Generation and reactions of ruthenium phosphido complexes [(eta5-C5H5)Ru(PR'3)2(PR2)]: remarkably high phosphorus basicities and applications as ligands for palladium-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reactions

Reactions of [(eta5-C5H5)Ru(PR'3)2(Cl)] with NaBAr(F) [BAr(F)-=B{3,5-[C6H3(CF3)2]}4-; PR'3=PEt3 or 1/2Et2PCH2CH2PEt2) (depe)] and PR2H (R=Ph, a; tBu, b; Cy, c) in C6H5F, or of related cationic Ru(N2) complexes with PR2H in C6H5F, gave the secondary phosphine complexes [(eta5-C5H5)Ru(PR'3)2(PR2H)]+ BAr(F)- (PR'3=PEt3, 3 a-c; 1/2depe, 4 a,b) in 65-91 % yields. Additions of tBuOK (3 a, 4 a; [D6]acetone) or NaN(SiMe3)2 (3 b,c, 4 b; [D8]THF) gave the title complexes [(eta5-C5H5)Ru(PEt3)2(PR2)] (5 a-c) and [(eta5-C5H5)Ru(depe)(PR2)] (6 a,b) in high spectroscopic yields. These complexes were rapidly oxidized in air; with 5 a, [(eta5-C5H5)Ru(PEt3)2{P(=O)Ph2}] was isolated (>99 %). The reaction of 5 a and elemental selenium yielded [(eta5-C5H5)Ru(PEt3)2{P(=Se)Ph2}] (70 %); selenides from 5 c and 6 a were characterized in situ. Competitive deprotonation reactions showed that 5 a is more basic than the rhenium analog [(eta5-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3)(PPh2)], and that 6 b is more basic than PtBu3 and P(iPrNCH2CH2)3N. The latter is one of the most basic trivalent phosphorus compounds [pK(a)(acetonitrile) 33.6]. Complexes 5 a-c and 6 b are effective ligands for Pd(OAc)2-catalyzed Suzuki coupling reactions: 6 b gave a catalyst nearly as active as the benchmark organophosphine PtBu3; 5 a, with a less bulky and electron-rich PR2 moiety, gave a less active catalyst. The reaction of 5 a and [(eta3-C3H5)Pd(NCPh)2]+ BF4- gave the bridging phosphido complex [(eta5-C5H5)Ru(PEt3)2(PPh2)Pd(NCPh)(eta3-C3H5)]+ BAr(F)- in approximately 90 % purity. The crystal structure of 4 a is described, as well as substitution reactions of 3 b and 4 b.     

Oxygen capture by lithiated organozinc reagents containing aromatic 2-pyridylamide ligands

The sequential reaction of ZnMe2 with a 2-pyridylamine (HN(2-C5H4N)R, R = Ph: 1; 3,5-Xy (=3,5-xylyl): 2; 2,6-Xy: 3; Bz (=benzyl): 4; Me: 5), tBuLi and thereafter with oxygen affords various lithium zincate species, the solid-state structures of which reveal a diversity of oxo-capture modes. Amine 1 reacts to give both dimeric THF [Li(Me)OZn[N(2-C5H4N)Ph]2] (6), wherein oxygen has inserted into the Zn-C bond of a [MeZn[N(2-C5H4N)-Ph]2] ion, and the trigonal Li2Zn complex, bis(OtBu)-capped (THF x Li)2-[[(mu3-O)tBu]2Zn[N(2-C5H4N)Ph]2] (7). The structural analogue of 6 (8) results from the employment of 2, while the use of more sterically congested 3 yields a pseudo-cubane dimer [(THF x [Li(tBu)OZn(OtBu)Me]]2] (9) notable for the retention of labile Zn-C(Me). Amines 4 and 5 afford the oxo-encapsulation products [mu4-O)Zn4[(2-C5H4N)-NBz]6] (10b), and [tBu(mu3-O)-Li3(mu6-O)Zn3[(2-C5H4N)NMe]6] (11), respectively, with concomitant oxo-insertion into a Li-C interaction resulting in capping of the fac-isomeric (mu6-O)M3M'3 distorted octahedral core of the latter complex by a tert-butoxide group.     

Oxidation reactions of the phosphinidene oxide ligand

The (H-DBU)+ salt of the anionic phosphinidene oxide complex [MoCp(CO)2{P(O)R*}]- (1) (DBU = 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene; R* = 2,4,6-C6H2tBu3) reacts with different oxidizing agents, displaying a multisite activity located at the Mo and P atoms or at the Mo=P bond. Thus, reaction of 1 with [FeCp2]BF4 gives the dimer [Mo2Cp2(CO)4{P(O)R*}2], and reaction with bromine gives the phosphinous acid complex [MoBrCp{P(OH)(CH2CMe2C6H2tBu2}(CO)2], the latter arising from an unprecedented C-H bond addition to the oxide P=O moiety. In contrast, reaction of 1 with p-benzoquinone occurs at the P site to give the P,O-bound phosphonite complex [MoCp{kappa2-OP(OC6H4OH)R*}(CO)2]. Finally, oxygen or sulfur atoms are added to the Mo=P bond by reaction of 1 with Me2CO2 and S8 to give the novel dioxophosphorane or thiooxophosphorane complexes [MoCp(CO)2{kappa2-EP(O)R*}]- (E = O, S). The thiooxophosphorane anion is a good nucleophile and is methylated at either the S or O positions depending on the electrophile used (MeI or (Me3O)BF4) to give the isomers [MoCp{kappa2-(MeS)P(O)R*}(CO)2] and [MoCp{kappa2-SP(OMe)R*}(CO)2], both having novel organophosphorus ligands.     

The elusive structures of pentakis[(triphenylphosphine)gold]ammonium(2+) bi

[Pentakis[(triphenylphosphine)gold(I)]ammonium(2+)] bis[(tetrafluoroborate)(1-)] was prepared from [tetrakis[(triphenylphosphine)gold(I)]-ammonium(1+)] [tetrafluoroborate(1-)] and [(triphenylphosphine)gold(I)] tetrafluoroborate in hexamethyl phosphoric triamide and tetrahydrofuran at 20 degrees C in 53% yield and crystallized from dichloromethane as the new solvate [[(Ph3P)Au]5N]3 [BF4]6 [CH2Cl2]4. The crystal structure of this product has been determined by single-crystal X-ray methods [monoclinic, P2(1/n), a = 34.200(3), b = 15.285(1), c = 53.127(3) A, beta = 107.262(2) degrees, V = 26521(3) A3, Z = 12, at 153 K]. The lattice contains three independent trinuclear dications that have no crystallographically imposed symmetry and are mutually similar in their molecular structure. The geometry of the [Au5N] core with pentacoordinate nitrogen atoms is intermediate between trigonal-bipyramidal and square pyramidal with severe distortions to minimize the Au-Au distances along some of the edges of the polyhedra. The three structures are thus different from that found previously in the tetrahydrofuran solvate [[(Ph3P)-Au]5N](BF4)2(C4H8O)2, where the geometry of the same trinuclear dication is closer to the trigonal-bipyramidal reference model. The new results are discussed in the light of the structures of tetra(gold)ammonium cations in salts of the type [[(Ph3P)Au]4N]+X- and of related tetra-, penta-, and hexacoordinate poly(gold)phosphonium, -arsonium, -sulfonium, and -selenonium cations.     

Chemistry of the phosphinidene oxide ligand

Reaction of [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PHR*)(CO)4] with DBU followed by O2 gives the first anionic phosphinidene oxide complex (H-DBU)[MoCp{P(O)R*}(CO)2] (1) (DBU = 1,8-diazabicyclo [5.4.0] undec-7-ene; R* = 2,4,6-C6H2tBu3). This anion displays three different nucleophilic sites located at the O, P, and Mo atoms, as illustrated by the reactions reported. Thus, reaction of 1 with excess HBF4.OEt2 gave the fluorophosphide complex [MoCp(PFR*)(CO)2] via the hidroxophosphide intermediate [MoCp{PR*(OH)}(CO)2]. Related alkoxyphosphide compounds [MoCp{P(OR)R*}(CO)2] (R = Me, C(O)Ph) were prepared by reaction of 1 with [Me3O]BF4 and PhC(O)Cl, respectively, whereas reaction of 1 with MeI or C3H5Br gave the P,O-bound phosphinite complexes [MoCp(kappa2-OPRR*)(CO)2] (R = Me, C3H5). Metal-based electrophiles were found to bind at either O or Mo positions. Thus, reaction of 1 with [ZrCl2Cp2] gave the phosphinidene oxide bridged [MoCp{P(OZrClCp2)R*}(CO)2], whereas reaction with SnPh3Cl gave trans-[MoCp{P(O)R*}(CO)2(SnPh3)], an heterometallic complex having an intact terminal P(O)R* ligand.     

Gold derivatives of scorpionates: comparison with the other coinage metal poly(pyrazolyl)borate analogues

Gold derivatives [Au(Tpx)(PR3)](Tpx = Tp, hydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate or Tp*, hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate; R = Ph or tBu) and [Au(pzTp)(PR3)x](pzTp = tetrakis(pyrazol-1-yl)borate, x = 1 or 2, R = Ph or tBu) have been synthesised and characterized both in solution (1H- and 31P[1H]-NMR) and in the solid state (IR, single crystal X-ray structure analysis, 31P CPMAS). 31P [1H] NMR solution data suggest greater stability of the tetrakis(pyrazolyl)borate relative to those of tris(pyrazolyl)borate. All compounds are fluxional at room temperature. In order to compare [Au(Tp*)(PPh3)] with analogous coinage metal adducts we have synthesized and structurally characterized [Cu(Tp*)(PPh3)] x PPh3 and [Ag(Tp*)(PPh3)] x 2MeCN. In [Au(Tp*)(PPh3)] the gold atom adopts a distorted tetrahedral geometry with 2.181(5) and 2.37(2) angstroms (cf. 2.166(6), 2.098(1) in [Cu(Tp*)PPh3], 2.156(2), 2.075(7) in [Cu(Tp*)(PPh3)] x PPh3; and in [Ag(Tp*)PPh3] x MeCN 2.347(12), 2.35(5) angstroms). There are three independent [Au(Tp*)(PPh3)] molecules in the asymmetric unit of the structure with their PAu...B axes lying on the cell diagonal of a cubic P213 cell, two with the same chirality aligned opposed in direction to the third which is of opposite chirality. A number of Cu, Ag and Au complexes containing scorpionate ligands have also been investigated by 31P cross-polarization magic-angle-spinning (CPMAS) NMR spectroscopy.     

Mixed-transition-metal acetylides: synthesis and characterization of complexes with up to six different transition metals connected by carbon-rich bridging units

The synthesis and reaction chemistry of heteromultimetallic transition-metal complexes by linking diverse metal-complex building blocks with multifunctional carbon-rich alkynyl-, benzene-, and bipyridyl-based bridging units is discussed. In context with this background, the preparation of [1-{(eta(2)-dppf)(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))RuC[triple bond]C}-3-{(tBu(2)bpy)(CO)(3)ReC[triple bond]C}-5-(PPh(2))C(6)H(3)] (10) (dppf = 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene; tBu(2)bpy = 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridyl; Ph = phenyl) is described; this complex can react further, leading to the successful synthesis of heterometallic complexes of higher nuclearity. Heterotetrametallic transition-metal compounds were formed when 10 was reacted with [{(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))RhCl(2)}(2)] (18), [(Et(2)S)(2)PtCl(2)] (20) or [(tht)AuC[triple bond]C-bpy] (24) (Me = methyl; Et = ethyl; tht = tetrahydrothiophene; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl-5-yl). Complexes [1-{(eta(2)-dppf)(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))RuC[triple bond]C}-3-{(tBu(2)bpy)(CO)(3)ReC[triple bond]C}-5-{PPh(2)RhCl(2)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))}C(6)H(3)] (19), [{1-[(eta(2)-dppf)(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))RuC[triple bond]C]-3-[(tBu(2)bpy)(CO)(3)ReC[triple bond]C]-5-(PPh(2))C(6)H(3)}(2)PtCl(2)] (21), and [1-{(eta(2)-dppf)(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))RuC[triple bond]C}-3-{(tBu(2)bpy)(CO)(3)ReC[triple bond]C}-5-{PPh(2)AuC[triple bond]C-bpy}C(6)H(3)] (25) were thereby obtained in good yield. After a prolonged time in solution, complex 25 undergoes a transmetallation reaction to produce [(tBu(2)bpy)(CO)(3)ReC[triple bond]C-bpy] (26). Moreover, the bipyridyl building block in 25 allowed the synthesis of Fe-Ru-Re-Au-Mo- (28) and Fe-Ru-Re-Au-Cu-Ti-based (30) assemblies on addition of [(nbd)Mo(CO)(4)] (27), (nbd = 1,5-norbornadiene), or [{[Ti](mu-sigma,pi-C[triple bond]CSiMe(3))(2)}Cu(N[triple bond]CMe)][PF(6)] (29) ([Ti] = (eta(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)Ti) to 25. The identities of 5, 6, 8, 10-12, 14-16, 19, 21, 25, 26, 28, and 30 have been confirmed by elemental analysis and IR, (1)H, (13)C{(1)H}, and (31)P{(1)H} NMR spectroscopy. From selected samples ESI-TOF mass spectra were measured. The solid-state structures of 8, 12, 19 and 26 were additionally solved by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis, confirming the structural assignment made from spectroscopy.     

Sterically encumbered acyclic diphosphazanes: synthesis, conformations and coordination behavior

The reaction between lambda3-diphosphazane [EtN(PCl2)2] and the sodium salts of substituted phenols affords sterically encumbered diphosphazanes [EtN{P(OR)2}2] (R = -C6H3iPr2-2,6 (1), -C6H3Me2-2,6 (2) and -C6H2Me3-2,4,6 (3)). When the same reaction was carried out with bulky sodium 2,4-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenoxide, only a monosubstitution takes place to result in the formation of [EtN{PCl(OR)}2] (R = -C6H2tBu2-2,6-Me-4) (4). Further reaction of 2 with [Mo(CO)4(NBD)] produces cis-[(EtN{P(OC6H3Me2-2,6)2}2)Mo(CO)4] (5). Diphosphazanes 1-4 and the metal derivative 5 have been characterized by means of their analytical data and EI-MS, IR and multinuclear NMR (1H and 31P) spectral data. The solid-state structure of the diphosphazanes 1, 2 and 4, and the molybdenum complex 5 have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies. Irrespective of the size of substituent, the bulky groups on the phosphorus and nitrogen are on the same side of the P-N-P skeleton with a local C2v symmetry. The central nitrogen remains almost trigonal planar in all the compounds.     

Unprecedented formation of novel phosphonodithioate ligands from diferrocenyldithiadiphosphetane disulfide

The reaction of the phosphetane disulfide, FcP(S)S 2P(S)Fc ( 1) (Fc = (eta (5)-C 5H 5)Fe(eta (5)-C 5H 4)), the ferrocenyl analogue of the Lawesson reagent, with gold and palladium complexes leads to the unprecedented formation of phosphonodithioate ligands upon coordination to the metal centers. The reaction of 1 with gold complexes such as [AuCl(PR 3)] affords the species [Au{S 2P(OH)Fc}(PR 3)] (PR 3 = PPh 3 ( 2), PPh 2Me ( 3)), in which the phosphonodithioate ligand Fc(OH)PS 2 (-) has been formed. The same ligand is present in the compound [Au 2{S 2P(OH)Fc} 2].[N(PPh 3) 2]Cl ( 4), obtained by reaction of 1 with [N(PPh 3) 2][AuCl 2]. It crystallizes with one molecule of [N(PPh 3) 2]Cl, whereby complex 4 acts as an anion receptor and forms strong hydrogen bonds between the chloro and the hydroxyl groups. The reaction with palladium derivatives is different; two complexes, [Pd 2(S 4OP 2Fc 2) 2] ( 5) and [Pd 4Cl 4(S 4OP 2Fc 2) 2] ( 6), are obtained in molar ratio 2:1 and 1:1, respectively. In these complexes a new phosphonodithioate ligand is present and probably arises from the condensation of two molecules of Fc(OH)PS 2 (-). Complex 5 has also been characterized by X-ray methods.     

Gold(I) phosphido complexes: synthesis, structure, and reactivity

Deprotonation of the phosphine complexes Au(PHR(2))Cl with aqueous ammonia gave the gold(I) phosphido complexes [Au(PR(2))](n)() (PR(2) = PMes(2) (1), PCy(2) (2), P(t-Bu)(2) (3), PIs(2) (4), PPhMes (5), PHMes (6); Mes = 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2), Is = 2,4,6-(i-Pr)(3)C(6)H(2), Mes = 2,4,6-(t-Bu)(3)C(6)H(2), Cy = cyclo-C(6)H(11)). (31)P NMR spectroscopy showed that these complexes exist in solution as mixtures, presumably oligomeric rings of different sizes. X-ray crystallographic structure determinations on single oligomers of 1-4 revealed rings of varying size (n = 4, 6, 6, and 3, respectively) and conformation. Reactions of 1-3 and 5 with PPN[AuCl(2)] gave PPN[(AuCl)(2)(micro-PR(2))] (9-12, PPN = (PPh(3))(2)N(+)). Treatment of 3 with the reagents HI, I(2), ArSH, LiP(t-Bu)(2), and [PH(2)(t-Bu)(2)]BF(4) gave respectively Au(PH(t-Bu)(2))(I) (14), Au(PI(t-Bu)(2))(I) (15), Au(PH(t-Bu)(2))(SAr) (16, Ar = p-t-BuC(6)H(4)), Li[Au(P(t-Bu)(2))(2)] (17), and [Au(PH(t-Bu)(2))(2)]BF(4) (19).     

Dinuclear gold(I) dithiophosphonate complexes: synthesis,luminescent properties,and X-ray crystal structures of [AuS(2)PR(OR')](2) (R = Ph,R' = C(5)H(9); R = 4-C(6)H(4)OMe,R' = (1S,5R,2S)-(--)-menthyl; R = Fc,R' = (CH(2))(2)O(CH(2))(2)OMe)

2,4-Diaryl- and 2,4-diferrocenyl-1,3-dithiadiphosphetane disulfide dimers (RP(S)S)(2) (R = Ph (1a), 4-C(6)H(4)OMe (1b), FeC(10)H(9) (Fc) (1c)) react with a variety of alcohols, silanols, and trialkylsilyl alcohols to form new dithiophosphonic acids in a facile manner. Their corresponding salts react with chlorogold(I) complexes in THF to produce dinuclear gold(I) dithiophosphonate complexes of the type [AuS(2)PR(OR')](2) in satisfactory yield. The asymmetrical nature of the ligands allows for the gold complexes to form two isomers (cis and trans) as verified by solution (1)H and (31)P[(1)H] NMR studies. The X-ray crystal structures of [AuS(2)PR(OR')](2) (R = Ph, R' = C(5)H(9) (2); R = 4-C(6)H(4)OMe, R' = (1S,5R,2S)-(-)-menthyl (3); R = Fc, R' = (CH(2))(2)O(CH(2))(2)OMe (4)) have been determined. In all cases only the trans isomer is obtained, consistent with solid state (31)P NMR data obtained for the bulk powder of 3. Crystallographic data for 2 (213 K): orthorhombic, Ibam, a = 12.434(5) A, b = 19.029(9) A, c = 11.760(4) A, V = 2782(2) A(3), Z = 4. Data for 3 (293 K): monoclinic, P2(1), a = 7.288(2) A, b = 12.676(3) A, c = 21.826(4) A, beta = 92.04(3) degrees, V = 2015.0(7) A(3), Z = 2. Data for 4 (213 K): monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 11.8564(7) A, b = 22.483(1) A, c = 27.840(2) A, beta = 91.121(1) degrees, V = 7419.8(8) A(3), Z = 8. Moreover, 1a-c react with [Au(2)(dppm)Cl(2)] to form new heterobridged trithiophosphonate complexes of the type [Au(2)(dppm)(S(2)P(S)R)] (R = Fc (12)). The luminescence properties of several structurally characterized complexes have been investigated. Each of the title compounds luminesces at 77 K. The results indicate that the nature of Au...Au interactions in the solid state has a profound influence on the optical properties of these complexes.     

Formation of a cyclobutylidene ring: intramolecular [2 + 2] cycloaddition of allyl and vinylidene C=C bonds under mild conditions

Intramolecular [2 + 2] cycloaddition of two C=C bonds in vinylidene complexes [Ru(eta5-C9H7){=C=C(R)H}(PPh3){kappa1-(P)-PPh2(C3H5)][BF4] affords cyclobutylidene complexes [Ru(eta5-C9H7){kappa2-(P,C)-(=CC(R)HCH2CHCH2PPh2)}(PPh3)][BF4], which can be also obtained by reaction of terminal alkynes with [Ru(eta5-C9H7)(PPh3){kappa3-(P,C,C)-PPh2(C3H5)}][PF6]. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions via vinylidene complexes, and the activation parameters were determined by kinetic studies.     

Electrical properties and electronic states of molecular conductors based on unsymmetrical organometallic-dithiolene gold(III) complexes

The electronic properties of cation radical salts derived from organometallic mixed-ligand complexes [(ppy)Au(S-S)](ppy- = C-dehydro-2-phenylpyridine(-); S-S(2-) = dithiolene ligand) with Au(III)-C sigma-bond were investigated. A 2:1 salt complex [(ppy)Au(C8H4S8)]2[PF6] (C8H4S8(2-) = 2-((4,5-ethylenedithio)-1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene)-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolate(2-)) exhibited semiconductive behavior under ambient pressure (rho rt = 2.6 Omega cm, Ea = 0.03 eV). Magnetic measurements show that it is a Mott insulator close to the metal-insulator boundary. Raman and infrared spectra have revealed that the complex has a quasi-one-dimensional dimeric structure consisting of uniformly charged donor molecules. The complex exhibits metallic behavior at pressures above 0.8 GPa. In contrast, a similar compound [(ppy)Au(C8H4S6O2)]2[BF4] (C8H4S6O2(2-) = 2-((4,5-ethylenedioxy)-1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene)-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolate(2-)) is a band insulator.     

Vinyl and carbene ruthenium(II) complexes from hydridoruthenium(II) precursors

The reactions of the hydrido compounds [RuHCl(CO)(L)2][L = PiPr3 (1), PCy3 (2)] with HC(triple bond)CR (R = H, Ph, tBu) afforded by insertion of the alkyne into the Ru-H bond the corresponding vinyl complexes [RuCl(CHCHR)(CO)(L)2], 3-8, which upon protonation with HBF4 gave the cationic five-coordinated ruthenium carbenes [RuCl(CHCH2R)(CO)(L)2]BF4, 9-14. Subsequent reactions of the carbene complexes with PR3(R = Me, iPr) and CH3CN led either to deprotonation and re-generation of the vinyl compounds or to cleavage of the ruthenium-carbene bond and the formation of the six-coordinated complexes [RuCl(CO)(CH3CN)2(PiPr3)2]BF4, 17, and [RuH(CO)(CH3CN)2(PiPr3)2]X, 18a,b. The acetato derivative [RuH(2-O2CCH3)(CO)(PCy3)2], 19, also reacted with acetylene and phenylacetylene by insertion to yield the related vinyl complexes [Ru(CHCHR)(kappa2-O2CCH3)(CO)(PCy3)2], 20, 21, of which that with R = H was protonated with HBF4 to yield the corresponding cationic ruthenium carbene 22. With [RuHCl(H2)(PCy3)2], 25, as the starting material, the five-coordinated chloro(hydrido)ruthenium(II) compounds [RuHCl(PCy3)(dppf)], 26(dppf = [Fe(eta5-C5H4PPh2)2]), [RuHCl[Sb(CH2Ph)3](PCy3)2], 27, and [RuHCl(CH3CN)(PCy3)2], 30, were prepared. The reactions of 27 with HCCR (R = H, Ph) gave the hydrido(vinylidene) complexes [RuHCl(CCHR)(PCy3)2], 28 and 29, whereas treatment of 30 with HC(triple bond)CPh afforded the vinyl compound [RuCl(CHCHPh)(CH3CN)(PCy3)2], 31. The molecular structures of 11(R = tBu, L = PiPr3) and 26 were determined crystallographically.     

Nickel(II) hydride and fluoride pincer complexes and their reactivity with Lewis acids BX3·L (X = H, L = thf; X = F, L = Et2O)

Reaction of the pincer hydride complex ((tBu)PCP)Ni(H) [(tBu)PCP = 2,6-C(6)H(3)(CH(2)P(t)Bu(2))(2)] with BH(3)·thf in THF at 190 K generates the corresponding borohydride complex ((tBu)PCP)Ni(BH(4)). The kinetically stable (but thermodynamically unstable) species undergoes reversible borane loss. The related fluoride complex ((tBu)PCP)Ni(F) shows the same reactivity towards BF(3)·Et(2)O, producing ((tBu)PCP)Ni(BF(4)) as the main final product. The processes were followed through multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations, at the M06//6-31+G(d,p) level of theory.     

A new series of dinuclear Au(I) complexes linked by diethynylpyridine groups

A series of novel digold complexes incorporating ethynyl pyridine derivatives as a spacer unit, [(R(3)P)Au(C[triple bond]C)X(C[triple bond]C)Au(PR(3))] (R = Ph, X = 2,5-pyridine (1); R = Cy (cyclohexane), X = 2,5-pyridine (2); R = Ph, X = 2,6-pyridine (3); R = Ph, X = 2,5'-bipyridine (4); R = Ph, X = 2,6'-bipyridine (5)), has been synthesised. All the complexes have been characterised spectroscopically and the structures determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The central (C[triple bond]C)(X)(C[triple bond]C) unit is essentially linear for complexes 1, 2 and 4 and kinked for complexes 3 and 5, but only in 1, with the shortest spacer group and the less bulky phosphine ligand, is there evidence of d(10)...d(10) Au...Au interactions (Au-Au 3.351(2) A). The solution UV/visible absorption and emission spectra for all the complexes are similar to those of the free ligands suggesting that the spectra are dominated by pi-pi* ligand-centred transitions and this is confirmed by DFT calculations.     

Synthesis and structure of boron-bridged constrained geometry complexes of titanium

The boron-bridged constrained geometry titanium complexes [Ti[eta5:eta1-(C5H4)B(NR2)NPh](NMe2)2][R = iPr (3), SiMe3(4)] and [Ti[eta5:eta1-(C9H6)B(NiPr2)NPh](NMe2)2](12) have been prepared in good yields by amine elimination reaction from [Ti(NMe2)4]. Subsequent deamination-chlorination with excess Me3SiCl yielded the corresponding dichloro-complexes (5, 6, 13). Reaction of the analogous ligand precursors (C5H5)B(NiPr2)N(H)R (R = Cy, tBu) with [Ti(NMe2)4] did not result in the expected bridged compounds, but rather in the half-sandwich complexes [Ti[(eta5-C5H4)B(NiPr2)N(H)R](NMe2)3][R = Cy (9), tBu (10)]. All compounds were fully characterised by means of multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. Thorough investigation of substituent effects was achieved by comparative X-ray diffraction studies on complexes 3, 5, 6 and 12.     

Luminescent digold ethynyl thienothiophene and dithienothiophene complexes; their synthesis and structural characterisation

A series of protected and terminal dialkynes with extended pi-conjugation through the fused oligothienyl linker unit in the backbone, 2,5-bis(trimethylsilylethynyl)thieno[3,2-b]thiophene 1a, 5,5'-bis(trimethylsilylethynyl)dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]thiophene 1b, 2,5-bis(ethynyl)thieno[3,2-b]thiophene 2a, 5,5'-bis(ethynyl)dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]thiophene 2b, has been synthesized and characterised. The digold alkynyl complexes [(Ph3P)Au(C[triple bond]C)(C6H2S2)(C[triple bond]C)Au(PPh3)] 3a and [(Ph3P)Au(C[triple bond]C)(C8H2S3)(C[triple bond]C)Au(PPh3)] 3b have then been prepared by the reaction of two equivalents of Ph3PAuCl and a methanolic KOH solution of 1a and 1b, respectively. The complexes have been characterised spectroscopically. The crystal structures show that the gold centres adopt a linear two-coordinate geometry appropriate for Au(i) complexes. Within the crystals adjacent molecules are linked by Au...S intermolecular interactions in the range 3.48-3.89 A, but there are no short Au...Au contacts. The absence of Au...Au interactions in solution is confirmed by UV/visible absorption and emission spectroscopy, the spectra being dominated by ligand-centred pi-pi* interactions.     

Four-coordinate phosphinidene complexes of titanium prepared by alpha-H-migration: phospha-Staudinger and phosphaalkene-insertion reactions

alpha-Hydrogen migration in the phosphide (Nacnac)Ti=CHtBu(PHR) (Nacnac- = [Ar]NC(Me)CHC(Me)N[Ar], Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3, R = C6H11, 2,4,6-iPr3C6H2, 2,4,6-tBuC6H2), prepared from salt metathesis of (Nacnac)Ti=CHtBu(PHR) with LiPHR, generates terminal and four-coordinate phosphinidene complexes (Nacnac)Ti=PR(CH2tBu), one of which was structurally characterized (R = 2,4,6-tBu3C6H2). Phosphinidene intermediate (Nacnac)Ti=PR(CH2tBu) (R = C6H11, 2,4,6-iPr3C6H2) transform to ([Ar]NC(Me)CHC(Me)P[R][CH2tBu])Ti=NAr(OEt2) through "phospha-Staudinger" and subsequent phosphaalkene-insertion reactions.     

Carbenerhodium complexes of the half-sandwich-type: synthesis, substitution, and addition reactions

A series of carbenerhodium(I) complexes of the general composition [(eta5-C5H5)Rh(=CRR')(L)] (2a-2i) with R = R'= aryl and L = SbiPr3 or PR3 has been prepared from the square-planar precursors trans-[RhCl(=CRR')(L)2] and NaC5H5 in excellent yields. Reaction of the triisopropylsibane derivative 2a. which contains a rather labile Rh-Sb bond, with CO, PMe3, and CNR (R = Me, CH2Ph, tBu) leads to the displacement of the SbiPr3 ligand and affords the substitution products [(eta5-C5H5)Rh(=CPh2)(L)] (3-7). In contrast, treatment of the triisopropylphosphane compound 2c with CO and CNtBu leads to the cleavage of the Rh=CPh2 bond and gives besides [(eta5-C5H5)Rh(PiPr3)(L)] (10, 12) by metal-assisted C-C coupling diphenylketene Ph2C=C=O (11) or the corresponding imine Ph2C=C=NtBu (13). While the reaction of 2a, c with C2H4 yields [(eta5-C5H5)Rh(C2H4)(L)] (14, 15) and the trisubstituted olefin Ph2C=CHCH3 (16), treatment of 2a, c with RN3 leads to the cleavage of both the Rh-EiPr3 and Rh=CPh2 bonds and gives the chelate complexes [(eta5-C5H5)Rh(kappa2-RNNNNR)] (19, 20). The substitution products 3 (L=CO) and 4 (L= PMe3) react with an equimolar amount of sulfur or selenium by addition of the chalcogen to the Rh=CPh2 bond to generate the complexes [(eta5-C5H5)Rh(kappa2-ECPh2)(L)] (21-24) with thio- or selenobenzophenone as ligand. Similarly, treatment of 3 with CuCl affords the unusual 1:2 adduct [(eta5-C5H5)(CO)Rh(mu-CPh2)(CuCl)2] (25), which reacts with NaC5H5 to form [(eta5-C5H5)(CO)Rh(muCPh2)Cu(eta5-C5H5)] (26). The molecular structures of 3 and 22 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.