Versatile reactivity of half-sandwich Ir and Rh complexes toward carboranylamidinates and their derivatives: synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity for norbornene polymerization

Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of carboranylamidinate‐based half‐sandwich iridium and rhodium complexes are reported for the first time. Treatment of dimeric metal complexes [{Cp*M(μ‐Cl)Cl}₂] (M=Ir, Rh; Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅) with a solution of one equivalent of nBuLi and a carboranylamidine produces 18‐electron complexes [Cp*IrCl(Cab^N‐DIC)] ( 1 a ; Cab^N‐DIC=[iPrN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NHiPr)]), [Cp*RhCl(Cab^N‐DIC)] ( 1 b ), and [Cp*RhCl(Cab^N‐DCC)] ( 1 c ; Cab^N‐DCC=[CyN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NHCy)]). A series of 16‐electron half‐sandwich Ir and Rh complexes [Cp*Ir(Cab^N′‐DIC)] ( 2 a ; Cab^N′‐DIC=[iPrN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NiPr)]), [Cp*Ir(Cab^N′‐DCC)] ( 2 b , Cab^N′‐DCC=[CyN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NCy)]), and [Cp*Rh(Cab^N′‐DIC)] ( 2 c ) is also obtained when an excess of nBuLi is used. The unexpected products [Cp*M(Cab^N,S‐DIC)], [Cp*M(Cab^N,S‐DCC)] (M=Ir 3 a , 3 b ; Rh 3 c , 3 d ), formed through BH activation, are obtained by reaction of [{Cp*MCl₂}₂] with carboranylamidinate sulfides [RN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NHR)]S^? (R=iPr, Cy), which can be prepared by inserting sulfur into the C? Li bond of lithium carboranylamidinates. Iridium complex 1 a shows catalytic activities of up to 2.69×10⁶ g_PNB ${{\rm{mol}}_{{\rm{Ir}}}^{ - {\rm{1}}} }Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of carboranylamidinate-based half-sandwich iridium and rhodium complexes are reported for the first time. Treatment of dimeric metal complexes [{Cp*M(μ-Cl)Cl}(2)] (M = Ir, Rh; Cp* = η(5)-C(5)Me(5)) with a solution of one equivalent of nBuLi and a carboranylamidine produces 18-electron complexes [Cp*IrCl(Cab(N)-DIC)] (1?a; Cab(N)-DIC = [iPrN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NHiPr)]), [Cp*RhCl(Cab(N)-DIC)] (1?b), and [Cp*RhCl(Cab(N)-DCC)] (1?c; Cab(N)-DCC = [CyN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NHCy)]). A series of 16-electron half-sandwich Ir and Rh complexes [Cp*Ir(Cab(N')-DIC)] (2?a; Cab(N')-DIC = [iPrN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NiPr)]), [Cp*Ir(Cab(N')-DCC)] (2?b, Cab(N')-DCC = [CyN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10)(NCy)]), and [Cp*Rh(Cab(N')-DIC)] (2?c) is also obtained when an excess of nBuLi is used. The unexpected products [Cp*M(Cab(N,S)-DIC)], [Cp*M(Cab(N,S)-DCC)] (M = Ir 3?a, 3?b; Rh 3?c, 3?d), formed through BH activation, are obtained by reaction of [{Cp*MCl(2)}(2)] with carboranylamidinate sulfides [RN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NHR)]S(-) (R = iPr, Cy), which can be prepared by inserting sulfur into the C-Li bond of lithium carboranylamidinates. Iridium complex 1?a shows catalytic activities of up to 2.69×10(6) g(PNB) mol(Ir)(-1) h(-1) for the polymerization of norbornene in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) as cocatalyst. Catalytic activities and the molecular weight of polynorbornene (PNB) were investigated under various reaction conditions. All complexes were fully characterized by elemental analysis and IR and NMR spectroscopy; the structures of 1?a-c, 2?a, b; and 3?a, b, d were further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

CH Activation of Benzene by a Photoactivated NiII(azide): Formation of a Transient Nickel Nitrido Complex

Photochemical activation of nickel‐azido complex 2 [Ni(N₃)(PNP)] (PN^HP=2,2′‐di(isopropylphosphino)‐4,4′‐ditolylamine) in neat benzene produces diamagnetic complex 3 [Ni(Ph)(PN^PN^H)], which is crystallographically characterized. DFT calculations support photoinitiated N₂‐loss of the azido complex to generate a rare, transient Ni^IV nitrido species, which bears significant nitridyl radical character. Subsequent trapping of this nitrido through insertion into the Ni? P bond generates a coordinatively unsaturated Ni^II imidophosphorane P?N donor. This species shows unprecedented reactivity toward 1,2‐addition of a C? H bond of benzene to form 3 . The structurally characterized chlorido complex 4 [Ni(Cl)(PN^PN^H)] is generated by reaction of 3 with HCl or by direct photolysis of 2 in chlorobenzene. This is the first report of aromatic C? H bond activation by a trapped transient nitrido species of a late transition metal.     

Ligand‐Centred Reactivity of Bis(picolyl)amine Iridium: Sequential Deprotonation,Oxidation and Oxygenation of a “Non‐Innocent” Ligand

Treatment of [Ir(bpa)(cod)]⁺ complex [ 1 ]⁺ with a strong base (e.g., tBuO^?) led to unexpected double deprotonation to form the anionic [Ir(bpa?2H)(cod)]^? species [ 3 ]^?, via the mono‐deprotonated neutral amido complex [Ir(bpa?H)(cod)] as an isolable intermediate. A certain degree of aromaticity of the obtained metal–chelate ring may explain the favourable double deprotonation. The rhodium analogue [ 4 ]^? was prepared in situ. The new species [M(bpa?2H)(cod)]^? (M=Rh, Ir) are best described as two‐electron reduced analogues of the cationic imine complexes [M^I(cod)(Py‐CH₂‐N?CH‐Py)]⁺. One‐electron oxidation of [ 3 ]^? and [ 4 ]^? produced the ligand radical complexes [ 3 ]^. and [ 4 ]^.. Oxygenation of [ 3 ]^? with O₂ gave the neutral carboxamido complex [Ir(cod)(py‐CH₂‐N‐CO‐py)] via the ligand radical complex [ 3 ]^. as a detectable intermediate.     

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

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

Facile Synthesis and Versatile Reactivity of an Unusual Cyclometalated Rhodium(I) Pincer Complex

The synthesis of the reactive PN(C^H) ligand 2‐di(tert‐butylphosphanomethyl)‐6‐phenylpyridine ( 1^H ) and its versatile coordination to a Rh^I center is described. Facile C?H activation occurs in the presence of a (internal) base, thus resulting in the new cyclometalated complex [Rh^I(CO)(κ³‐P,N,C‐ 1 )] ( 3 ), which has been structurally characterized. The resulting tridentate ligand framework was experimentally and computationally shown to display dual‐site proton‐responsive reactivity, including reversible cyclometalation. This feature was probed by selective H/D exchange with [D₁]formic acid. The addition of HBF₄ to 3 leads to rapid net protonolysis of the Rh?C bond to produce [Rh^I(CO)(κ³‐P,N,(C?H)‐ 1 )] ( 4 ). This species features a rare aryl C?H agostic interaction in the solid state, as shown by X‐ray diffraction studies. The nature of this interaction was also studied computationally. Reaction of 3 with methyl iodide results in rapid and selective ortho‐methylation of the phenyl ring, thus generating [Rh^I(CO)(κ²‐P,N‐ 1^Me )] ( 5 ). Variable‐temperature NMR spectroscopy indicates the involvement of a Rh^III intermediate through formal oxidative addition to give trans‐[Rh^III(CH₃)(CO)(I)(κ³‐P,N,C‐ 1 )] prior to C?C reductive elimination. The Rh^III–trans‐diiodide complex [Rh^I(CO)(I)₂(κ³‐P,N,C‐ 1 )] ( 6 ) has been structurally characterized as a model compound for this elusive intermediate.     

C?H Activation of Benzene by a Photoactivated NiII(azide): Formation of a Transient Nickel Nitrido Complex

Photochemical activation of nickel‐azido complex 2 [Ni(N₃)(PNP)] (PN^HP=2,2′‐di(isopropylphosphino)‐4,4′‐ditolylamine) in neat benzene produces diamagnetic complex 3 [Ni(Ph)(PN^PN^H)], which is crystallographically characterized. DFT calculations support photoinitiated N₂‐loss of the azido complex to generate a rare, transient Ni^IV nitrido species, which bears significant nitridyl radical character. Subsequent trapping of this nitrido through insertion into the Ni P bond generates a coordinatively unsaturated Ni^II imidophosphorane PN donor. This species shows unprecedented reactivity toward 1,2‐addition of a C H bond of benzene to form 3 . The structurally characterized chlorido complex 4 [Ni(Cl)(PN^PN^H)] is generated by reaction of 3 with HCl or by direct photolysis of 2 in chlorobenzene. This is the first report of aromatic C H bond activation by a trapped transient nitrido species of a late transition metal.     

Dynamic Ligand Reactivity in a Rhodium Pincer Complex

Ligand cooperativity provides (transition) metal complexes with new reactivities in substrate activation and catalytic reactions, but usually the ligand acts as an internal (Brønsted) base, while the metal acts as a (Lewis) acid. We describe the synthesis and stepwise activation of a new phosphane‐pyridine‐amide ligand PNN^H2 in combination with Rh^I. The ligand is susceptible to stepwise proton and hydride loss from the nitrogen arm (imine formation) and deprotonation at the pyridylphosphine arm (dearomatization), giving rise to amine complex 1 , amido species 2 , imine complex 3 and dearomatized compound 4 . Complex 4 bears a dual‐mode cooperative PNN′ ligand containing both a (nucleophilic) basic methine fragment and a reactive (electrophilic) imine moiety. The basic ligand arm enables substrate deprotonation while the imine ligand arm enables reversible “storage” of the activated (nucleophilic) form of a sulfonamide substrate at the ligand. In combination with metal‐based reactivity, this allows for the mono‐alkylation of o‐toluenesulfonamide with iodomethane. Compounds 1 , 3 and 4 are structurally characterized. We also report the first structurally characterized example of an aminal in the coordination sphere of rhodium, complex 5 , [Rh(CO)( PNN′′ )], formed by sequential N?H activation of sulfonamide by the dearomatized ligand PNN′ and follow‐up nucleophilic attack of anionic sulfonamide onto the imine fragment.     

Indolylgold(I) derivatives and indole as π-arene ligands in cationic rhodium(I) complexes

The reaction of LAuIn (L = P(C₆H₅)₃, P(2-MeC₆H₄)₃ or P(4-MeC₆H₄)₃; In = indolyl group) with the solvated complexes [(diolefin)Rh(Me₂CO)_x]ClO₄ gives the novel heterometallic complexes [(diolefin)Rh(μ-In)AuL]ClO₄. The mononuclear arene derivatives [(diolefin)Rh(η⁶-HIn)]ClO₄ react with methanolic KOH to give the binuclear complexes [(diolefin)Rh(μ-OMe)]₂, while [(COD)Rh(η⁶-HIn)]ClO₄ reacts with KOH in water/acetone to give the hydroxo-bridged complex [(COD)Rh(μ-OH)]₂.     

Oxidative addition of different electrophiles with rhodium(I) carbonyl complexes of unsymmetrical phosphine–phosphine monoselenide ligands

Dimeric chlorobridge complex [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ reacts with two equivalents of a series of unsymmetrical phosphine–phosphine monoselenide ligands, Ph₂P(CH₂)_nP(Se)Ph₂ {n = 1( a ), 2( b ), 3( c ), 4( d )}to form chelate complex [Rh(CO)Cl(P∩Se)] ( 1a ) {P∩Se = η²‐(P,Se) coordinated} and non‐chelate complexes [Rh(CO)₂Cl(P～Se)] ( 1b–d ) {P～Se = η¹‐(P) coordinated}. The complexes 1 undergo oxidative addition reactions with different electrophiles such as CH₃I, C₂H₅I, C₆H₅CH₂Cl and I₂ to produce Rh(III) complexes of the type [Rh(COR)ClX(P∩Se)] {where R = ? C₂H₅ ( 2a ), X = I; R = ? CH₂C₆H₅ ( 3a ), X = Cl}, [Rh(CO)ClI₂(P∩Se)] ( 4a ), [Rh(CO)(COCH₃)ClI(P～Se)] ( 5b–d ), [Rh(CO)(COH₅)ClI‐(P～Se)] ( 6b–d ), [Rh(CO)(COCH₂C₆H₅)Cl₂(P～Se)] ( 7b–d ) and [Rh(CO)ClI₂(P～Se)] ( 8b–d ). The kinetic study of the oxidative addition (OA) reactions of the complexes 1 with CH₃I and C₂H₅I reveals a single stage kinetics. The rate of OA of the complexes varies with the length of the ligand backbone and follows the order 1a > 1b > 1c > 1d . The CH₃I reacts with the different complexes at a rate 10–100 times faster than the C₂H₅I. The catalytic activity of complexes 1b–d for carbonylation of methanol is evaluated and a higher turnover number (TON) is obtained compared with that of the well‐known commercial species [Rh(CO)₂I₂]^?. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Reactivity of the Tricarbonyl(formylcycloheptatrienyl)iron‐Anion [(η3‐C7H6CHO)Fe(CO)3]−

Deprotonation of the readily available organometallic aldehyde derivative [(η⁴‐C₇H₇CHO)Fe(CO)₃] ( 2 ) with NaN(SiMe₃)₂ in benzene solution at ambient temperature afforded the anionic formylcycloheptatrienyl complex Na[(η³‐C₇H₆CHO)Fe(CO)₃] ( 3 ). The anion is fluxional in solution and displays a unique ambident reactivity towards electrophiles (MeI, Me₃SiCl). New substituted [(η⁴‐RC₇H₆CHO)Fe(CO)₃] and [(η⁴‐heptafulvene)Fe(CO)₃] complexes have been identified as the products. Treatment of 3 with 0.5 equivalents of dimeric [(COD)RhCl]₂ (COD = 1,5‐cyclooctadiene) afforded the functionalized Fe‐Rh cycloheptatrienyl complex [(μ‐C₇H₆CHO)(CO)₃FeRh(COD)] ( 7 ) in up to 86 % yield. Carbonylation of 7 under an atmosphere of CO led to facile conversion to the heterobimetallic pentacarbonyl derivative [(μ‐C₇H₆CHO)(CO)₃FeRh(CO)₂] ( 8 ), which is also accessible in lower yield from the direct reaction of 3 with [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂.     

Heteroleptic half-sandwich Ru(II), Rh(III) and Ir(III) complexes based on 5-ferrocenyldipyrromethene

The synthesis and characterization of heteroleptic complexes with the formulations [(η⁶-arene)RuCl(fcdpm)] (η⁶-arene = C₆H₆, C₁₀H₁₄) and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)MCl(fcdpm)] (M = Rh, Ir; fcdpm = 5-ferrocenyldipyrromethene) have been reported. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H NMR and electronic spectral studies. Structures of [(η⁶-C₆H₆)RuCl(fcdpm)] and [(η⁶-C₁₀H₁₄)RuCl(fcdpm)] have been determined crystallographically. Chelating monoanionic linkage of fcdpm to the respective metal centres has been supported by spectral and structural studies. Further, reactivity of the representative complex [(η⁶-C₁₀H₁₄)RuCl(fcdpm)] with ammonium thiocyanate (NH₄SCN) and triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) have been examined.     

Coumarinyl azoimidazolyl complexes of osmium(II) hydridocarbonyls: spectroscopic and structural characterization,oxidation catalysis,photovoltaic effect and density functional theory computation

Os(II) hydridocarbonyl complexes of coumarinyl azoimidazoles, [Osh(CO)(PPh₃)₂(CZ‐4R‐R′)]^0/+ ( 3 , 4 ) (CZ‐R‐H = 2‐(coumarinyl‐6‐azo)‐4‐substituted imidazole or 1‐alkyl‐2‐(coumarinyl‐6‐azo)‐4‐substituted imidazole), were characterized from spectroscopic data and the single‐crystal X‐ray data for one of the complexes, [Osh(CO)(PPh₃)₂(CZ‐4‐Ph)] ( 3c ) (CZ‐4‐Ph = 2‐(coumarinyl‐6‐azo)‐4‐phenylimidazolate), confirmed the structure. The complexes show higher emission (quantum yield ? = 0.0163–0.16) and longer lifetime (τ = 1.4–10.3 ns) than free ligands (? = 0.0012–0.0185 and τ = 0.685–1.306 ns). Cyclic voltammetry shows quasi‐reversible metal oxidation at 0.67–0.94 V for [Os(III)/Os(II)] and 1.21–1.36 V for [Os(IV)/Os(III)] and subsequent azo reductions (?0.68 to ?0.95 V for [? N?N? ]/[? N N? ]^? and irreversible < ?1.2 V for [? N N? ]^?/[? N? N? ]^2?) of the chelated coumarinyl azoimidazole. The complexes are photostable and show better photovoltaic power conversion efficiency than free ligands. Also, the complexes were used as catalysts for the oxidation of primary/secondary alcohols to aldehydes/ketones using oxidizing agents like N‐methylmorpholine N‐oxide, t‐BuOOH and H₂O₂. Density functional theory computation was carried out from the optimized structures and the data obtained were used to interpret the electronic and photovoltaic properties. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation,Crystal Structure and Spectroscopic Studies of Mixed valence Compound [(Cp4i Rh)2 (μ‐Cl)3] [Rh(CO)2Cl2]

[(Cp⁴ⁱ Rh)₂(μ‐Cl)₃] [Rh(CO)₂Cl₂] (Cp⁴ⁱ = tetraisopropyl‐cyclopenta‐dienyl) has been prepared and its crystal is in the space group of Pbar with a= 0.9417 (8), b = 1.4806 (3), c = 1.5062 (2) nm, a = 92.980(10), β = 97.42(3), γ = 93.98 (3)°, V = 2.0735(18) nm³ and Z = 2. The crystal structure consists of a cation of [(η⁵‐Cp⁴ⁱ) Rh (III)(μ‐Cl)₃ Rh (III) (η⁵‐Cp⁴ⁱ)]⁺ and an anion of [Rh (I) (CO)₂ Cl₂]. The two bulky tetraisopropylcyclopentadienyl ligands are in the ecliptic conformation with angle of 10.19° between two cyclopentadienyl ring planes.     

Stabilization of a Silaaldehyde by its η2 Coordination to Tungsten

Treatment of pyridine‐stabilized silylene complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄R)(CO)₂(H)W?SiH(py)(Tsi)] (R=Me, Et; py=pyridine; Tsi=C(SiMe₃)₃) with an N‐heterocyclic carbene ^MeIⁱPr (1,3‐diisopropyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene) caused deprotonation to afford anionic silylene complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄R)(CO)₂W?SiH(Tsi)][H^MeIⁱPr] (R=Me ( 1‐Me ); R=Et ( 1‐Et )). Subsequent oxidation of 1‐Me and 1‐Et with pyridine‐N‐oxide (1 equiv) gave anionic η²‐silaaldehydetungsten complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄R)(CO)₂W{η²‐O?SiH(Tsi)}][H^MeIⁱPr] (R=Me ( 2‐Me ); R=Et ( 2‐Et )). The formation of an unprecedented W‐Si‐O three‐membered ring was confirmed by X‐ray crystal structure analysis.     

Heteroleptic rhodium complexes containing both the dipyrrin/cyclooctadiene ligands and application of [(η-C8H12)Rh(4-pyrdpm)] in the construction of homo-/hetero-bimetallic complexes

Heteroleptic rhodium(I) complexes with the general formulations [(η⁴-C₈H₁₂)Rh(L)] [η⁴-C₈H₁₂ = 1,5-cyclooctadiene; L = 5-(4-cyanophenyl)dipyrromethene, cydpm; 5-(4-nitrophenyl)dipyrromethene, ndpm; and 5-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)dipyrromethene, bdpm; 5-(4-pyridyl)dipyrromethene, 4-pyrdpm; 5-(3-pyridyl)dipyrromethene, 3-pyrdpm] have been synthesized. The complex [(η⁴-C₈H₁₂)Rh(4-pyrdpm)] have been used as a synthon in the construction of homo-bimetallic complex [(η⁴-C₈H₁₂)Rh(μ-4-pyrdpm)Rh(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Cl₂] and hetero-bimetallic complexes [(η⁴-C₈H₁₂)Rh(μ-4-pyrdpm)Ir(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Cl₂], [(η⁴-C₈H₁₂)Rh(μ-4-pyrdpm)Ru(η⁶-C₁₀H₁₄)Cl₂] and [(η⁴-C₈H₁₂)Rh(μ-4-pyrdpm)Ru(η⁶-C₆H₆)Cl₂]. Resulting complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses and spectral studies. Molecular structures of the representative mononuclear complexes [(η⁴-C₈H₁₂)Rh(ndpm)] and [(η⁴-C₈H₁₂)Rh(4-pyrdpm)] have been authenticated crystallographically.     

Iron pyrrole‐based PNP pincer ligand complexes as catalyst precursors

The structure of a pincer ligand consists of a backbone and two `arms' which typically contain a P or N atom. They are tridentate ligands that coordinate to a metal center in a meridional configuration. A series of three iron complexes containing the pyrrole‐based PNP pincer ligand 2,5‐bis[(diisopropylphosphanyl)methyl]pyrrolide (PN^pyrP) has been synthesized. These complexes are possible precursors to new iron catalysts. {2,5‐Bis[(diisopropylphosphanyl)methyl]pyrrolido‐κ³P ,N ,P ′}carbonylchlorido(trimethylphosphane‐κP )iron(II), [Fe(C₁₈H₃₄NP₂)Cl(C₃H₉P)(CO)] or [Fe(PN^pyrP)Cl(PMe₃)(CO)], (I), has a slightly distorted octahedral geometry, with the Cl and CO ligands occupying the apical positions. {2,5‐Bis[(diisopropylphosphanyl)methyl]pyrrolido‐κ³P ,N ,P ′}chlorido(pyridine‐κN )iron(II), [Fe(C₁₈H₃₄NP₂)Cl(C₅H₅N)] or [Fe(PN^pyrP)Cl(py)] (py is pyridine), (II), is a five‐coordinate square‐pyramidal complex, with the pyridine ligand in the apical position. {2,5‐Bis[(diisopropylphosphanyl)methyl]pyrrolido‐κ³P ,N ,P ′}dicarbonylchloridoiron(II), [Fe(C₁₈H₃₄NP₂)Cl(CO)₂] or [Fe(PN^pyrP)Cl(CO)₂], (III), is structurally similar to (I), but with the PMe₃ ligand replaced by a second carbonyl ligand from the reaction of (II) with CO. The two carbonyl ligands are in a cis configuration, and there is positional disorder of the chloride and trans carbonyl ligands.     

Rhodium Complexes Containing O‐Bonded NHxMe2−xCHO (x=0, 1, 2): X‐Ray Structure of [Rh(PPh3)3(OCHNHMe)]ClO4

Displacement of norbornadiene (nbd; bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta‐2,5‐diene) from [Rh(PPh₃)₂(nbd)]ClO₄ by hydrogenation in the presence of PPh₃ and formamide or Me‐substituted derivatives, results in the formation of O‐bonded formamide complexes [Rh(PPh₃)₃(OCHNH_xMe_2−x)]ClO₄ (x=0, 1, 2) rather than N‐bonded derivatives. These have been characterised by spectroscopic measurements and, in the case of [Rh(PPh₃)₃(OCHNHMe)]ClO₄, by X‐ray crystallography. All undergo oxidative addition with H₂, and the rates of ligand exchange in the Rh^I and Rh^III complexes have been determined by magnetisation‐transfer measurements.     

First examples of [Rh(Bident)(CO)(L)] complexes where L is N-donor ligand: Molecular structure of [Rh(8-Oxiquinolinato)(CO)(NH3)]

Selective oxidation of one (trans to N) carbonyl group in [Rh(8-Oxiquinolinato)(CO)₂] with stoichiometric amount of Me₃NO in MeCN produces a solution containing [Rh(Oxq)(CO)(Me₃N)] and [Rh(Oxq)(CO)(MeCN)]. The ammonia complex, [Rh(Oxq)(CO)(NH₃)], has been prepared by action of NH₃ gas on this solution and characterized by IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and X-ray data. Spectral parameters, ν(CO), δ¹³C, and ¹J(CRh), were measured in situ for a series of complexes [Rh(Oxq)(CO)(L)] (L = NAlk₃, Py, PBu₃, PPh₃, P(OPh)₃, C₈H₁₄) formed upon action of L on [Rh(Oxq)(CO)(NH₃)] in THF. A new ν(CO) and δ¹³C based scale of σ-donor/π-acceptor properties of ligands L is proposed including NH₃ and CO as the natural endpoints.     

Experimental and Computational Studies on the Reactivity of a Terminal Thorium Imidometallocene towards Organic Azides and Diazoalkanes

The reaction of the base‐free terminal thorium imido complex [{η⁵‐1,2,4‐(Me₃C)₃C₅H₂}₂Th?N(p‐tolyl)] ( 1 ) with p‐azidotoluene yielded irreversibly the tetraazametallacyclopentene [{η⁵‐1,2,4‐(Me₃C)₃C₅H₂}₂Th{N(p‐tolyl)N?N? N(p‐tolyl)}] ( 2 ), whereas the bridging imido complex [{[η⁵‐1,2,4‐(Me₃C)₃C₅H₂]Th(N₃)₂}₂{μ‐N(p‐tolyl)}₂][(n‐C₄H₉)₄N]₂ ( 3 ) was isolated from the reaction of 1 with [(n‐C₄H₉)₄N]N₃. Unexpectedly, upon the treatment of 1 with 9‐diazofluorene, the NN bond was cleaved, an N atom was transferred, and the η²‐diazenido iminato complex [{η⁵‐1,2,4‐(Me₃C)₃C₅H₂}₂Th{η²‐[N?N(p‐tolyl)]}{N?(9‐C₁₃H₈)}] ( 4 ) was formed. In contrast, the reaction of 1 with Me₃SiCHN₂ gave the nitrilimido complex [{η⁵‐1,2,4‐(Me₃C)₃C₅H₂}₂Th{NH(p‐tolyl)}{N₂CSiMe₃}] ( 5 ), which slowly converted into [{η⁵‐1,2,4‐(Me₃C)₃C₅H₂}{η⁵:κ‐N‐1,2‐(Me₃C)₂‐4‐CMe₂(CH₂NN?CHSiMe₃)C₅H₂}Th{NH(p‐tolyl)}] ( 6 ) by intramolecular C? H bond activation. The experimental results are complemented by density functional theory (DFT) studies.