Reactivity and equilibrium thermodynamic studies of rhodium tetrakis(3,5-disulfonatomesityl)porphyrin species with H2, CO, and olefins in water

Aqueous (D2O) solutions of tetrakis(3,5-disulfonatomesityl)porphyrin rhodium(III) aquo/hydroxo complexes ([(TMPS)Rh(III)(D2O)2]-7 (1), [(TMPS)Rh(III)(OD)(D2O)]-8 (2), and [(TMPS)Rh(III)(OD)2]-9 (3)) react with hydrogen (D2) to form an equilibrium distribution with a rhodium hydride ([(TMPS)Rh-D(D2O)]-8 (4)) and a rhodium(I) complex ([(TMPS)Rh(I)(D2O)]-9 (5)). Equilibrium constants (298 K) are measured that define the distribution for all five of these (TMPS)Rh species in this system as a function of the dihydrogen (D2) and hydrogen ion (D+) concentrations. The hydride complex [(TMPS)Rh-D(D2O)]-8 is a weak acid in D2O (Ka(298 K) = 4.3 x 10(-8)). Steric demands of the TMPS porphyrin ligand prohibit formation of a Rh(II)-Rh(II)-bonded complex, related rhodium(I)-rhodium(III) adducts, and intermolecular association of alkyl complexes which are prominent features of the rhodium tetra(p-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin ((TSPP)Rh) system. The rhodium(II) complex ([(TMPS)Rh(II)(D2O)]-8) reacts with water to form hydride and hydroxide complexes and is not observed in D2O. The (TMPS)Rh-OD and (TMPS)Rh-D bond dissociation free energies (BDFE) are virtually equal and have a value of approximately 60 kcal mol(-1). Reactions of [(TMPS)Rh-D(D2O)]-8 in water with CO and olefins produce rhodium formyl and alkyl complexes which have equilibrium thermodynamic values comparable to the values for the corresponding substrate reactions of [(TSPP)Rh-D(D2O)]-4.     

Equilibrium thermodynamic studies in water: reactions of dihydrogen with rhodium(III) porphyrins relevant to Rh-Rh, Rh-H, and Rh-OH bond energetics

Aqueous solutions of rhodium(III) tetra p-sulfonatophenyl porphyrin ((TSPP)Rh(III)) complexes react with dihydrogen to produce equilibrium distributions between six rhodium species including rhodium hydride, rhodium(I), and rhodium(II) dimer complexes. Equilibrium thermodynamic studies (298 K) for this system establish the quantitative relationships that define the distribution of species in aqueous solution as a function of the dihydrogen and hydrogen ion concentrations through direct measurement of five equilibrium constants along with dissociation energies of D(2)O and dihydrogen in water. The hydride complex ([(TSPP)Rh-D(D(2)O)](-4)) is a weak acid (K(a)(298 K) = (8.0 +/- 0.5) x 10(-8)). Equilibrium constants and free energy changes for a series of reactions that could not be directly determined including homolysis reactions of the Rh(II)-Rh(II) dimer with water (D(2)O) and dihydrogen (D(2)) are derived from the directly measured equilibria. The rhodium hydride (Rh-D)(aq) and rhodium hydroxide (Rh-OD)(aq) bond dissociation free energies for [(TSPP)Rh-D(D(2)O)](-4) and [(TSPP)Rh-OD(D(2)O)](-4) in water are nearly equal (Rh-D = 60 +/- 3 kcal mol(-1), Rh-OD = 62 +/- 3 kcal mol(-1)). Free energy changes in aqueous media are reported for reactions that substitute hydroxide (OD(-)) (-11.9 +/- 0.1 kcal mol(-1)), hydride (D(-)) (-54.9 kcal mol(-1)), and (TSPP)Rh(I): (-7.3 +/- 0.1 kcal mol(-1)) for a water in [(TSPP)Rh(III)(D(2)O)(2)](-3) and for the rhodium hydride [(TSPP)Rh-D(D(2)O)](-4) to dissociate to produce a proton (9.7 +/- 0.1 kcal mol(-1)), a hydrogen atom (approximately 60 +/- 3 kcal mol(-1)), and a hydride (D(-)) (54.9 kcal mol(-1)) in water.     

Thermodynamics of rhodium hydride reactions with CO, aldehydes, and olefins in water: organo-rhodium porphyrin bond dissociation free energies

Tetra(p-sulfonato-phenyl) porphyrin rhodium hydride ([(TSPP)Rh-D(D2O)](-4)) (1) reacts in water (D2O) with carbon monoxide, aldehydes, and olefins to produce metallo formyl, alpha-hydroxyalkyl, and alkyl complexes, respectively. The hydride complex (1) functions as a weak acid in D2O and partially dissociates into a rhodium(I) complex ([(TSPP)Rh(I)(D2O)](-5)) and a proton (D+). Fast substrate reactions of 1 in D2O compared to reactions of rhodium porphyrin hydride ((por)Rh-H) in benzene are ascribed to aqueous media promoting formation of ions and supporting ionic reaction pathways. The regioselectivity for addition of 1 to olefins is predominantly anti-Markovnikov in acidic D2O and exclusively anti-Markovnikov in basic D2O. The range of accessible equilibrium thermodynamic measurements for rhodium hydride substrate reactions is substantially increased in water compared to that in organic media through exploiting the hydrogen ion dependence for the equilibrium distribution of species in aqueous media. Thermodynamic measurements are reported for reactions of a rhodium porphyrin hydride in water with each of the substrates, including CO, H2CO, CH3CHO, CH2=CH2, and sets of aldehydes and olefins. Reactions of rhodium porphyrin hydrides with CO and aldehydes have nearly equal free-energy changes in water and benzene, but alkene reactions that form hydrophobic alkyl groups are substantially less favorable in water than in benzene. Bond dissociation free energies in water are derived from thermodynamic results for (TSPP)Rh-organo complexes in aqueous solution for Rh-CDO, Rh-CH(R)OD, and Rh-CH2CH(D)R units and are compared with related values determined in benzene.     

Selective C-C coupling of Ir-ethene and Ir-carbenoid radicals

The reactivity of the paramagnetic iridium(II) complex [Ir(II)(ethene)(Me(3)tpa)](2+) (1) (Me(3)tpa=N,N,N-tris(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl) amine) towards the diazo compounds ethyl diazoacetate (EDA) and trimethylsilyldiazomethane (TMSDM) was investigated. The reaction with EDA gave rise to selective C--C bond formation, most likely through radical coupling of the Ir-carbenoid radical species [Ir(III){CH(.)(COOEt)}(MeCN)(Me(3)tpa)](2+) (7) and (the MeCN adduct of) 1, to give the tetracationic dinuclear complex [(MeCN)(Me(3)tpa)Ir(III){CH(COOEt)CH(2)CH(2)}Ir(III)(MeCN)(Me(3)tpa)](2+) (4). The analogous reaction with TMSDM leads to the mononuclear dicationic species [Ir(III){CH(2)(SiMe(3))}(MeCN)(Me(3)tpa)](2+) (11). This reaction probably involves a hydrogen-atom abstraction from TMSDM by the intermediate Ir-carbenoid radical species [Ir(III){CH(.)(SiMe(3))}(MeCN)(Me(3)tpa)](2+) (10). DFT calculations support pathways proceeding via these Ir-carbenoid radicals. The carbenoid-radical species are actually carbon-centered ligand radicals, with an electronic structure best described as one-electron-reduced Fischer-type carbenes. To our knowledge, this paper represents the first reactivity study of a mononuclear Ir(II) species towards diazo compounds.     

IrII(ethene): metal or carbon radical?

One-electron oxidation of [(Me(n)tpa)Ir(I)(ethene)]+ complexes (Me(3)tpa = N,N,N-tri(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine; Me(2)tpa = N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-N,N,-di[(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)methyl]-amine) results in relatively stable, five-coordinate Ir(II)-olefin species [(Me(n)tpa)Ir(II)(ethene)](2+) (1(2+): n = 3; 2(2+): n = 2). These contain a "vacant site" at iridium and a "non-innocent" ethene fragment, allowing radical type addition reactions at both the metal and the ethene ligand. The balance between metal- and ligand-centered radical behavior is influenced by the donor capacity of the solvent. In weakly coordinating solvents, 1(2+) and 2(2+) behave as moderately reactive metallo-radicals. Radical coupling of 1(2+) with NO in acetone occurs at the metal, resulting in dissociation of ethene and formation of the stable nitrosyl complex [(Me(3)tpa)Ir(NO)](2+) (6(2+)). In the coordinating solvent MeCN, 1(2+) generates more reactive radicals; [(Me(3)tpa)Ir(MeCN)(ethene)](2+) (9(2+)) by MeCN coordination, and [(Me(3)tpa)Ir(II)(MeCN)](2+) (10(2+)) by substitution of MeCN for ethene. Complex 10(2+) is a metallo-radical, like 1(2+) but more reactive. DFT calculations indicate that 9(2+) is intermediate between the slipped-olefin Ir(II)(CH(2)=CH(2)) and ethyl radical Ir(III)-CH(2)-CH(2). resonance structures, of which the latter prevails. The ethyl radical character of 9(2+) allows radical type addition reactions at the ethene ligand. Complex 2(2+) behaves similarly in MeCN. In the absence of further reagents, 1(2+) and 2(2+) convert to the ethylene bridged species [(Me(n)tpa)(MeCN)Ir(III)(mu(2)-C(2)H(4))Ir(III)(MeCN)(Me(3)tpa)](4+) (n = 3: 3(4+); n = 2: 4(4+)) in MeCN. In the presence of TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxo), formation of 3(4+) from 1(2+) in MeCN is completely suppressed and only [(Me(3)tpa)Ir(III)(TEMPO(-))(MeCN)](2+) (7(2+)) is formed. This is thought to proceed via radical coupling of TEMPO at the metal center of 10(2+). In the presence of water, hydrolysis of the coordinated acetonitrile fragment of 7(2+) results in the acetamido complex [(Me(3)tpa)Ir(III)(NHC(O)CH(3)))(TEMPOH)](2+) (8(2+)).     

New iridacyclohexadienes and iridabenzenes by [2+2+1] cyclotrimerization of alkynes and facile interconversion between iridacyclohexadienes and iridabenzenes

Iridabenzenes [Ir[=CHCH=CHCH=C(CH2R)](CH3CN)2(PPh3)2]2+ (R=Ph 4 a, R=p-C6H4CH3 4 b) are obtained from the reactions of H+ with iridacyclohexadienes [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CH-p-C6H4R')](CO)(PPh3)2]+ (R'=H 3 a, R'=CH3 3 b), which are prepared from [2+2+1] cyclotrimerization of alkynes in the reactions of [Ir(CH3CN)(CO)(PPh3)2]+ with HC[triple chemical bond]CH and HC[triple chemical bond]CR. Iridabenzenes 4 react with CO and CH3CN in the presence of NEt3 to give iridacyclohexadienes [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CHR)](CO)2(PPh3)2]+ (6) and [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CHR)](CH3CN)2(PPh3)2]+ (7), respectively. Iridacyclohexadienes 6 and 7 also convert to iridabenzenes 4 by the reactions with H+ in the presence of CH3CN. Alkynyl iridacyclohexadienes [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CH-p-C6H4R')](-C[triple chemical bond]CH)(PPh3)2] (8) undergo a cleavage of C[triple chemical bond]C bond by H+/H2O to produce [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CH-p-C6H4R')](-CH3)(CO)(PPh3)2] (10) via facile inter-conversion between iridacyclohexadienes and iridabenzenes.     

Photochemical and time resolved spectroscopic studies of intermediates relevant to iridium-catalyzed methanol carbonylation: photoinduced CO migratory insertion

Photoreaction, time-resolved infrared (TRIR), and DFT studies were utilized to probe transformations between iridium complexes with possible relevance to the mechanisms of the iridium/iodide-catalyzed methanol carbonylation to acetic acid. Solution-phase continuous and laser flash photolysis of the tetraphenylarsonium salt of the fac-[CH3Ir(CO)2I3]- anion (1a) under excess carbon monoxide resulted in migratory insertion to give the acyl complex ion mer,trans-[Ir(C(O)CH3)(CO)2I3]- (2a). The latter was isolated as its AsPh4+ salt, and its X-ray crystal structure was determined. TRIR spectra indicate that several transients are generated upon flash photolysis of 1a. The principal photoreaction is CO dissociation, and this is proposed to generate the isomeric complexes fac-[CH3Ir(CO)(Sol)I3]- (I(CO)(fac), Sol = solvent) and mer,trans-[CH3Ir(CO)(Sol)I3]- (I(CO)(mer)). I(CO)(fac) reacts with CO to regenerate 1a with a second-order rate constant (k(CO)) approximately 2.5 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1) in ambient dichloroethane, while I(CO)(mer) is the apparent precursor to 2a. Kinetics studies indicate the photoinduced formation of a third intermediate (I(M)), hypothesized to be the anionic acyl complex fac-[Ir(C(O)CH3)(CO)(Sol)I3]-. In the absence of added CO, these intermediates undergo dimerization to form a mixture of isomers with the apparent formula [Ir(C(O)CH3)(CO)I3]2(2-). One of these dimers was isolated as the AsPh4+ salt, and the crystal structure was determined. Addition of excess pyridine to a solution of the dimers gave the neutral complex mer,trans-[Ir(C(O)CH3)(CO)(py)2I2], which was characterized by FTIR, NMR, and X-ray crystallography. These transformations, especially the unprecedented photoinduced CO insertion reaction, are discussed and interpreted in terms of the factors favoring migratory insertion dynamics.     

Iridium(III) silyl alkyl and iridacyclic compounds supported by 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridyl

Treatment of IrCl(3)x H(2)O with one equivalent of 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridyl (dtbpy) in N,N-dimethylformamide (dmf) afforded [IrCl(3)(dmf)(dtbpy)] (1). Alkylation of 1 with Me(3)SiCH(2)MgCl resulted in C--Si cleavage of the Me(3)SiCH(2) group and formation of the Ir(III) silyl dialkyl compound [Ir(CH(2)SiMe(3))(dtbpy)(Me)(SiMe(3))] (2), which reacted with tBuNC to afford [Ir(tBuNC)(CH(2)SiMe(3))(dtbpy)(Me)(SiMe(3))] ([2(tBuNC)]). Reaction of 2 with phenylacetylene afforded dimeric [{Ir(C[triple chemical bond]CPh)(dtbpy)(SiMe(3))}(2)(mu-C[triple chemical bond]CPh)(2)] (3), in which the bridging PhC[triple chemical bond]C(-) ligands are bound to Ir in a mu-sigma:pi fashion. Alkylation of 1 with PhMe(2)CCH(2)MgCl afforded the cyclometalated compound [Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)C(6)H(4))(2-C(6)H(4)CMe(3))] (4), which features an agostic interaction between the Ir center and the 2-tert-butylphenyl ligand. The cyclic voltammogram of 4 in CH(2)Cl(2) shows a reversible Ir(IV)-Ir(III) couple at about 0.02 V versus ferrocenium/ferrocene. Oxidation of 4 in CH(2)Cl(2) with silver triflate afforded an Ir(IV) species that exhibits an anisotropic electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal in CH(2)Cl(2) glass at 4 K with g( parallel)=2.430 and g( perpendicular)=2.110. Protonation of 4 with HCl and p-toluenesulfonic acid (HOTs) afforded [{Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)Ph)Cl}(2)(mu-Cl)(2)] (5) and [Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)Ph)(OTs)(2)] (6), respectively. Reaction of 5 with Li[BEt(3)H] gave the cyclometalated complex [{Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)C(6)H(4))}(2)(mu-Cl)(2)] (7). Reaction of 4 with tetracyanoethylene in refluxing toluene resulted in electrophilic substitution of the iridacycle by C(2)(CN)(3) with formation of [Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)C(6)H(3){4-C(2)(CN)(3)})(2-C(6)H(4)CMe(3))] (8). Reaction of 4 with diethyl maleate in refluxing toluene gave the iridafuran compound [Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)C(6)H(4)){kappa(2)(C,O)-C(CO(2)Et)CH(CO(2)Et)}] (9). Treatment of 9 with 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide (xylNC) led to cleavage of the iridafuran ring and formation of [Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)C(6)H(4)){C(CO(2)Et)CH(CO(2)Et)}(xylNC)] (10). Protonation of 9 with HBF(4) afforded the dinuclear neophyl complex [(Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)Ph){kappa(2)(C,O)-C(CO(2)Et)CH(CO(2)Et)})(2)][BF(4)](2) (11). The solid-state structures of complexes 2-5 and 8-11 have been determined.     

Tris(pyrazolyl)borate carbosilane dendrimers and metallodendrimers

A modified tris(pyrazolylborate) ligand has been prepared in two steps. First, reaction of triisopropylborate with allylmagnesium bromide and further treatment with benzoyl chloride gave CH(2) = CHCH(2)B(O(i)Pr), which was then reacted with potassium pyrazolate and pyrazole to give the compound K[CH(2) = CHCH(2)Bpz(3)]. The new allyl-containing scorpionate anion of acts as a bi- or tri-dentate ligand, as shown by the mononuclear complexes [CH(2) = CHCH(2)Bpz(3)M(LL)] (M = Rh, LL = nbd, ; LL = tfb, ; LL = (CO)(PPh(3)), ; M = Ir, LL = cod, ), obtained from reactions of the chlorido-bridged dinuclear complexes [{M(mu-Cl)(LL)}(2)] with 2. Furthermore, the borate represents a key material to achieve the attachment of tris(pyrazolyl)borate groups to the peripheries of carbosilane dendrimers. Thus, the platinum-catalyzed hydrosilylation reactions of compound with the dendritic cores Si[(CH(2))(3)SiMe(2)H](4) (G(0)-(SiH)(4)), (G(1)-(SiH)(8)), and (G(2)-(SiH)(16)) gave the corresponding borate-containing dendrimers Si[(CH(2))(3)SiMe(2)(CH(2))(3)B(O(i)Pr)(2)](4) (G(0)-B(4)), Si[(CH(2))(3)SiMe{(CH(2))(3)SiMe(2)(CH(2))(3)B(O(i)Pr)(2)}(2)](4) (G(1)-B(8)), and Si[(CH(2))(3)SiMe{(CH(2))(3)SiMe[(CH(2))(3)SiMe(2)(CH(2))(3)B(O(i)Pr)(2)](2)}(2)](4) (G(2)-B(16)) selectively in the anti-Markovnikov direction. Further reactions of G(0)-B(4), G(1)-B(8) and G(2)-B(16) with potassium pyrazolate and pyrazole rendered the corresponding polyanionic dendrimers K(4)[Si{(CH(2))(3)SiMe(2)(CH(2))(3)Bpz(3)}(4)] (G(0)-(Bpz(3))(4)), G(1)-(Bpz(3))(8), and G(2)-(Bpz(3))(16), respectively, which contain 4, 8, and 16 tris(pyrazolyl)borate groups symmetrically located around the dendritic peripheries. These unusual polyanionic dendrimers are excellent scaffolds to support metal centres, as shown by the reactions of G(0)-(Bpz(3))(4), G(1)-(Bpz(3))(8), and G(2)-(Bpz(3))(16) with [{Rh(mu-Cl)(nbd)}(2)] to give the neutral rhodadendrimers [Si{(CH(2))(3)SiMe(2)(CH(2))(3)Bpz(3)Rh(nbd)}(4)] G(0)-(Bpz(3)Rh)(4), G(1)-(Bpz(3)Rh)(8) and G(2)-(Bpz(3)Rh)(16) as stable solids in excellent yields. Following this protocol, mixed rhodium/iridium metallodendrimers can be prepared.     

Closing the gap between MC3 and MC5 metallacumulenes: the chemistry of the first structurally characterized transition-metal complex with M=C=C=C=CR2 as the molecular unit

The reactions of the dihydrido compound [IrH2Cl(PiPr3)2] (3) with HC identical to CC(O)CHPh2 and HC identical to CC(OAc)=CPh2 lead to the formation of alkynyl-(hydrido)iridium(III) and vinylideneiridium(I) complexes 4-7 which, however, are not suitable precursors for the target molecule trans-[IrCl(=C=C=C=CPh2)-(PiPr3)2] (8). Compound 8 has been prepared in 77% yield from 3 and the vinyl triflate HC identical to CC(OTf)=CPh2 in the presence of NEt3. Treatment of 8 with CF3CO2H affords the vinylvinylidene complex trans-[IrCl(=C=CHC(O2C-CF3)=CPh2)(PiPr3)2] (10) by addition of the electrophile to the C beta-C gamma bond of the MC4 chain. In contrast, the reaction of 8 with HCl yields the five-coordinate butadienyliridium(III) compound [IrCl2-(eta 1-(Z)-CH=CHC(Cl)=CPh2)(PiPr3)2] (11). Salt metathesis of 8 with KI, KOH, and NaN3 leads to the formation of the substitution products trans-[IrX-(=C=C=C=CPh2)(PiPr3)2] (12-14) of which the hydroxo derivative 13 reacts with phenol to give trans-[Ir(OPh)(=C=C=C=CPh2)(PiPr3)2] (15). From 13 and methanol, the octahedral dihydridoiridium(III) complex [IrH2(CH=C=C=CPh2)(CO)(PiPr3)2] (16) is formed by fragmentation of the alcohol. In the presence of CO, both the methyl compound trans-[Ir(CH3)(=C=C=C=CPh2)-(PiPr3)2] (17) (generated from 8 and CH3Li) and the azido complex 14 (X=N3) undergo migratory insertion reactions to yield the four-coordinate iridium(I) carbonyls trans-[Ir(C(C identical to CCH3)=CPh2)(CO)(PiPr3)2] (18) and trans-[Ir(C identical to CC(N3)=CPh2)(CO)(PiPr3)2] (19), respectively. Compound 19 rearranges slowly to the thermodynamically more stable isomer trans-[Ir(C(N3)=C=C=CPh2)(CO)(PiPr3)2] (20). The molecular structures of 8 and 18 have been determined crystallographically.     

Combined computational and experimental study of substituent effects on the thermodynamics of H(2), CO,arene, and alkane addition to iridium

The thermodynamics of small-molecule (H(2), arene, alkane, and CO) addition to pincer-ligated iridium complexes of several different configurations (three-coordinate d(8), four-coordinate d(8), and five-coordinate d(6)) have been investigated by computational and experimental means. The substituent para to the iridium (Y) has been varied in complexes containing the (Y-PCP)Ir unit (Y-PCP = eta(3)-1,3,5-C(6)H(2)[CH(2)PR(2)](2)Y; R = methyl for computations; R = tert-butyl for experiments); substituent effects have been studied for the addition of H(2), C-H, and CO to the complexes (Y-PCP)Ir, (Y-PCP)Ir(CO), and (Y-PCP)Ir(H)(2). Para substituents on arenes undergoing C-H bond addition to (PCP)Ir or to (PCP)Ir(CO) have also been varied computationally and experimentally. In general, increasing electron donation by the substituent Y in the 16-electron complexes, (Y-PCP)Ir(CO) or (Y-PCP)Ir(H)(2), disfavors addition of H-H or C-H bonds, in contradiction to the idea of such additions being oxidative. Addition of CO to the same 16-electron complexes is also disfavored by increased electron donation from Y. By contrast, addition of H-H and C-H bonds or CO to the three-coordinate parent species (Y-PCP)Ir is favored by increased electron donation. In general, the effects of varying Y are markedly similar for H(2), C-H, and CO addition. The trends can be fully rationalized in terms of simple molecular orbital interactions but not in terms of concepts related to oxidation, such as charge-transfer or electronegativity differences.     

Iodination of triazenide-bridged rhodium and iridium complexes: oxidative addition vs. one-electron oxidation

The triazenide-bridged tetracarbonyls [(OC)(2)Rh(mu-p-MeC(6)H(4)NNNC(6)H(4)Me-p)(2)M(CO)(2)] (M = Rh or Ir) undergo oxidative addition of iodine across the dimetal centre, giving the [RhM](4+) complexes [I(OC)(2)Rh(mu-p-MeC(6)H(4)NNNC(6)H(4)Me-p)(2)M(CO)(2)I], structurally characterised for M = Ir. The anionic tricarbonyl iodide [I(OC)Rh(mu-p-MeC(6)H(4)NNNC(6)H(4)Me-p)(2)Rh(CO)(2)](-) forms [I(2)(OC)Rh(mu-p-MeC(6)H(4)NNNC(6)H(4)Me-p)(2)Rh(CO)I](-) by initial one-electron transfer whereas the analogous tricarbonyl phosphine complexes [(OC)(Ph(3)P)Rh(mu-p-MeC(6)H(4)NNNC(6)H(4)Me-p)(2)M(CO)(2)] (M = Rh or Ir) undergo bridge cleavage, giving mononuclear [Rh(p-MeC(6)H(4)NNNC(6)H(4)Me-p)I(2)(CO)(PPh(3))] and dimeric [I(OC){RNNN(R)C(O)}M(mu-I)(2)M{C(O)N(R)NNR}(CO)I] (M = Rh or Ir, R = C(6)H(4)Me-p) in which CO has been inserted into a metal-nitrogen bond.     

Ferromagnetic NiII-GdIII interactions in complexes with NiGd, NiGdNi, and NiGdGdNi cores supported by tripodal ligands

Dinuclear [(NiL)Gd(hfac)(2)(EtOH)](H(3)L = 1,1,1-tris(N-salicylideneaminomethyl)ethane, Hhfac = hexafluoroacetylacetone), trinuclear [(NiL)(2)Gd(NO(3))], and tetranuclear [(NiL)Gd(CH(3)CO(2))(2)(MeOH)](2) complexes, were prepared by treating [Ni(HL)] with [Gd(hfac)(3)(H(2)O)(2)], Gd(NO(3))(3).6H(2)O, and Gd(CH(3)CO(2))(3).4H(2)O, respectively, in the presence of Et(3)N. All the complexes show that ferromagnetic interactions occur between the Ni(II) and Gd(III) ions.     

Stepwise synthesis of a hydrido, N-heterocyclic dicarbene iridium(III) pincer complex featuring mixed NHC/abnormal NHC ligands

We describe a stepwise synthesis of the hydrido, N-heterocyclic dicarbene iridium(III) pincer complex [Ir(H)I(C(NHC)CC(aNHC))(NCMe)] (3) which features a combination of normal and abnormal NHC ligands. The reaction of the bis(imidazolium) diiodide [(CH(imid)CHCH(imid))]I(2) (1) with [Ir(μ-Cl)(cod)](2) afforded first the mono-NHC Ir(I) complex [IrI(cod)(CH(imid)CHC(NHC))]I (2), which was then reacted with 2 equiv. of Cs(2)CO(3) in acetonitrile at 60 °C for 40 h to yield 3. These observations support our previously proposed mechanism for the formation of hydrido, N-heterocyclic dicarbene iridium(III) pincer complexes from the reaction of bis(imidazolium) salts with weak bases involving a mono-NHC Ir(I) intermediate. We describe the reactivity of the mono-NHC Ir(I) complex 2 under various conditions. By changing the reaction solvent from MeCN to toluene, we observed the cleavage of the imidazol-2-ylidene ring and the formation of an iminoformamide-containing mono-NHC Ir(I) complex [IrI(cod){[NHCH=CHN(Ad)CHO]CHC(NHC)}] (4). Complex 4 was also prepared in high yield from the reaction of 2 with strong bases (potassium tert-butoxide or potassium hexamethyldisilazane), via the initial formation of the complex [IrI(cod)(CH(NHC)CHC(NHC))] (5), which contains a coordinated NHC moiety and a free carbene arm, followed by subsequent hydrolysis of the latter. The bis(imidazolium) salt 1 can be deprotonated by strong bases to form the bis(carbene) ligand C(NHC)CHC(NHC) (6), which readily reacts with [Ir(μ-Cl)(cod)](2) to give the dinuclear complex [{IrI(cod)}(2)(μ-C(NHC)CHC(NHC))] (7), in which the N-heterocyclic bis(carbene) ligand bridges the two metals through the carbene carbon atoms.     

EPR, 1H and 2H NMR, and reactivity studies of the iron-oxygen intermediates in bioinspired catalyst systems

Complexes [(BPMEN)Fe(II)(CH(3)CN)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (1, BPMEN = N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-diaminoethane) and [(TPA)Fe(II)(CH(3)CN)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (2, TPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) are among the best nonheme iron-based catalysts for bioinspired oxidation of hydrocarbons. Using EPR and (1)H and (2)H NMR spectroscopy, the iron-oxygen intermediates formed in the catalyst systems 1,2/H(2)O(2); 1,2/H(2)O(2)/CH(3)COOH; 1,2/CH(3)CO(3)H; 1,2/m-CPBA; 1,2/PhIO; 1,2/(t)BuOOH; and 1,2/(t)BuOOH/CH(3)COOH have been studied (m-CPBA is m-chloroperbenzoic acid). The following intermediates have been observed: [(L)Fe(III)(OOR)(S)](2+), [(L)Fe(IV)═O(S)](2+) (L = BPMEN or TPA, R = H or (t)Bu, S = CH(3)CN or H(2)O), and the iron-oxygen species 1c (L = BPMEN) and 2c (L = TPA). It has been shown that 1c and 2c directly react with cyclohexene to yield cyclohexene oxide, whereas [(L)Fe(IV)═O(S)](2+) react with cyclohexene to yield mainly products of allylic oxidation. [(L)Fe(III)(OOR)(S)](2+) are inert in this reaction. The analysis of EPR and reactivity data shows that only those catalyst systems which display EPR spectra of 1c and 2c are able to selectively epoxidize cyclohexene, thus bearing strong evidence in favor of the key role of 1c and 2c in selective epoxidation. 1c and 2c were tentatively assigned to the oxoiron(V) intermediates.     

Cubane-type heterometallic sulfido clusters: incorporation of two metal fragments into a dinuclear ReS(mu-S)2ReS core affording bimetallic M2Re2(mu 3-S)4 clusters (M = Ru,Pt, Cu) or trimetallic MM'Re2(mu 3-S)4 clusters via incomplete cubane-type MRe2(mu 3-S)(mu 2-S)3 intermediates (M = Ru,Rh, Ir; M' = Mo,W, Pd,Ru, Rh)

Reactions of a dirhenium tetra(sulfido) complex [PPh(4)](2)[ReS(L)(mu-S)(2)ReS(L)] (L = S(2)C(2)(SiMe(3))(2)) with a series of group 8-11 metal complexes in MeCN at room temperature afforded either the cubane-type clusters [M(2)(ReL)(2)(mu(3)-S)(4)] (M = CpRu (2), PtMe(3), Cu(PPh(3)) (4); Cp = eta(5)-C(5)Me(5)) or the incomplete cubane-type clusters [M(ReL)(2)(mu(3)-S)(mu(2)-S)(3)] (M = (eta(6)-C(6)HMe(5))Ru (5), CpRh (6), CpIr (7)), depending on the nature of the metal complexes added. It has also been disclosed that the latter incomplete cubane-type clusters can serve as the good precursors to the trimetallic cubane-type clusters still poorly precedented. Thus, treatment of 5-7 with a range of metal complexes in THF at room temperature resulted in the formation of novel trimetallic cubane-type clusters, including the neutral clusters [[(eta(6)-C(6)HMe(5))Ru][W(CO)(3)](ReL)(2)(mu(3)-S)(4)], [(CpM)[W(CO)(3)](ReL)(2)(mu(3)-S)(4)] (M = Rh, Ir), [(Cp*Ir)[Mo(CO)(3)](ReL)(2)(mu(3)-S)(4)], [[(eta(6)-C(6)HMe(5))Ru][Pd(PPh(3))](ReL)(2)(mu(3)-S)(4)], and [(Cp*Ir)[Pd(PPh(3))](ReL)(2)(mu(3)-S)(4)] (13) along with the cationic clusters [(Cp*Ir)(CpRu)(ReL)(2)(mu(3)-S)(4)][PF(6)] (14) and [(Cp*Ir)[Rh(cod)](ReL)(2)(mu(3)-S)(4)][PF(6)] (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene). The X-ray analyses have been carried out for 2, 4, 7, 13, and the SbF(6) analogue of 14 (14') to confirm their bimetallic cubane-type, bimetallic incomplete cubane-type, or trimetallic cubane-type structures. Fluxional behavior of the incomplete cubane-type and trimetallic cubane-type clusters in solutions has been demonstrated by the variable-temperature (1)H NMR studies, which is ascribable to both the metal-metal bond migration in the cluster cores and the pseudorotation of the dithiolene ligand bonded to the square pyramidal Re centers, where the temperatures at which these processes proceed have been found to depend upon the nature of the metal centers included in the cluster cores.     

Luminescent cyanometallates based on phenylpyridine-Ir(III) units: solvatochromism, metallochromism, and energy-transfer in Ir/Ln and Ir/Re complexes

[Ir(ppy)(2)(CN)(2)](-) (ppy = anion of 2-phenylpyridine) and some substituted derivatives have been investigated for their ability to interact with additional metal cations, both in solution and the solid state, via the externally-directed cyanide lone pairs, and to act as energy-donors in the resulting assemblies. [Ir(ppy)(2)(CN)(2)](-) is slightly solvatochromic, showing a blue-shift of the lowest energy absorption manifold in water compared to organic solvents, and the solubilised (t)Bu-substituted analogue [Ir((t)Buppy)(2)(CN)(2)](-) [(t)Buppy = anion of 2-(4-(t)Bu-phenyl)pyridine] is also metallochromic with coordination of the cyanide lone pairs to two M(II) cations in MeCN (M = Ba, Zn) resulting in blue-shifts of the lowest-energy absorption and emission maxima. These effects are however modest because of (i) the presence of only two cyanide groups, and (ii) the fact that the lowest-energy excited state has a substantial (3)LC component and is therefore not purely charge-transfer in nature. Crystallisation of [Ir(ppy)(2)(CN)(2)](-) as its (PPN)(+) salt in the presence of excess of lanthanide(III) salts leads to formation of assemblies based on Ir-CN-Ln bonds, which generate in the solid state either Ir(2)Ln(2)(μ-CN)(4) square assemblies or linear trinuclear species with Ir-CN-Ln-NC-Ir cores. In the Ir(2)Eu(2)(μ-CN)(4) and Ir(2)Nd(2)(μ-CN)(4) complexes the Ir-based emission is substantially quenched due to energy-transfer to lower-lying f-f states of these lanthanide ions. In addition reaction of [Ir(F(2)ppy)(2)(CN)(2)](-) [F(2)ppy = cyclometallating anion of 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyridine] with [Re(phen)(CO)(3)(MeCN)][PF(6)] in solution affords dinuclear IrRe and trinuclear IrRe(2) species in which {Re(phen)(CO)(3)} units are attached to the N-donor termini of one or both of the cyanide groups; these complexes have been structurally characterised and display quantitative Ir→Re energy-transfer, showing luminescence only from the Re(I) terminus on excitation of the Ir(III) unit.     

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of novel pyridazine-coordinated diiron bridging carbene complexes

[{mu-(Pyridazine-N(1):N(2))}Fe(2)(mu-CO)(CO)(6)](1) reacts with aryllithium reagents, ArLi (Ar = C(6)H(5), m-CH(3)C(6)H(4)) followed by treatment with Me(3)SiCl to give the novel pyridazine-coordinated diiron bridging siloxycarbene complexes [(C(4)H(4)N(2))Fe(2){mu-C(OSiMe(3))Ar}(CO)(6)](2, Ar = C(6)H(5); 3, Ar =m-CH(3)C(6)H(4)). Complex 2 reacts with HBF(4).Et(2)O at low temperature to yield a cationic bridging carbyne complex [(C(4)H(4)N(2))Fe(2)(mu-CC(6)H(5))(CO)(6)]BF(4)(4). Cationic 4 reacts with NaBH(4) in THF at low temperature to afford the diiron bridging arylcarbene complex [(C(4)H(4)N(2))Fe(2){mu-C(H)C(6)H(5)}(CO)(6)](5). Unexpectedly, the reaction of 4 with NaSCH(3) under similar conditions gave the bridging arylcarbene complex 5 and a carbonyl-coordinated diiron bridging carbene complex [Fe(2){mu-C(SCH(3))C(6)H(5)}(CO)(7)](6), while the reaction of NaSC(6)H(4)CH(3)-p with 4 affords the expected bridging arylthiocarbene complex [(C(4)H(4)N(2))Fe(2){mu-C(SC(6)H(4)CH(3)-p)C(6)H(5)}(CO)(6)](7), which can be converted into a novel diiron bridging carbyne complex with a thiolato-bridged ligand, [Fe(2)(mu-CC(6)H(5))(mu-SC(6)H(4)CH(3)-p)(CO)(6)](8). Cationic can also react with the carbonylmetal anionic compound Na(2)[Fe(CO)(4)] to yield complex 5, while the reactions of 4 with carbonylmetal anionic compounds Na[M(CO)(5)(CN)](M = Cr, Mo, W) produce the diiron bridging aryl(pentacarbonylcyanometal)carbene complexes [(C(4)H(4)N(2))Fe(2)-{mu-C(C(6)H(5))NCM(CO)(5)}(CO)(6)](9, M = Cr; 10, M = Mo; 11, M = W). The structures of complexes 2, 5, 6, 8, and 9 have been established by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Peripheral SH-functionalisation of carbosilane dendrimers including the synthesis of the model compound dimethylbis(propanethiol)silane and their interaction with rhodium complexes

Treatment of the allyl-containing compounds Me2Si(CH2CHCH2)2 and MeSi(CH2CHCH2)3 with thioacetic acid in the presence of AIBN gave Me2Si[(CH2)3SC(O)CH3]2 and MeSi[(CH2)3SC(O)CH3]3, respectively, which were reduced with LiAlH4 to the dithiols Me2Si[(CH2)3SH]2(3) and MeSi[(CH2)3SH]3(4). This protocol was applied to the first and second generations of the doubly and triply-branched carbosilane allyl dendrimers, Si[(CH2)3SiMe(CH2CHCH2)2]4(G(1)allyl-8), Si[(CH2)3SiMe{(CH2)3SiMe(CH2CHCH2)2}2]4(G(2)allyl-16), Si[(CH2)3Si(CH2CHCH2)3]4(G(1)allyl-12), and Si[(CH2)3Si{(CH2)3Si(CH2CHCH2)3}3]4(G(2)allyl-36) to give the corresponding SH functionalised surface dendrimers Si[(CH2)3SiMe(CH2CH2CH2SH)2]4(G(1)SH-8), G(2)SH-16, G(1)SH-12, and G(2)SH-36. Reactions of 3 with [M(acac)(diolefin)](M = Rh, Ir; diolefin = 1,5-cyclooctadiene, 2,5-norbornadiene) gave the compounds of the type [M2(mu-Me2Si[(CH2)3S]2)(diolefin)2]n. These diolefin complexes are octanuclear (n= 4) in solution while the complex [Rh2(mu-Me2Si[(CH2)3S]2)(cod)2]n(5) is tetranuclear in the solid state. The structure of 5, solved by X-ray diffraction methods, consists of a 20-membered metallomacrocycle formed by two dimethylbis(propylthiolate)silane moieties bridging four fragments Rh(cod) in a mu2 fashion through the sulfur atoms. Treatment of [Rh(acac)(CO)2] with 3 gave [Rh2(mu-Me2Si[(CH2)3S]2)(CO)4]n, which is a mixture of tetra (n= 2) and octanuclear (n= 4) complexes in a 2 : 1 ratio in solution, while the related complex [Rh2(mu-Me2Si[(CH2)3S]2)(CO)2(PPh3)2]2 is tetranuclear. Reactions of [Rh(acac)(L-L)](L-L = cod, (CO)2, (CO)(PPh3)) with 4 and the dendrimers G(1)SH-8, G(2)SH-16, and G(1)SH-12, gave microcrystalline solids of formulae [Rh3(MeSi[(CH2)3S]3)(L-L)3]n, [Si[(CH2)3SiMe{(CH2)3SRh(cod)}2]4]n([G(1)Rh(cod)-8]n), [Si[(CH2)3Si{(CH2)3SRh(cod)}3]4]n([G(1)Rh(cod)-12]n), etc., which presumably are tridimensional coordination polymers.     

Novel dinuclear luminescent compounds based on iridium(III) cyclometalated chromophores and containing bridging ligands with ester-linked chelating sites

The syntheses and study of the spectroscopic, redox, and photophysical properties of a new set of species based on Ir(III) cyclometalated building blocks are reported. This set includes three dinuclear complexes, that is, the symmetric (with respect to the bridging ligand) diiridium species [(ppy)(2)Ir(mu-L-OC(O)-C(O)O-L)Ir(ppy)(2)][PF(6)](2) (5; ppy = 2-phenylpyridine anion; L-OC(O)-C(O)O-L = bis[4-(6'-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine-4'-yl)phenyl]-benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate), the asymmetric diiridium species [(ppy)(2)Ir(mu-L-OC(O)-L)Ir(ppy)(2)][PF(6)](2) (3; L-OC(O)-L = 4-([(6'-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine-4'-yl)benzoyloxy]phenyl)-6'-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine), and the mixed-metal Ir-Re species [(ppy)(2)Ir(mu-L-OC(O)-L)Re(CO)(3)Br][PF(6)] (4). Syntheses, characterization, and spectroscopic, photophysical, and redox properties of the model mononuclear compounds [Ir(ppy)(2)(L-OC(O)-L)][PF(6)] (2) and [Re(CO)(3)(L-COOH)Br] (6; L-COOH = 4'-(4-carboxyphenyl)-6'-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine) are also reported, together with the syntheses of the new bridging ligands L-OC(O)-L and L-OC(O)-C(O)O-L. The absorption spectra of all the complexes are dominated by intense spin-allowed ligand-centered (LC) bands and by moderately intense spin-allowed metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) bands. Spin-forbidden MLCT absorption bands are also visible as low-energy tails at around 470 nm for all the complexes. All the new species exhibit metal-based irreversible oxidation and bipyridine-based reversible reduction processes in the potential window investigated (between +1.80 and -1.70 V vs SCE). The redox behavior indicates that the metal-based orbitals are only weakly interacting in dinuclear systems, whereas the two chelating halves of the bridging ligands exhibit noticeable electronic interactions. All the complexes are luminescent both at 77 K and at room temperature, with emission originating from triplet MLCT states. The luminescence properties are temperature- and solvent-dependent, in accord with general theories: emission lifetimes and quantum yields increase on passing from acetonitrile to dichloromethane fluid solution and from room-temperature fluid solution to 77 K rigid matrix. In the dinuclear mixed-chromophore species 3 and 4, photoinduced energy transfer across the ester-linked bridging ligands seems to occur with low efficiency.