3‐Rhoda‐1,2‐diazacyclopentanes: A Series of Novel Metallacycle Complexes Derived From CN Functionalization of Ethylene

Rh‐containing metallacycles, [(TPA)Rh^III(κ²‐(C,N)‐CH₂CH₂(NR)₂‐]Cl; TPA=N,N,N,N‐tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine have been accessed through treatment of the Rh^I ethylene complex, [(TPA)Rh(η²‐CH₂CH₂)]Cl ([ 1 ]Cl) with substituted diazenes. We show this methodology to be tolerant of electron‐deficient azo compounds including azo diesters (RCO₂N?NCO₂R; R=Et [ 3 ]Cl, R=iPr [ 4 ]Cl, R=tBu [ 5 ]Cl, and R=Bn [ 6 ]Cl) and a cyclic azo diamide: 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3,5‐dione (PTAD), [ 7 ]Cl. The latter complex features two ortho‐fused ring systems and constitutes the first 3‐rhoda‐1,2‐diazabicyclo[3.3.0]octane. Preliminary evidence suggests that these complexes result from N–N coordination followed by insertion of ethylene into a [Rh]?N bond. In terms of reactivity, [ 3 ]Cl and [ 4 ]Cl successfully undergo ring‐opening using p‐toluenesulfonic acid, affording the Rh chlorides, [(TPA)Rh^III(Cl)(κ¹‐(C)‐CH₂CH₂(NCO₂R)(NHCO₂R)]OTs; [ 13 ]OTs and [ 14 ]OTs. Deprotection of [ 5 ]Cl using trifluoroacetic acid was also found to give an ethyl substituted, end‐on coordinated diazene [(TPA)Rh^III(κ²‐(C,N)‐CH₂CH₂(NH)₂‐]⁺ [ 16 ]Cl, a hitherto unreported motif. Treatment of [ 16 ]Cl with acetyl chloride resulted in the bisacetylated adduct [(TPA)Rh^III(κ²‐(C,N)‐CH₂CH₂(NAc)₂‐]⁺, [ 17 ]Cl. Treatment of [ 1 ]Cl with AcN?NAc did not give the Rh?N insertion product, but instead the N,O‐chelated complex [(TPA)Rh^I ( κ²‐(O,N)‐CH₃(CO)(NH)(N?C(CH₃)(OCH?CH₂))]Cl [ 23 ]Cl, presumably through insertion of ethylene into a [Rh]?O bond.     

Selective Carbanion–Pyridine Coordination of a Reactive P,N Ligand to RhI

Ligands with reactive carbon sites in the periphery of a metal center have emerged as a powerful approach for metal–ligand bond activation. These reactive carbon sites are commonly generated by deprotonation strategies. Carbon–silicon bond cleavage is a potential alternative to access such constructs. Herein, the monodesilylation of bis-silyl-substituted P,N scaffold PN^Si2 in the coordination sphere of [Rh^I(Cl)(CO)( PN^Si2 )] ( 1 ) with sodium azide is disclosed. This affords a unique dinucleating anionic κ²-C,N-κ¹-P ligand with a carbanionic methine carbon atom directly bound to rhodium as part of a four-membered Rh-N-C-C rhodacycle. This dimer undergoes meta-pyridine C−H activation facilitated by weak bases, which leads to a desymmetrization of the system and provides a σ,π-bridging 3-pyridyl fragment bound to Rh^I. The facile Si−C cleavage strategy may pave the way to studying the reactivity and functionalization of a variety of κ²-C,N-coordinated pyridine scaffolds for selective transformations.     

Binuclear Aromatic C−H Bond Activation at a Dirhenium Site

The electronically unsaturated dirhenium complex [Re₂(CO)₈(μ‐H)(μ‐Ph)] ( 1 ) has been found to exhibit aromatic C?H activation upon reaction with N,N‐diethylaniline, naphthalene, and even [D₆]benzene to yield the compounds [Re₂(CO)₈(μ‐H)(μ‐η¹‐NEt₂C₆H₄)] ( 2 ), [Re₂(CO)₈(μ‐H)(μ‐η²‐1,2‐C₁₀H₇)] ( 3 ), and [D₆]‐ 1 , respectively, in good yields. The mechanism has been elucidated by using DFT computational analyses, and involves a binuclear C?H bond‐activation process.     

First heterobimetallic AgI–CoIII coordination compound with both bridging and terminal –NO2 coordination modes: synthesis,characterization, structural and computational studies of (PPh3)2AgI–(μ‐κ2O,O′:κN‐NO2)–CoIII(DMGH)2(κN‐NO2)

An unusual heterobimetallic bis(triphenylphosphane)(NO₂)Ag^I–Co^III(dimethylglyoximate)(NO₂) coordination compound with both bridging and terminal –NO₂ (nitro) coordination modes has been isolated and characterized from the reaction of [CoCl(DMGH)₂(PPh₃)] (DMGH₂ is dimethylglyoxime or N,N′‐dihydroxybutane‐2,3‐diimine) with excess AgNO₂. In the title compound, namely bis(dimethylglyoximato‐1κ²O,O′)(μ‐nitro‐1κN:2κ²O,O′)(nitro‐1κN)bis(triphenylphosphane‐2κP)cobalt(III)silver(I), [AgCo(C₄H₇N₂O₂)₂(NO₂)₂(C₁₈H₁₅P)₂], one of the ambidentate –NO₂ ligands, in a bridging mode, chelates the Ag^I atom in an isobidentate κ²O,O′‐manner and its N atom is coordinated to the Co^III atom. The other –NO₂ ligand is terminally κN‐coordinated to the Co^III atom. The structure has been fully characterized by X‐ray crystallography and spectroscopic methods. Density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) have been used to study the ground‐state electronic structure and elucidate the origin of the electronic transitions, respectively.     

A Cobalt(I) Pincer Complex with an η2‐Caryl−H Agostic Bond: Facile C−H Bond Cleavage through Deprotonation,Radical Abstraction,and Oxidative Addition

The synthesis and reactivity of a Co^I pincer complex [Co(ϰ³P,CH,P‐P(CH)P^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺ featuring an η²‐ C_aryl−H agostic bond is described. This complex was obtained by protonation of the Co^I complex [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]. The Co^III hydride complex [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CNtBu)₂(H)]⁺ was obtained upon protonation of [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CNtBu)₂]. Three ways to cleave the agostic C−H bond are presented. First, owing to the acidity of the agostic proton, treatment with pyridine results in facile deprotonation (C−H bond cleavage) and reformation of [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]. Second, C−H bond cleavage is achieved upon exposure of [Co(ϰ³P,CH,P‐P(CH)P^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺ to oxygen or TEMPO to yield the paramagnetic Co^II PCP complex [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺. Finally, replacement of one CO ligand in [Co(ϰ³P,CH,P‐P(CH)P^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺ by CNtBu promotes the rapid oxidative addition of the agostic η²‐C_aryl−H bond to give two isomeric hydride complexes of the type [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CNtBu)(CO)(H)]⁺.     

A Cobalt(I) Pincer Complex with an η2‐Caryl−H Agostic Bond: Facile C−H Bond Cleavage through Deprotonation,Radical Abstraction,and Oxidative Addition

The synthesis and reactivity of a Co^I pincer complex [Co(?³P,CH,P‐P(CH)P^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺ featuring an η²‐ C_aryl?H agostic bond is described. This complex was obtained by protonation of the Co^I complex [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]. The Co^III hydride complex [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CNtBu)₂(H)]⁺ was obtained upon protonation of [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CNtBu)₂]. Three ways to cleave the agostic C?H bond are presented. First, owing to the acidity of the agostic proton, treatment with pyridine results in facile deprotonation (C?H bond cleavage) and reformation of [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]. Second, C?H bond cleavage is achieved upon exposure of [Co(?³P,CH,P‐P(CH)P^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺ to oxygen or TEMPO to yield the paramagnetic Co^II PCP complex [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺. Finally, replacement of one CO ligand in [Co(?³P,CH,P‐P(CH)P^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺ by CNtBu promotes the rapid oxidative addition of the agostic η²‐C_aryl?H bond to give two isomeric hydride complexes of the type [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CNtBu)(CO)(H)]⁺.     

Diminished electron density in the Vaska‐type rhodium(I) complex trans‐[Rh(NCBH3)(CO)(PPh3)2]

Vaska‐type complexes, i.e. trans‐[RhX(CO)(PPh₃)₂] (X is a halogen or pseudohalogen), undergo a range of reactions and exhibit considerable catalytic activity. The electron density on the Rh^I atom in these complexes plays an important role in their reactivity. Many cyanotrihydridoborate (BH₃CN⁻) complexes of Group 6–8 transition metals have been synthesized and structurally characterized, an exception being the rhodium(I) complex. Carbonyl(cyanotrihydridoborato‐κN)bis(triphenylphosphine‐κP)rhodium(I), [Rh(NCBH₃)(CO)(C₁₈H₁₅P)₂], was prepared by the metathesis reaction of sodium cyanotrihydridoborate with trans‐[RhCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂], and was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis and IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹B NMR spectroscopy. The X‐ray diffraction data indicate that the cyanotrihydridoborate ligand coordinates to the Rh^I atom through the N atom in a trans position with respect to the carbonyl ligand; this was also confirmed by the IR and NMR data. The carbonyl stretching frequency ν(CO) and the carbonyl carbon ¹J_C–Rh and ¹J_C–P coupling constants of the C_ipso atoms of the triphenylphosphine groups reflect the diminished electron density on the central Rh^I atom compared to the parent trans‐[RhCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂] complex.     

A cyanide‐bridged FeII–NdIII bimetallic assembly with a one‐dimensional ladder‐like chain structure

The title complex, catena‐poly[[[(2,2′‐bipyridine‐1κ²N,N′)tris(methanol‐2κO)(nitrato‐2κ²O,O′)‐μ‐cyanido‐1:2C:N‐cyanido‐1κC‐iron(II)neodymium(III)]‐di‐μ‐cyanido‐1:2′C:N;2:1′N:C] methanol solvate], {[Fe^IINd^III(CN)₄(NO₃)(C₁₀H₈N₂)(CH₃OH)₃]·CH₃OH}_n, is made up of ladder‐like one‐dimensional chains oriented along the c axis. Each ladder consists of two strands based on alternating Fe^II and Nd^III centers connected by cyanide bridges. Furthermore, two such parallel chains are connected by additional cyanide cross‐pieces (the `rungs' of the ladder), which likewise connect Fe^II and Nd^III centers, such that each [Fe(CN)₄(bipy)]²⁻ unit (bipy is 2,2′‐bipyridine) coordinates with three Nd^III centers and each Nd^III center connects with three different [Fe(CN)₄(bipy)]²⁻ units. In the complex, the iron(II) cation is six‐coordinated with a distorted octahedral geometry and the neodymium(III) cation is eight‐coordinated with a distorted dodecahedral environment.     

Alcohol oxidation reactions catalyzed by ruthenium–carbonyl complexes of thioarylazoimidazoles

Alcohols are oxidized by N‐methylmorpholine‐N‐oxide (NMO), Bu^tOOH and H₂O₂ to the corresponding aldehydes or ketones in the presence of catalyst, [RuH(CO)(PPh₃)₂(SRaaiNR′)]PF₆ ( 2 ) and [RuCl(CO)(PPh₃)(S_κRaaiNR′)]PF₆ ( 3 ) (SRaaiNR′ ( 1 ) = 1‐alkyl‐2‐{(o‐thioalkyl)phenylazo}imidazole, a bidentate N(imidazolyl) (N), N(azo) (N′) chelator and S_κRaaiNR′ is a tridentate N(imidazolyl) (N), N(azo) (N′), S_κ‐R is tridentate chelator; R and R′ are Me and Et). The single‐crystal X‐ray structures of [RuH(CO)(PPh₃)₂(SMeaaiNMe)]PF₆ ( 2a ) (SMeaaiNMe = 1‐methyl‐2‐{(o‐thioethyl)phenylazo}imidazole) and [RuH(CO)(PPh₃)₂(SEtaaiNEt)]PF₆ ( 2b ) (SEtaaiNEt = 1‐ethyl‐2‐{(o‐thioethyl)phenylazo}imidazole) show bidentate N,N′ chelation, while in [RuCl(CO)(PPh₃)(S_κEtaaiNEt)]PF₆ ( 3b ) the ligand S_κEtaaiNEt serves as tridentate N,N′,S chelator. The cyclic voltammogram shows Ru^III/Ru^II (~1.1 V) and Ru^IV/Ru^III (~1.7 V) couples of the complexes 2 while Ru^III/Ru^II (1.26 V) couple is observed only in 3 along with azo reductions in the potential window +2.0 to ?2.0 V. DFT computation has been used to explain the spectra and redox properties of the complexes. In the oxidation reaction NMO acts as best oxidant and [RuCl(CO)(PPh₃)(S_κRaaiNR′)](PF₆) ( 3 ) is the best catalyst. The formation of high‐valent Ru^IV=O species as a catalytic intermediate is proposed for the oxidation process. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pyridine-2-olato chelated ruthenium(II) organometallics incorporating imine-phenol function: spectroscopic,structural, electrochemical,and theoretical studies

The heterogeneous phase reaction of excess sodium salt of 2-hydroxypyridine (OHpy) with [Ru(κ²C,O-RL)(PPh₃)₂(CO)Cl] (1) afforded complexes of the type [Ru(κ¹C-RL)(PPh₃)₂(CO)(Opy)] (2) in excellent yield [κ²C,O-RL is 4-methyl-6-((N-R-arylimino)methyl)phenolato-C²,O), κ¹C-RL is 4-methyl-6-((N-R-arylimino)methyl)phenol-C²) and R is H, Me, OMe, Cl]. The chelation of Opy is attended with the cleavage of Ru-O and Ru-Cl bonds and iminium-phenolato → imine-phenol prototropic shift. The 1→2 conversion is irreversible and the type 2 species are thermodynamically more stable than the acetate, nitrite, and nitrate complexes of 1. The spectral (UV-vis, IR, NMR) and electrochemical data of the complexes are reported. In dichloromethane solution the complexes display one quasi-reversible Ru^III/Ru^II cyclic voltammetric response with E_1/2 in the range 0.65–0.69 V versus Ag/AgCl. The crystal and molecular structures of [Ru(κ¹C-HL)(PPh₃)₂(CO)(Opy)]·2C₆H₆·0.5H₂O, 2(H)·2C₆H₆·0.5H₂O and [Ru(κ¹C-ClL)(PPh₃)₂(CO)(Opy)]·2C₆H₆·0.25H₂O, 2(Cl)·2C₆H₆·0.25H₂O are reported, which revealed a distorted octahedral RuC₂P₂NO coordination sphere. The pairs (P,P), (C,O), and (C,N) define the three trans directions. The electronic structures of the complexes are also scrutinized by density functional theory.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Reactivity of Hydridoiridium Complexes Bearing a Pincer‐Type PSiP Ligand

A series of iridium tetrahydride complexes [Ir(H)₄(PSiP‐R)] bearing a tridentate pincer‐type bis(phosphino)silyl ligand ([{2‐(R₂P)C₆H₄}₂MeSi]⁻, PSiP‐R, R=Cy, iPr, or tBu) were synthesized by the reduction of [IrCl(H)(PSiP‐R)] with Me₄N ⋅ BH₄ under argon. The same reaction under a nitrogen atmosphere afforded a rare example of thermally stable iridium(III)–dinitrogen complexes, [Ir(H)₂(N₂)(PSiP‐R)]. Two isomeric dinitrogen complexes were produced, in which the PSiP ligand coordinated to the iridium center in meridional and facial orientations, respectively. Attempted substitution of the dinitrogen ligand in [Ir(H)₂(N₂)(PSiP‐Cy)] with PMe₃ required heating at 150 °C to give the expected [Ir(H)₂(PMe₃)(PSiP‐Cy)] and a trigonal bipyramidal iridium(I)–dinitrogen complex, [Ir(N₂)(PMe₃)(PSiP‐Cy)]. The reaction of [Ir(H)₄(PSiP‐Cy)] with three equivalents of 2‐norbornene (nbe) in benzene afforded [Ir^I(nbe)(PSiP‐Cy)] in a high yield, while a similar reaction of [Ir(H)₄(PSiP‐R)] with an excess of 3,3‐dimethylbutene (tbe) in benzene gave the C H bond activation product, [Ir^III(H)(Ph)(PSiP‐R)], in high yield. The oxidative addition of benzene is reversible; heating [Ir^III(H)(Ph)(PSiP‐Cy)] in the presence of PPh₃ in benzene resulted in reductive elimination of benzene, coordination of PPh₃, and activation of the C H bond of one aromatic ring in PPh₃. [Ir^III(H)(Ph)(PSiP‐R)] catalyzed a direct borylation reaction of the benzene C H bond with bis(pinacolato)diboron. Molecular structures of most of the new complexes in this study were determined by a single‐crystal X‐ray analysis.     

Shielding of Electron Acceptors Coordinated to Rhenium(I) by Carboxylato Groups. Intraligand and Charge‐Transfer Excited‐State Properties of fac‐(‘Anthraquinone‐2‐carboxylato')(2,2′‐bipyridine)tricarbonylrhenium (fac‐[ReI(aq‐2‐CO2)(2,2′‐bipy)(CO)3])

The photophysical and photochemical properties of (OC‐6‐33)‐(2,2′‐bipyridine‐κN¹,κN¹′)tricarbonyl(9,10‐dihydro‐9,10‐dioxoanthracene‐2‐carboxylato‐κO)rhenium (fac‐[Re^I(aq‐2‐CO₂)(2,2′‐bipy)(CO)₃]) were investigated and compared to those of the free ligand 9,10‐dihydro‐9,10‐dioxoanthracene‐2‐carboxylate (=anthraquinone‐2‐carboxylate) and other carboxylato complexes containing the (2,2′‐bipyridine)tricarbonylrhenium ([Re(2,2′‐bipy)(CO)₃]) moiety. Flash and steady‐state irradiations of the anthraquinone‐derived ligand (λ_exc 337 or 351 nm) and of its complex reveal that the photophysics of the latter is dominated by processes initiated in the Re‐to‐(2,2′‐bipyridine) charge‐transfer excited state and 2,2′‐bipyridine‐ and (anthraquinone‐2‐carboxylato)‐centered intraligand excited states. In the reductive quenching by N,N‐diethylethanamine (TEA) or 2,2′,2″‐nitrilotris[ethanol] TEOA, the reactive states are the 2,2′‐bipyridine‐centered and/or the charge‐transfer excited states. The species with a reduced anthraquinone moiety is formed by the following intramolecular electron transfer, after the redox quenching of the excited state: [Re^I(aq−2−CO₂)(2,2′‐bipy^.)(CO)₃]⁻⇌[Re^I(aq−2−CO₂^.)(2,2′‐bipy)(CO)₃]⁻ The photophysics, particularly the absence of a Re^I‐to‐anthraquinone charge‐transfer excited state photochemistry, is discussed in terms of the electrochemical and photochemical results.     

Hydrido‐sulfido‐bridged triangular Os3 cluster compounds with different phosphine ligand substitution patterns

In the course of our studies of trinuclear osmium cluster complexes with bridging sulfido and hydrido ligands, the new compounds Os₃(μ‐H)(μ‐SR)(CO)₉(PHCy₂) (Cy = cyclo­hexyl) with R = phenyl, (I) (nona­carbonyl‐1κ³C,2κ³C,3κ³C‐di­cyclo­hexyl­phosphine‐3κP‐μ‐hydrido‐1:2κ²H‐μ‐phenyl­thio‐1:2κ²S‐triangulo‐triosmium), [Os₃H(C₆H₅S)(C₁₂H₂₃P)(CO)₉], and R = naphthyl, (II) [nona­carbonyl‐1κ³C,2κ²C,3κ⁴C‐di­cyclo­hexyl­phosphine‐2κP‐μ‐hydrido‐1:2κ²H‐μ‐(2‐naphthyl­thio)‐1:2κ²S‐triangulo‐triosmium], [Os₃H(C₁₀H₇S)(C₁₂H₂₃P)(CO)₉], were prepared. We report on these two phosphine‐substituted complexes, which exhibit perceptible changes of the Os—Os bond parameters due to the ligand‐substitution pattern.     

Cationic Heterocycles as Ligands: Synthesis and Reactivity with Anionic Nucleophiles of Cationic Triruthenium Clusters Containing C‐Metalated N‐Methylquinoxalinium or N‐Methylpyrazinium Ligands

The cationic cluster complexes [Ru₃(CO)₁₀(μ‐H)(μ‐κ²N,C‐L¹Me)]⁺ ( 3 ⁺; HL¹=quinoxaline) and [Ru₃(CO)₁₀(μ‐H)(μ‐κ²N,C‐L²Me)]⁺ ( 5 ⁺; HL²=pyrazine) have been prepared as triflate salts by treatment of their neutral precursors [Ru₃(CO)₁₀(μ‐H)(μ‐κ²N,C‐Lⁿ)] with methyl triflate. The cationic character of their heterocyclic ligands is responsible for their enhanced tendency to react with anionic nucleophiles relative to that of hydrido triruthenium carbonyl clusters that have neutral N‐heterocyclic ligands. These clusters react instantaneously with methyl lithium and potassium tris‐sec‐butylborohydride (K‐selectride) to give neutral products that contain novel nonaromatic N‐heterocyclic ligands. The following are the products that have been isolated: [Ru₃(CO)₉(μ‐H)(μ₃‐κ²N,C‐L¹Me₂)] ( 6 ; from 3 ⁺ and methyl lithium), [Ru₃(CO)₉(μ‐H)(μ₃‐κ²N,C‐L¹HMe)] ( 7 ; from 3 ⁺ and K‐selectride), [Ru₃(CO)₉(μ‐H)(μ₃‐κ²N,C‐L²Me₂)] ( 8 ; from 5 ⁺ and methyl lithium), and [Ru₃(CO)₉(μ‐H)(μ₃‐κ²N,C‐L²HMe)] ( 11 ; from 5 ⁺ and K‐selectride). Whereas the reactions of 3 ⁺ lead to products that arise from the attack of the corresponding nucleophile at the C atom of the only CH group adjacent to the N‐methyl group, the reactions of 5 ⁺ give mixtures of two products that arise from the attack of the nucleophile at one of the C atoms located on either side of the N‐methyl group. The LUMOs and the atomic charges of 3 ⁺ and 5 ⁺ confirm that the reactions of these clusters with anionic nucleophiles are orbital‐controlled rather than charge‐controlled processes. The N‐heterocyclic ligands of all of these neutral products are attached to the metal atoms in nonconventional face‐capping modes. Those of compounds 6 – 8 have the atoms of a ligand C?N fragment σ‐bonded to two Ru atoms and π‐bonded to the other Ru atom, whereas the ligand of compound 11 has a C? N fragment attached to a Ru atom through the N atom and to the remaining two Ru atoms through the C atom. A variable‐temperature ¹H NMR spectroscopic study showed that the ligand of compound 7 is involved in a fluxional process at temperatures above ?93 °C, the mechanism of which has been satisfactorily modeled with the help of DFT calculations and involves the interconversion of the two enantiomers of this cluster through a conformational change of the ligand CH₂ group, which moves from one side of the plane of the heterocyclic ligand to the other, and a 180° rotation of the entire organic ligand over a face of the metal triangle.     

2‐(2′‐Pyridyl)‐4,6‐diphenylphosphinine versus 2‐(2′‐Pyridyl)‐4,6‐diphenylpyridine: Synthesis,Characterization, and Reactivity of Cationic RhIII and IrIII Complexes Based on Aromatic Phosphorus Heterocycles

The bidentate P,N hybrid ligand 1 allows access for the first time to novel cationic phosphinine‐based Rh^III and Ir^III complexes, broadening significantly the scope of low‐coordinate aromatic phosphorus heterocycles for potential applications. The coordination chemistry of 1 towards Rh^III and Ir^III was investigated and compared with the analogous 2,2′‐bipyridine derivative, 2‐(2′‐pyridyl)‐4,6‐diphenylpyridine ( 2 ), which showed significant differences. The molecular structures of [RhCl(Cp*)( 1 )]Cl and [IrCl(Cp*)( 1 )]Cl (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) were determined by means of X‐ray diffraction and confirm the mononuclear nature of the λ³‐phosphinine–Rh^III and Ir^III complexes. In contrast, a different reactivity and coordination behavior was found for the nitrogen analogue 2 , especially towards Rh^III as a bimetallic ion pair [RhCl(Cp*)( 2 )]⁺[RhCl₃(Cp*)]^? is formed rather than a mononuclear coordination compound. [RhCl(Cp*)( 1 )]Cl and [IrCl(Cp*)( 1 )]Cl react with water regio‐ and diastereoselectively at the external P?C double bond, leading exclusively to the anti‐addition products [MCl(Cp*)( 1 H ? OH)]Cl as confirmed by X‐ray crystal‐structure determination.     

Asymmetric diosmium sawhorse complexes

Three asymmetric diosmium(I) carbonyl sawhorse complexes have been prepared by microwave heating. One of these complexes is of the type Os₂(μ‐O₂CR)(μ‐O₂CR′)(CO)₄L₂, with two different bridging carboxylate ligands, while the other two complexes are of the type Os₂(μ‐O₂CR)₂(CO)₅L, with one axial CO ligand and one axial phosphane ligand. The mixed carboxylate complex Os₂(μ‐acetate)(μ‐propionate)(CO)₄[P(p‐tolyl)₃]₂, ( 1 ), was prepared by heating Os₃(CO)₁₂ with a mixture of acetic and propionic acids, isolating Os₂(μ‐acetate)(μ‐propionate)(CO)₆, and then replacing two CO ligands with two phosphane ligands. This is the first example of an Os₂ sawhorse complex with two different carboxylate bridges. The syntheses of Os₂(μ‐acetate)₂(CO)₅[P(p‐tolyl)₃], ( 3 ), and Os₂(μ‐propionate)₂(CO)₅[P(p‐tolyl)₃], ( 6 ), involved the reaction of Os₃(CO)₁₂ with the appropriate carboxylic acid to initially produce Os₂(μ‐carboxylate)₂(CO)₆, followed by treatment with refluxing tetrahydrofuran (THF) to form Os₂(μ‐carboxylate)₂(CO)₅(THF), and finally addition of tri‐p‐tolylphosphane to replace the THF ligand with the P(p‐tolyl)₃ ligand. Neutral complexes of the type Os₂(μ‐O₂CR)₂(CO)₅L had not previously been subjected to X‐ray crystallographic analysis. The more symmetrical disubstituted complexes, i.e. Os₂(μ‐formate)₂(CO)₄[P(p‐tolyl)₃]₂, ( 8 ), Os₂(μ‐acetate)₂(CO)₄[P(p‐tolyl)₃]₂, ( 4 ), and Os₂(μ‐propionate)₂(CO)₄[P(p‐tolyl)₃]₂, ( 7 ), as well as the previously reported symmetrical unsubstituted complexes Os₂(μ‐acetate)₂(CO)₆, ( 2 ), and Os₂(μ‐propionate)₂(CO)₆, ( 5 ), were also prepared in order to examine the influence of axial ligand substitution on the Os—Os bond distance in these sawhorse molecules. Eight crystal structures have been determined and studied, namely μ‐acetato‐1κO:2κO′‐μ‐propanoato‐1κO:2κO′‐bis[tris(4‐methylphenyl)phosphane]‐1κP,2κP′‐bis(dicarbonylosmium)(Os—Os) dichloromethane monosolvate, [Os₂(C₂H₃O₂)(C₃H₅O₂)(C₂₁H₂₁P)₂(CO)₄]·CH₂Cl₂, ( 1 ), bis(μ‐acetato‐1κO:2κO′)bis(tricarbonylosmium)(Os—Os), [Os₂(C₂H₃O₂)₂(CO)₆], ( 2 ) (redetermined structure), bis(μ‐acetato‐1κO:2κO′)pentacarbonyl‐1κ²C,2κ³C‐[tris(4‐methylphenyl)phosphane‐1κP]diosmium(Os—Os), [Os₂(C₂H₃O₂)₂(C₂₁H₂₁P)(CO)₅], ( 3 ), bis(μ‐acetato‐1κO:2κO′)bis[tris(4‐methylphenyl)phosphane]‐1κP,2κP‐bis(dicarbonylosmium)(Os—Os) p‐xylene sesquisolvate, [Os₂(C₂H₃O₂)₂(C₂₁H₂₁P)₂(CO)₄]·1.5C₈H₁₀, ( 4 ), bis(μ‐propanoato‐1κO:2κO′)bis(tricarbonylosmium)(Os—Os), [Os₂(C₃H₅O₂)₂(CO)₆], ( 5 ), pentacarbonyl‐1κ²C,2κ³C‐bis(μ‐propanoato‐1κO:2κO′)[tris(4‐methylphenyl)phosphane‐1κP]diosmium(Os—Os), [Os₂(C₃H₅O₂)₂(C₂₁H₂₁P)(CO)₅], ( 6 ), bis(μ‐propanoato‐1κO:2κO′)bis[tris(4‐methylphenyl)phosphane]‐1κP,2κP‐bis(dicarbonylosmium)(Os—Os) dichloromethane monosolvate, [Os₂(C₃H₅O₂)₂(C₂₁H₂₁P)₂(CO)₄]·CH₂Cl₂, ( 7 ), and bis(μ‐formato‐1κO:2κO′)bis[tris(4‐methylphenyl)phosphane]‐1κP,2κP‐bis(dicarbonylosmium)(Os—Os), [Os₂(CHO₂)₂(C₂₁H₂₁P)₂(CO)₄], ( 8 ).     

Ein‐ und zweikernige Rhodiumkomplexe mit Arsino(phosphino)methanen in unterschiedlichen Koordinationsformen

Mono‐ and Dinuclear Rhodium Complexes with Arsino(phosphino)methanes in Different Coordination Modes The cyclooctadiene complex [Rh(η⁴‐C₈H₁₂)(κ²‐tBu₂AsCH₂PiPr₂)](PF₆) ( 1a ) reacts with CO and CNtBu to give the substitution products [Rh(L)₂(κ²‐tBu₂AsCH₂PiPr₂)](PF₆) ( 2 , 3 ). From 1a and Na(acac) in the presence of CO the neutral compound [Rh(κ²‐acac)(CO)(κ‐P‐tBu₂AsCH₂PiPr₂)] ( 4 ) is formed. The reactions of 1a , the corresponding B(Ar_F)₄‐salt 1b and [Rh(η⁴‐C₈H₁₂)(κ²‐iPr₂AsCH₂PiPr₂)](PF₆) ( 5 ) with acetonitrile under a H₂ atmosphere affords the complexes [Rh(CH₃CN)₂(κ²‐R₂AsCH₂PiPr₂)]X ( 6a , 6b , 7 ), of which 6a (R = tBu; X = PF₆) gives upon treatment with Na(acac‐f₆) the bis(chelate) compound [Rh(κ²‐acac‐f₆)(κ²‐tBu₂AsCH₂PiPr₂)] ( 8 ). From 8 and CH₃I a mixture of two stereoisomers of composition [Rh(CH₃)I(κ²‐acac‐f₆)(κ²‐tBu₂AsCH₂PiPr₂)] ( 9/10 ) is generated by oxidative addition, and the molecular structure of the racemate 9 has been determined. The reactions of 1a and 5 with CO in the presence of NaCl leads to the formation of the “A‐frame” complexes [Rh₂(CO)₂(μ‐Cl)(μ‐R₂AsCH₂PiPr₂)₂](PF₆) ( 11 , 12 ), which have been characterized crystallographically. From 11 and 12 the dinuclear substitution products [Rh₂(CO)₂(μ‐X)(μ‐R₂AsCH₂PiPr₂)₂](PF₆) ( 13 ‐ 16 ) are obtained by replacing the bridging chloride for bromide, hydride or hydroxide, respectively. While 12 (R = iPr) reacts with NaI to give the related “A‐frame” complex 18 , treatment of 11 (R = tBu) with NaI yields the mononuclear chelate compound [RhI(CO)(κ²‐tBu₂AsCH₂PiPr₂)] ( 20 ). The reaction of 20 with CH₃I affords the acetyl complex [RhI₂{C(O)CH₃}(κ²‐tBu₂AsCH₂PiPr₂)] ( 21 ) with five‐coordinate rhodium atom.     

A new double‐cube nitride complex containing titanium and potassium

The reaction of the imide–nitride complex [{Ti(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)(μ‐NH)}₃(μ₃‐N)] with potassium iodide in pyridine at room temperature affords the adduct di‐μ‐iodido‐1:1′κ⁴I‐bis{tri‐μ₃‐imido‐1:2:3κ³N;1:2:4κ³N;1:3:4κ³N‐μ₃‐nitrido‐2:3:4κ³N‐tris[2,3,4(η⁵)‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl](pyridine‐1κN)‐tetrahedro‐potassiumtrititanium(IV)}, [K₂Ti₆(C₁₀H₁₅)₆I₂N₂(NH)₆(C₅H₅N)₂] or [(C₅H₅N)(μ‐I)K{(μ₃‐NH)₃Ti₃(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)₃(μ₃‐N)}]₂. The crystal structure contains two [KTi₃N₄] cube‐type units held together by two bridging I atoms. There is a centre of inversion located in the middle of this unprecedented discrete K₂I₂ unit. The geometry around K is best described as distorted trigonal prismatic, with three imide groups, two bridging I atoms and one pyridine ligand.     

Axial Ligand and Spin‐State Influence on the Formation and Reactivity of Hydroperoxo–Iron(III) Porphyrin Complexes

The present study focuses on the formation and reactivity of hydroperoxo–iron(III) porphyrin complexes formed in the [Fe^III(tpfpp)X]/H₂O₂/HOO^? system (TPFPP=5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)‐21H,23H‐porphyrin; X=Cl^? or CF₃SO₃^?) in acetonitrile under basic conditions at ?15 °C. Depending on the selected reaction conditions and the active form of the catalyst, the formation of high‐spin [Fe^III(tpfpp)(OOH)] and low‐spin [Fe^III(tpfpp)(OH)(OOH)] could be observed with the application of a low‐temperature rapid‐scan UV/Vis spectroscopic technique. Axial ligation and the spin state of the iron(III) center control the mode of O? O bond cleavage in the corresponding hydroperoxo porphyrin species. A mechanistic changeover from homo‐ to heterolytic O? O bond cleavage is observed for high‐ [Fe^III(tpfpp)(OOH)] and low‐spin [Fe^III(tpfpp)(OH)(OOH)] complexes, respectively. In contrast to other iron(III) hydroperoxo complexes with electron‐rich porphyrin ligands, electron‐deficient [Fe^III(tpfpp)(OH)(OOH)] was stable under relatively mild conditions and could therefore be investigated directly in the oxygenation reactions of selected organic substrates. The very low reactivity of [Fe^III(tpfpp)(OH)(OOH)] towards organic substrates implied that the ferric hydroperoxo intermediate must be a very sluggish oxidant compared with the iron(IV)–oxo porphyrin π‐cation radical intermediate in the catalytic oxygenation reactions of cytochrome P450.     

[RhIII(dmbpy)2Cl2]+ as a Highly Efficient Catalyst for Visible‐Light‐Driven Hydrogen Production in Pure Water: Comparison with Other Rhodium Catalysts

We report a very efficient homogeneous system for the visible‐light‐driven hydrogen production in pure aqueous solution at room temperature. This comprises [Rh^III(dmbpy)₂Cl₂]Cl ( 1 ) as catalyst, [Ru(bpy)₃]Cl₂ ( PS1 ) as photosensitizer, and ascorbate as sacrificial electron donor. Comparative studies in aqueous solutions also performed with other known rhodium catalysts, or with an iridium photosensitizer, show that 1) the PS1 / 1 /ascorbate/ascorbic acid system is by far the most active rhodium‐based homogeneous photocatalytic system for hydrogen production in a purely aqueous medium when compared to the previously reported rhodium catalysts, Na₃[Rh^I(dpm)₃Cl] and [Rh^III(bpy)Cp*(H₂O)]SO₄ and 2) the system is less efficient when [Ir^III(ppy)₂(bpy)]Cl ( PS2 ) is used as photosensitizer. Because catalyst 1 is the most efficient rhodium‐based H₂‐evolving catalyst in water, the performance limits of this complex were further investigated by varying the PS1 / 1 ratio at pH 4.0. Under optimal conditions, the system gives up to 1010 turnovers versus the catalyst with an initial turnover frequency as high as 857 TON h^?1. Nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy measurements show that the initial step of the photocatalytic H₂‐evolution mechanism is a reductive quenching of the PS1 excited state by ascorbate, leading to the reduced form of PS1 , which is then able to reduce [Rh^III(dmbpy)₂Cl₂]⁺ to [Rh^I(dmbpy)₂]⁺. This reduced species can react with protons to yield the hydride [Rh^III(H)(dmbpy)₂(H₂O)]²⁺, which is the key intermediate for the H₂ production.