Cationic methyl complexes of rhodium(III): synthesis, structure, and some reactions

Cationic methyl complex of rhodium(III), trans-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] (1) is prepared by interaction of trans-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)I] with AgBPh₄ in acetonitrile. Cationic methyl complexes of rhodium(III), cis-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂ (CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] (2) and cis-[Rh(BA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] (3) (Acac, BA are acetylacetonate and benzoylacetonate, respectively), are obtained by CH₃I oxidative addition to rhodium(I) complexes [Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂] and [Rh(BA)(PPh₃)₂] in acetonitrile in the presence of NaBPh₄. Complexes 2 and 3 react readily with NH₃ at room temperature to form cis-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(NH₃)][BPh₄] (4) and cis-[Rh(BA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(NH₃)][BPh₄] (5), respectively. Complexes 1-5 were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectra. Complexes 1, 2, 3 and 4 were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. Complexes 2 and 3 in solutions (CH₂Cl₂, CHCl₃) are presented as mixtures of cis-(PPh₃)₂ isomers involved into a fluxional process. Complex 2 on heating in acetonitrile is converted into trans-isomer 1. In parallel with that isomerization, reductive elimination of methyl group with formation of [CH₃PPh₃][BPh₄] takes place. Replacement of CH₃CN in complexes 1 and 2 by anion I⁻ yields in both cases the neutral complex trans-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)I]. Strong trans influence of CH₃ ligand manifests itself in the elongation (in solid) and labilization (in solution) of rhodium-acetonitrile nitrogen bond.     

Cationic (fluoromesityl)palladium(II) complexes

Halide abstraction from [Pd(μ-Cl)(Fmes)(NCMe)]₂ (Fmes = 2,4,6-tris(trifluoromethyl)phenyl or nonafluoromesityl) with TlBF₄ in CH₂Cl₂/MeCN gives [Pd(Fmes)(NCMe)₃]BF₄, which reacts with monodentate ligands to give the monosubstituted products trans-[Pd(Fmes)L(NCMe)₂]BF₄ (L = PPh₃, P(o-Tol)₃, 3,5-lut, 2,4-lut, 2,6-lut; lut = dimethylpyridine), the disubstituted products trans-[Pd(Fmes)(NCMe)(PPh₃)₂]BF₄, cis-[Pd(Fmes)(3,5-lut)₂(NCMe)]BF₄, or the trisubstituted products [Pd(Fmes)L₃]BF₄ (L = CN^tBu, PHPh₂, 3,5-lut, 2,4-lut). Similar reactions using bidentate chelating ligands give [Pd(Fmes)(L-L)(NCMe)]BF₄ (L-L = bipy, tmeda, dppe, OPPhPy₂-N,N′, (OH)(CH₃)CPy₂-N,N′). The complexes trans-[Pd(Fmes)L₂(NCMe)]BF₄ (L = PPh₃, tht) (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) and [Pd(Fmes)(L-L)(NCMe)]BF₄ (L-L = bipy, tmeda) were obtained by halide extraction with TlBF₄ in CH₂Cl₂/MeCN from the corresponding neutral halogeno complexes trans-[Pd(Fmes)ClL₂] or [Pd(Fmes)Cl(L-L)]. The aqua complex trans-[Pd(Fmes)(OH₂)(tht)₂]BF₄ was isolated from the corresponding acetonitrile complex. Overall, the experimental results on these substitution reactions involving bulky ligands suggest that thermodynamic and kinetic steric effects can prevail affording products or intermediates different from those expected on purely electronic considerations. Thus,water, whether added on purpose or adventitious in the solvent, frequently replaces in part other better donor ligands, suggesting that the smaller congestion with water compensates for the smaller M-OH₂ bond energy.     

Nucleophilic addition of water to coordinated dipyridylethylene in rhenium(V) complexes

Complexes of general formula [ReOX₂{(C₅H₄N)CH(O)CH₂(C₅H₄N)}] (X?=?Cl,?I) were prepared by reaction of trans-[ReOCl₃(PPh₃)₂] and trans-[ReOI₂(OEt)(PPh₃)₂] with cis-1,2-di-(2-pyridyl)ethylene (DPE) in ethanol and benzene in air. The coordinated DPE ligand undergoes addition of water at the ethylenic carbon atoms, and the (C₅H₄N)CH(O)CH₂(C₅H₄N) moiety acts as a uninegative terdentate N,O,N-donor ligand. X-ray crystal structures of both complexes have been determined and show distorted octahedral geometry at the rhenium(V) centre.     

Trifluoromethylselenato(0) and trifluoromethyltellurato(0) complexes of platinum(II)

The series of cis/trans-trifluoromethylselenato complexes [Pt(SeCF₃)_2 − xCl_x(PPh₃)₂] (x = 0, 1) was identified by NMR spectroscopic methods. While in acetonitrile solution spectra are dominated by the resonances of the cis derivatives, those of pure cis-[Pt(SeCF₃)₂(PPh₃)₂] indicate cis-trans-isomerisation in CH₂Cl₂ solution. In contrast, exchange reactions of cis-[PtCl₂(PPh₃)₂] and [NMe₄]TeCF₃ only gave evidence for cis isomers. Molecular structures of cis- and trans-[Pt(SeCF₃)₂(PPh₃)₂] and cis-[Pt(TeCF₃)₂(PPh₃)₂] are discussed in comparison with related compounds.     

Chemistry of iron complexes—III. X-ray diffraction,ESR and other spectral studies of new iron(II) and iron(III) complexes with tri-p-tolylarsine oxide

Reactions of iron(II) and iron(III) salts with tri-p-tolylarsine oxide(L) in suitable organic solvents yield complexes of formulas: (i) [FeL₂Cl₂(OH₂)₂] [FeCl₄].2H₂O, [FeL₂Br₂] [FeBr₄].2H₂O; (ii) [Fe(NCS)₃L₂].H₂O; (iii) [FeL(O₂ClO₂)₂(OH₂)] (ClO₄).0.25C₆H₆; (iv) [FeL₃I] [FeI₃].H₂O and (v) [Fe(CO)₃LI]I. Characterization has been done through elemental analyses, IR, far IR, ESR, and reflectance spectra, molar conductance, magnetic moments, t.g.a. and X-ray diffraction (powder) data. The species [FeL₂Cl₂(OH₂)₂]⁺, [FeL₂Br₂]⁺, [Fe(NCS)₃L₂], [FeL(O₂ClO₂)₂OH₂]⁺, [FeL₃I]⁺ and [Fe(CO)₃LI]⁺ have been assigned trans-octahedral, trans-square planar, trans-trigonal bipyramid, trans-octahedral, tetrahedral and cis-trigonal bipyramid structures respectively.     

Bridging versus chelating diphosphine in clusters: Isomers of Os3(CO)10(diphosphine)

Isomers of Os₃(CO)₁₀(diphosphine) (diphosphine = Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂; n = 2 (dppe), n = 3 (dppp), and n = 4 (dppb)) have been prepared in which the diphosphine is chelating (1,1-isomer) or bridging (1,2-isomer), respectively, by displacing butadiene or acetonitrile from the complexes Os₃(CO)₁₀(cis- or trans-C₄H₆) or Os₃(CO)₁₀(MeCN)₂. Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂ (dppm) gives only the known bridging (1,2-isomer) whichever starting material is used. Structures have been established by infrared, ³¹P and ¹³C NMR methods.     

Synthesis of ylideplatinum(II) complexes via α-functionalised alkylplatinum(II) intermediates and some comparative data on palladium(II) complexes; X-ray structure of trans-[Pt(CH2PEt3)I(PEt3)2]I

The reaction of [Pt(PEt₃)₃] with CH₂I₂ affords trans-[Pt(CH₂PEt₃)I(PEt₃)₂]I and is believed to proceed via the α-functionalised alkyl cis-[Pt(CH₂I)I(PEt₃)₂], because similar ylides are obtained from cis- or trans-[PT(CH₂X)(PPh₃)₂X] (XCl, Br, or I) with PR₃ (PEt₃, PBu₃ⁿ, PMePh₂, PEtPh₂, or PPh₃); cis-[Pd(CH₂I)-I(PPh₃)₂] does not react with excess PPh₃, but with PEt₃ yields trans-[Pd(CH₂PEt₃)I(PPh₃)₂]I; the X-ray structure of trans-[Pt(CH₂PEt₃)I(PEt₃)₂]I (current R = 0.045) shows PtP(1) 2.332(7), PtP(2) 2.341(8), PtC 2.08(2), and PtI 2.666(2) Å, and angles (a) C(1)PtI, P(1), P(2): 176.9(8), 91.6(6), 93.4(6), (b) IPtP(1), P(2): 87.1(2), 88.5(2), and (c) P(1)P(2), 166.8(3), and (d) PtC(1)P(3), 118(1)°.     

Reactivity of cationic methyl rhodium(III) complexes cis-[Rh(β-diket)(PPh3)2(CH3)(CH3CN)][BPh4] toward ligands of different character: pyridine, carbon monoxide, and triphenylphosphine

Cationic methyl complex of rhodium(III), cis-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(Py)][BPh₄] (1) as a single isomer with Py in the trans to PPh₃ position, is formed upon the reaction of cis-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] with pyridine in methylene chloride solution.Complex 1 was characterized by elemental analysis and by ³¹P{¹H} and ¹H NMR spectra.Cationic pentacoordinate acetyl complexes, trans-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(COCH₃)][BPh₄] (2) and trans-[Rh(BA)(PPh₃)₂(COCH₃)][BPh₄] (3), are prepared by action of carbon monoxide on cis-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] and cis-[Rh(BA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄], respectively, in methylene chloride solutions.Complexes 2 and 3 were characterized by elemental analysis and by IR, ³¹P{¹H}, ¹³C{¹H} and ¹H NMR. According to NMR data, 2 and 3 in solution are non-fluxional trigonal bipyramids with β-diketonate and acetyl ligands in the equatorial plane and axial phosphines.In solutions, 2 and 3 gradually isomerize into octahedral methyl carbonyl complexes trans-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CO)(CH₃)][BPh₄] (4) and trans-[Rh(BA)(PPh₃)₂(CO)(CH₃)][BPh₄] (5), respectively.Complexes 4 and 5 were characterized by IR, ³¹P{¹H}, ¹³C{¹H} and ¹H NMR, without isolation.Upon the action of PPh₃ on cis-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] and cis-[Rh(BA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)] [BPh₄], reductive elimination of the methyl ligand as a phosphonium salt, [CH₃PPh₃][BPh₄], occurs to give square planar rhodium(I) complexes [Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂] and[Rh(BA)(PPh₃)₂], respectively. The reaction products were identified in the reaction mixtures by ³¹P{¹H} and ¹H NMR.     

Ditertiary phosphine complexes of (ν-allyl)dicarbonylmolybdenum(II) and -tungsten(II)

Compounds of the type [XM(CO)₂(ν-allyl)L₂] (where X = Cl and Br; M = Mo and W; L₂ = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂ and Ph₂ PCH₂CH₂PPh₂) have been prepard from the corersponding MeCN complexes. The spectral properties of these compounds and the effects of chelate rign size on ³¹P coordination shifts and J(¹⁸³W—³¹P) have been investigated.     

Synthesis of the cyanamide-derived bis(cyanoimido) complexes trans-[M(NCN)2(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)2] (M = Mo or W) and crystal structure of the molybdenum compound

Reaction of cyanamide (NCNH₂) with trans-[M(N₂)₂(dppe)₂] (M = Mo or W, dppe = PH₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂) leads to the formation of the bis(cyanoimido) complexes trans-[M(NCN)₂(dppe)₂]. The crystal structure of trans-[Mo(NCN)₂(dppe)₂] has been determined by an X-ray diffraction study.     

Synthesis of trans-[Re(NO)2-(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)2][BF4], a formal dinitrosyl complex of rhenium(-I) and its protic denitrosylation. X-Ray structure of trans-[ReF(NO)-(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)2][BF4]

Treatment of a THF solution of trans-[ReCl(N₂)(dppe)₂] (dppe = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂) with NO, in the presence of Tl[BF₄], forms trans-[Re(NO)₂(dppe)₂][BF₄], a rare formal 20-electron d⁸-rhenium nitrosyl complex which, by reaction with HX (X = BF₄, Cl or HSO₄), gives trans-[ReF(NO)(dppe)₂][BF₄] (2) (the X-ray structure of which is reported) or trans-[ReX(NO)(dppe)₂]X (3, X = Cl or HSO₄), respectively, as well as nitrous oxide.     

Ruthenium(II) and iron(II) complexes of N-pyridyl substituted imidazolin-2-ylidenes

N-mesityl-N′-pyridyl-imidazolium chloride 1a and the corresponding bromide salt 1b have been deprotonated with NaH in THF giving the free N-heterocyclic carbene N-mesityl-N′-pyridyl-imidazolin-2-ylidene 2 in 80% yield (starting from 1a). Imidazolium salt 1a reacts with RuCl₃ · xH₂O to give a racemic mixture of dinuclear di-μ-chloro bridged ruthenium complexes [(κ²-2)₂Ru(μ-Cl)₂Ru(κ²-2)₂]²⁺ [3a]²⁺. The carbene carbon atoms as well as the halides are arranged in cis-positions to each other whereas the nitrogen atoms adopt a trans-configuration. The di-μ-bromo bridged derivative [(κ²-2)₂Ru(μ-Br)₂Ru(κ²-2)₂]²⁺ [3b]²⁺ was obtained from RuCl₃ · xH₂O and 1b. The bridging halide ligands can be removed by the reaction with silver or sodium salts of bidentate Lewis acids. Complex [3a]²⁺ reacts with silver pyridylcarboxylate to give a racemic mixture of the mononuclear complex [4]⁺. Reaction of [3a]²⁺ with the sodium salt of l-proline resulted in a diastereomeric mixture of complexes [5]⁺. The free N-heterocyclic carbene 2 reacts with [FeCl₂(PPh₃)₂] to give after anion exchange with NaBPh₄ cis/cis/trans coordinated [Fe(κ²-2)₂(MeCN)₂](BPh₄)₂ [6](BPh₄)₂. The molecular structures of [3b](PF₆)₂, [4]PF₆ and [6](BPh₄)₂ · H₂O are reported.     

Selective formation of trans and cis(CH3CN) isomers of [Ru(bpy)(CO)2(CH3CN)2] (bpy=2,2-bipyridine) from [Ru(CO)2(CH3CN)3]2(PF6)2 using an electrochemical oxidation step

The selective in situ synthesis of trans and cis(CH₃CN)-[Ru(bpy)(CO)₂ (CH₃CN)₂]²⁺ isomers from the same [Ru(CO)₂ (CH₃CN)₃]₂²⁺ dimer precursor but using either an electrochemical-chemical or chemical-electrochemical process is described.     

Organoplumbio complexes of platinum(II)

The complex [Pt(C₂H₄)(PPh₃)₂] reacts with Pb₂Ph₆ to give cis-[PtPh(Pb₂Ph₅)(PPh₃)₂]; this decomposes in solution to cis-[PtPh(PbPh₃)(PPh₃)₂], which may also be obtained from the ethylene complex and PbPh₄. Lead compounds PbPhMe₃ and PbPh₃Br also give products of insertion into PbPh bonds, but PbMe₃Cl gives cis- and trans-[PtCl(PbMe₃)(PPh₃)₂]. The complex trans-[Pt(PbPh₃)₂(PEt₃)₂] reacts with 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (DPPE) to give [Pt(PbPh₃)₂(DPPE)] which readily decomposes in dichloromethane in presence of PEt₃ to give [Pt(PbPh₃)(PEt₃)(DPPE)]Cl and [PtPh(PEt₃)(DPPE)]Cl. The complex trans-[PtCl(PbPh₃)(PEt₃)₂] was detected in the products of reactions between trans-[PtCl₂(PEt₃)₂] and trans-[Pt(PbPh₃)₂(PEt₃)₂] or less than 2 moles of LiPbPh₃; it was not detected in the mixture after treatment of trans -[Pt(PbPh₃)₂(PEt₃)₂] with HCl. In contrast to an earlier report, we were unable to detect lead-containing complexes in the products of the reaction between trans-[PtHCl(PPh₃)₂] and Ph₃PbNO₃. The complexes and their decomposition products were identified by ^pre31P-{¹H} NMR spectroscopy.     

Metal catalysed Brooke rearrangement of 3-Halo-1-(trimethylsilyl) propan-2-one (Halo = Cl or Br)

The complexes [IrH(CO)(PPh₃)₃], trans-[IrCI(CO)- (PPh₃)₂], [RhH(PPh₃)₄], [Pd(PPh₃)₄], [Pt(trans-stilbene)(PPh₃)₂] and [Pt(η³-CH₂-COCH₂)-(PPh₃)₂] catalyse the rearrangement of Me₃SiCH₂C(O)CH₂Cl to CH₂?C(OSiMe₃)-CH₂Cl.     

Ligand behaviour of P-functionally substituted organotin halides: palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes with Ph2PCH2CH2SnCl3

The P-functional organotin chloride Ph₂PCH₂CH₂SnCl₃ reacts with [(COD)MCl₂] and trans-[(Et₂S)₂MCl₂] (M=Pd, Pt) in molar ratio 1:1 to the zwitterionic complexes [(COD)M⁺(Cl)(PPh₂CH₂CH₂Sn⁻Cl₄)] (1: M=Pd; 2: M=Pt) and trans-[(Et₂S)₂M⁺(Cl)(PPh₂CH₂CH₂Sn⁻Cl₄)] (3: M=Pd; 4: M=Pt). The same reaction with [(COD)Pd(Cl)Me] yields under transfer of the methyl group from palladium to tin the complex [(COD)M⁺(Cl)(PPh₂CH₂CH₂Sn⁻MeCl₃)] (5) which changes in acetone into the dimeric adduct [Cl₂Pd(PPh₂CH₂CH₂SnMeCl₂·2Me₂CO)]₂ (6). In molar ratio 2:1 Ph₂PCH₂CH₂SnCl₃ reacts with [(COD)MCl₂] to the complexes [Cl₂Pd(PPh₂CH₂CH₂SnCl₃)₂] (7: M=Pd, mixture of cis/trans isomer; 8: M=Pt, cis isomer). In a subsequent reaction 8 is transformed in acetone into the 16-membered heterocyclic complex cis-[Cl₂Pt(PPh₂CH₂CH₂)₂SnCl₂]₂ (9). trans-[(Et₂S)₂PtCl₂] and Ph₂PCH₂CH₂SnCl₃ in molar ratio 1:2 yields the zwitterionic complex [(Et₂S)M⁺(Cl)(PPh₂CH₂CH₂SnCl₃)(PPh₂CH₂CH₂Sn⁻Cl₄)] (10). The results of crystal structure analyses of 1, 3, 6, 9 and of the adduct of the trans-isomer of 7 with acetone (7a) are reported. ³¹P- and ¹¹⁹Sn-NMR data of the complexes are discussed.     

The bis(acetonitrile‐κN)bis[N,N‐bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ethanamine‐κ2P,P′]iron(II) tetrabromidoferrate(II) and μ‐oxido‐bis[tribromidoferrate(III)] complex salts

Orange crystals of bis(acetonitrile‐κN)bis[N,N‐bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ethanamine‐κ²P,P′]iron(II) tetrabromidoferrate(II), [Fe(CH₃CN)₂(C₂₆H₂₅NP₂)₂][FeBr₄], (I), and red crystals of bis(acetonitrile‐κN)bis[N,N‐bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ethanamine‐κ²P,P′]iron(II) μ‐oxido‐bis[tribromidoferrate(III)], [Fe(CH₃CN)₂(C₂₆H₂₅NP₂)₂][Fe₂Br₆O], (II), were obtained from the same solution after prolonged exposure to atmospheric oxygen, resulting in partial oxidation of the [FeBr₄]²⁻ anion to the [Br₃FeOFeBr₃]²⁻ anion. The asymmetric unit of (I) consists of three independent cations, one on a general position and two on inversion centres, with two anions, required to balance the charge, located on general positions. The asymmetric unit of (II) consists of two independent cations and two anions, all on special positions. The geometric parameters within the coordination environments of the cations do not differ significantly, with the major differences being in the orientation of the phenyl rings on the bidentate phosphane ligand. The ethyl substituent in the cation of (II) and the Br atoms in the anions of (II) are disordered. The P—Fe—P bite angles represent the smallest angles reported to date for octahedral Fe^II complexes containing bidentate phosphine ligands with MeCN in the axial positions, ranging from 70.82 (3) to 70.98 (4)°. The average Fe—Br bond distances of 2.46 (2) and 2.36 (2) Å in the [FeBr₄]²⁻ and [Br₃FeOFeBr₃]²⁻ anions, respectively, illustrate the differences in the Fe oxidation states.     

Reactions of bis(hexamethylbenzene)iron(0) with carbon monoxide and with unsaturated hydrocarbons

Thermal decomposition of bis(hexamethylbenzene)iron(0) in the presence of carbon monoxide yields a novel carbonyl iron complex, [C₆(CH₃)₆]Fe(CO)₂. The cyclohexadiene complex [C₆(CH₃)₆]Fe(C₆H₈) is obtained from reaction of bis(hexamethylbenzene)iron(0) with either 1,3-cyclohexadiene or benzene, and the yield is much greater in the presence of hydrogen gas. Interaction of bis-(hexamethylbenzene)iron(0) with 2-butyne induces a catalytic cyclotrimerization to give more hexamethylbenzene. Kinetic and isotope distribution studies indicate that the primary step in these reactions is not a direct loss of one ring ligand, but rather an insertion of the iron center into one of the ligand methyl CH bonds, leading to a benzyl hydride complex species. Mechanisms for the subsequent reactions of this iron hydride species are proposed.     

Dihapto-acyl derivatives of ruthenium(II). Preparation and structure of Ru[η2-C(O)CH3] I(CO)(PPh3)2 and Ru[η2-C(O)p-tolyl]I(C0) (PPh3) 2

Reaction between Ru(CO)₂(PPh₃)₃ and MeHgI yields Ru[η²-C(O)CH₃]I(CO)(PPh₃)₂ which in solution exists mainly as RuCH₃I(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ and crystal structure determination of Ru[η²-C(O)CH₃]I(CO)(PPh₃)₂ and previously described Ru[η²-C(O)p-tolyl]I(CO) (PPh₃)₂ confirms that in the solid state both molecules contain dihapto-acyl ligands.     

Crystal structures and spectroscopic characterization of MBr2(CNXyl)n (M = Fe and Co,n = 4; M = Ni,n = 2; Xyl = 2,6‐dimethylphenyl), and of formally zero‐valent iron as a cocrystal of Fe(CNXyl)5 and Fe2(CNXyl)9

Structures and spectroscopic characterization of the divalent complexes cis‐dibromidotetrakis(2,6‐dimethylphenyl isocyanide)iron(II) dichloromethane 0.771‐solvate, [FeBr₂(C₉H₉N)₄]·0.771CH₂Cl₂ or cis‐FeBr₂(CNXyl)₄·0.771CH₂Cl₂ (Xyl = 2,6‐dimethylphenyl), trans‐dibromidotetrakis(2,6‐dimethylphenyl isocyanide)iron(II), [FeBr₂(C₉H₉N)₄] or trans‐FeBr₂(CNXyl)₄, trans‐dibromidotetrakis(2,6‐dimethylphenyl isocyanide)cobalt(II), [CoBr₂(C₉H₉N)₄] or trans‐CoBr₂(CNXyl)₄, and trans‐dibromidobis(2,6‐dimethylphenyl isocyanide)nickel(II), [NiBr₂(C₉H₉N)₂] or trans‐NiBr₂(CNXyl)₂, are presented. Additionally, crystals grown from a cold diethyl ether solution of zero‐valent Fe(CNXyl)₅ produced a structure containing a cocrystallization of mononuclear Fe(CNXyl)₅ and the previously unknown dinuclear [Fe(CNXyl)₃]₂(μ₂‐CNXyl)₃, namely pentakis(2,6‐dimethylphenyl isocyanide)iron(0) tris(μ₂‐2,6‐dimethylphenyl isocyanide)bis[tris(2,6‐dimethylphenyl isocyanide)iron(0)], [Fe(C₉H₉N)₅][Fe₂(C₉H₉N)₉]. The (M)C—N—C(Xyl) angles of the isocyanide ligand are nearly linear for the metals in the +2 oxidation state, for which the ligands function essentially as pure donors. The νCN stretching frequencies for these divalent metal isocyanides are at or above that of the free ligand. Relative to Fe^II, in the structure containing iron in the formally zero‐valent oxidation state, the Fe—C bond lengths have shortened, the C[triple‐bond]N bond lengths have elongated, the (M)C—N—C(Xyl) angles of the terminal CNXyl ligands are more bent, and the νCN stretching frequencies have shifted to lower energies, all indicative of substantial M(dπ)→π* backbonding.