Reactivity of [CpCr(CO)3]2 towards thione (CS) moieties in some sulfur-containing substrates

The reaction of [CpCr(CO)₃]₂ (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅) (1) with 1 mol equivalent of 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole (DMcTH₂) at ambient temperature led to the isolation of a reddish-brown crystalline solid of CpCr(CO)₃(η¹-DMcTH) (5) and a green solid of CpCr(CO)₃H (2) in yields of ca. 28% and 30%, respectively, along with some [CpCr(CO)₂]₂ (3) and [CpCr(CO)₂]₂S (4). The reaction of 1 with 1 mol equivalent of vinylene trithiocarbonate (SCS(CH)₂S) (VTTC) at 90 °C led to the isolation of a red crystalline solid of CpCr(CO)₂(η²-SCHSC₂H₂) (6) in ca. 15% yield while the reaction of 1 with isopropylxanthic disulfide ((CH₃)₂CHOCS₂)₂ resulted in the formation of CpCr(CO)₂(η²-S₂COCH(CH₃)₂) (8) in ca. 80% yield. The complexes 5, 6 and 8 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Some complexes containing carbon chains end-capped by M(CO)2Tp′ [M = Mo, W; Tp′ = HB(pz)3, HB(dmpz)3] groups

Complexes M(CCCSiMe₃)(CO)₂Tp′ (Tp′ = Tp [HB(pz)₃], M = Mo 2, W 4; Tp′ = Tp^∗ [HB(dmpz)₃], M = Mo 3) are obtained from M(CCCSiMe₃)(O₂CCF₃)(CO)₂(tmeda) (1) and K[Tp′].Reactions of 2 or 4 with AuCl(PPh₃)/K₂CO₃ in MeOH afforded M{CCCAu(PPh₃)}(CO)₂Tp′ (M = Mo 5, W 6) containing C₃ chains linking the Group 6 metal and gold centres.In turn, the gold complexes react with Co₃(μ₃-CBr)(μ-dppm)(CO)₇ to give the C₄-bridged {Tp(OC)₂M}CCCC{Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} (M = Mo 7, W 8), while Mo(CBr)(CO)₂Tp^∗ and Co₃{μ₃-C(CC)₂Au(PPh₃)}(μ-dppm)(CO)₇ give {Tp^∗(OC)₂Mo}C(CC)₂C{Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} (9) via a phosphine-gold(I) halide elimination reaction. The C₃ complexes Tp′(OC)₂MCCCRu(dppe)Cp^∗ (Tp′ = Tp, M = Mo 10, W 11; Tp′ = Tp^∗, M = Mo 12) were obtained from 2-4 and RuCl(dppe)Cp^∗ via KF-induced metalla-desilylation reactions. Reactions between Mo(CBr)(CO)₂Tp^∗ and Ru{(CC)_nAu(PPh₃)}(dppe)Cp^∗ (n = 2, 3) afforded {Tp^∗(OC)₂Mo}C(CC)_n{Ru(dppe)Cp^∗} (n = 2 13, 3 14), containing C₅ and C₇ chains, respectively. Single-crystal X-ray structure determinations of 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 and 12 are reported.     

Alkynyl Ti-M complexes based on M(CO)4 and MO2 building blocks (M = Mo, W)

The synthesis and properties of heterobimetallic Ti-M complexes of type {[[Ti](μ-η¹:η²-CCSiMe₃)][M(μ-η¹:η²-CCSiMe₃)(CO)₄]} (M = Mo: 5, [Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Ti; 6, [Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti; M = W: 7, [Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Ti; 8, [Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti) and {[Ti](μ-η¹:η²-CCSiMe₃)₂}MO₂ (M = Mo: 13, [Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Ti; 14, [Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti). M = W: 15, [Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Ti; 16, [Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti) are reported. Compounds 5-8 were accessible by treatment of [Ti](CCSiMe₃)₂ (1, [Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Ti; 2, [Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti) with [M(CO)₅(thf)] (3, M = Mo; 4, M = W) or [M(CO)₄(nbd)] (9, M = Mo; 10, M = W; nbd = bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene), while 13-16 could be obtained either by the subsequent reaction of 1 and 2 with [M(CO)₃(MeCN)₃] (11, M = Mo; 12, M = W) and oxygen, or directly by oxidation of 5-8 with air. A mechanism for the formation of 5-8 is postulated based on the in-situ generation of [Ti](CCSiMe₃)((η²-CCSiMe₃)M(CO)₅), {[Ti](μ-η¹:η²-CCSiMe₃)₂}-M(CO)₄, and [Ti](μ-η¹:η²-CCSiMe₃)((μ-CCSiMe₃)M(CO)₄) as a result of the chelating effect exerted by the bis(alkynyl) titanocene fragment and the steric constraints imposed by the M(CO)₄ entity.The molecular structure of 5 in the solid state were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In doubly alkynyl-bridged 5 the alkynides are bridging the metals Ti and Mo as a σ-donor to one metal and as a π-donor to the other with the [Ti](CCSiMe₃)₂Mo core being planar.     

Photochemical reactions of 1-ferrocenyl-4-phenyl-1,3-butadiyne with Fe(CO)5 and CO

Photolysis of a hexane solution containing ironpentacarbonyl, 1-ferrocenyl-4-phenyl-1,3-butadiyne at low temperature yields six new products: [Fe(CO)₂{η²:η²-PhCCCC(Fc)C(CCPh)C(Fc)Fe(CO)₃}-μ-CO] (1), [Fe₂(CO)₆{μ-η¹:η¹:η²:η²-PhCCCC(Fc)-C(O)-C(Fc)CCCPh}] (2), [Fe₂(CO)₆{μ-η¹:η¹:η²:η²-FcCC(CC Ph)-C(O)-C(Fc)CCCPh}] (3), [Fe₂(CO)₆{μ-η¹:η¹:η²:η²-FcCCCC(Fc)-C(O)-C(Fc)CCCPh}] (4), [Fe(CO)₃{μ-η²: η²-[FcCC(CCPh)C(CCPh)C(Fc)}CO] (5) and [Fe(CO)₃{μ-η²: η²-[FcCC(CCPh)C(CCPh)C(Fc)}CO] (6) formed by coupling of acetylenic moieties with CO insertion on metal carbonyl support. In presence of CO, formation of another new product 2,5-bis(ferrocenyl)-3,6-bis(tetracarbonylphenylmaleoyliron)quinone (7) was observed which on further reaction with ferrocenylacetyene gave the quinone, 2,5-bis(ferrocenyl)-3,6-bis(ethynylphenyl)quinone (8). Structures of 1-5 and 8 were established crystallographically.     

Reactions of Co2(CO)8 and of Co2(CO)6L (L = 3-pentyn-1-ol, 1,4-butyn-diol or 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol) with 2(diphenylphosphino)ethyl-trietoxysilane and tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine for applications to new sol-gel materials

The complex Co₂(CO)₆[μ-η²-(H₃CCCCH₂CH₂OH)] (1) with the ligand 3-pentyn-1-ol (pol) has been synthesized following established procedures. Its structure has been determined by X-ray analysis. The complex Co₂(CO)₆(mbo) (mbo = 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol, HCCC(CH₃)₂OH), (3), along with the already known Co₂(CO)₆(bud) (bud = 1,4-butyn-diol, HOCH₂CCCH₂OH) (2), and Co₂(CO)₈ were reacted with 2(diphenylphosphino)ethyl-triethoxysilane [Ph₂PCH₂CH₂Si(OCH₂CH₃)₃] (dpts) and tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine [P(CH₂OH)₃] (thp). With dpts, mono- and di-substituted complexes were obtained: these were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The structures of Co₂(CO)₆(dpts)₂ (5) and of Co₂(CO)₄(pol)(dpts)₂ (8) have been determined by X-ray analysis.Complex (1) was reacted with 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate [(H₃CCH₂O)₃Si(CH₂)₃NCO] (tsi): the new complex Co₂(CO)₆[H₃CCCCH₂CH₂OC(O)NH(CH₂)₃Si(OCH₂CH₃)₃] (9) was obtained and spectroscopically characterized. The complex has also been reacted with tetraethyl orthosilicate (teos); a new inorganic-organometallic material was obtained. Complex (5) has been grafted on the mesoporous material SBA-15. The hybrid inorganic-organometallic materials obtained have been characterized by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) under vacuum conditions, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled to EDS probe (SEM-EDS).     

Synthesis, structures and some reactions of Ru(CCCCFc)(PP)Cp (PP = dppm, dppe) and related compounds

The compounds Ru(CCCCFc)(PP)Cp [PP = dppe (1), dppm (2)], have been obtained from reactions between RuCl(PP)Cp and FcCCCCSiMe₃ in the presence of KF (1) or HCCCCFc and K[PF₆] (2), both with added dbu. The dppe complex reacts with Co₂(CO)₆(L₂) [L₂ = (CO)₂, dppm] to give 3, 4 in which the Co₂(CO)₄(L₂) group is attached to the outer CC triple bond. The PPh₃ analogue of 3 (5) has also been characterised. In contrast, tetracyanoethene reacts to give two isomeric complexes 6 and 7, in which the cyano-olefin has added to either CC triple bond. The reaction of RuCl(dppe)Cp with HCCCCFc, carried out in a thf/NEt₃ mixture in the presence of Na[BPh₄], gave [Ru{CCC(NEt₃)CHFc}(dppe)Cp]BPh₄ (8), probably formed by addition of the amine to an (unobserved) intermediate butatrienylidene [Ru(CCCCHFc)(dppe)Cp]⁺. The reaction of I₂ with 8 proceeds via an unusual migration of the alkynyl group to the Cp ring to give [RuI(dppe){η-C₅H₄CCC(NEt₃)CHFc}]I₃ (9). Single-crystal X-ray structural determinations of 1, 2 and 4-9 are reported.     

Reaction of [M(CO)4] (M = Ir, Rh) with cyclopropenyl tetrafluoroborate - Ring opening and coupling of cyclopropenyl ligands to form dinuclear metal complexes

Reaction of the iridium tetracarbonylate [PPN][Ir(CO)₄] (1a) with triphenylcyclopropenyl tetrafluoroborate [C₃Ph₃][BF₄] afforded two dinuclear species Ir₂(CO)₄(μ,η¹:η²-C₃Ph₃)(μ,η²:η³-C₃Ph₃) (2) and Ir₂(CO)₄(μ,η⁴:η⁴-C₆Ph₆) (3a) resulting from the ring opening and in the latter case, coupling of the resulting acyclic, propenyl ligands. The analogous reaction with [PPN][Rh(CO)₄] (1b) afforded only the rhodium analogue for 3a.     

Novel sandwich complexes of zirconium [C9H5(SiMe3)2](C5Me4R)ZrCl2 (R = CH3, CH2CH2NMe2): Synthesis and reduction behavior

Novel half-sandwich [C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂]ZrCl₃ (3) and sandwich [C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂](C₅Me₄R)ZrCl₂ (R = CH₃ (1), CH₂CH₂NMe₂ (2)) complexes were prepared and characterized. The reduction of 2 by Mg in THF lead to (η⁵-C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂)[η⁵:η²(C,N)-C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂]ZrH (7). The structure of 7 was proved by NMR spectroscopy data. Hydrolysis of 2 resulted in the binuclear complex ([C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂NMe₂]ZrCl₂)₂O (6). The crystal structures of 1 and 6 were established by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Reactions of Mo(II)-tetraphosphine complex [MoCl2{meso-o-C6H4(PPhCH2CH2PPh2)2}] with a series of small molecules

Reactions of Mo(II)-tetraphosphine complex [MoCl₂(κ⁴-P4)] (2; P4 = meso-o-C₆H₄(PPhCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂) with a series of small molecules have been investigated. Thus, treatment of 2 with alkynes RCCR′ (R = Ph, R′ = H; R = p-tolyl, R′ = H; R = Me, R′ = Ph) in benzene or toluene gave neutral mono(alkyne) complexes [MoCl₂(RCCR′)(κ³-P4)] containing tridentate P4 ligand, which were converted to cationic complexes [MoCl(RCCR′)(κ⁴-P4)]Cl having tetradentate P4 ligand upon dissolution into CDCl₃ or CD₂Cl₂. The latter complexes were available directly from the reactions of 2 with the alkynes in CH₂Cl₂. On the other hand, treatment of 2 with 1 equiv. of XyNC (Xy = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃) afforded a seven-coordinate mono(isocyanide) complex [MoCl₂(XyNC)(κ⁴-P4)] (7), which reacted further with XyNC to give a cationic bis(isocyanide) complex [MoCl(XyNC)₂(κ⁴-P4)]Cl (8). From the reaction of 2 with CO, a mono(carbonyl) complex [MoCl₂(CO)(κ⁴-P4)] (9) was obtained as a sole isolable product. Reaction of 9 with XyNC afforded [MoCl(CO)(XyNC)(κ⁴-P4)]Cl (10a) having a pentagonal-bipyramidal geometry with axial CO and XyNC ligands, whereas that of 7 with CO resulted in the formation of a mixture of 10a and its isomer 10b containing axial CO and Cl ligands. Structures of 7 and 9 as well as [MoCl(XyNC)₂(κ⁴-P4)][PF₆](8′) and [MoCl(CO)(XyNC)(κ⁴-P4)][PF₆] (10a′) derived by the anion metathesis from 8 and 10a, respectively, were determined in detail by the X-ray crystallography.     

Study of ferrocenyl-substituted Co2(CO)6-bispropargylic alcohol complexes as substrates for the formation of chains and macrocycles

Treatment of [Fc-1-R¹-1′-R²] (R¹ = H, R² = CH(O); R¹ = H, R² = CMe(O); R¹ = R² = CMe(O)) with LiCCCH₂OLi (prepared in situ from HCCCH₂OH and n-BuLi) affords the ferrocenyl-substituted but-2-yne-1,4-diol compounds of general formula [Fc-1-R¹-1′-{CR(OH)CCCH₂OH}] (R¹ = R = H (1a); R¹ = H, R = Me (1b); R¹ = CMe(O), R = Me (1c)) in low to high yields, respectively (where Fc = Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂). In the case of the reactions of [Fc-1-R¹-1′-R²] (R¹ = H, R² = CH(O); R¹ = R² = CMe(O)), the by-products [Fc-1-R¹-1′-{CR(OH)(CH₂)₃CH₃}] (R¹ = R = H (2a); R¹ = CMe(O), R = Me (2c)) along with minor quantities of [Fc-1,1′-{CMe(OH)(CH₂)₃CH₃}₂] (3) are also isolated; a hydrazide derivative of dehydrated 2c, [1-(CMeCHCH₂CH₂CH₃)-1′-(CMeNNH-2,4-(NO₂)₂C₆H₃)] (2c′), has been crystallographically characterised. Interaction of 1 with Co₂(CO)₈ smoothly generates the alkyne-bridged complexes [Fc-1-R¹-1′-{Co₂(CO)₆-μ-η²-CR(OH)CCCH₂OH}] (R¹ = R = H (4a); R¹ = H, R = Me(4b); R¹ = CMe(O), R = Me (4c)) in good yield. Reaction of 4a with PhSH, in the presence of catalytic quantities of HBF₄ · OEt₂, gives the mono- [Fc-1-H-1′-{Co₂(CO)₆-μ-η²-CH(SPh)CCCH₂OH}] (5) and bis-substituted [Fc-1-H-1′-{Co₂(CO)₆-μ-η²-CH(SPh)CCCH₂SPh}] (6) straight chain species, while with HS(CH₂)_nSH (n = 2,3) the eight- and nine-membered dithiomacrocylic complexes [Fc-1-H-1′-{cyclo-Co₂(CO)₆-μ-η²-CH(S(CH₂)_n-)CCCH₂S-}] [n = 2 (7a), n = 3 (7b)] are afforded. By contrast, during attempted macrocyclic formation using 4b and HSCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂SH dehydration occurs to give [Fc-1-H-1′-{Co₂(CO)₆-μ-η²-C(CH₂)CCCH₂OH}] (8). Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies have been reported on 2c′, 4b, 4c, 7b and 8.     

Self-assembly directed by C-H activation: Synthesis and characterization of [(CpIr)2(R-NC-Ph-CNR)]2(4,4-bipyridine)2·(OTf)4 (R = Ph, Me)

Self-assembly of a novel class of bis-imine-cyclometalated macrocycles [(Cp^∗Ir)₂(Ph-NC-Ph-CN-Ph)]₂(4,4′-bipyridine)₂·(OTf)₄ (3a) and [(Cp^∗Ir)₂(Me-NC-Ph-CN-Me)]₂(4,4′-bipyridine)₂·(OTf)₄ (3b) was directed by double-site C-H activations of aromatic bis-imine substrates. Two synthetic routes were established, using either (i) binuclear cyclometalated complexes (Cp^∗Ir)₂L1Cl₂ (1a) and (Cp^∗Ir)₂L2Cl₂ (1b) or (ii)4,4′-bipyridine(bpy)-bridged complex (Cp^∗IrCl₂)₂(bpy) (2) as starting materials. All the products were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR and EA. Isomers were found in macrocyclic complexes, which were thermodynamically stable from reversible transformation in days. Highly robust structure of the cyclometalated macrocycles was indicated by the existence of stable isomer pairs. One isomer of 3b was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It was a rare case for half-sandwich metallosupramolecular macrocycles that weak interactions between macrocycles and OTf ions were fully captured in detail, and were demonstrated to be essential for the maintenance of tunnel structures of macrocycles in crystal packing.     

Electrochemical, EPR and computational results on [Fe2Cp2(CO)2]-based complexes with a bridging hydrocarbyl ligand

The dimetallacyclopentenone complexes [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)(μ−CO){μ−η¹:η³−C_αHC_β(R)C(O)}] (R = CH₂OH, 1a; R = CMe₂OH, 1b; R = Ph, 1c) were prepared by photolytic reaction of [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₄] with alkyne according to the literature procedure. The X-ray and the electrochemical characterization of 1c are presented. The μ-allenyl compound [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₂(μ−CO){μ−η¹:η²_α,β−C_αHC_βCMe₂][BF₄] ([2][BF₄]), obtained by reaction of 1b with HBF₄, underwent monoelectron reduction to give a radical species which was detected by EPR at room temperature. The EPR signal has been assigned to [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₂(μ−CO){μ−η¹:η²_α,β-C_αHC_βCMe₂}], [2]^•. The molecular structures of [2]⁺ and [2]^• were optimized by DFT calculations. The unpaired electron in [2]^• is localized mainly at the metal centers and, coherently, [2]^• does not undergo carbon-carbon dimerization, by contrast with what previously observed for the μ-vinyl radical complex [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₂(μ−CO){μ−η¹:η²-CHCH(Ph)}]^•, [3]^•. Electron spin density distributions similar to the one of [2]^• were found for the μ-allenyl radical complexes [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₂(μ-CO){μ-η¹:η²_α,β-C_αHC_βC(R¹)(R²)}]^• (R¹ = R² = H, [4]^•; R¹ = H, R² = Ph, [5]^•; R¹ = R² = Ph, [6]^•).     

Alkynylphosphanes as supports for mixed-metal Co4M (M = Ru, Os) fluoride complexes: Syntheses, structures and thermolysis studies

Treatment of the tetrameric group eight fluoride complexes [MF(μ-F)(CO)₃]₄ [M = Ru (1a), Os (1b)] with the alkynylphosphane, Ph₂PCCPh, results in fluoride-bridge cleavage and the formation of the air-sensitive monomeric octahedral complexes [MF₂(CO)₂(PPh₂CCPh)₂] [M = Ru (2a), Os (2b)] in high yield. The molecular structure of 2b reveals a cis, cis, trans configuration for each pair of ligands, respectively. The free alkyne moieties in 2 can be readily complexed to hexacarbonyldicobalt fragments by treatment with dicobalt octacarbonyl to afford [MF₂(CO)₂(μ-η¹:η²-PPh₂CCPh)₂{Co₂(CO)₆}₂] [M = Ru (3a), Os (3b)]. Evidence for an intramolecular non-bonded contact between a bound fluoride and a cobalt carbonyl carbon atom is seen in the molecular structure of 3a. Thermolysis of 3a at 50 °C results in fluoride dissociation to give [RuF(CO)₂(μ-η¹:η²-PPh₂CCPh)₂{Co₂(CO)₆}₂]⁺ (4), while no reaction occurred with the osmium analogue. Prolonged thermolysis at 120 °C in a sealed vessel of both 3a and 3b gave only insoluble decomposition products.     

Heterometallic complexes containing 1,1′-(CC)2Fc′ units linking two different metal centres

Proto-desilylation of 1-(Me₃SiCC)-1′-{Cp^∗(dppe)RuCC}Fc′ (1) afforded the corresponding ethynyl derivative 2, from which the green Co₂(μ-dppm)_n(CO)_8−2n (n = 0, 1) adducts 3 and 4 were obtained. Replacement of the ethynyl proton in reactions between 2 and AuCl(PPh₃), Hg(OAc)₂ or FeCl(dppe)Cp^∗ gave complexes 1-(RCC)-1′-{Cp^∗(dppe)RuCC}Fc′ [R = Au(PPh₃) 5, 1/2Hg 6, Fe(dppe)Cp^∗8]; the latter gave bis-vinylidene 9 with MeI, characterised (as was 2) by a single crystal X-ray study. Oxidative coupling of 2 (CuCl/tmeda/acetone, air) gave diyne 10, while coupling of 5 with Co₃(μ₃-CBr)(μ-dppm)(CO)₇ afforded 1-{Cp^∗(dppe)RuCC}-1′-{(OC)₇(μ-dppm)Co₃(μ₃-CCC)}Fc′ (11). Cyclic voltammetric measurements indicated that there was no significant electronic coupling between the end-groups through the ferrocene centre in any of these compounds.     

Complexation and metallation of Ph2PCC(CH2)5CCPh2 in triosmium carbonyl clusters

Reaction of Ph₂PCC(CH₂)₅CCPh₂ with Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ affords Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ,η²-(Ph₂P)₂C₉H₁₀) (1) and the double cluster [Os₃(CO)₁₀]₂(μ,η²- (Ph₂P)₂C₉H₁₀)₂ (2), through coordination of the phosphine groups. Thermolysis of 1 in toluene generates Os₃(CO)₇(μ-PPh₂)(μ₃,η⁵-Ph₂PC₉H₁₀) (3) and Os₃(CO)₈(μ-PPh₂)(μ₃,η⁶-Ph₂P(C₉H₁₀)CO) (4). The molecular structures of 1, 3, and 4 have been determined by an X-ray diffraction study. Both 3 and 4 contain a bridging phosphido group and a carbocycle connected to an osmacyclopentadienyl ring, which are apparently derived from C-P bond activation and C-C bond rearrangement of the dpndy ligand governed by the triosmium clusters.     

Reactivity of 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine with [Re2(CO)8(CH3CN)2]: Molecular structures of [Re2(CO)8(C14H10N4)] and [Re2(CO)8(C14H10N4)Re2(CO)8]

The reaction of the labile compound [Re₂(CO)₈(CH₃CN)₂] with 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine in dichloromethane solution at reflux temperature afforded the structural dirhenium isomers [Re₂(CO)₈(C₁₄H₁₀N₄)] (1 and 2), and the complex [Re₂(CO)₈(C₁₄H₁₀N₄)Re₂(CO)₈] (3). In 1, the ligand is σ,σ′-N,N′-coordinated to a Re(CO)₃ fragment through pyridine and pyrazine to form a five-membered chelate ring. A seven-membered ring is obtained for isomer 2 by N-coordination of the 2-pyridyl groups while the pyrazine ring remains uncoordinated. For 2, isomers 2a and 2b are found in a dynamic equilibrium ratio [2a]/[2b]  =  7 in solution, detected by ¹H NMR (−50 °C, CD₃COCD₃), coalescence being observed above room temperature. The ligand in 3 behaves as an 8e-donor bridge bonding two Re(CO)₃ fragments through two (σ,σ′-N,N′) interactions. When the reaction was carried out in refluxing tetrahydrofuran, complex [Re₂(CO)₆(C₁₄H₁₀N₄)₂] (4) was obtained in addition to compounds 1-3. The dinuclear rhenium derivative 4 contains two units of the organic ligand σ,σ′-N,N′-coordinated in a chelate form to each rhenium core. The X-ray crystal structures for 1 and 3 are reported.     

Synthesis of palladium and platinum donor complexes and study of their participation in self-assembly reactions. X-ray crystal structure of [Pt(C6H4CCC5H4N)2(dppp)] (dppp = 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane)

Novel square-planar compounds [M(NC₅H₄CCH)₂(dppp)](OTf)₂ (M = Pd (1), Pt (2)), [Pt(CCC₆H₄CN)₂(dppp)] (3) and [Pt(C₆H₄CCC₅H₄N)₂(dppp)] (4) (dppp = 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane) were prepared and characterised. Their potential as building blocks in the generation of heterobimetallic squares was studied. The reaction of 4 and the ditopic acceptor species [Pd(H₂O)₂(dppf)](OTf)₂ enabled a tetrametallic metallocycle containing two platinum and two palladium atoms to be obtained. The crystal X-ray structure of 4 shows that the Pt?N vectors are nearly perpendicular, and confirm the suitability of the compound to act as a corner unit for the construction of molecular squares.     

The CO and CS bond cleavage in carbon dioxide and tolyl isothiocyanate by reactions with the Mo(0) tetraphosphine complex [Mo{meso-o-C6H4(PPhCH2CH2PPh2)2}(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)]

A Mo(0) complex containing a new tetraphosphine ligand [Mo(P₄)(dppe)] (1; P₄ = meso-o-C₆H₄(PPhCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂, dppe = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂) reacted with CO₂ (1 atm) at 60 °C in benzene to give a Mo(0) carbonyl complex fac-[Mo(CO)(η³-P₄O)(dppe)] (2), where the O abstraction from CO₂ by one terminal P atom in P₄ takes place to give the dangling P(O)Ph₂ moiety together with the coordinated CO. On the other hand, reaction of 1 with TolNCS (Tol = m-MeC₆H₄) in benzene at 60 °C resulted in the incorporation of three TolNCS molecules to the Mo center, forming a Mo(0) isocyanide-isothiocyanate complex trans,mer-[Mo(TolNC)₂(η²-TolNCS)(η³-P₄S)] (4), where the S abstraction occurs from two TolNCS molecules by P₄ and dppe to give the η³-P₄S ligand and free dppeS, respectively, together with two coordinated TolNC molecules. The remaining site of the Mo center is occupied by the third TolNCS ligating at the CS bond in an η²-manner. The X-ray analysis has been undertaken to determine the detailed structures for 2 and 4.     

Formation of multifunctional ligands by nucleophilic addition of alcohols and thiols to the alkyne groups in compound C5H5FeC5H4CCSCCH: Reactivity studies

The multifunctional ligands [(Z)-FcCCSC(H)C(H)XR] [X = O, R = Me (2a); X = O, R = Et (2b); X = S, R = Ph (3); X = S, R = C₆F₅ (5)] and [(Z,Z)-Fc(SR)CC(H)SC(H)C(H)SR] [R = Ph (4), C₆F₅ (6)] have been prepared through hydroalkoxylation and hydrothiolation processes of the alkyne groups in the compound FcCCSCCH 1. Reactions between compound 3 and the carbonyl metals Co₂(CO)₈, Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ and Fe₂(CO)₉ have allowed the synthesis of the polynuclear compounds [(Z)-{Co₂(CO)₆}(μ-η²-FcCCSC(H)C(H)SPh)] 9, [(Z)-Os₃(CO)₉(μ-CO){μ₃-η²-FcCCSC(H)C(H)(SPh)}] 10 and [(Z)-{Fe₃(CO)₉}[μ₃,η³-(CCS)-FcCCSC(H)C(H)(SPh)] 11. All the compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and the crystal structure of compounds [(Z)-FcCCSC(H)C(H)OMe] 2a and [{Co₂(CO)₆}₂(μ-η²:η²-FcCCSCCSiMe₃)] 7 have been solved by X ray diffraction analysis.     

Chiral “P-N-P” ligands, (C20H12O2)PN(R)PY2 [R = CHMe2, Y = C6H5, OC6H5, OC6H4-4-Me, OC6H4-4-OMe or OC6H4-4-Bu] and their allyl palladium complexes

Chiral “P-N-P” ligands, (C₂₀H₁₂O₂)PN(R)PY₂ [R = CHMe₂, Y = C₆H₅ (1), OC₆H₅ (2), OC₆H₄-4-Me (3), OC₆H₄-4-OMe (4) or OC₆H₄-4-^tBu (5)] bearing the axially chiral 1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-dioxy moiety have been synthesised. Palladium allyl chemistry of two of these chiral ligands (1 and 2) has been investigated. The structures of isomeric η³-allyl palladium complexes, (R′ = Me or Ph; Y = C₆H₅ or OC₆H₅) have been elucidated by high field two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The solid state structure of [Pd(η³-1,3-Ph₂-C₃H₃){κ²-(racemic)-(C₂₀H₁₂O₂)PN(CHMe₂)PPh₂}](PF₆) has been determined by X-ray crystallography. Preliminary investigations show that the diphosphazanes, 1 and 2 function as efficient auxiliary ligands for catalytic allylic alkylation but give rise to only moderate levels of enantiomeric excess.