Mechanistic investigation of CO2 hydrogenation by Ru(II) and Ir(III) aqua complexes under acidic conditions: two catalytic systems differing in the nature of the rate determining step

Ruthenium aqua complexes [(eta(6)-C(6)Me(6))Ru(II)(L)(OH(2))](2+) {L = bpy (1) and 4,4'-OMe-bpy (2), bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, 4,4'-OMe-bpy = 4,4'-dimethoxy-2,2'-bipyridine} and iridium aqua complexes [Cp*Ir(III)(L)(OH(2))](2+) {Cp* = eta(5)-C(5)Me(5), L = bpy (5) and 4,4'-OMe-bpy (6)} act as catalysts for hydrogenation of CO(2) into HCOOH at pH 3.0 in H(2)O. The active hydride catalysts cannot be observed in the hydrogenation of CO(2) with the ruthenium complexes, whereas the active hydride catalysts, [Cp*Ir(III)(L)(H)](+) {L = bpy (7) and 4,4'-OMe-bpy (8)}, have successfully been isolated after the hydrogenation of CO(2) with the iridium complexes. The key to the success of the isolation of the active hydride catalysts is the change in the rate-determining step in the catalytic hydrogenation of CO(2) from the formation of the active hydride catalysts, [(eta(6)-C(6)Me(6))Ru(II)(L)(H)](+), to the reactions of [Cp*Ir(III)(L)(H)](+) with CO(2), as indicated by the kinetic studies.     

Mono(sulfido)-bridged mixed-valence nitrosyl complex: protonation and oxidative addition of iodine across the Ir(II)-Ir(0) bond

Treatment of [Cp*IrH(SH)(PMe3)] (Cp* = eta5-C5Me5) with [IrCl2(NO)(PPh3)2] in the presence of triethylamine yielded the sulfido-bridged Ir(II)Ir0 complex [Cp*Ir(PMe3)(mu-S)Ir(NO)(PPh3)], which further reacted with I2 and triflic acid to give the diiodo complex [Cp*Ir(PMe3)(mu-I)(mu-S)IrI(NO)(PPh3)] and the hydrido complex [Cp*Ir(PMe3)(mu-H)(mu-S)Ir(NO)(PPh3)][OSO2CF3], respectively.     

pH-selective synthesis and structures of alkynyl, acyl, and ketonyl intermediates in anti-Markovnikov and Markovnikov hydrations of a terminal alkyne with a water-soluble iridium aqua complex in water

Chemoselective synthesis and isolation of alkynyl [Cp*Ir(III)(bpy)CCPh]+ (2, Cp* = eta5-C5Me5, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine), acyl [Cp*Ir(III)(bpy)C(O)CH2Ph]+ (3), and ketonyl [Cp*Ir(III)(bpy)CH2C(O)Ph]+ (4) intermediates in anti-Markovnikov and Markovnikov hydration of phenylacetylene in water have been achieved by changing the pH of the solution of a water-soluble aqua complex [Cp*Ir(III)(bpy)(H2O)]2+ (1) used as the same starting complex. The alkynyl complex [2]2.SO4 was synthesized at pH 8 in the reaction of 1.SO4 with H2O at 25 degrees C, and was isolated as a yellow powder of 2.X (X = CF3SO3 or PF6) by exchanging the counteranion at pH 8. The acyl complex [3]2.SO4 was synthesized by changing the pH of the aqueous solution of [2]2.SO4 from 8 to 1 at 25 degrees C, and was isolated as a red powder of 3.PF6 by exchanging the counteranion at pH 1. The hydration of phenylacetylene with 1.SO4 at pH 4 at 25 degrees C gave a mixture of [2]2.SO4 and [4]2.SO4. After the counteranion was exchanged from SO4(2-) to CF3SO3-, the ketonyl complex 4.CF3SO3 was separated from the mixture of 2.CF3SO3 and 4.CF3SO3 because of the difference in solubility at pH 4 in water. The structures of 2-4 were established by IR with 13C-labeled phenylacetylene (Ph12C13CH), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and NMR studies including 1H, 13C, distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer (DEPT), and correlation spectroscopy (COSY) experiments. The structures of 2.PF6 and 3.PF6 were unequivocally determined by X-ray analysis. Protonation of 3 and 4 gave an aldehyde (phenylacetaldehyde) and a ketone (acetophenone), respectively. Mechanism of the pH-selective anti-Markovnikov vs Markovnikov hydration has been discussed based on the effect of pH on the formation of 2-4. The origins of the alkynyl, acyl, and ketonyl ligands of 2-4 were determined by isotopic labeling experiments with D2O and H2(18)O.     

An iron(II) dihydrogen hydrido complex containing the tripodal tetraphosphine ligand P(CH2CH2PMe2)3

The dihydrogen hydrido complex [FeH(H2)(PP3)]+ 1 (PP3 = P(CH2CH2PMe2)3 2) was formed by the protonation of the dihydrido complex FeH2(PP3) 3 with methanol or ethanol. The observation of H-D coupling in partially deuterated isotopomers of 1 and measurement of T1 relaxation times for the hydrido and dihydrogen resonances of 1 confirmed the presence of the eta2-dihydrogen ligand. Complex 1 shows dynamic NMR behaviour in both the 31P and 1H NMR spectra with facile exchange between the protons in the eta2-dihydrogen ligand and the eta1-hydrido ligand. The dihydrogen ligand of 1 is easily displaced by both anionic and neutral ligands to afford the corresponding hydrido complexes [FeHX(PP3)]+ (X = CO 11, X = PPh3 12) or FeHX(PP3)(X = Cl 13, X = Br 14, X = I 15, X = N3 16). Small quantities of the alkoxy hydrido complexes FeH(OR)(PP3)(R = Me 4; R = Et 5) are observed in methanol and ethanol solutions containing 1. In methanol solution, FeH(OMe)(PP3) 4 reacts to form the carbonyl hydrido complex [FeH(CO)(PP3)]+ 11 and isotopic labelling confirms that the carbonyl ligand of 11 is derived from the methanol solvent. The mechanism of methanol oxidation presumably proceeds through beta-hydride elimination from FeH(OMe)(PP3) to produce formaldehyde as an intermediate which is further dehydrogenated to form the carbonyl ligand. [FeH(H2)(PP3)]+ 1 and FeHCl(PP3) 13 react rapidly with paraformaldehyde to also form [FeH(CO)(PP3)]+ 11. Complex 11 also decarbonylates acetaldehyde to afford the methyl carbonyl complex [FeMe(CO)(PP3)]+ 17. The structure of 17 was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.     

Various forms of linear dipyridyls in discrete rectangles, dinuclear rods, and one-dimensional networks containing (eta5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)rhodium(III)

[Cp*Rh(eta1-NO3)(eta2-NO3)] (1) reacted with pyrazine (pyz) to give a dinuclear complex [Cp*Rh(eta1-NO3)(mu-pyz)(0.5)]2.CH2Cl2(3.CH2Cl2). Tetranuclear rectangles of the type [Cp*Rh(eta1,mu-X)(mu-L)(0.5)]4(OTf)4(4a: X = N3, L = bpy; 4b: X = N3, L = bpe; 4c: X = NCO, L = bpy) were prepared from [Cp*Rh(H2O)3](OTf)2 (2), a pseudo-halide (Me3SiN3 or Me3SiNCO), and a linear dipyridyl [4,4'-bipyridine (bpy) or trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe)] by self-assembly through one-pot synthesis at room temperature. Treating complex with NH4SCN and dipyridyl led to the formation of dinuclear rods, [Cp*Rh(eta1-SCN)3]2(LH2) (5a: L = bpy; 5b: L = bpe), in which two Cp*Rh(eta1-SCN)3 units are connected by the diprotonated dipyridyl (LH2(2+)) through N(+)-H...N hydrogen bonds. Reactions of complex 2 with 1-(trimethylsilyl)imidazole (TMSIm) and dipyridyl (bpy or bpe) also produced another family of dinuclear rods [Cp*Rh(ImH)3]2.L (6a: L = bpy; 6b: L = bpe). Treating 1 and 2 with TMSIm and NH4SCN (in the absence of dipyridyl) generated a 1-D chain [Cp*Rh(ImH)3](NO3)2 (7) and a 1-D helix [Cp*Rh(eta1-SCN)2(eta1-SHCN)].H2O (8.H2O), respectively. The structures of complexes 3.CH2Cl2, 4a.H2O, 4c.2H2O, 5b, 6a, 7 and 8.H2O were determined by X-ray diffraction.     

C-H activation on a diphosphine and hydrido-bridged diiridium complex: generation and detection of an active IrII-IrII species [(Cp*Ir)2(micro-dmpm)(micro-H)]+

Reaction of [Cp*Ir(micro-H)](2) (5) (Cp* = eta(5)-C(5)Me(5)) with bis(dimethylphosphino)methane (dmpm) gives a new neutral diiridium complex [(Cp*Ir)(2)(micro-dmpm)(micro-H)(2)] (3). Treatment of 3 with methyl triflate at -30 degrees C results in the formation of [(Cp*Ir)(H)(micro-dmpm)(micro-H)(Me)(IrCp*)][OTf] (6). Warming a solution of above 0 degrees C brings about predominant generation of 32e(-) Ir(II)-Ir(II) species [(Cp*Ir)(micro-dmpm)(micro-H)(IrCp*)][OTf] (7). Further heating of the solution of 7 up to 30 degrees C for 14 h leads to quantitative formation of a new complex [(Cp*Ir)(H)(micro-Me(2)PCH(2)PMeCH(2))(micro-H)(IrCp*)][OTf] (8), which is formed by intramolecular oxidative addition of the methyl C-H bond of the dmpm ligand. Intermolecular C-H bond activation reactions with 7 are also examined. Reactions of 7 with aromatic molecules (benzene, toluene, furan, and pyridine) at room temperature result in the smooth sp(2) C-H activation to give [(Cp*Ir)(H)(micro-dmpm)(micro-H)(Ar)(IrCp*)][OTf] (Ar = Ph (9); Ar = m-Tol (10a) or p-Tol (10b); Ar = 2-Fur (11)) and [(Cp*Ir)(H)(micro-dmpm)(micro-C(5)H(4)N)(H)(IrCp*)][OTf] (12), respectively. Complex also reacts with cyclopentene at 0 degrees C to give [(Cp*Ir)(H)(micro-dmpm)(micro-H)(1-cyclopentenyl)(IrCp*)][OTf] (13). Structures of 3, 8 and 12 have been confirmed by X-ray analysis.     

Parallel transformations of cyclohexene mediated by the Cp*W(NO) fragment

Hydrogenolysis of Cp*W(NO)(CH2CMe3)2 at room temperature in cyclohexene results in the formation of the intermediate 16e organometallic complex, [Cp*W(NO)(eta2-cyclohexene)]. This intermediate leads to three parallel transformations of cyclohexene, namely (a) C-H activation of cyclohexene to form an eta3-cyclohexenyl hydrido complex, (b) combination of cyclohexene and H2 to form a cyclohexyl hydrido complex, and (c) coupling of two molecules of cyclohexene with concomitant loss of two hydrogen atoms to form a complex containing a novel eta1,eta3-(cyclohexyl)cyclohexenyl ligand. Single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analyses of products resulting from transformations (b) and (c) have been effected.     

Activation and coordination of ammonia at [cp*ir(h)(2) ]: NMR and matrix isolation studies

(1) H?NMR exchange spectroscopy of a reaction mixture of [Cp*Ir(H)(4) ] (1; Cp*=1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) and ammonia suggests an exchange of hydrogen atoms between the hydrido ligands and ammonia. Treatment of 1 with ND(3) led to an H/D exchange between ND(3) and the hydrido ligands of 1. Subsequent studies showed that photolysis of 1 isolated in frozen argon matrices leads to the formation of the iridium compounds [Cp*Ir(H)(2) ] (2) and [Cp*Ir(H)(3) ] (4), as it was confirmed by IR spectroscopy. In the presence of water the aqua complex [Cp*Ir(H)(2) (OH(2) )] (3) was generated simultaneously. Accordingly, photolysis of 1 in an argon matrix doped with ammonia gave rise to the ammine complex [Cp*Ir(H)(2) (NH(3) )] (5). IR assignments were supported by calculations of the gas-phase IR spectra of 1-5 by DFT methods.     

Nitrogen atom insertion into Ir-S and C-S bonds initiated by photolysis of iridium(III)-azido-dithiocarbamato complexes

Photolysis of acetonitrile solutions of Cp*Ir(R2dtc)(N3) [Cp* = eta5-C5Me5, R2dtc = S2CNR2; R = Me (1) or Et (1')] at temperatures below 0 degrees C afford five-coordinate complexes Cp*Ir{NSC(NR2)S} (2 or 2'), where a nitrogen atom has been inserted into one of the Ir-S bonds. In solution, complex 2 thermally convert to the azaethene-1,2-dithiolate complex, Cp*Ir[SN=C(NMe2)S] (3), which could be crystallized as the corresponding dimer, {Cp*Ir[mu-SN=C(NMe2)S-kappa3S:S,S']}2 (4). As a result, a nitrogen atom that originated in the azide ligand is transferred into a C-S bond of the dithiocarbamate.     

Tuning the redox potentials of dinuclear tungsten oxo complexes [(Cp*W(4,4'-R,R-2,2'-bpy)(mu-O))2][PF6]2 toward photochemical water splitting

A series of novel dinuclear tungsten(IV) oxo complexes with disubstituted 4,4'-R,R-2,2'-bipyridyl (R(2)bpy) ligands of the type [(Cp*W(R(2)bpy)(mu-O))(2)][PF(6)](2) (R=NMe(2), tBu, Me, H, Cl) was prepared by hydrolysis of the tungsten(IV) trichloro complexes [Cp*W(R(2)bpy)Cl(3)]. Cyclic voltammetry measurements for the tungsten(IV) oxo compounds provided evidence for one reversible oxidation and two reversible reductions leading to the oxidation states W(V)W(IV), W(IV)W(III) and W(III)W(III). The corresponding complexes [(Cp*W(R(2)bpy)(mu-O))(2)](n+) [PF(6)](n) (n=0 for R=Me, tBu, and 1, 3 for both R=Me) could be isolated after chemical oxidation/reduction of the tungsten(IV) oxo complexes. The crystal structures of the complexes [(Cp*W(R(2)bpy)(mu-O))(2)][BPh(4)](2) (R=NMe(2), tBu) and [(Cp*W(Me(2)bpy)(mu-O))(2)](n+)[PF(6)](n) (n=0, 1, 2, 3) show a cis geometry with a puckered W(2)O(2) four-membered ring for all compounds except [(Cp*W(Me(2)bpy)(mu-O))(2)] which displays a trans geometry with a planar W(2)O(2) ring. Examining the interaction of these novel tungsten oxo complexes with protons, we were able to show that the W(IV)W(IV) complexes [(Cp*W(R(2)bpy)(mu-O))(2)][PF(6) (-)](2) (R=NMe(2), tBu) undergo reversible protonation, while the W(III)W(III) complexes [(Cp*W(R(2)bpy)(mu-O))(2)] transfer two electrons forming the W(IV)W(IV) complex and molecular hydrogen.     

Sulfur-bridged early-late heterobimetallics synthesized by incorporation of titanium,vanadium, and molybdenum into bis(hydrosulfido) templates of group 9 metals

Reactions of the bis(hydrosulfido) complexes [Cp*Rh(SH)(2)(PMe(3))] (1a; Cp* = eta(5)-C(5)Me(5)) with [CpTiCl(3)] (Cp = eta(5)-C(5)H(5)) and [TiCl(4)(thf)(2)] in the presence of triethylamine led to the formation of the sulfido-bridged titanium-rhodium complexes [Cp*Rh(PMe(3))(micro(2)-S)(2)TiClCp] (2a) and [Cp*Rh(PMe(3))(micro2-S)(2)TiCl(2)] (3a), respectively. Complex 3a and its iridium analogue 3b were further converted into the bis(acetylacetonato) complexes [Cp*M(PMe(3))(micro(2)-S)(2)Ti(acac)(2)] (4a, M = Rh; 4b, M = Ir) upon treatment with acetylacetone. The hydrosulfido complexes 1a and [Cp*Ir(SH)(2)(PMe(3))] (1b) also reacted with [VCl(3)(thf)(3)] and [Mo(CO)(4)(nbd)] (nbd = 2,5-norbornadiene) to afford the cationic sulfido-bridged VM2 complexes [(Cp*M(PMe(3))(micro2-S)(2))2V](+) (5a(+), M = Rh; 5b(+), M = Ir) and the hydrosulfido-bridged MoM complexes [Cp*M(PMe(3))(micro2-SH)(2)Mo(CO)(4)] (6a, M = Rh; 6b, M = Ir), respectively.     

Ambient-pressure hydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes by a metal-ligand bifunctional catalyst [Cp*Ir(2,2′-bpyO)(H2O)] without using base

An efficient catalytic system for hydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes using a Cp*Ir complex [Cp*Ir(2,2′-bpyO)(H₂O)] bearing a bipyridine-based functional ligand as catalyst has been developed. A wide variety of secondary and primary alcohols were synthesized by the catalyzed hydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes under facile atmospheric-pressure without a base. The catalyst also displays an excellent chemoselectivity towards other carbonyl functionalities and unsaturated motifs. This catalytic system exhibits high activity for hydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes with H₂ gas.     

Preparation of mononuclear and dinuclear Rh hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borato complexes containing arenethiolato ligands and conversion of the mononuclear complexes into dinuclear Rh-Rh and Rh-Ir complexes with bridging arenethiolato ligands

Reactions of [Tp*Rh(coe)(MeCN)](; Tp*= HB(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)(3); coe = cyclooctene) with one equiv. of the organic disulfides, PhSSPh, TolSSTol (Tol = 4-MeC(6)H(4)), PySSPy (Py = 2-pyridyl), and tetraethylthiuram disulfide in THF at room temperature afforded the mononuclear Rh(III) complexes [Tp*Rh(SPh)(2)(MeCN)](3a), [Tp*Rh(STol)(2)(MeCN)](3b), [Tp*Rh(eta(2)-SPy)(eta(1)-SPy)](6), and [Tp*Rh(eta(2)-S(2)CNEt(2))(eta(1)-S(2)CNEt(2))](7), respectively, via the oxidative addition of the organic disulfides to the Rh(I) center in 1. For the Tp analogue [TpRh(coe)(MeCN)](2, Tp = HB(pyrazol-1-yl)(3)), the reaction with TolSSTol proceeded similarly to give the bis(thiolato) complex [TpRh(STol)(2)(MeCN)](4) as a major product but the dinuclear complex [[TpRh(STol)](2)(micro-STol)(2)](5) was also obtained in low yield. Complex 3 was treated further with the Rh(III) or Ir(III) complexes [(Cp*MCl)(2)(micro-Cl)(2)](Cp*=eta(5)-C(5)Me(5)) in THF at room temperature, yielding the thiolato-bridged dinuclear complexes [Tp*RhCl(micro-SPh)(2)MCp*Cl](8a: M = Rh, 8b: M = Ir). Dirhodium complex [TpRhCl(micro-STol)(2)RhCp*Cl](9) was obtained similarly from 4 and [(Cp*RhCl)(2)(micro-Cl)(2)]. Anion metathesis of 8a proceeds only at the Rh atom with the Cp* ligand to yield [Tp*RhCl(micro-SPh)(2)RhCp*(MeCN)][PF(6)](10), when treated with excess KPF(6) in CH(2)Cl(2)-MeCN. The X-ray analyses have been undertaken to determine the detailed structures of 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8a, 9, and 10.     

Coordination features of a hybrid scorpionate/phosphane ligand exemplified with Iridium

Although the pentacoordinated complex [Ir{(allyl)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(pz)(2)}(cod)] (1; pz=pyrazolyl, cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene), isolated from the reaction of [{Ir(mu-Cl)(cod)}(2)] with [Li(tmen)][B(allyl)(CH(2)PPh(2))- (pz)(2)] (tmen=N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethane-1,2-diamine), shows behavior similar to that of the related hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate complex, the carbonyl derivatives behave in a quite different way. On carbonylation of 1, the metal--metal-bonded complex [(Ir{(allyl)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(pz)(2)}CO)(2)(mu-CO)] (2) that results has a single ketonic carbonyl bridge. This bridging carbonyl is labile such that upon treatment of 2 with PMe(3) the pentacoordinated Ir(I) complex [Ir(CO){(pz)B(eta(2)-CH(2)CH=CH(2))(CH(2)PPh(2))(pz)}(PMe(3))] (3) was isolated. Complex 3 shows a unique fac coordination of the hybrid ligand with the allyl group eta(2)-bonded to the metal in the equatorial plane of a distorted trigonal bipyramid with one pyrazolate group remaining uncoordinated. This unusual feature can be rationalized on the basis of the electron-rich nature of the metal center. The related complex [Ir(CO){(pz)B(eta(2)-CH(2)CH=CH(2))(CH(2)PPh(2))(pz)}(PPh(3))] (4) was found to exist in solution as a temperature-dependent equilibrium between the cis-pentacoordinated and trans square planar isomers with respect to the phosphorus donor atoms. Protonation of 3 with different acids is selective at the iridium center and gives the cationic hydrides [Ir{(allyl)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(pz)(2)}(CO)H(PMe(3))]X (X=BF(4) (5), MeCO(2) (6), and Cl (7)). Complex 7 further reacts with HCl to generate the unexpected product [Ir(CO)Cl{(Hpz)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(pz)CH(2)CH(Me)}(PMe(3))]Cl (9; Hpz=protonated pyrazolyl group) formed by the insertion of the hydride into the Ir-(eta(2)-allyl) bond. In contrast, protonation of complex 4 with HCl stops at the hydrido complex [Ir{(allyl)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(pz)(2)}(CO)H(PPh(3))]Cl (8). X-ray diffraction studies carried out on complexes 2, 3, and 9 show the versatility of the hybrid scorpionate ligand in its coordination.     

Inter- and intramolecular activation of aromatic C-H bonds by diphosphine and hydrido-bridged dinuclear iridium complexes

Reactions of [(Cp*Ir)2(mu-dmpm)(mu-H)2]2+ (1) with NaOtBu in aromatic solvent at room temperature give [(Cp*Ir)(H)(mu-dmpm)(mu-H)(Cp*Ir)(Ar)]+ [Ar = Ph (3), p-Tol (4a), m-Tol (4b), 2-furanyl (5a), 3-furanyl (5b)] via intermolecular aromatic C-H activation. Treatment of [(Cp*Ir)2(mu-dppm)(mu-H)2]2+ (2) with base (Et2NH) results in intramolecular C-H activation of the phenyl group in the dppm ligand to give [(Cp*Ir)(H){mu-PPh(C6H4)CH2PPh2}(mu-H)(Cp*Ir)]+ (6). The structures of 3, 5a, and 6 have been determined by X-ray diffraction methods.     

A new titanium building block for early-late heterometallic complexes; preparation of a new tetrameric metallomacrocycle by self assembly

The new titanium dicarboxylate complex Cp*TiMe(OOC)2py (2) [Cp*=eta5-C5Me5; (OOC)2py = 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate] has been synthesized. The reaction of complex 2 with water renders [Cp*Ti(OOC)2py]2O (3). The molecular structure of 3 has been studied by X-ray diffraction methods. Complex 2 reacts with isocyanides to yield the respective iminoacyl derivatives Cp*Ti(eta2-MeCNR)(OOC)2py [R=tBu (4), 2,6-dimethylphenyl (xylyl) (5)]. The molecular structure of complex4 has been established by X-ray diffraction. Compound 2 has been employed as a new building block for the preparation of new early-late heterometallic compounds; it reacts with [M(mu-OH)(COD)]2 (M = Rh, Ir) to give the corresponding tetranuclear metallomacrocycle derivatives [Cp*Ti{(OOC)(2)py}(mu-O)M(COD)]2 [M = Rh (6); Ir (7)]. The molecular structure of 6 has been established by X-ray diffraction.     

Ten-electron coordination and reactivity of an arylphosphinidene ligand

Photochemical decarbonylation of [Mo2Cp2(mu-PR*)(CO)4] (Cp = eta5-C5H5; R* = 2,4,6-C6H2tBu3) gives [Mo2Cp2(mu-kappa1:kappa1,eta6-PR*)(CO)2], which shows the first example of a remarkable 10-electron donor arylphosphinidene ligand which bridges two Mo atoms through its phosphorus atom while being pi-bonded to one Mo center through the six carbon atoms of the aryl ring. This causes a severe pyramidal distortion of the P-bound C atom. The complex adds CO to give [Mo2Cp2(mu-kappa1:kappa1,eta4-PR*)(CO)3], which has an 8-electron donor PR* ligand, and then the parent complex [Mo2Cp2(mu-PR*)(CO)4]. Protonation of [Mo2Cp2(mu-kappa1:kappa1,eta6-PR*)(CO)2] gives the hydride [Mo2Cp2(H)(mu-kappa1:kappa1,eta6-PR*)(CO)2]+, which undergoes P-C bond cleavage and hydride migration, affording the phosphido cation [Mo2Cp2(mu-P)(eta6-R*H)(CO)2]+.     

Variable coordination of amine functionalised N-heterocyclic carbene ligands to Ru, Rh and Ir: C-H and N-H activation and catalytic transfer hydrogenation

Chelating amine and amido complexes of late transition metals are highly valuable bifunctional catalysts in organic synthesis, but complexes of bidentate amine-NHC and amido-NHC ligands are scarce. Hence, we report the reactions of a secondary-amine functionalised imidazolium salt 2a and a primary-amine functionalised imidazolium salt 2b with [(p-cymene)RuCl(2)](2) and [Cp*MCl(2)](2) (M = Rh, Ir). Treating 2a with [Cp*MCl(2)](2) and NaOAc gave the cyclometallated compounds Cp*M(C,C)I (M = Rh, 3; M = Ir, 4), resulting from aromatic C-H activation. In contrast, treating 2b with [(p-cymene)RuCl(2)](2), Ag(2)O and KI gave the amine-NHC complex [(p-cymene)Ru(C,NH(2))I]I (5). The reaction of 2b with [Cp*MCl(2)](2) (M = Rh, Ir), NaO(t)Bu and KI gave the amine-NHC complex [Cp*Rh(NH(2))I]I (6) or the amido-NHC complex Cp*Ir(C,NH)I (7); both protonation states of the Ir complex could be accessed: treating 7 with trifluoroacetic acid gave the amine-NHC complex [Cp*Ir(C,NH(2))I][CF(3)CO(2)] (8). These are the first primary amine- or amido-NHC complexes of Rh and Ir. Solid-state structures of the complexes 3-8 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 5, 6 and 7 are pre-catalysts for the catalytic transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone to 1-phenylethanol, with ruthenium complex 5 demonstrating especially high reactivity.     

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.     

Silylenediamido [(CH3)2Si(NTs)2(2-); Ts = p-CH3C6H4SO2] complexes of iridium: synthesis, structures and facile Si-N bond cleavage

The N,N'-bis(sulfonyl)diaminosilane TsdmsinH(2) (TsdmsinH(2) = (CH(3))(2)Si(NHTs)(2), Ts = p-CH(3)C(6)H(4)SO(2)) reacted with [Cp*IrCl(2)](2) (Cp* = eta(5)-C(5)(CH(3))(5)) in the presence of a base to give the coordinatively unsaturated (silylenediamido)iridium complex [Cp*Ir(Tsdmsin)] (2), which was further converted to the 18e adducts [Cp*Ir(Tsdmsin)L] (L = P(C(6)H(5))(3) (3a), P(OC(2)H(5))(3), CO); the reactions of 2 and 3a with water led to the formation of the imido-bridged dinuclear complex [Cp*Ir(micro(2)-NTs)(2)IrCp*] and the bis(amido) complex [Cp*Ir(NHTs)(2){P(C(6)H(5))(3)}], respectively.