Mixed-metal cluster chemistry. 29. Core expansion and ligand-driven metal exchange at group 6-iridium clusters

Reactions of the tetrahedral clusters MoIr3(mu-CO)3(CO)8(eta-L) (L = C5HMe4, C5Me5) with the carbonylmetalate anions [Mo(CO)3(eta-L)]- afford the trigonal bipyramidal clusters Mo2Ir3(mu3-H)(mu-CO)2(CO)9(eta-L)2 (L = C5HMe4 (3c), 74%; L = C5Me5 (3d), 55%) in which the group 6 metal atoms occupy the apexes; reaction of the cyclopentadienylmolybdenum-containing analogues or their cyclopentadienyltungsten-containing homologues failed to afford analogous products. Reactions of MIr3(mu-CO)3(CO)8(eta-C5H5) (M = Mo, W) with [M(CO)3(eta-L)]- (L = C5HMe4, C5Me5) afford the core-expanded heteroapex clusters M2Ir3(mu3-H)(mu-CO)2(CO)9(eta-C5H5)(eta-L) (M = Mo, L = C5HMe4 (5c), 9%, L = C5Me5 (5d), 4%; M = W, L = C5Me5 (6d), 5%) in low yield, together with the homoapex clusters M2Ir3(mu3-H)(mu-CO)2(CO)9(eta-L)2 (M = Mo, L = C5HMe4 (3c), 81%, L = C5Me5 (3d), 60%; M = W, L = C5Me5 (4d), 5%) in much higher yield for the Mo-containing examples. The identities of clusters 3c,d, 4d, and 5c,d have been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies, with the same disposition of ligands about the trigonal bipyramidal cluster cores being observed in each case, a ligand arrangement that has been examined by complementary density functional theory studies. While cluster 5d is accessible as above, no reaction is observed from MoIr3(mu-CO)3(CO)8(eta-C5Me5) and [M(CO)3(eta-C5H5)]-. Treating MoIr3(mu-CO)3(CO)8(eta-C5H5) with 1 equiv of [M(CO)3(eta-C5Me5)]- affords 5d as the major product, a further 1 equiv affording some MoIr3(mu-CO)3(CO)8(eta-C5Me5) and a third 1 equiv giving a good yield of 3d. This is consistent with reaction proceeding by apex fragment addition, followed by apex fragment elimination, and finally a further apex fragment addition, the homometallic incoming apexes being distinguished from the departing vertices by their highly methylated cyclopentadienyl ligands. Spectroscopic data suggest that the electron density at these disparate-metal-containing cluster cores is tunable by progressive (conceptual) cyclopentadienyl alkylation.     

The synthesis of [FeRu(CO)2(mu-CO)2(eta-C5H5)(eta-C5Me5)] and convenient entries to its organometallic chemistry

The synthesis, fluxionality and reactivity of the heterobimetallic complex [FeRu(CO)2(mu-CO)2(eta-C5H5)(eta-C5Me5)] are described. Complex exhibits enhanced photolytic reactivity towards alkynes compared to its homometallic analogues, forming the dimetallacyclopentenone complexes [FeRu(CO)(mu-CO){mu-eta]1:eta3-C(O)CR"CR'}eta]-C5H5)(eta-C5Me5)]( R'= R"= H; R'= R"= CO2Me; R'= H, R"= CMe2OH). Prolonged photolysis with diphenylethyne gives the dimetallatetrahedrane complex [FeRu(mu-CO)(mu-eta2:eta2-CPhCPh)(eta-C5H5)(eta-C5Me5)], which contains the first iron-ruthenium double bond. Complexes containing a number of organic fragments can be synthesised using , and . Heating a solution of gave the alkenylidene complex [FeRu(CO)2(mu-CO){mu-eta]1:eta2-C=C(CO2Me)2}(eta-C5H5)(eta-C5Me5)] through an unusual methylcarboxylate migration. Protonation and then addition of hydride to gives the ethylidene complex [FeRu(CO)2(mu-CO)(mu-CHCH3)(eta-C5H5)(eta-C5Me5)] via the ionic vinyl species [FeRu(CO)2(mu-CO)(mu-eta]1:eta2-CH=CH2)(eta-C5H5)(eta-C5Me5)][BF4]. Compound exhibits cis/trans isomerisation at room temperature. Protonation of dimetallacyclopentenone complexes gives the allenyl species [FeRu(CO)2(mu-CO)(mu-eta1:eta2-CH=C=CMe2)(eta-C5H5)(eta-C5Me5)][BF4]. Compound exist as three isomers, two cis and one trans. The two cis isomers are shown to be interconverting by sigma-pi isomerisation. The solid state structures of these compounds were established by X-ray crystallography and are discussed.     

Reactivity of triruthenium thiophyne and furyne clusters: competitive S-C and P-C bond cleavage reactions and the generation of highly unsymmetrical alkyne ligands

The synthesis and reactivity of the thiophyne and furyne clusters [Ru3(CO)7(mu-dppm)(mu3-eta2-C4H2E)(mu-P(C4H3E)2)(mu-H)] (E = S, O) is reported. Addition of P(C4H3E)3 to [Ru3(CO)10(mu-dppm)] (1) at room temperature in the presence of Me3NO gives simple substitution products [Ru3(CO)9(mu-dppm)(P(C4H3E)3)] (E = S, 2; E = O, 3). Mild thermolysis in the presence of further Me3NO affords the thiophyne and furyne complexes [Ru3(CO)7(mu-dppm)(mu3-eta2-C4H2E)(mu-P(C4H3E)2)(mu-H)] (E = S, 4; E = O, 6) resulting from both carbon-hydrogen and carbon-phosphorus bond activation. In each the C4H2E (E = S, O) ligand donates 4-electrons to the cluster and the rings are tilted with respect to the mu-dppm and the phosphido-bridged open triruthenium unit. Heating 4 at 80 degrees C leads to the formation of the ring-opened cluster [Ru3(CO)5(mu-CO)(mu-dppm)(mu3-eta3-SC4H3)(mu-P(C4H3S)2)] (5) resulting from carbon-sulfur bond scission and carbon-hydrogen bond formation and containing a ring-opened mu3-eta3-1-thia-1,3-butadiene ligand. In contrast, a similar thermolysis of 3 affords the phosphinidene cluster [Ru3(CO)7(mu-dppm)(mu3-eta2-C4H2O)(mu3-P(C4H3O))] (7) resulting from a second phosphorus-carbon bond cleavage and (presumably) elimination of furan. Treatment of 4 and 6 with PPh3 affords the simple phosphine-substituted products [Ru3(CO)6(PPh3)(mu-dppm)(mu3-eta2-C4H2E)(mu-P(C4H3E)2)(mu-H)] (E = S, 8; E = O, 9). Both thiophyne and furyne clusters 4 and 6 readily react with hydrogen bromide to give [Ru3(CO)6Br(mu-Br)(mu-dppm)(mu3-eta2-eta1-C4H2E)(mu-P(C4H3E)2)(mu-H)] (E = S, 10; E = O, 11) containing both terminal and bridging bromides. Here the alkynes bind in a highly unsymmetrical manner with one carbon acting as a bridging alkylidene and the second as a terminally bonded Fisher carbene. As far as we are aware, this binding mode has only previously been noted in ynamine complexes or those with metals in different oxidation states. The crystal structures of seven of these new triruthenium clusters have been carried out, allowing a detailed analysis of the relative orientations of coordinated ligands.     

Synthesis, characterisation, crystal structures, reactivity, and electrochemistry of ruthenium-nitrido, ruthenium-cobalt-imido and ruthenapyrrolidone carbonyl clusters containing alkyne ligands

Thermolysis of [Ru3(CO)9(mu3-NOMe)(mu3-eta2-PhC2Ph)] (1) with two equivalents of [Cp*Co(CO)2] in THF afforded four new clusters, brown [Ru5(CO)8(mu-CO)3(eta5-C5Me5)(mu5-N)(mu4-eta2-PhC2Ph)] (2), green [Ru3Co2(CO)7(mu3-CO)(eta5-C5Me5)2(mu3-NH)[mu4-eta8-C6H4-C(H)C(Ph)]] (3), orange [Ru3(CO)7(mu-eta6-C5Me4CH2)[mu-eta3-PhC2(Ph)C(O)N(OMe)]] (4) and pale yellow [Ru2(CO)6[mu-eta3-PhC2(Ph)C(O)N(OMe)]] (5). Cluster 2 is a pentaruthenium mu5-nitrido complex, in which the five metal atoms are arranged in a novel "spiked" square-planar metal skeleton with a quadruply bridging alkyne ligand. The mu5-nitrido N atom exhibits an unusually low frequency chemical shift in its 15N NMR spectrum. Cluster 3 contains a triangular Ru2Co-imido moiety linked to a ruthenium-cobaltocene through the mu4-eta8-C6H4C(H)C(Ph) ligand. Clusters 4 and 5 are both metallapyrrolidone complexes, in which interaction of diphenylacetylene with CO and the NOMe nitrene moiety were observed. In 4, one methyl group of the Cp* ring is activated and interacts with a ruthenium atom. The "distorted" Ru3Co butterfly nitrido complex [Ru3Co(CO)5(eta5-C5Me5)(mu4-N)(mu3-eta2-PhC2Ph)(mu-I)2I] (6) was isolated from the reaction of 1 with [Cp*Co(CO)I2] heated under reflux in THF, in which a Ru-Ru wing edge is missing. Two bridging and one terminal iodides were found to be placed along the two Ru-Ru wing edges and at a hinge Ru atom, respectively. The redox properties of the selected compounds in this study were investigated by using cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential coulometry. 15N magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies were also performed on these clusters.     

Cyanide-bridged linkage isomers with catecholateruthenium(II) centres bound to Mn(I) or M(alkyne) units

Two series of stable cyanide-bridged linkage isomers, namely [(o-O2C6Cl4)(Ph3P)(OC)2Ru(mu-XY)MnL(NO)(eta-C5Me5)] (XY = CN or NC, L = CNBu(t) or CNXyl) and [(o-O2C6Cl4)L(OC)2Ru(mu-XY)M(CO)(PhC-CPh)Tp'] {M = Mo or W, L = PPh3 or P(OPh)3, Tp' = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate} have been synthesised; pairs of isomers are distinguishable by IR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The molecular structure of [(o-O2C6Cl4)(Ph3P)(OC)2Ru(mu-NC)Mo(CO)(PhC-CPh)Tp'] has the catecholate-bound ruthenium atom cyanide-bridged to a Mo(CO)(PhC[triple band]CPh)Tp' unit in which the alkyne acts as a four-electron donor; the alignment of the alkyne relative to the Mo-CO vector suggests the fragment (CN)Ru(CO)2(PPh3)(o-O2C6Cl4) acts as a pi-acceptor ligand. The complexes [(o-O2C6Cl4)(Ph3P)(OC)2Ru(mu-XY)Mn(NO)L(eta-C5Me5)] undergo three sequential one-electron oxidation processes with the first and third assigned to oxidation of the ruthenium-bound o-O2C6Cl4 ligand; the second corresponds to oxidation of Mn(I) to Mn(n). The complexes [(o-O2C6Cl4)L(OC)2Ru(mu-XY)M(CO)(PhC[triple band]CPh)Tp'] are also first oxidised at the catecholate ligand; the second oxidation, and one-electron reduction, are based on the M(CO)(PhC[triple band]CPh)Tp' fragment. Chemical oxidation of [(o-O,C6Cl4)(Ph3P)(OC)2Ru(mu-XY)MnL(NO)(eta-C5Me5)] with [Fe(eta-C5H4COMe)(eta-C5H5)][BF4], or of [(o-O2C6Cl4)L(OC)2Ru(mu-XY)M(CO)(PhC[triple band]CPh)Tp'] with AgBF4, gave the paramagnetic monocations [(o-O2C6Cl4)(Ph3P)(OC)2Ru(mu-XY)MnL(NO)(eta-C5Me5)]+ and [(o-O2C6Cl4)L(OC)2Ru(mu-XY)M(CO)(PhC[triple band]CPh)Tp']+, the ESR spectra of which are consistent with ruthenium-bound semiquinone ligands. Linkage isomers are distinguishable by the magnitude of the 31P hyperfine coupling constant; complexes with N-bound Ru(o-O2C6Cl4) units also show small hyperfine coupling to the nitrogen atom of the cyanide bridge.     

Edge-bridging and face-capping coordination of alkenyl ligands in triruthenium carbonyl cluster complexes derived from hydrazines: synthetic, structural, theoretical, and kinetic studies

The reactions of the triruthenium cluster complex [Ru3(mu-H)(mu3-eta2-HNNMe2)(CO)9] (1; H2NNMe2=1,1-dimethylhydrazine) with alkynes (PhC triple bond CPh, HC triple bond CH, MeO2CC triple bond CCO2Me, PhC triple bond CH, MeO2CC triple bond CH, HOMe2CC triple bond CH, 2-pyC triple bond CH) give trinuclear complexes containing edge-bridging and/or face-capping alkenyl ligands. Whereas the edge-bridged products are closed triangular species (three Ru-Ru bonds), the face-capped products are open derivatives (two Ru-Ru bonds). For terminal alkynes, products containing gem (RCCH2) and/or trans (RHCCH) alkenyl ligands have been identified in both edge-bridging and face-capping positions, except for the complex [Ru3(mu3-eta2-HNNMe2)(mu3-eta3-HCCH-2-py)(mu-CO)(CO)7], which has the two alkenyl H atoms in a cis arrangement. Under comparable reaction conditions (1:1 molar ratio, THF at reflux, time required for the consumption of complex 1), some reactions give a single product, but most give mixtures of isomers (not all the possible ones), which were separated. To determine the effect of the hydrazido ligand, the reactions of [Ru3(mu-H)(mu3-eta2-MeNNHMe)(CO)9] (2; HMeNNHMe=1,2-dimethylhydrazine) with PhC triple bond CPh, PhC triple bond CH, and HC triple bond CH were also studied. For edge-bridged alkenyl complexes, the Ru--Ru edge that is spanned by the alkenyl ligand depends on the position of the methyl groups on the hydrazido ligand. For face-capped alkenyl complexes, the relative orientation of the hydrazido and alkenyl ligands also depends on the position of the methyl groups on the hydrazido ligand. A kinetic analysis of the reaction of 1 with PhC[triple chemical bond]CPh revealed that the reaction follows an associative mechanism, which implies that incorporation of the alkyne in the cluster is rate-limiting and precedes the release of a CO ligand. X-ray diffraction, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and calculations of minimum-energy structures by DFT methods were used to characterize the products. A comparison of the absolute energies of isomeric compounds (obtained by DFT calculations) helped rationalize the experimental results.     

Hexaruthenium carbonyl cluster complexes with basal edge-bridged square pyramidal metallic skeleton: efficient synthesis of 2-imidopyridine derivatives and determination of their reactive sites in carbonyl substitution reactions

The reactions of [Ru(3)(CO)(12)] with half equivalent of 2-amino-6-methylpyridine (H(2)ampy) or 2-aminopyridine (H(2)apy) in refluxing xylene give the hexanuclear products [Ru(6)(mu(3)-H)(2)(mu(5)-eta(2)-L)(mu-CO)(2)(CO)(14)] (L = ampy, 1; apy, 2). These reactions represent the first high-yield syntheses of hexanuclear complexes with a basal edge-bridged square pyramidal metallic skeleton. Five metal atoms of these complexes are bridged by the N-donor ligand in such a way that the edge-bridging metal atom is attached to the pyridine nitrogen, while the basal atoms of the square pyramid are capped by an imido fragment that arises from the activation of both N-H bonds of the NH(2) group. The reactive sites of these complexes in CO substitution reactions have been determined by studying the reactivity of 1 with triphenylphosphine. Two kinetically controlled monosubstitutions take place on the edge-bridging metal atom in positions cis to the pyridine nitrogen, leading to a mixture of two isomers of formula [Ru(6)(mu(3)-H)(2)(mu(5)-eta(2)-ampy)(mu-CO)(2)(CO)(13)(PPh(3))] (3 and 4). On heating at 80 degrees C, these monosubstituted isomers are transformed, via a dissociative pathway, into the product of thermodynamic control (5), which has the PPh(3) ligand on the apical Ru atom. The di- and trisubstituted derivatives [Ru(6)(mu(3)-H)(2)(mu(5)-eta(2)-ampy)(mu-CO)(2)(CO)(12)(PPh(3))(2)] (6) and [Ru(6)(mu(3)-H)(2)(mu(5)-eta(2)-ampy)(mu-CO)(2)(CO)(11)(PPh(3))(3)] (7) are stepwise formed from 3-5 and PPh(3). Compound 6 has the PPh(3) ligands on the edge-bridging and apical Ru atoms, and compound 7 has an additional PPh(3) ligand on an unbridged basal Ru atom. The compound [Ru(6)(mu(3)-H)(2)(mu(5)-eta(2)-ampy)(mu-CO)(2)(CO)(12)(mu-dppm)] (8), in which a basal and the apical Ru atoms are spanned by the dppm ligand, has been isolated from the reaction of 1 with bis(diphenylphosphino)methane.     

Reactivity of alkynes containing alpha-hydrogen atoms with a triruthenium hydrido carbonyl cluster: alkenyl versus allyl cluster derivatives

The reactions of the hydrido-triruthenium cluster complex [Ru3(mu-H)(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(CO)9] (1; H2NNMe2 = 1,1-dimethylhydrazine) with alkynes that have alpha-hydrogen atoms give trinuclear derivatives containing edge-bridging allyl or face-capping alkenyl ligands. Under mild conditions (THF, 70 degrees C) the isolated products are as follows: [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu-kappa(3)-1-syn-Me-3-anti-EtC3H3)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (2) and [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu-kappa(3)-1-syn-Me-3-syn-EtC3H3)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (3) from 3-hexyne; [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu-kappa(3)-3-anti-PhC3H4)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (4), [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu-kappa(2)-MeCCHPh)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (5) and [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu3-kappa(2)-PhCCHMe)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (6) from 1-phenyl-1-propyne; [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu-kappa(2)-3-anti-PrC3H4)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (7), [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu3-kappa(2)-BuCCH2)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (8), and [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu3-kappa(2)-HCCHBu)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (9) from 1-hexyne; [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu3-kappa(2)-HOH2CCCH2)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (10) from propargyl alcohol; and [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu3-kappa(2)-MeOCH2CCH2)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (11) from 3-methoxy-1-propyne. The regioselectivity of these reactions depends upon the nature of the alkyne reagent, which affects considerably the kinetic barriers of important reaction steps and the stability of the final products. It has been established that the face-capped alkenyl derivatives are not precursors to the allyl products, which are formed via edge-bridged alkenyl intermediates. At higher temperature (toluene, 110 degrees C), the complexes that have allyl ligands with an anti substituent are isomerized into allyl derivatives with that substituent in the syn position, for example, 4 into [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu-kappa(3)-3-syn-PhC3H4)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (14). The diene complex [Ru3(mu-H)(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu-kappa(4)-trans-EtC4H5)(CO)7] (13) has been obtained from the thermolysis of compounds 2 and 7 at 110 degrees C (3 and [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu-kappa(2)-3-syn-PrC3H4)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (12) are also formed in these reactions). A DFT theoretical study has allowed a comparison of the thermodynamic stabilities of isomeric compounds and has helped rationalize the experimental results. Mechanistic proposals for the synthesis of the allyl complexes and their isomerization processes are also provided.     

Structural consequences of the one-electron reduction of d4 [Mo(CO)2(eta-PhC[triple bond]CPh)Tp']+ and the electronic structure of the d5 radicals [M(CO)L(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp'] {L = CO and P(OCH2)3CEt}

Reduction of [M(CO)2(eta-RC[triple bond]CR')Tp']X {Tp' = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate, M = Mo, X = [PF6]-, R = R' = Ph, C6H4OMe-4 or Me; R = Ph, R' = H; M = W, X = [BF4]-, R = R' = Ph or Me; R = Ph, R' = H} with [Co(eta-C5H5)2] gave paramagnetic [M(CO)2(eta-RC[triple bond]CR')Tp'], characterised by IR and ESR spectroscopy. X-Ray structural studies on the redox pair [Mo(CO)2(eta-PhC[triple bond]CPh)Tp'] and [Mo(CO)2(eta-PhC[triple bond]CPh)Tp'][PF6] showed that oxidation is accompanied by a lengthening of the C[triple bond]C bond and shortening of the Mo-C(alkyne) bonds, consistent with removal of an electron from an orbital antibonding with respect to the Mo-alkyne bond, and with conversion of the alkyne from a three- to a four-electron donor. Reduction of [Mo(CO)(NCMe)(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp'][PF6] with [Co(eta-C5H5)2] in CH2Cl2 gives [MoCl(CO)(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp'], via nitrile substitution in [Mo(CO)(NCMe)(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp'], whereas a similar reaction with [M(CO){P(OCH2)3CEt}(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp']+ (M = Mo or W) gives the phosphite-containing radicals [M(CO){P(OCH2)3CEt}(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp']. ESR spectroscopic studies and DFT calculations on [M(CO)L(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp'] {M = Mo or W, L = CO or P(OCH2)3CEt} show the SOMO of the neutral d5 species (the LUMO of the d4 cations) to be largely d(yz) in character although much more delocalised in the W complexes. Non-coincidence effects between the g and metal hyperfine matrices in the Mo spectra indicate hybridisation of the metal d-orbitals in the SOMO, consistent with a rotation of the coordinated alkyne about the M-C2 axis.     

Synthesis and some properties of binuclear ruthenocenes bridged by oligoynes: formation of bis(cyclopentadienylidene)cumulene diruthenium complexes in the two-electron oxidation

The monoynes [Rc*C[triple bond]CRc*] and [Rc'C[triple bond]CRc'] were obtained in improved yields using [Mo(CO)6]/2-FC6H5OH as a catalyst in the alkyne metathesis of [Rc*C[triple bond]CMe] and [Rc'C[triple bond]CMe], respectively (Rc = ruthenocenyl, Rc* = 1',2',3',4',5'-pentamethylruthenocenyl, and Rc' = 2',3',4',5'-tetramethylruthenocenyl groups). The diynes [Rc*(C[triple bond]C)2Rc*] and [Rc'(C[triple bond]C)2Rc'] were synthesized by the oxidative coupling of the corresponding terminal ethynes in good yields. The triyne [Rc*(C[triple bond]C)3Rc*] and the tetrayne [Rc*(C[triple bond]C)4Rc*] were prepared by the hetero- and homocoupling of [Rc*C[triple bond]CC[triple bond]CH], which was obtained from the reaction of [Rc*C[triple bond]CCHO] with Li[N2CSiMe3], respectively. Although the oxidation waves did not always exhibit a clear two-electron oxidation process, the oxidation potentials shifted to a lower potential with an increase in the number of methyl substituents on the ruthenocenyl ring, and shifted to a higher potential with the increase in the number of C[triple bond]C units; this result is in contrast to that found in the [Rc(CH=CH)(n)Rc] series. The chemical oxidation of [Rc'C[triple bond]CRc'] yielded a stable two-electron-oxidized species, the structure of which was confirmed by X-ray crystallography to be [Ru2(mu2-eta(6):eta(6)-C5Me4C=CC5Me4)(eta-C5H5)2](BF4)2. Changing the substituents (Rc, Rc*, and Rc') had no effect on the chemical oxidation, but in the case of the Rc' series the Me substituent increased the stability of the two-electron-oxidized species in solution. The diyne [Rc*(C[triple bond]C)2Rc*] and the triyne [Rc*(C[triple bond]C)3Rc*] also gave a similar but unstable two-electron-oxidized species. In acetone or acetonitrile, the two-electron-oxidized species of [Rc*C[triple bond]CRc*] and [Rc*(C[triple bond]C)2Rc*] gradually formed the corresponding bis(fulvene)-type complexes. This implies that the two-electron-oxidized species of [Rc*(C[triple bond]C)(n)Rc*] are destabilized with the increasing n.     

Photoinduced Fe-Cp bond cleavage and insertion reactions of strained silicon- and sulphur-bridged [1]ferrocenophanes in the presence of transition-metal carbonyls

The photochemical reactions of the moderately strained sila[1]ferrocenophane [Fe(eta-C(5)H(4))(2)SiPh(2)] (1) and the highly strained thia[1]ferrocenophane [Fe(eta-C(5)H(4))(2)S] (8) with transition-metal carbonyls ([Fe(CO)(5)], [Fe(2)(CO)(9)] and [Co(2)(CO)(8)]) have been studied. The use of metal carbonyls has allowed the products of photochemically induced Fe-cyclopentadienyl (Cp) bond cleavage reactions in the [1]ferrocenophanes to be trapped as stable, characterisable products. During the course of these studies the synthesis of 8 from [Fe(eta-C(5)H(4)Li)(2)TMEDA] (TMEDA=N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine) and S(SO(2)Ph)(2) has been significantly improved by a change of reaction solvent and temperature. Photochemical reaction of 1 with excess [Fe(CO)(5)] in THF gave the dinuclear complex [Fe(2)(CO)(2)(mu-CO)(2)(eta-C(5)H(4))(2)SiPh(2)] (9). The analogous photolytic reaction of 8 with [Fe(CO)(5)] in THF gave cyclic dimer [Fe(eta-C(5)H(4))(2)S](2) (10) and [Fe(2)(CO)(2)(mu-CO)(2)(eta-C(5)H(4))(2)S] (11), with the former being the major product. Photolysis of 1 with [Co(2)(CO)(8)] afforded the remarkable tetrametallic dimer [(CO)(2)Co(eta-C(5)H(4))SiPh(2)(eta-C(5)H(4))Fe(CO)(2)](2) (13). The corresponding photochemical reaction of 8 with [Co(2)(CO)(8)] gave a trimetallic insertion product in high conversion, [Co(CO)(4)(CO)(2)Fe(eta-C(5)H(4))S(eta-C(5)H(4))Co(CO)(2)] (14). These reactivity studies show that UV light promotes Fe-Cp bond cleavage reactions of both of the [1]ferrocenophanes 1 and 8. We have found that, whereas the less strained sila[1]ferrocenophane 1 requires photoactivation for Fe-Cp bond insertions to occur, the highly strained thia[1]ferrocenophane 8 undergoes both irradiative and non-irradiative insertions, although the latter occur at a slower rate. Our results suggest that such photoinduced bond cleavage reactions may be general and applicable to other related strained organometallic rings with pi-hydrocarbon ligands.     

Ruthenium-cluster-mediated activation of all bonds of a methyl group of 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine and 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline: transformation of the latter into a 2-alkenyl-9-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline ligand

The treatment of [Ru3(CO)12] with 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (Me2bipy) or 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Me2phen) in THF at reflux temperature gives the trinuclear dihydride complexes [Ru3(mu-H)2(mu3-L1)(CO)8] (L1 = HCbipyMe 1 a, HCphenMe 1 b), which result from the activation of two C-H bonds of a methyl group. The hexa-, hepta-, and pentanuclear derivatives [Ru6(mu3-H)(mu5-L2)(mu-CO)3(CO)13] (L2 = CbipyMe 2 a, CphenMe 2 b), [Ru7(mu3-H)(mu5-L2)(mu-CO)2(CO)16] (L2 = CbipyMe 3 a, CphenMe 3 b), and [Ru5(mu-H)(mu5-C)(mu-L3)(CO)13] (L3 = bipyMe 4 a, phenMe 4 b) can also be obtained by treating 1 a and 1 b with [Ru3(CO)12]. Compounds 2 a and 2 b have a basal edge-bridged square-pyramidal metallic skeleton with a carbyne-type C atom capping the four Ru atoms of the pyramid base. The structures of 3 a and 3 b are similar to those of 2 a and 2 b, respectively, but an additional Ru atom now caps a triangular face of the square-pyramidal fragment of the metallic skeleton. The most interesting feature of 2 a, 2 b, 3 a, and 3 b is that their carbyne-type C atoms were originally bound to three hydrogen atoms in Me2bipy or Me2phen and, therefore, they arise from the unprecedented activation of all three C-H bonds of C-bound methyl groups. The pentanuclear compounds 4 a and 4 b contain a carbide ligand surrounded by five Ru atoms in a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal environment. They are the products of a series of processes that includes the activation of all bonds (three C-H and one C-C) of organic methyl groups, and are the first examples of complexes having carbide ligands that arise from C-bonded methyl groups. The alkenyl derivatives [Ru5(mu5-C)(mu-p-MeC6H4CHCHphenMe)(CO)13] (5 b), [Ru5(mu-H)(mu5-C)(mu-p-MeC6H4CHCHphenMe)(p-tolC2)(CO)12] (6 b), and [Ru5(mu-H)(mu5-C)(mu-PhCHCHphenMe)(PhC2)(CO)12] (7 b) have been obtained by treating 4 b with p-tolyl- and phenylacetylene, respectively. Their heterocyclic ligands contain an alkenyl fragment in the position that was originally occupied by a methyl group. Therefore, these complexes are the result of the formal substitution of an alkenyl group for a methyl group of 2,9-dimethyl-1,10- phenanthroline.     

Interplay of cubic building blocks in (et6-arene)ruthenium-containing tungsten and molybdenum oxides

A series of molybdenum and tungsten organometallic oxides containing [Ru(arene)]2+ units (arene =p-cymene, C6Me6) was obtained by condensation of [[Ru(arene)Cl2]2] with oxomolybdates and oxotungstates in aqueous or nonaqueous solvents. The crystal structures of [[Ru(eta6-C6Me6]]4W4O16], [[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr]]4W2O10], [[[Ru-(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)]2(mu-OH)3]2][[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)]2W8O28(OH)2[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)(H2O)]2], and [[Ru(eta6-C6Me6)]2M5O18[Ru(eta6-C6Me6)(H2O)]] (M = Mo, W) have been determined. While the windmill-type clusters [[Ru(eta6-arene)]4(MO3)4(mu3-O)4] (M = Mo, W; arene =p-MeC6H4iPr, C6Me6), the face-sharing double cubane-type cluster [[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)]4(WO2)2(mu3-O)4(mu4-O)2], and the dimeric cluster [[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)(WO3)3(mu3-O)3(mu3-OH)Ru(eta6-pMeC6H4iPr)(H2O)]2(mu-WO2)2]2- are based on cubane-like units, [(Ru(eta6-C6Me6)]2M5O18[Ru(eta6-C6Me6)(H2O)]] (M = Mo, W) are more properly described as lacunary Lindqvist-type polyoxoanions supporting three ruthenium centers. Precubane clusters [[Ru(eta6-arene)](MO3)2(mu-O)3(mu3-O)]6- are possible intermediates in the formation of these clusters. The cluster structures are retained in solution, except for [[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)]4Mo4O16], which isomerizes to the triple-cubane form.     

Trapping reactions of an intermediate containing a tungsten-phosphorus triple bond with alkynes

The thermolysis of the phosphinidene complex [Cp*P[W(CO)5]2] (1) in toluene in the presence of tBuC(triple bond)CMe leads to the four-membered ring complexes [[[eta2-C(Me)C(tBu)]Cp*(CO)W(mu3-P)[W(CO)3]][eta4:eta1:eta1-P[W(CO)5]WCp*(CO)C(Me)C(tBu)]] (4) as the major product and [[W[Cp*(CO)2]W(CO)2WCp*(CO)[eta1:eta1-C(Me)C(tBu)]](mu,eta3:eta2:eta1-P2[W(CO)5]] (5). The reaction of 1 with PhC(triple bond)CPh leads to [[W(Co)2[eta2-C(Ph)C(Ph)]][(eta4:eta1-P(W(CO)5]W[Cp*(CO)2)C(Ph)C(Ph)]] (6). The products 4 and 6 can be regarded as the formal cycloaddition products of the phosphido complex intermediate [Cp*(CO)2W(triple bond)P --> W(CO)5] (B), formed by Cp* migration within the phosphinidene complex 1. Furthermore, the reaction of 1 with PhC(triple bond)CPh gives the minor product [[[eta2:eta1-C(Ph)C(Ph)]2[W(CO)4]2][mu,eta1:eta1-P[C(Me)[C(Me)]3C(Me)][C(Ph)](C(Ph)]] (7) as a result of a 1,3-dipolaric cycloaddition of the alkyne into a phosphaallylic subunit of the Cp*P moiety of 1. Compounds 4-7 have been characterized by means of their spectroscopic data as well as by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis.     

Metal-metal charge transfer and solvatochromism in cyanomanganese carbonyl complexes of ruthenium and osmium

The complexes [(H3N)5Ru(II)(mu-NC)Mn(I)Lx]2+, prepared from [Ru(OH2)(NH3)5]2+ and [Mn(CN)L(x)] {L(x) = trans-(CO)2{P(OPh)3}(dppm); cis-(CO)2(PR3)(dppm), R = OEt or OPh; (PR3)(NO)(eta-C5H4Me), R = Ph or OPh}, undergo two sequential one-electron oxidations, the first at the ruthenium centre to give [(H3N)5Ru(III)(mu-NC)Mn(I)Lx]3+; the osmium(III) analogues [(H3N)5Os(III)(mu-NC)Mn(I)Lx]3+ were prepared directly from [Os(NH3)5(O3SCF3)]2+ and [Mn(CN)Lx]. Cyclic voltammetry and electronic spectroscopy show that the strong solvatochromism of the trications depends on the hydrogen-bond accepting properties of the solvent. Extensive hydrogen bonding is also observed in the crystal structures of [(H3N)5Ru(III)(mu-NC)Mn(I)(PPh3)(NO)(eta-C5H4Me)][PF6]3.2Me2CO.1.5Et2O, [(H3N)5Ru(III)(mu-NC)Mn(I)(CO)(dppm)2-trans][PF6]3.5Me2CO and [(H3N)5Ru(III)(mu-NC)Mn(I)(CO)2{P(OEt)3}(dppm)-trans][PF6]3.4Me2CO, between the amine groups (the H-bond donors) at the Ru(III) site and the oxygen atoms of solvent molecules or the fluorine atoms of the [PF6]- counterions (the H-bond acceptors).     

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

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

High-nuclearity ruthenium carbonyl cluster complexes derived from 2-amino-6-methylpyridine: synthesis of nonanuclear derivatives containing mu4- and mu5-oxo ligands

Nonanuclear cluster complexes [Ru9(mu3-H)2(mu-H)(mu5-O)(mu4-ampy)(mu3-Hampy)(CO)21] (4) (H2ampy = 2-amino-6-methylpyridine), [Ru9(mu5-O)2(mu4-ampy)(mu3-Hampy)2(mu-CO)(CO)20] (5), [Ru9(mu5-O)2(mu4-ampy)(mu3-Hampy)2(mu-CO)2(CO)19] (6), and [Ru9(mu4-O)(mu5-O)(mu4-ampy)(mu3-Hampy)(mu-Hampy)(mu-CO)(CO)19] (7), together with the known hexanuclear [Ru6(mu3-H)2(mu5-ampy)(mu-CO)2(CO)14] (2) and the novel pentanuclear [Ru5(mu4-ampy)(2)(mu-CO)(CO)12] (3) complexes, are products of the thermolysis of [Ru3(mu-H)(mu3-Hampy)(CO)9] (1) in decane at 150 degrees C. Two different and very unusual quadruply bridging coordination modes have been observed for the ampy ligand. Compounds 4-7 also feature one (4) or two (5-7) bridging oxo ligands. With the exception of one of the oxo ligands of 7, which is in a distorted tetrahedral environment, the remaining oxo ligands of 4-7 are surrounded by five metal atoms. In carbonyl metal clusters, quadruply bridging oxo ligands are very unusual, whereas quintuply bridging oxo ligands are unprecedented. By using 18O-labeled water, we have unambiguously established that these oxo ligands arise from water.     

Highly metallized polymers: synthesis, characterization, and lithographic patterning of polyferrocenylsilanes with pendant cobalt, molybdenum, and nickel cluster substituents

High molecular weight, soluble, air- and moisture-stable, highly metallized (>25 wt% metal) polyferrocenylsilanes (PFS) [Fe(eta-C5H4)2Si(Me){Co2(CO)6C2Ph}]n (Co-PFS), [Fe(eta-C5H4)2Si(Me){Mo2-Cp2(CO)4C2Ph}]n (Mo-PFS), and [Fe(eta-C5H4)2Si(Me){Ni2Cp2C2Ph}]n (Ni-PFS) containing pendant cobalt, molybdenum, and nickel clusters, respectively, have been prepared via macromolecular clusterization of an acetylide-substituted PFS [Fe(eta-C5H4)2Si(Me)C(triple bond)CPh]n with [Co(2)(CO)8], [{MoCp(CO)(2)}2], or [{NiCp(CO)}2]. The extent of clusterization achieved was in the range of 70-75%. All three highly metallized polymers were demonstrated to function as negative-tone resists in electron-beam lithography, while Co-PFS and Mo-PFS were successfully patterned by UV-photolithography, allowing the fabrication of micron-sized bars, dots, and lines. These studies suggest that the highly metallized polymers may be useful in the fabrication of patterned arrays of alloy nanoparticles for both materials science and catalytic applications.     

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

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

Mixed-metal cluster chemistry. 19. Crystallographic, spectroscopic, electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical, and theoretical studies of systematically varied tetrahedral group 6-iridium clusters

A systematically varied series of tetrahedral clusters involving ligand and core metal variation has been examined using crystallography, Raman spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, UV-vis-NIR and IR spectroelectrochemistry, and approximate density functional theory, to assess cluster rearrangement to accommodate steric crowding, the utility of metal-metal stretching vibrations in mixed-metal cluster characterization, and the possibility of tuning cluster electronic structure by systematic modification of composition, and to identify cluster species resultant upon electrochemical oxidation or reduction. The 60-electron tetrahedral clusters MIr(3)(CO)(11-x)(PMe(3))(x)(eta(5)-Cp) [M = Mo, x = 0, Cp = C(5)H(4)Me (5), C(5)HMe(4) (6), C(5)Me(5) (7); M = W, Cp = C(5)H(4)Me, x = 1 (13), x = 2 (14)] and M(2)Ir(2)(CO)(10-x)(PMe(3))(x)(eta(5)-Cp) [M = Mo, x = 0, Cp = C(5)H(4)Me (8), C(5)HMe(4) (9), C(5)Me(5) (10); M = W, Cp = C(5)H(4)Me, x = 1 (15), x = 2 (16)] have been prepared. Structural studies of 7, 10, and 13 have been undertaken; these clusters are among the most sterically encumbered, compensating by core bond lengthening and unsymmetrical carbonyl dispositions (semi-bridging, semi-face-capping). Raman spectra for 5, 8, WIr(3)(CO)(11)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4)Me) (11), and W(2)Ir(2)(CO)(10)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4)Me)(2) (12), together with the spectrum of Ir(4)(CO)(12), have been obtained, the first Raman spectra for mixed-metal clusters. Minimal mode-mixing permits correlation between A(1) frequencies and cluster core bond strength, frequencies for the A(1) breathing mode decreasing on progressive group 6 metal incorporation, and consistent with the trend in metal-metal distances [Ir-Ir < M-Ir < M-M]. Cyclic voltammetric scans for 5-15, MoIr(3)(CO)(11)(eta(5)-C(5)H(5)) (1), and Mo(2)Ir(2)(CO)(10)(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(2) (3) have been collected. The [MIr(3)] clusters show irreversible one-electron reduction at potentials which become negative on cyclopentadienyl alkyl introduction, replacement of molybdenum by tungsten, and replacement of carbonyl by phosphine. These clusters show two irreversible one-electron oxidation processes, the easier of which tracks with the above structural modifications; a third irreversible oxidation process is accessible for the bis-phosphine cluster 14. The [M(2)Ir(2)] clusters show irreversible two-electron reduction processes; the tungsten-containing clusters and phosphine-containing clusters are again more difficult to reduce than their molybdenum-containing or carbonyl-containing analogues. These clusters show two one-electron oxidation processes, the easier of which is reversible/quasi-reversible, and the more difficult of which is irreversible; the former occur at potentials which increase on cyclopentadienyl alkyl removal, replacement of tungsten by molybdenum, and replacement of phosphine by carbonyl. The reversible one-electron oxidation of 12 has been probed by UV-vis-NIR and IR spectroelectrochemistry. The former reveals that 12(+) has a low-energy band at 8000 cm(-1), a spectrally transparent region for 12, and the latter reveals that 12(+) exists in solution with an all-terminal carbonyl geometry, in contrast to 12 for which an isomer with bridging carbonyls is apparent in solution. Approximate density functional calculations (including ZORA scalar relativistic corrections) have been undertaken on the various charge states of W(2)Ir(2)(CO)(10)(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(2) (4). The calculations suggest that two-electron reduction is accompanied by W-W cleavage, whereas one-electron oxidation proceeds with retention of the tetrahedral core geometry. The calculations also suggest that the low-energy NIR band of 12(+) arises from a sigma(W-W) --> sigma*(W-W) transition.