Binuclear cyclopentadienylcobalt sulfur and phosphinidene complexes Cp2Co2E2 (E = S, PX): Comparison with their Iron carbonyl analogues

Density functional theory studies on a series of Cp₂Co₂E₂ derivatives (E = S and PX; X = H, Cl, OH, OMe, NH₂, NMe₂) predict global minimum butterfly structures with one Co-Co bond for the “body” of the butterfly and four Co-E bonds at the edges of the “wings” of the butterfly. Tetrahedrane structures with both Co-Co and E-E bonds are higher in energy for Cp₂Co₂S₂ and Cp₂Co₂(PH)₂ and are not found in the other systems. This differs from the corresponding Fe₂(CO)₆S₂ and Fe₂(CO)₆(PX)₂ derivatives where tetrahedrane structures are predicted to be the lowest energy structures for all cases except X = NR₂ and OH and such a tetrahedrane structure is found experimentally for Fe₂(CO)₆S₂. The butterfly structures for the Cp₂Co₂E₂ derivatives are of two types. For Cp₂Co₂(PX)₂ (X = H, OH, OMe, NH₂, NMe₂) the lowest energy structures are unsymmetrical butterflies Cp₂Co₂(P)(PX₂) with two X groups on one phosphorus atom and a lone pair on the other (naked) phosphorus atom. Related low-energy unsymmetrical butterfly Fe₂(CO)₆(P)(PX₂) structures, not observed in previous theoretical studies, are now found for the corresponding Fe₂(CO)₆(PX)₂ derivatives. Symmetrical butterfly singlet diradical structures with one X group on each phosphorus atom in relative cis or trans positions are also found for the Cp₂Co₂(PX)₂ derivatives and are the global minima for Cp₂Co₂(PCl)₂ as well as Cp₂Co₂S₂. In all cases the cis structures are of lower energy than the corresponding trans structures. Rhombus structures having neither Co-Co nor E-E bonds are also found for all of the Cp₂Co₂(PX)₂ derivatives but always at higher energies than the butterfly structures, ranging from 17 to 29 kcal/mol above the global minima.     

Alkaline earth metal poly(hydrogen fluorides) hexafluoroarsenates(V) and hexafluorophosphate(V): M2(H2F3)(HF2)2(AF6) (M = Ca, A = As; M = Sr, A = As, P)

New compounds of the type M₂(H₂F₃)(HF₂)₂(AF₆) with M = Ca, A = As and M = Sr, A = As, P) were isolated. Ca₂(H₂F₃)(HF₂)₂(AsF₆) was prepared from Ca(AsF₆)₂ with repeated additions of neutral anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (aHF). It crystallizes in a space group P4₃22 with a = 714.67(10) pm, c = 1754.8(3) pm, V = 0.8963(2) nm³ and Z = 4. Sr₂(H₂F₃)(HF₂)₂(AsF₆) was prepared at room temperature by dissolving SrF₂ in aHF acidified with AsF₅ in mole ratio SrF₂:AsF₅ = 2:1. It crystallizes in a space group P4₃22 with a = 746.00(12) pm, c = 1805.1(5) pm, V = 1.0046(4) nm³ and Z = 4. Sr₂(H₂F₃)(HF₂)₂(PF₆) was prepared from Sr(XeF₂)_n(PF₆)₂ in neutral aHF. It crystallizes in a space group P4₁22 with a = 737.0(3) pm, c = 1793.7(14) pm, V = 0.9744(9) nm³ and Z = 4. The compounds M₂(H₂F₃)(HF₂)₂(AF₆) gradually lose HF at room temperature in a dynamic vacuum or during being powdered for recording IR spectra or X-ray powder ray diffraction patterns. All compounds are isotypical with coordination of nine fluorine atoms around a metal center forming a distorted Archimedian antiprism with one face capped. This is the first example of the compounds in which H₂F₃⁻ and HF₂⁻ anions simultaneously bridge metal centers forming close packed three-dimensional network of polymeric compounds with low solubility in aHF. The HF₂⁻ anions are asymmetric with usual F?F distances of 227.3-228.5 pm. Vibrational frequency (ν₁) of HF₂⁻ is close to that in NaHF₂. The anion H₂F₃⁻ exhibits unusually small F?F?F angle of 95.1°-97.6° most probably as a consequence of close packed structure.     

Ruthenium carbonyl clusters containing PMe2(nap) and derived ligands (nap = 1-naphthyl): generation of naphthalyne derivatives

Bis(dimethylphosphino)naphthalene, 1,8-(PMe₂)₂C₁₀H₆ (dmpn), reacts readily with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ or Ru₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₁₀ with replacement of one of the PMe₂ groups by H to give Ru₃(CO)_12 − n{PMe₂(nap)}_n (n = 1 2, 2 3) or Ru₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₉{PMe₂(nap)} 4; the complex Ru₃(CO)₁₀(dmpn) 1 is obtained only in small amount. Thermolysis of 2 or 4 gives Ru₃(μ-H)₂{μ₃-PMe₂(C₁₀H₅)}(μ-dppm)_n (CO)_8-2n (n = 0 5, 1 6, respectively) containing μ₃-naphthalyne groups.     

Density functional theory study on structural isomers and bonding of model complexes M(CO)5(BH3 · PH3) (M = Cr, Mo, W) and W(CO)5(BH3 · AH3) (A = N, P, As, Sb)

The influence of group 15 various substituents and effect of metal centers on metal-borane interactions and structural isomers of transition metal-borane complexes W(CO)₅(BH₃ · AH₃) and M(CO)₅(BH₃ · PH₃) (A = N, P, As, and Sb; M = Cr, Mo, and W), were investigated by pure density functional theory at BP86 level. The following results were observed: (a) the ground state is monodentate, η¹, with C₁ point group; (b) in all complexes, the η¹ isomer with C_S symmetry on potential energy surface is the transition state for oscillating borane; (c) the η² isomer is the transition state for the hydrogens interchange mechanism; (d) in W(CO)₅(BH₃ · AH₃), the degree of pyramidalization at boron, interaction energy as well as charge transfer between metal and boron moieties, energy barrier for interchanging hydrogens, and diffuseness of A increase along the series A = Sb < As < P < N; (e) in M(CO)₅(BH₃ · PH₃), interaction energy is ordered as M = W > Cr > Mo, while energy barrier for interchanging hydrogens decreases in the order of M = Cr > W > Mo.     

Palladium(I) carbonyl carboxylate clusters cyclo-[Pd2(μ-CO)2(μ-OCOR)2]n (n = 2 or 3): Structure and reactivity

The interaction of palladium(+1) cluster Pd₄(μ-CO)₄(μ-OAc)₄ with saturated and unsaturated carboxylic acids was studied. It was found, that the substitution of acetates groups on others carboxylates leads to the clusters with different nuclearity. Palladium(+1) carbonyl carboxylate complexes of composition [Pd(μ-CO)(μ-OCOR)]_n, where R = CF₃, CCl₃, CH₂Cl, MeCH = CMe, Me, Prⁱ, Bu, Buⁱ, Bu^tert, n-C₅H₁₁ and n = 4 or 6 were synthesized. According to X-ray data all clusters possess cyclic planar metal cores with alternate pairs of μ-carbonyl and μ-carboxylate ligands. The presence of bulky alkyl fragments in the carboxylate ligand increases the nuclearity of the cluster compared to that of the starting palladium(+1) carbonyl acetate of composition Pd₄(μ-CO)₄(μ-OAc)₄ due, apparently, to steric hindrance.     

Steric and electronic properties in bicyclic phosphines. Crystal and molecular structures of Se = Phoban-Q (Q = C2, C3Ph, Cy and Ph)

Reacting a series of the bicylic Phoban-Q (9-Q-9-phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane and 9-Q-9-phosphabicyclo[4.2.1]nonane) derivatives (Q = alkyl, cyclo alkyl, aryl) with KSeCN results in the formation of the corresponding phosphine selenides. The first order phosphorus-selenium coupling constants, ¹J_P-Se, ranges from 682 to 689 Hz for the [3.3.1] isomers and from 703 to 717 Hz for the [4.2.1] isomers indicating the former to be significantly more electron rich. The crystal structures of Se = Phoban[3.3.1]-Q (Q = CH₂CH₃, C₃H₆Ph, Cy, and Ph) and Se = Phoban[4.2.1]-Q (Q = Cy and Ph) are reported and reveal PSe bond distances ranging from 2.1090(9) to 2.1245(7) Å. For Q = Cy and Ph the two isomers ([3.3.1] and [4.2.1]) co-crystallise in the same crystal enabling the determination of the molecular structures for both from the same data collection. The cone angles for all ligand derivatives were determined according to the Tolman model but by using the actual P-Se bond distances and were found to be virtually identical ranging from 165° to 175°. Changes in the Q substituent have a minor effect on the overall steric and electronic properties of the Phoban family of ligands and can be used to manipulate physical properties without changing the chemical properties significantly.     

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

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

Formal chromium–chromium triple bonds and bent rings in the binuclear cycloheptatrienylchromium carbonyls (C7H7)2Cr2(CO)n (n = 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0): A density functional theory study

Binuclear cycloheptatrienylchromium carbonyls of the type (C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO)_n (n = 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0) have been investigated by density functional theory. Energetically competitive structures with fully bonded heptahapto η⁷-C₇H₇ rings are not found for (C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO)_n structures having two or more carbonyl groups. This result stands in contrast to the related (C_nH_n)₂M₂(CO)_n (M = Mn, n = 6; M = Fe, n = 5; M = Co, n = 4) systems. Most of the predicted (C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO)_n structures have bent trihapto or pentahapto C₇H₇ rings and CrCr distances in the range 2.4–2.5 Å suggesting formal triple bonds. In some cases rearrangement of the heptagonal C₇H₇ ring to a tridentate cyclopropyldivinyl or tridentate bis(carbene)alkyl ligand is observed. In addition structures with CO insertion into the C₇H₇–Cr bond are predicted for (C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO)_n (n = 6, 4, 2). The global minima found for the (C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO)_n derivatives for n = 6, 5, and 4 are (η⁵-C₇H₇)(OC)₂CrCr(CO)₄(η¹-C₇H₇), (η³-C₇H₇)(OC)₂CrCr(CO)₃(η^2,1- C₇H₇), and (η⁵-C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO)₄, respectively. The global minima for (C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO)_n (n = 3, 2) have rearranged C₇H₇ groups. Singlet and triplet structures with heptahapto η⁷-C₇H₇ rings are found for the dimetallocenes (η⁷-C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO) and (η⁷-C₇H₇)₂Cr₂, with the singlet structures being of much lower energies in both cases.     

Backbone modified small bite-angle diphosphines: Synthesis and molecular structures of [M(CO)4{X2PC(RR)PX2}] (M = Mo, W; X = Ph, Cy; R = H, Me, Et, Pr, allyl, R = Me, allyl)

A range of new small bite-angle diphosphine complexes, [M(CO)₄{X₂PC(R¹R²)PX₂}] (M = Mo, W; X = Ph, Cy; R¹ = H, Me, Et, Pr, allyl, R² = Me, allyl), have been prepared via elaboration of the methylene backbones in [M(CO)₄(X₂PCH₂PX₂)] as a result of successive deprotonation and alkyl halide addition. When X = Ph it proved possible to replace both methylene protons but for X = Cy only one substitution proved possible. This is likely due to the electron-releasing nature of the cyclohexyl groups but may also be due to steric constraints. Attempts to prepare the bis(allyl) substituted complex [Mo(CO)₄{Ph₂PC(allyl)₂PPh₂}] were only moderately successful. The crystal structures of nine of these complexes are presented.     

Aqueous syntheses of [(Cp-R)M(CO)3] type complexes (Cp = cyclopentadienyl, M = Mn, Tc, Re) with bioactive functionalities

We describe reactions of [^99mTc(H₂O)₃(CO)₃)]⁺ (1) with Diels-Alder products of cyclopentadiene such as “Thiele’s acid” (HCp-COOH)₂ (2) and derivatives thereof in which the corresponding [(Cp-COOH)^99mTc(CO)₃)] (3) complex did form in water. We propose a metal mediated Diels-Alder reaction mechanism. To show that this reaction was not limited to carboxylate groups, we synthesized conjugates of 2 (HCp-CONHR)₂ (4a-c) (4a, R = benzyl amine; 4b, R = N_α-Boc-l-2,3-diaminopropionic acid and 4c, R = glycine). The corresponding ^99mTc complexes [(4a)^99mTc(CO)₃)] 6a, [(4b)^99mTc(CO)₃)] 6b and [(4c)^99mTc(CO)₃)] 6c have been prepared along the same route as for Thiele’s acid in aqueous media demonstrating the general applicability of this synthetic strategy. The authenticity of the ^99mTc complexes on the no carrier added level have been confirmed by chromatographic comparison with the structurally characterized manganese or rhenium complexes.Studies of the reaction of 1 with Thiele’s acid bound to a solid phase resin demonstrated the formation of [(Cp-COOH)^99mTc(CO)₃)] 3 in a heterogeneous reaction. This is the first evidence for the formation of no carrier added ^99mTc radiopharmaceuticals containing cyclopentadienyl ligands via solid phase syntheses. Macroscopically, the manganese analogue 5a and the rhenium complexes 5b-c have been prepared and characterized by IR, NMR, ESI-MS and X-ray crystallography for 5a (monoclinic, P2₁/c, a = 9.8696(2) Å, b = 25.8533(4) Å, c = 11.8414(2) Å, β = 98.7322(17)°) in order to unambiguously assign the authenticity of the corresponding ^99mTc complexes.     

Pentabenzylcyclopentadienyl molybdenum and tungsten hydrides: Syntheses, structures and electrochemistry of [MHCp(CO)2(L)] (L = CO, PMe3, PPh3)

Complexes [MHCp^Bz(CO)₂(PR₃)] (R = CH₃, M = Mo (1); M = W (2); R = Ph, M = Mo (3); Cp^Bz = C₅(CH₂Ph)₅) were prepared by thermal decarbonylation of the corresponding [MHCp^Bz(CO)₃] in the presence of trimethyl- or triphenyl-phosphine. In solution the NMR spectra of all compounds show the presence of cis and trans isomers that interconvert at room temperature. In the solid state the molecular structures obtained for compounds 1 and 2 correspond to the trans isomers, while for 3 the cis isomer is present.The electrochemistry of [MoHCp^Bz(CO)₂(PMe₃)] (1), [MoHCp^Bz(CO)₃] (5), [WHCp^Bz(CO)₃] (6), [WCp^Bz(CO)₃]₂ (7), and [MCp^Bz(CO)₃(CH₃CN)]BF₄ (8), is described. The cleavage of M-H bonds takes place upon oxidation or reduction. Cations [MCp^Bz(CO)₂L(CH₃CN)]⁺ form in solvent-assisted M-H bond breaking upon oxidation of [MHCp^Bz(CO)₂L] (L = PMe₃, CO). Reduction of [MHCp^Bz(CO)₃] gives [MCp^Bz(CO)₃]⁻ and H₂. The presence of one PMe₃ ligand lowers the reduction potential and precludes the observation of reduction waves.     

Syntheses,structures and luminescent properties of four copper(I) cyanide coordination polymers based on 2-(n-pyridyl)benzimidazole ligands (n = 2, 3, 4)

Four copper(I) cyanide coordination polymers containing 2-(n-pyridyl)benzimidazole ligands, namely [Cu₂(CN)(2-PyBIm)]_n (1), [Cu₂(CN)₂(3-PyHBIm)]_n (2), {[Cu₃(CN)₃(4-PyHBIm)₄] · 2H₂O}_n (3) and [Cu₅(CN)₃(4-PyBIm)₂]_n (4), have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Complex 1 is a one-dimension coordination polymer in which 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole is deprotonated and adopts a bridging tridentate coordination mode. Complex 2 has ladder-like structure in which 2-(3-pyridyl)benzimidazole does not deprotonate and acts as a bidentate bridge. Complex 3 displays a saddle-shaped helical chain constructed through μ₂-cyanide group and the outstretched neutral 2-(4-pyridyl)benzimidazole monodentate ligand. Complex 4 shows two-dimension layer polymeric structure in which deprotonated 2-(4-pyridyl)benzimidazole acts as a tridentate bridging ligand. The cyanide groups in four complexes all act as bidentate bridging ligands. These complexes are thermal stable and display luminescence in the solid states.     

New stable germylenes, stannylenes, and related compounds: 6. Heteroleptic germanium(II) and tin(II) compounds [(SiMe3)2N-E-OCH2CH2NMe2]n (E = Ge, n = 1; Sn, n = 2): synthesis and structure

New stable heteroleptic germanium(II) and tin(II) compounds [(SiMe₃)₂N-E¹⁴-OCH₂CH₂NMe₂]_n (E¹⁴ = Ge, n = 1 (1), Sn, n = 2 (2)) have been synthesized and their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. While compound 1 is monomer stabilized by intramolecular Ge ← N coordination, compound 2 is associated to dimer via intermolecular dative Sn ← O interactions.     

Structure and reactivity of derivatives of dihalogenomethyl indium(III) halides, X2InCHX2 (X = Cl, Br, I)

The reactions of indium monohalides, InX with haloforms, CHX₃, in 1,4-dioxane (diox), produce the dioxane adducts of dihalogeno-dihalogenomethyl-indium(III), X₂In(diox)_nCHX₂ (X = Cl, Br, n = 1; X = I, n = 2) compounds. The ionic derivative [(C₂H₅)₄N] [Cl₃InCHCl₂] was prepared and its crystal structure determined by X-ray means. The reactions of the X₂In(diox)_nCHX₂ compounds are significantly different from those of the related X₂InCH₂X compounds. The dihalogenomethyl derivatives react with strong electrophiles suggesting dihalogenomethyl substituents of mild nucleophilic character, while the carbon atoms in the halogenomethyl derivatives are electrophilic.     

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

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

A complete series of tricarbonylhalidorhenium(I) complexes (abpy)Re(CO)3(Hal), Hal = F, Cl, Br, I; abpy = 2,2′-azobispyridine: Structures, spectroelectrochemistry and EPR of reduced forms

For the first time a complete set of tricarbonylhalidorhenium(I) complexes (Hal = F, Cl, Br, I) has been studied in a systematical fashion by example of (abpy)Re(CO)₃(Hal), abpy = 2,2′-azobispyridine. Crystal structures of chloride, bromide and iodide analogues are now available, showing increasing planarization of the abpy ligand in that order. Cyclic voltammetry, EPR, IR and UV/Vis spectroelectrochemistry of the reduced forms [(abpy)Re(CO)₃(Hal)]⁻ illustrate that the four halide complexes differ only partially in their properties. The strongest deviations are observed for [(abpy)Re(CO)₃F]⁻ which is distinguished by the widest electrochemical potential range but most pronounced chemical lability. In the EPR spectrum the fluoride exhibits the highest isotropic g value (2.0085) and the lowest rhenium coupling constant, which is of the same magnitude (2 mT) as the detectable ¹⁹F hyperfine splitting.     

Ligand substitution in the heterometallic cluster Cp*IrOs3(μ-H)2(CO)10

The reactions of the heterometallic cluster Cp*IrOs₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₀ with phosphines, isonitriles and pyridine under TMNO activation afforded the substitution products Cp*IrOs₃(μ-H)₂(CO)_10−nL_n (n = 1, 2; L = PPh₃, P(OMe)₃, ^tBuNC, CyNC or py) in good yields. For the monosubstituted derivatives, the substitution site was exclusively at an osmium atom in an axial position for L = phosphine or phosphite. Spectroscopic evidence suggested the presence of isomers in solution for the PPh₃ derivative. In contrast, for L = isonitrile, the ligand occupied an equatorial site. In the disubstituted derivatives, the group 15 ligands were coordinated to two different osmium atoms, one each at an axial and an equatorial site. The isomerism and fluxional behaviour of some of these clusters have also been examined.     

Binuclear cyclopentadienylvanadium carbonyl thiocarbonyls: Vanadium-vanadium bonding and four-electron donor bridging thiocarbonyl groups

Theoretical studies on the cyclopentadienylvanadium carbonyl thiocarbonyls Cp₂V₂(CS)₂(CO)_n (n = 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0) indicate the energetic preference for structures with four-electron donor bridging CS groups. Thus the lowest energy Cp₂V₂(CS)₂(CO)₅ structures have an “end-on” four-electron donor CE (E = O, S) bridge and no vanadium-vanadium bond. The lowest energy Cp₂V₂(CS)₂(CO)₄ structure has a four-electron donor bridging η²-μ-CS group and a V-V distance of ∼3.0 Å corresponding to a formal single bond. The lowest energy Cp₂V₂(CS)₂(CO)₃ structures also have a single bridging η²-μ-CS group. Both Cp₂V₂(CS)₂(CO)_n (n = 4 and 3) are predicted to lie energetically above the disproportionation products Cp₂V₂(CS)₂(CO)_n+1 + Cp₂V₂(CS)₂(CO)_n−1. This contrasts with the stable carbonyl analog Cp₂V₂(CO)₅, which has been synthesized and characterized structurally by X-ray diffraction. The lowest energy structures for the highly unsaturated Cp₂V₂(CS)₂(CO) and Cp₂V₂(CS)₂ have two four-electron bridging η²-μ-CS groups. The distances corresponding to V-V single bonds, VV double bonds, and VV triple bonds in the Cp₂V₂(CS)₂(CO)_n structures (n = 4, 3, 2, 1, 0) are predicted to fall in the ranges 2.98 ± 0.07, 2.77 ± 0.21, and 2.52 ± 0.06 Å, respectively. The thermodynamics of the Cp₂V₂(CS)₂(CO)_n system suggest Cp₂V₂(CS)₂(CO)₂ as the most promising synthetic objective.     

Synthesis, structure and butadiene polymerization behavior of CoCl2(PRxPh3 − x)2 (R = methyl, ethyl, propyl, allyl, isopropyl, cyclohexyl; x = 1, 2). Influence of the phosphorous ligand on polymerization stereoselectivity

Several cobalt(II) phosphine complexes have been synthesized by reacting cobalt(II) chloride with various mono- and diphenylalkylphosphines (PR_xPh_3 − x; R = methyl, ethyl, allyl, propyl, isopropyl, cyclohexyl; x = 1, 2). For some of these complexes single crystals were obtained and their molecular structure, were determined by X-ray diffraction method. All the complexes were then used in association with MAO for the polymerization of 1,3-butadiene and they were found to be extremely active. Predominantly 1,2 polymers having different tacticity (predominantly iso- or syndiotactic), depending on the type of phosphine ligand bonded to the cobalt atoms were obtained. An interpretation of this particular behavior, based on the diene polymerization mechanism previously proposed, is reported.