligand 1. The reaction of 1 or 2 with 〚Rh(COE)₂Cl〛₂ resulted in the formation of the neutral complexes 〚Rh(L)Cl〛. By a method using 〚M(diene)Cl〛₂ as starting material, cationic complexes of the type 〚M(diene)(L)〛X were also obtained (M = Rh, diene = NBD, L = 1, 2; M = Ir, diene = COD, L = 1; X = BF₄, OTf). A comparative study of the catalytic activity of the new complexes towards the hydrogenation of various olefins has been reported. In particular, the catalysts of the type 〚Rh(L)Cl〛 are remarkably active when prepared in situ, especially for the reduction of hindered olefins.     

Stepwise formation of metallo-prisms of iridium and rhodium complexes bearing pentamethylcyclopentadienyl ligands

Reactions of [M(Cp^∗)Cl(μ-Cl)]₂ (M = Ir(1a); M = Rh(1b)) with tridentate ligands tpt (tpt = 2,4,6-tripyridyl-1,3,5-triazine) gave the corresponding trinuclear complexes [M₃(Cp^∗)₃(μ₃-4-tpt-κN)Cl₆] (M = Ir(2a); M = Rh(2b)), which can be converted into hexanuclear complexes [M₆(Cp^∗)₆(μ₃-4-tpt-κN)₂(μ-Cl)₆](O₃SCF₃)₆ (M = Ir(3a); M = Rh(3b)) by treatment with AgO₃SCF₃, respectively. X-ray of 3b revealed that each of six pentamethylcyclopentadienyl metal moieties was connected by two μ-Cl-bridged atoms and a tridentate ligand to construct a cation triangular metallo-prism cavity with the volume of about 273 Å³ based on the distance of the two triazine moieties is 3.62 Å.     

F NMR spectroscopy as useful tool for determining the structure in solution of coordination compounds of MF5 (M = Nb, Ta)

The salts [S(NMe₂)₃][MF₆] (M = Nb, 2a; M = Ta, 2b) and [S(NMe₂)₃][M₂F₁₁] (M = Nb, 2c; M = Ta, 2d) have been prepared by reacting MF₅ (M = Nb, 1a; M = Ta, 1b) with [S(NMe₂)₃][SiMe₃F₂] (TASF reagent) in the appropriate molar ratio. The solid state structure of 2b has been ascertained by X-ray diffraction. The 1:1 molar ratio reactions of 1a with a variety of organic compounds (L) give the neutral adducts NbF₅L [L = Me₂CO, 3a; L = MeCHO, 3b; L = Ph₂CO, 3c; L = tetrahydrofuran (thf), 3d; L = MeOH, 3e; L = EtOH, 3f; L = HOCH₂CH₂OMe, 3g; L = Ph₃PO, 3h; L = NCMe, 3i] in good yields. The complexes MF₅L [M = Nb, L = HCONMe₂, 3j; M = Nb, L = (NMe₂)₂CO, 3k; M = Ta, L = (NMe₂)₂CO, 3l; M = Nb, L = OC(Me)CHCMe₂, 3m] have been detected in solution in admixture with other unidentified products, upon 2:1 molar reaction of 1 with the appropriate reagent L. The ionic complexes [NbF₄(tht)₂][NbF₆], 4a, and [NbF₄(tht)₂][Nb₂F₁₁], 4b, have been obtained by combination of tetrahydrothiophene (tht) and 1a, in 1:1 and 2:3 molar ratios, respectively. The treatment of 1 with a two-fold excess of L leads to the species [MF₄L₄][MF₆] [M = Nb, L = HCONMe₂, 5a; M = Ta, L = HCONMe₂, 5b; M = Nb, L = thf, 5c; M = Ta, L = thf, 5d; M = Nb, L = OEt₂, 5e]. The new complexes have been fully characterised by NMR spectroscopy. Moreover, the revised ¹⁹F NMR features of the known compounds MF₅L [M = Ta, L = Me₂CO, 3n; M = Ta, L = Ph₂CO, 3o; M = Ta, L = MePhCO, 3p; M = Ta, L = thf, 3q; M = Nb, L = CH₃CO₂H, 3r; M = Nb, L = CH₂ClCO₂H, 3s; M = Ta, L = CH₂ClCO₂H, 3t], TaF₄(acac), TaF₄(Me-acac) and [TaF(Me-acac)₃][TaF₆] (Me-acac = methylacetylacetonato anion) are reported.     

Diiron-aminocarbyne complexes with amine or imine ligands: C-N coupling between imine and aminocarbyne ligands promoted by tolylacetylide addition to [Fe2{μ-CN(Me)R}(μ-CO)(CO)(NHCPh2)(Cp)2][SO3CF3]

A terminally coordinated CO ligand in the complexes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)R}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, 1a; R = Xyl, 1b; Xyl = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃), is readily displaced by primary and secondary amines (L), in the presence of Me₃NO, affording the complexes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)R}(μ-CO)(CO)(L)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, L = NH₂Et, 4a; R = Xyl, L = NH₂Et, 4b; R = Me, L = NH₂Prⁱ, 5a; R = Xyl, L = NH₂Prⁱ, 5b; R = Xyl, L = NH₂C₆H₁₁, 6; R = Xyl, L = NH₂Ph, 7; R = Xyl, L = NH₃, 8; R = Me, L = NHMe₂, 9a; R = Xyl, L = NHMe₂, 9b; R = Xyl, = NH(CH₂)₅, 10). In the absence of Me₃NO, NH₂Et gives addition at the CO ligand of 1b, yielding [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO){C(O)NHEt}(Cp)₂] (11). Carbonyl replacement is also observed in the reaction of 1a-b with pyridine and benzophenone imine, affording [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)R}(μ-CO)(CO)(L)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, L = Py, 12a; R = Xyl, L = Py, 12b; R = Me, L = HNCPh₂, 13a; R = Xyl, L = HNCPh₂, 13b). The imino complex 13b reacts with p-tolylacetylide leading to the formation of the μ-vinylidene-diaminocarbene compound [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η²- CC(Tol)C(Ph)₂N(H)CN(Me)(Xyl){(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp₂)] (15) which has been studied by X-ray diffraction.     

Crystal chemistry of three new monodimensional fluorometalates templated with ethylenediamine

Three new monodimensional hybrid metal (Ti, In, Al) fluorides are synthesized with ethylenediamine (en) as a templating agent in solvothermal conditions assisted by microwave heating. All structures involve inorganic chains built up from TiO₂F₄ octahedra connected by two opposite O²⁻ vertices in [H₂en]·(TiOF₄) (I), from InF₆(H₂O) pentagonal bipyramids linked by F–F edges in [H₂en]·(InF₄(H₂O))₂·H₂O (II) and from (Al₇F₃₀)⁹⁻ polyanions sharing two opposite AlF₆ octahedra in [H₂en]₃·(Al₆F₂₄) (III). I is tetragonal, P4/ncc, a = 12.761(3) Å, c = 8.041(3) Å; II is orthorhombic, F2dd, a = 6.904(5) Å, b = 16.559(5) Å, c = 19.777(4) Å and III is monoclinic, P2₁/n, a = 9.387(2) Å, b = 6.710(2) Å, c = 21.513(6) Å, β = 97.18(3)°.     

Catalytic hydrogenation of CO and CN bonds via heterolysis of H2 mediated by metal-sulfur bonds of rhodium and iridium thiolate complexes

Coordinatively unsaturated rhodium and iridium complexes having a bulky thiolate, [Cp∗M(PMe₃)(SDmp)](BAr^F₄) (1a: M = Rh; 1b: M = Ir; Dmp = 2,6-(mesityl)₂C₆H₃, Ar^F = 3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃), catalyzed the hydrogenation of benzaldehyde, N-benzylideneaniline, and cyclohexanone, under 1 atm of H₂ at low temperatures. In these catalytic reactions, the M-H/S-H complexes [Cp∗M(PMe₃)(H)(HSDmp)](BAr^F₄) (2a: M = Rh; 2b: M = Ir) generated via H₂ heterolysis by 1a or 1b were suggested to transfer both M-H hydride and S-H proton to substrates. The catalytic reactions were terminated by the dissociation of H-SDmp from the metal centers of 2a and 2b that occurs at ambient temperature under H₂ atmosphere.     

Ruthenium vinylidene and carbyne complexes containing a multifunctional tridentate ligand with a PNN donor set

The neutral, octahedral ruthenium vinylidene complexes mer,trans-[(PNN)Cl₂Ru(CCHR)] (PNN = N-(2-diphenylphosphinobenzylidene)-2-(2-pyridyl)ethylamine; R = Ph, 1a; R = ^tBu, 1b) are reported. An X-ray crystallographic study of 1a confirms the tridentate, meridional coordination mode of the PNN ligand. Compounds 1a and 1b undergo regioselective electrophilic addition with HBF₄ · Et₂O at C_β of the vinylidene ligand at low temperatures, and are cleanly and quantitatively converted to the ruthenium carbynes mer,trans-[(PNN)Cl₂Ru(CCH₂R)][BF₄] (R = Ph, 2a; R = ^tBu, 2b). Carbynes 2a and 2b are stable only at low temperatures (<−50 °C). Complex 1a undergoes ligand substitution with L to yield mer,trans-[(PNN)Cl₂Ru(L)] (L = MeCN, 3a; L = CO, 3b).     

Flux synthesis of (3,4)-connected zinc phosphites with different framework topologies

Two three-dimensional open-framework zinc phosphites, H₂aem·Zn₃(HPO₃)₄·0.5H₂O (1) and H₂apm·Zn₃(HPO₃)₄ (2), have been synthesized by a phosphorous acid flux method, where aem=4-(2-aminoethyl)morpholine and apm=4-(3-aminopropyl)morpholine. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, P2₁/c, a=9.5852(7) Å, b=20.3941(8) Å, c=10.5339(8) Å, β=94.125(9)°, V=2053.8(2) Å³, Z=4, R₁=0.0319, wR₂=0.0628. Compound 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, P2₁/n, a=8.589(2) Å, b=14.020(3) Å, c=16.606(3) Å, β=97.190(8)°, V=1983.9(7) Å³, Z=4, R₁=0.0692, wR₂=0.1479. Both compounds are based on (3,4)-connected networks with 8- and 12-ring channels, which are constructed from Zn₃(HPO₃)₄ clusters as the same secondary building units. These inorganic clusters are spatially organized by different structure-directing agents into different three-dimensional frameworks.     

Synthesis and characterization of heterometallic Rh/Ru complexes supported by 1,2-dichalcogenolato-o-carborane ligands

The 16-electron half-sandwich complexes Cp^∗Rh[E₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] (E = S, 1a; Se, 1b) react with [Ru(COD)Cl₂]_x under different conditions to give different types of heterometallic complexes. When the reactions were carried out in THF for 24 h, the binuclear Rh/Ru complexes [Cp^∗Rh(μ-Cl)₂(COD)Ru][E₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] (E = S, 2a; Se, 2b) bridged by two Cl atoms and the binuclear Rh/Rh complexes (Cp^∗Rh)₂[E₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] (E = S, 3a; Se, 3b) with direct Rh-Rh bond can be isolated in moderate yields. [Ru(COD)Cl₂] fragments in 2a and 2b have inserted into the Rh-E bond. If the [Ru(COD)Cl₂]_x was reacted with 1a in the presence of K₂CO₃ in methanol solution, the product [Cp^∗Rh(COD)]Ru[S₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀]] (4a), K[(μ-Cl)(μ-OCH₃)Ru(COD)]₄ (5a) and 3a were obtained. The B(3)-H activation in complex 4a was found. However, when the reaction between 1b and [Ru(COD)Cl₂]_x was carried out in excessive NaHCO₃, the carborane cage opened products {Cp^∗Rh[S₂C₂(B₉H₁₀)]}Ru(COD) (6b), {Cp^∗Rh[S₂C₂(B₉H₉)]}Ru(COD)(OCH₃) (7b) and 3b were obtained. All complexes were fully characterized by their IR, ¹H NMR and elemental analyses. The molecular structures of 2a, 2b, 3b, 4a, 5a, and 7b have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Neutral and cationic half‐sandwich arene d6 metal complexes containing pyridyl and pyrimidyl thiourea ligands with interesting bonding modes: Synthesis,structural and anti‐cancer studies

The reaction of [(p‐cymene)RuCl₂]₂ and [Cp*MCl₂]₂ (M = Rh/Ir) with benzoyl (2‐pyrimidyl) thiourea (L1) and benzoyl (4‐picolyl) thiourea (L2) led to the formation of cationic complexes bearing formula [(arene) M (L1)к² _(N,S) Cl]⁺ and [(arene) M (L2)к²_(N,S)Cl]⁺ [(arene) = p‐cymene, M = Ru, ( 1 , 4 ); Cp*, M = Rh ( 2 , 5 ) and Ir ( 3 , 6 )]. Precursor compounds reacted with benzoyl (6‐picolyl) thiourea (L3) affording neutral complexes having formula [(arene) M (L3)к¹_(S)Cl₂] [arene = p‐cymene, M = Ru, ( 7 ); Cp*, M = Rh ( 8 ), Ir ( 9 )]. X‐ray studies revealed that the methyl substituent attached to the pyridine ring in ligands L2 and L3 affects its coordination mode. When methyl group is at the para position of the pyridine ring (L2), the ligand coordinated metal in a bidentate chelating N, S‐ mode whereas methyl group at ortho position (L3), it coordinated in a monodentate mode. Further the anti‐cancer studies of the thiourea derivatives and its complexes carried out against HCT‐116, HT‐29 (human colorectal cancer), Mia‐PaCa‐2 (human pancreatic cancer) and ARPE‐19 (non‐cancer retinal epithelium) cell lines showed that the thiourea ligands are inactive but upon complexation, the metal compounds displayed potent and selective activity against cancer cells in vitro. Iridium complexes were found to be more potent as compared to ruthenium and rhodium complexes.     

Novel M(II)–Hg(II) coordination polymers generated from metal-containing building blocks M(2-pyrazinecarboxylate)2 · (H2O)2 (M=Cu, Ni, Co) and HgCl2

A new class of M(II)–Hg(II) (M=Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II)) mixed-metal coordination polymers, Cu(2-pyrazinecarboxylate)₂HgCl₂ (4), [Co(2-pyrazinecarboxylate)₂(HgCl₂)₂] · 0.61H₂O (5) and [Ni(2-pyrazinecarboxylate)₂(HgCl₂)₂] · 0.77H₂O (6), have been prepared by self assembly of metal-containing building blocks, M(2-pyrazinecarboxylate)₂ · (H₂O)₂(M=Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II)), with HgCl₂. Compounds 4–6 were characterized fully by IR, elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 4 crystallized in the monoclinic space group C2/c, with a=17.916(5) Å, b=7.223(2) Å, c=13.335(4) Å, β=128.726(3)°, V=1346.2(6) ų, Z=4. It contains alternating Hg(II) and Cu(II) metal centers that are cross-linked by 2-pyrazinecarboxylate spacers and chlorine co-ligands to generate a unique three-dimensional Hg(II)–Cu(II) mixed metal framework. Compound 5 crystallized in the triclinic space group P , with a=6.3879(7) Å, b=6.6626(8) Å, c=13.2286(15) Å, α=96.339(2)°, β=91.590(2)°, γ=113.462(2)°, V=511.71(10) ų, Z=1. Compound 6 also crystallized in the triclinic space group P , with a=6.3543(8) Å, b=6.6194(8) Å, c=13.2801(16) Å, α=96.449(2)°, β=92.263(2)°, γ=113.541(2)°, V=506.67(11) ų, Z=1. Compounds 5 and 6 are isostructural and in the solid state the Hg(II)M(II)Hg(II) units are connected by Hg₂Cl₂ linkages to produce a novel M(II)–Hg(II) (M=Co(II), Ni(II)) zigzag mixed-metal chain, in which a new type of M–M′–M′–M array was observed. The metal containing building blocks, M(2-pyrazinecarboxylate)₂ · (H₂O)₂ (M=Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II)), exhibit different connectivities to HgCl₂ depending on the metal cation contained within them.     

Novel coordination polymers with ferrocene-containing dicarboxylate ligand: Syntheses, crystal structures and properties

A new ferrocene-containing dicarboxylate ligand, L = 5-ferrocene-1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, has been prepared. Self-assembly of L, M(II) salts (M = Co and Zn) and chelating ligands dpa or phen (dpa = 2,2′-dipyridylamine and phen = 1,10-phen) gave rise to four new coordination polymers {[Co(L)(dpa)] · 2MeOH}_n (1), {[Zn(L)(dpa)] · 2MeOH}_n (2), {[Co(L)(phen)(H₂O)] · MeOH} (3), [Zn(L)(phen)(H₂O)] · MeOH (4). The isostructural complexes 1 and 2 possess 1D helical chain structures with 2₁ screw axes along the b-direction, and the right- and left-handed helical chains are alternate arrayed into 2D layer structures through hydrogen-bonding interactions; while isostructural complexes 3 and 4 are 1D linear chain structures with phen and ferrocene groups of L as pendants hanging on the different sides of the main chain. A structural comparison of complexes 1–4 demonstrated that the characteristics of subsidiary ligands and slight difference in coordination models of L play very important role in the construction of the complexes. In addition, the redox properties of complexes 1–4, as well as the magnetic properties of complexes 1 and 3 are also investigated.     

Effect of chelating agent on the oxidation rate of PCP in the magnetite/H2O2 system at neutral pH

The complex [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ reacts with two molar equivalent of pyridine carboxylic acids ligands Py-2-COOH(a), Py-3-COOH(b) and Py-4-COOH(c) to yield rhodium(I) dicarbonyl chelate complex [Rh(CO)₂(L^/)](1a) {L^/ = η²-(N,O) coordinated Py-2-COO⁻(a^/)} and non-chelate complexes [Rh(CO)₂ClL^//](1b,c) {L^// = η¹-(N) coordinated Py-3-COOH(b), Py-4-COOH(c)}. The complexes 1 undergo oxidative addition (OA) reactions with different electrophiles such as CH₃I, C₂H₅I, C₆H₅CH₂Cl and I₂ to give penta coordinated Rh(III) complexes of the types [Rh(CO)(CORⁿ)XL^/], {n = 1,2,3; R¹ = CH₃(2a); R² = C₂H₅(3a); X = I and R³ = CH₂C₆H₅ (4a); X = Cl}, [Rh(CO)I₂L^/](5a), [Rh(CO)(CORⁿ)ClXL^//] {R¹ = CH₃(6b,c); R² = C₂H₅(7b,c); X = I and R³ = CH₂C₆H₅ (8b,c); X = Cl} and [Rh(CO)ClI₂L^//](9b,c). The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Kinetic data for the reaction of 1a–b with CH₃I indicate a first order reaction. The catalytic activity of 1a–c for the carbonylation of methanol to acetic acid and its ester is evaluated and a higher turn over number (TON = 810–1094) is obtained compared with that of the well-known commercial species [Rh(CO)₂I₂]⁻ (TON = 653) at mild reaction conditions (temperature 130 ± 5 °C, pressure 35 ± 5 bar).     

1-Methyl-4-ferrocenylmethyl-3,5-diphenylpyrazole: A versatile ligand for palladium(II) and platinum(II)

The syntheses and characterization of two novel ferrocene derivatives containing 3,5-diphenylpyrazole units of general formula [1-R-3,5-Ph₂-(C₃N₂)-CH₂-Fc] {Fc = (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄) and R = H (2) or Me (3)} together with a study of their reactivity with palladium(II) and platinum(II) salts or complexes under different experimental conditions is described. These studies have allowed us to isolate and characterize trans-[Pd{1-Me-3,5-Ph₂-(C₃N₂)-CH₂-Fc]}₂Cl₂] (4a) and three different types of heterodimetallic complexes: cis-[M{1-Me-3,5-Ph₂-(C₃N₂)-CH₂-Fc]}Cl₂(dmso)] {M = Pd (5a) or Pt (5b)}, the cyclometallated products [M{κ²-C,N-[3-(C₆H₄)-1-Me-5-Ph-(C₃N₂)]-CH₂-Fc}Cl(L)] with L = PPh₃ and M = Pd (6a) or Pt (6b) or L = dmso and M = Pt (8b) and the trans-isomer of [Pt{1-Me-3,5-Ph₂-(C₃N₂)-CH₂-Fc]}Cl₂(dmso)] (7b). In compounds 4a, 5a, 5b and 7b, the ligand behaves as a neutral N-donor group; while in 6a, 6b and 8b it acts as a bidentate [C(sp²,phenyl),N(pyrazole)]⁻ group. A comparative study of the spectroscopic properties of the compounds, based on NMR, IR and UV-Visible experiments, is also reported.     

Rhodium-containing triple-decker complexes with a central borole ligand

Triple-decker complexes with a bridging borole ligand (C₄H₄BPh)Rh(μ-C₄H₄BPh)ML (ML = RuCp, 2a; RuCp^∗, 2b; FeCp^∗, 3; Co(C₄Me₄), 4; Ir(cod), 5) were synthesized by stacking reactions of [Rh(C₄H₄BPh)₂]⁻ (1) with cationic [ML]⁺ fragments. The structures of 2a,b and (C₄H₄BPh)Rh(μ-C₄H₄BPh)Rh(C₄H₄BPh) (6) were determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Study of complexes of platinum group metals containing nitrogen bases derived from pyridine aldehydes: Interesting molecular structures with unpredicted bonding modes of the ligands

A series of mono-cationic dinuclear half sandwich ruthenium, rhodium and iridium metal complexes have been synthesized using ((pyridin-2-yl)methylimino)nicotinamide (L1) and ((picolinamido)phenyl)picolinamide (L2) ligands: [(η⁶-arene)₂Ru₂(μ-L1)Cl₃]⁺ (arene = C₆H₆, 1; p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me, 2; C₆Me₆, 3), [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂M₂(μ-L1)Cl₃]⁺ (M = Rh, 4; Ir, 5), and [(η⁶-arene)₂Ru₂(μ-L2)(μ-Cl)]⁺ (arene = C₆H₆, 6; p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me, 7; C₆Me₆, 8), [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂M₂(μ-L2)Cl₂]⁺ (M = Rh, 9; Ir, 10). All the complexes have been isolated as their hexafluorophosphate salts and fully characterized by use of a combination of NMR and IR spectroscopy. The solid state structure of three representatives 4, 6 and 9 has been determined by X-ray crystallographic studies. Interestingly, in the molecular structure of 4, the first metal is bonded to two nitrogen atoms whereas the second metal center is coordinated to only one nitrogen atom with two terminal chloride ligands. Fascinatingly in the case of the complexes with the symmetrical ligand L2, both ruthenium centers having η⁶-arene groups are bonded to nitrogen atoms with a bridging chloride atom between the two metal centers, whereas the metals with η⁵-Cp∗ groups are bonded to the ligand N,O and N,N fashion.     

Dinuclear rhenium(I) carbonyl complexes based on π-conjugated polypyridyl ligands with tetrathiafulvalenes: Syntheses, crystal structures, properties and DFT calculations

A series of tetrathiafulvalene-substituted 2,3-di(2-pyridyl)quinoxaline (dpq) ligands, 2-(4,5-bis(methylthio)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-6,7-di(pyridin-2-yl)- [1,3]dithiolo[4,5-g]quinoxaline (L₁), dimethyl-2-(6,7-di(pyridin-2-yl)-[1,3]dithiolo[4,5-g]quinoxalin-2-ylidene)-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dicarboxylate (L₂), and 2-(5,6-dihydro-[1,3]dithiolo[4,5-b] [1,4]dithiin-2-ylidene)-6,7-di(pyridin-2-yl)-[1,3]dithiolo[4,5-g]quinoxaline (L₃), have been prepared. Reactions of these ligands with Re(CO)₅Cl afford the corresponding dinuclear rhenium(I) carbonyl complexes, Re₂(L)(CO)₆Cl₂ (L = L₁, 5a; L = L₂, 5b; L = L₃, 5c). All new compounds are fully characterized by ¹H NMR, IR and mass spectroscopies. The crystal structures of 5a and 5b have been studied. Optimized conformations and molecular orbital diagrams of 5a−5c have been calculated with density functional theory (DFT). The spin-allowed singlet−singlet electronic transitions of all complexes have been calculated with time-dependent DFT (TDDFT), and the UV-Vis−NIR spectra are discussed based on the theoretical calculations.     

Palladium acetate complexes bearing chelating N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands: Synthesis and catalytic oxidative homocoupling of terminal alkynes

The imidazolium salts 1,1′-dibenzyl-3,3′-propylenediimidazolium dichloride and 1,1′-bis(1-naphthalenemethyl)-3,3′-propylenediimidazolium dichloride have been synthesized and transformed into the corresponding bis(NHC) ligands 1,1′-dibenzyl-3,3′-propylenediimidazol-2-ylidene (L₁) and 1,1′-bis(1-naphthalenemethyl)-3,3′-propylenediimidazol-2-ylidene (L₂) that have been employed to stabilize the Pd^II complexes PdCl₂(κ²-C,C-L₁) (2a) and PdCl₂(κ²-C,C-L₂) (2b). Both latter complexes together with their known homologous counterparts PdCl₂(κ²-C,C-L₃) (1a) (L₃ = 1,1′-dibenzyl-3,3′-ethylenediimidazol-2-ylidene) and PdCl₂(κ²-C,C-L₄) (1b) (L₄ = 1,1′-bis(1-naphthalenemethyl)-3,3′-ethylenediimidazol-2-ylidene) have been straightforwardly converted into the corresponding palladium acetate compounds Pd(κ¹-O-OAc)₂(κ²-C,C-L₃) (3a) (OAc = acetate), Pd(κ¹-O-OAc)₂(κ²-C,C-L₄) (3b), Pd(κ¹-O-OAc)₂(κ²-C,C-L₁) (4a), and Pd(κ¹-O-OAc)₂(κ²-C,C-L₂) (4b). In addition, the phosphanyl-NHC-modified palladium acetate complex Pd(κ¹-O-OAc)₂ (κ²-P,C-L₅) (6) (L₅ = 1-((2-diphenylphosphanyl)methylphenyl)-3-methyl-imidazol-2-ylidene) has been synthesized from corresponding palladium iodide complex PdI₂(κ²-P,C-L₅) (5). The reaction of the former complex with p-toluenesulfonic acid (p-TsOH) gave the corresponding bis-tosylate complex Pd(OTs)₂(κ²-P,C-L₅) (7). All new complexes have been characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. In addition the solid-state structures of 1b·DMF, 2b·2DMF, 3a, 3b·DMF, 4a, 4b, and 6·CHCl₃·2H₂O have been determined by single crystal X-ray structure analyses. The palladium acetate complexes 3a/b, 4a/b, and 6 have been employed to catalyze the oxidative homocoupling reaction of terminal alkynes in acetonitrile chemoselectively yielding the corresponding 1,4-di-substituted 1,3-diyne in the presence of p-benzoquinone (BQ). The highest catalytic activity in the presence of BQ has been obtained with 6, while within the series of palladium-bis(NHC) complexes, 4b, featured with a n-propylene-bridge and the bulky N-1-naphthalenemethyl substituents, revealed as the most active compound. Hence, this latter precursor has been employed for analogous coupling reaction carried out in the presence of air pressure instead of BQ, yielding lower substrate conversion when compared to reaction performed in the presence of BQ. The important role of the ancillary ligand acetate in the course of the catalytic coupling reaction has been proved by variable-temperature NMR studies carried out with 6 and 7′ under catalytic reaction conditions.