Preparation of hydrido(vinylidene)ruthenium(II) complexes and a one-pot synthesis of Grubbs-type ruthenium carbenes

Treatment of the hydrido(dihydrogen) compound [RuHCl(H2)(PCy3)2] 1 with alkynes RC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CH (R=H, Ph) afforded the hydrido(vinylidene) complexes [RuHCl(=C=CHR)(PCy3)2] 2, 3 which react with HCl or [HPCy3]Cl to give the corresponding Grubbs-type ruthenium carbenes [RuCl2(=CHCH2R)(PCy3)2] 4, 5. The reaction of 2 (R=H) with DCl, or D2O in the presence of chloride sources, led to the formation of [RuCl2(=CHCH2D)(PCy3)2] 4-d1. Based on these observations, a one-pot synthesis of compounds 4 and 5 was developed using RuCl3.3H2O as the starting material. The hydrido(vinylidene) derivative 2 reacted with CF3CO2H and HCN at low temperatures to yield the carbene complexes [RuCl(X)(=CHCH3)(PCy3)2] 6, 7, of which 7 (X=CN) was characterized crystallographically. Salt metathesis of 2 with CF3CO2K and KI led to the formation of [RuH(X)(=C=CH2)(PCy3)2] 8, 9. The bis(trifluoracetato) and the diiodo compounds [RuX2(=CHCH3)(PCy3)2] 10, 11 as well as the new phosphine P(thp)3 12 (thp=4-tetrahydropyranyl) and the corresponding complex [RuCl2(=CHCH3){P(thp)3}2] 14 were also prepared. The catalytic activity of the ruthenium carbenes 4-7, 10, 11 and 14 in the olefin cross-metathesis of cyclopentene and allyl alcohol was investigated.     

Synthesis of nitrosylruthenium complexes containing 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine by reactions of alkoxo complexes with acids

Nitrosylruthenium complexes containing 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine (terpy) have been synthesized and characterized. The three alkoxo complexes trans-(NO, OCH3), cis-(Cl, OCH3)-[RuCl(OCH3)(NO)(terpy)]PF6 ([2]PF6), trans-(NO, OC2H5), cis-(Cl, OC2H5)-[RuCl(OC2H5)(NO)(terpy)]PF6 ([3]PF6), and [RuCl(OC3H7)(NO)(terpy)]PF6 ([4]PF6) were synthesized by reactions of trans-(Cl, Cl), cis-(NO, Cl)-[RuCl2(NO)(terpy)]PF6 ([1]PF6) with NaOCH3 in CH3OH, C2H5OH, and C3H7OH, respectively. Reactions of [3]PF6 with an acid such as hydrochloric acid and trifluoromethansulforic acid afford nitrosyl complexes in which the alkoxo ligand is substituted. The geometrical isomer of [1]PF6, trans-(NO, Cl), cis-(Cl, Cl)-[RuCl2(NO)(terpy)]PF6 ([5]PF6), was obtained by the reaction of [3]PF6 in a hydrochloric acid solution. Reaction of [3]PF6 with trifluoromethansulforic acid in CH3CN gave trans-(NO, Cl), cis-(CH3CN, Cl)-[RuCl(CH3CN)(NO)(terpy)]2+ ([6]2+) under refluxing conditions. The structures of [3]PF6, [4]PF6.CH3CN, [5]CF3SO3, and [6](PF6)2 were determined by X-ray crystallograpy.     

Water-soluble hydroxyalkylated phosphines: examples of their differing behaviour toward ruthenium and rhodium

The reaction of P(CH2OH)3 (I) and P(C6H5)(CH2OH)2 (II) with RuCl3 in methanol eliminates two equivalents of formaldehyde to yield the mixed tertiary and secondary phosphine complexes all-trans-[RuCl2(P(CH2OH)3)2(P(CH2OH)2H)2] (1) and [RuCl2(P(C6H5)(CH2OH)2)2(P(C6H5)(CH2OH)H)2] (2), respectively. There is a high degree of hydrogen-bonding interactions between the hydroxymethyl groups in 1 and 2, although the phenyl groups of the latter reduce the extent of the network compared to 1. The generation of these mixed secondary and tertiary phosphine complexes is unprecedented. Under the same reaction conditions, the tris(hydroxypropyl)phosphine III formed no ruthenium complex. The reaction of P(CH2OH)3, P(C6H5)(CH2OH)2 and P{(CH2)3OH}3 with [RhCl(1,5-cod)]2 in an aqueous/dichloromethane biphasic medium yielded [RhH2(P(CH2OH)3)4]+ (3), [RhH2(P(C6H5)(CH2OH)2)4]+ (4) and [Rh(P(C6H5)(CH2OH)2)4]+ (5) and [Rh(P{(CH2)3OH}3)4]+ (6), respectively. Treating 5 with dihydrogen rapidly gave 4. The hydroxypropyl compound 6 formed the corresponding dihydride much more slowly in aqueous solution, although [RhH2(P{(CH2)3OH}3)4]+ (7) was readily formed by reaction with dihydrogen. Two separate reaction pathways are therefore involved; for P(CH2OH)3 and to a lesser extent P(C6H5)(CH2OH)2, the hydride source in the product is likely to be the aqueous solvent or the hydroxyl protons, whilst for P{(CH2)3OH}3 an oxidative addition of H2 is favoured. The protic nature of and was illustrated by the H-D exchange observed in d2-water. Dihydrides 3 and 4 reacted with carbon monoxide to yield the dicarbonyl cations [Rh(CO)2(P(CH2OH)3)3]+ (8) and [Rh(CO)2(P(C6H5)(CH2OH)2)3]+ (9). The analogous experiment with [RhH2(P{(CH2)3OH}3)4]+ resulted in phosphine exchange, although our experimental evidence points to the possibility of more than one fluxional process in solution.     

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

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

Insertion reactions of GaCp*, InCp* and In[C(SiMe3)3] into the Ru-Cl bonds of [(p-cymene)RuIICl2]2 and [Cp*RuIICl]4

The first carbonyl free ruthenium/low valent Group 13 organyl complexes are presented, obtained by insertion of ER (ER = GaCp*, InCp*, In[C(SiMe(3))(3)]) into the Ru-Cl bonds of [(p-cymene)RuCl2]2, [Cp*RuCl]4 and [Cp*RuCl2]2. The compound [(p-cymene)RuCl2]2 reacts with GaCp*, giving a variety of isolated products depending on the reaction conditions. The Ru-Ru dimers [{(p-cymene)Ru}2(GaCp*)4(mu3-Cl)2] and the intermediate [{(p-cymene)Ru}2(mu-Cl)2] were isolated, as well as monomeric complexes [(p-cymene)Ru(GaCp*)3Cl2], [(p-cymene)Ru(GaCp*)2GaCl3] and [(p-cymene)Ru(GaCp*)2Cl2(DMSO)]. The reaction of [Cp*RuCl]4 with ER gives "piano-stool" complexes of the type [Cp*Ru(ER)3Cl](ER = InCp*, In[C(SiMe3)3], GaCp*. The chloride ligand in complex can be removed by NaBPh4, yielding [Cp*Ru(GaCp*)3]+[BPh4]-. The reaction of [Cp*RuCl2]2 with GaCp* however, does not lead to an insertion product, but to the ionic Ru(II) complex [Cp*Ru(GaCp*)3]+[Cp*GaCl3]-. The ER ligands in complexes 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are equivalent on the NMR timescale in solution due to a chloride exchange between the three Group 13 atoms even at low temperatures. The solid state structures, however, exhibit a different structural pattern. The chloride ligands exhibit two coordination modes: either terminal or bridging. The new compounds are fully characterized including single crystal X-ray diffraction. These results point out the different reactivities of the two precursors and the nature of the neutral p-cymene and the anionic Cp* ligand when bonding to a Ru(II) centre.     

Trapping of hemiquinone radicals at Mo and P sites by phosphide-bridged dimolybdenum species: chemistry of complexes [Mo2(eta5-C5H5)2(OC6H4OH)(mu-PR2)(CO)4] and [Mo2(eta5-C5H5)2{mu-PR(OC6H4OH)}(CO)4]- (R = Cy, Ph)

The phosphide-bridged dimolybdenum complexes (H-DBU)[Mo2Cp2(mu-PR2)(CO)4] (R= Cy, Ph; DBU = 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0.]undec-7-ene) react with p-benzoquinone to give the hemiquinone complexes [Mo(2)Cp2(OC6H4OH)(mu-PR2)(CO)4]. The latter experience facile homolytic cleavage of the corresponding Mo-O bonds and react readily at room temperature with HSPh or S2Ph2 to give the thiolate complexes [Mo2Cp2(mu-PCy2)(mu-SPh)(CO)4] or [Mo2Cp2(mu-PR2)(mu-SPh)(CO)2]. In contrast, PRH-bridged substrates experience overall insertion of quinone into the P-H bond to give the anionic compounds (H-DBU)[Mo(2)Cp2{mu-PR(OC6H4OH)}(CO)4], which upon acidification yield the corresponding neutral hydrides. The cyclohexyl anion experiences rapid nucleophilic displacement of the hemiquinone group by different anions ER- (ER = OH, OMe, OC4H5, OPh, SPh) to give novel anionic compounds (H-DBU)[Mo2Cp2{mu-PCy(ER)}(CO)4], which upon acidification yield the corresponding neutral hydrides. The structure of four of these hydride complexes [PPh(OC6H4OH), PCy(OH), PCy(OMe), and PCy(OPh) bridges] was determined by X-ray diffraction methods and confirmed the presence of cis and trans isomers in several of these complexes. In addition, it was found that the hydroxyphosphide anion [Mo2Cp2{mu-PCy(OH)}(CO)4]- displays in solution an unprecedented tautomeric equilibrium with its hydride-oxophosphinidene isomer [Mo2Cp2(mu-H){mu-PCy(O)}(CO)4]-.     

Water-soluble ruthenium(II) catalysts [RuCl2(eta6-arene)[P(CH2OH)3]] for isomerization of allylic alcohols and alkyne hydration

The novel water-soluble ruthenium(II) complexes [RuCl(2)(eta(6)-arene)[P(CH(2)OH)(3)]]2a-c and [RuCl(eta(6)-arene)[P(CH(2)OH)(3)](2)][Cl]3a-c have been prepared in high yields by reaction of dimers [[Ru(eta(6)-arene)(micro-Cl)Cl](2)](arene = C(6)H(6)1a, p-cymene 1b, C(6)Me(6)1c) with two or four equivalents of P(CH(2)OH)(3), respectively. Complexes 2/3a-c are active catalysts in the redox isomerization of several allylic alcohols into the corresponding saturated carbonyl compounds under water/n-heptane biphasic conditions. Among them, the neutral derivatives [RuCl(2)(eta(6)-C(6)H(6))[P(CH(2)OH)(3)]]2a and [RuCl(2)(eta(6)-p-cymene)[P(CH(2)OH)(3)]]2b show the highest activities (TOF values up to 600 h(-1); TON values up to 782). Complexes 2/3a-c also catalyze the hydration of terminal alkynes.     

Preparation, structures and some reactions of novel diynyl complexes of iron and ruthenium

Reactions between HC triple bond CC triple bond CSiMe3 and several ruthenium halide precursors have given the complexes Ru(C triple bond CC triple bond CSiMe3)(L2)Cp'[Cp'= Cp, L = CO (1), PPh3 (2); Cp' = Cp*, L2= dppe (3)]. Proto-desilylation of 2 and 3 have given unsubstituted buta-1,3-diyn-1-yl complexes Ru(C triple bond CC triple bond CH)(L2)Cp'[Cp'= Cp, L = PPh3 (5); Cp'= Cp*, L2 = dppe (6)]. Replacement of H in 5 or 6 with Au(PR3) groups was achieved in reactions with AuCl(PR3) in the presence of KN(SiMe3)2 to give Ru(C triple bond CC triple bond CAu(PR3)](L2)Cp'[Cp' = Cp, L = PPh3, R = Ph (7); Cp' = Cp*, L2= dppe, R = Ph (8), tol (9)]. The asymmetrically end-capped [Cp(Ph3P)2Ru]C triple bond CC triple bond C[Ru(dppe)Cp*] (10) was obtained from Ru(C triple bond CC triple bond CH)(dppe)Cp* and RuCl(PPh3)2Cp. Single-crystal X-ray structural determinations of and are reported, with a comparative determination of the structure of Fe(C triple bond CC triple bond CSiMe3)(dppe)Cp* (4), and those of a fifth polymorph of [Ru(PPh3)2Cp]2(mu-C triple bond CC triple bond C) (12), and [Ru(dppe)Cp]2(mu-C triple bond CC triple bond C) (13).     

Chemistry of the phosphinidene oxide ligand

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

Two generalizable routes to terminal carbido complexes

Desulfurization of the thiocarbonyl ligand in square pyramidal [Ru(CS)Cl2(PCy3)2] (1-S) via sulfur atom abstraction using [Mo(H)(eta2-Me2CNAr)(N[i-Pr]Ar)2] forms [Ru(C)Cl2(PCy3)2] (1) cleanly over several hours in benzene; isolated yield is 55%. Complex 1 is also formed in 87% isolated yield upon reaction of [Ru(CHR)(PCy3)2Cl2] (R = p-C6H4Me, 2; Ph, 3) with vinyl acetate in dichloromethane. Complex 1-S is re-formed quantitatively from 1 upon treatment with elemental sulfur in CH2Cl2, but is prepared most conveniently by treatment of crude [Ru(CS)Cl2(PPh3)2(OH2)] with excess PCy3 in toluene. Nearly quantitative conversion of 1 to [Ru(CO)Cl2(PCy3)2] (1-O) occurs upon addition of dimethyldioxirane solution in acetone to 1 dissolved in CH2Cl2 at ca. -90 degrees C.     

New disulfido molybdenum-manganese complexes exhibit facile addition of small molecules to the sulfur atoms

The reaction of Mn(2)(CO)(7)(mu-S2) (1) with [CpMo(CO)(3)](2) (Cp = C(5)H(5)) and [Cp*Mo(CO)(3)](2) (Cp* = C(5)(CH(3))(5)) yielded the new mixed-metal disulfide complexes CpMoMn(CO)(5)(mu-S2) (2) and Cp*MoMn(CO)(5)(mu-S2) (3) by a metal-metal exchange reaction. Compounds 2 and 3 both contain a bridging disulfido ligand lying perpendicular to the Mo-Mn bond. The bond distances are Mo-Mn = 2.8421(10) and 2.8914(5) A and S-S = 2.042(2) and 1.9973(10) A for 2 and 3, respectively. A tetranuclear metal side product CpMoMn(3)(CO)(13)(mu3-S)(mu4-S) (4) was also isolated from the reaction of 1 with [CpMo(CO)(3)](2). Compounds 2 and 3 react with CO to yield the dithiocarbonato complexes CpMoMn(CO)(5)[mu-SC(=O)S] (5) and Cp*MoMn(CO)(5)[mu-SC(=O)S] (6) by insertion of CO into the S-S bond. Similarly, tert-butylisocyanide was inserted into the S-S bond of 2 and 3 to yield the complexes CpMoMn(CO)(5)[mu-S(C=NBu(t))S] (7) and Cp*MoMn(CO)(5)[mu-S(C=NBu(t))S] (8), respectively. Ethylene and dimethylacetylene dicarboxylate also inserted into the S-S bond of 2 and 3 at room temperature to yield the ethanedithiolato ligand bridged complexes CpMoMn(CO)(5)(mu-SCH(2)CH(2)S) (9), Cp*MoMn(CO)(5)(mu-SCH(2)CH(2)S) (10), CpMoMn(CO)(5)[mu-SC(CO(2)Me)=C(CO(2)Me)S] (11), and Cp*MoMn(CO)(5)[mu-SC(CO(2)Me)=C(CO(2)Me)S] (12). Allene was found to insert into the S-S bond of 2 by using one of its two double bonds to yield the complex CpMoMn(CO)(5)[mu-SCH(2)C(=CH(2))S] (13). The molecular structures of the new complexes 2-7 and 9-13 were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.     

Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl-iridium(III) complexes with pyridylamino ligands: synthesis and applications as asymmetric catalysts for Diels-Alder reactions

Reaction of the dimer [(Cp*IrCl)2(P-Cl)2] with chiral pyridylamino ligands (pyam, L1-L5) in the presence of NaSbF6 gave complexes [Cp*IrCl(pyam)][SbF6] 1-5 as diastereomeric mixtures, which have been fully characterised, including the X-ray molecular structure determination of the complexes (S(Ir),R(N),R(C))-[Cp*IrClL1][SbF6] 1a and (R(Ir),S(N),S(C))-[Cp*IrClL5][SbF6] 5a. Treatment of these cations with AgSbF6 affords the corresponding aqua species [Cp*Ir(pyam)(H2O)][SbF6]2 6-10 which have been also fully characterised. The molecular structure of the complex (S(Ir),R(N),R(C))-[Cp*IrL,(H2O)][SbF6]2 6 has been determined by X-ray diffractometric methods. The aqua complexes [Cp*Ir(pyam)(H2O)][SbF6]2 (6, pyam = L2 (7), L3 (8)) evolve to the cyclometallated species [Cp*Ir{kappa3(N,N',C)-(R)-(C6H4)CH(CH3)NHCH2C5NH4}][SbF6] (11), [Cp*Ir{kappa3(N,N',C)-(R)-(C10H6)CH(CH3)-NHCH2C5NH4)}][SbF6] (12), and [Cp*Ir{kappa3(N,N',C)-(R)-(C10H6)CH(CH3)NHCH2C9NH6)}][SbF6] (13) respectively, via intramolecular activation of an ortho C-H aryl bond. Complexes 6-10 are enantioselective catalysts for the Diels-Alder reaction between methacrolein and cyclopentadiene. Reaction occurs rapidly at room temperature with good exo : endo selectivity (from 81 : 19 to 98 : 2) and moderate enantioselectivity (up to 72%). The involved intermediate Lewis acid-dienophile compounds [Cp*Ir(pyam)(methacrolein)][SbF]2 (pyam = L4 (14), L5 (15)) have been isolated and characterised.     

Synthesis and characterization of heterometallic clusters (Ir2Rh, Ir2W, Rh3) Containing 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12)-1,2-dithiolate chelate ligands, [(B10H10)C2S2]2-

The 16-electron half-sandwich complex [Cp*Ir[S2C2(B10H10)]] (Cp* = eta5-C5Me5) (1a) reacts with [[Rh(cod)(mu-Cl)]2] (cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene, C8H12) in different molar ratios to give three products, [[Cp*Ir[S2C2(B10H9)]]Rh(cod)] (2), trans-[[Cp*Ir[S2C2(B10H9)]]Rh[[S2C2(B10H10)]IrCp*]] (3), and [Rh2(cod)2[(mu-SH)(mu-SC)(CH)(B10H10)]] (4). Complex 3 contains an Ir2Rh backbone with two different Ir-Rh bonds (3.003(3) and 2.685(3) angstroms). The dinuclear complex 2 reacts with the mononuclear 16-electron complex 1a to give 3 in refluxing toluene. Reaction of 1a with [W(CO)3(py)3] (py = C5H5N) in the presence of BF3.EtO2 leads to the trinuclear cluster [[Cp*Ir[S2C2(B10H10)]]2W(CO)2] (5) together with [[Cp*Ir(CO)[S2C2(B10H10)]]W(CO)5] (6), and [Cp*Ir(CO)[S2C2(B10H10)]] (7). Analogous reactions of [Cp*Rh[S2C2(B10H10)]] (1 b) with [[Rh(cod)(mu-Cl)]2] were investigated and two complexes cis-[[Cp*Rh[S2C2(B10H10)]]2Rh] (8) and trans-[[Cp*Rh[S2C2(B10H10)]]2Rh] (9) were obtained. In refluxing THF solution, the cisoid 8 is converted in more than 95 % yield to the transoid 9. All new complexes 2-9 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy (1H, 11B NMR) and X-ray diffraction structural analyses are reported for complexes 2-5, 8, and 9.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed cycloaddition between propargylic alcohols and cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds via an allenylidene intermediate

Thiolate-bridged diruthenium complexes such as [Cp*RuCl(mu(2)-SR)(2)RuCp*Cl] (Cp* = eta(5)-C(5)Me(5); R = Me, (n)Pr, (i)Pr) and [Cp*RuCl(mu(2)-S(i)Pr)(2)RuCp*(OH(2))]OTf (OTf = OSO(2)CF(3)) promote the cycloaddition between propargylic alcohols and cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to give either the corresponding 4,6,7,8-tetrahydrochromen-5-ones or 4H-cyclopenta[b]pyran-5-ones in high yields with complete regioselectivity. This catalytic cycloaddition provides a simple and one-pot synthetic protocol for a variety of substituted chromenones and cyclopenta[b]pyranones.     

Synthons for coordinatively unsaturated complexes of tungsten, and their use for the synthesis of high oxidation-state silylene complexes

Reduction of Cp*WCl4 afforded the metalated complex (eta6-C5Me4CH2)(dmpe)W(H)Cl (1) (Cp* = C5Me5, dmpe = 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane). Reactions with CO and H(2) suggested that 1 is in equilibrium with the 16-electron species [Cp(dmpe)WCl], and 1 was also shown to react with silanes R2SiH2 (R2 = Ph2 and PhMe) to give the tungsten(IV) silyl complexes Cp*(dmpe)(H)(Cl)W(SiHR2) (6a, R2 = Ph2; 6b, R2 = PhMe). Abstraction of the chloride ligand in 1 with LiB(C6F5)4 gave a reactive species that features a doubly metalated Cp ligand, [(eta7-C5Me3(CH2)2)(dmpe)W(H)2][B(C6F5)4] (4). In its reaction with dinitrogen, 4 behaves as a synthon for the 14-electron fragment [Cp*(dmpe)W]+, to give the dinuclear dinitrogen complex ([Cp*(dmpe)W]2(micro-N2)) [B(C6F5)4]2 (5). Hydrosilanes R2SiH2 (R2 = Ph2, PhMe, Me2, Dipp(H); Dipp = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) were shown to react with 4 in double Si-H bond activation reactions to give the silylene complexes [Cp*(dmpe)H2W = SiR2][B(C6F5)4] (8a-d). Compounds 8a,b (R2 = Ph2 and PhMe, respectively) were also synthesized by abstraction of the chloride ligands from silyl complexes 6a,b. Dimethylsilylene complex 8c was found to react with chloroalkanes RCl (R = Me, Et) to liberate trialkylchlorosilanes RMe2SiCl. This reaction is discussed in the context of its relevance to the mechanism of the direct synthesis for the industrial production of alkylchlorosilanes.     

Steric control over the formation of cis and trans bis-chelated palladium(II) complexes using a new series of flexible N,P pyridyl-phosphine ligands

The deprotection of phosphonium chloride salts [PR2(CH2OH)2]+Cl- and subsequent condensation reaction with N-methyl-2-aminopyridine has been carried out to give a series of ligands of the form PR2CH2N(CH3)C5H4N (R=Ph , Cy , t-Bu ) which have been fully characterised either as the pure ligand () or the air stable borane adducts (R=Cy , t-Bu ). The 1:1 reactions of , and with PdCl2(COD) gave the N,P chelate complexes [Pd{PR2CH2N(CH3)C5H4N}Cl2]; the Cy () and t-Bu () complexes were characterised by X-ray crystallography. The bisligated species [Pd{PCy2CH2N(CH3)C5H4N}2Cl2] () was obtained when the reaction was carried out at higher temperatures and the ligands were found to be coordinated to the metal in a trans configuration through the phosphorus donors. Abstraction of the chlorides from the bis-ligated species , using silver salts, resulted in the coordination of the pyridine ring forming the bis-chelate complex [Pd{PCy2CH2N(CH3)C5H4N}2]2+. In comparison, the palladium bis-chelate complex of ligand [Pd{PPh2CH2N(CH3)C5H4N}2]2+ () was shown to form in a cis configuration and was fully characterised by X-ray crystallography.     

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.     

Synthesis and structure of heterometallic complexes (RhFe, CoFe) containing bridging 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecarborane-1,2-dichalcogenolato ligands

The prototype hetero-binuclear complexes containing metal-metal bonds, {CpRh[E2C2(B10H10)]}[Fe(CO)3] (Cp = Cp* = eta 5-Me5C5, E = S(5a), Se(5b); Cp = Cp = eta 5-1,3-tBu2C5H3, E = S(6a), Se(6b)) and {CpCo[E2C2(B10H10)]}[Fe(CO)3] (Cp = Cp* = eta 5-Me5C5, E = S(7a), Se(7b); Cp = Cp = eta 5-C5H5, E = S(8a), Se(8b)) were obtained from the reactions of 16-electron complexes CpRh[E2C2(B10H10)] (Cp = Cp*, E = S(1a), Se(1b); Cp = Cp, E = S(2a), Se(2b)), CpCo[E2C2(B10H10)] (Cp = Cp*, E = S(3a), Se(3b); Cp = Cp, E = S(4a), Se(4b)) with Fe(CO)5 in the presence of Me3NO. The molecular structures of {Cp*Rh[E2C2(B10H10)]}[Fe(CO)3] (E = S(5a), Se(5b)), {CpRh[S2C2(B10H10)]}[Fe(CO)3] (6a) {Cp*Co[S2C2(B10H10)]}[Fe(CO)3] (7a) and {CpCo[S2C2(B10H10)]}[Fe(CO)3] (8a) have been determined by X-ray crystallography. All these complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and IR and NMR spectra.     

Synthesis, reactivity, spectroscopic characterization, X-ray structures, PGSE, and NOE NMR studies of (eta5-C5Me5)-rhodium and -iridium derivatives containing bis(pyrazolyl)alkane ligands

Rhodium(III) and iridium(III) complexes containing bis(pyrazolyl)methane ligands (pz = pyrazole, L' in general; specifically, L1 = H2C(pz)2, L2 = H2C(pzMe2)2, L3 = H2C(pz4Me)2, L4 = Me2C(pz)2), have been prepared in a study exploring the reactivity of these ligands toward [Cp*MCl(mu-Cl)]2 dimers (M = Rh, Ir; Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl). When the reaction was carried out in acetone solution, complexes of the type [Cp*M(L')Cl]Cl were obtained. However, when L1 and L2 ligands have been employed with excess [Cp*MCl(mu-Cl)]2, the formation of [Cp*M(L')Cl][Cp*MCl3] species has been observed. PGSE NMR measurements have been carried out for these complexes, in which the counterion is a cyclopentadienyl metal complex, in CD2Cl2 as a function of the concentration. The hydrodynamic radius (rH) and, consequently, the hydrodynamic volume (VH) of all the species have been determined from the measured translational self-diffusion coefficients (Dt), indicating the predominance of ion pairs in solution. NOE measurements and X-ray single-crystal studies suggest that the [Cp*MCl3]- approaches the cation, orienting the three Cl-legs of the "piano-stool" toward the CH2 moieties of the bis(pyrazolyl)methane ligands. The reaction of 1 equiv of [Cp*M(L')Cl]Cl or [Cp*M(L')Cl][Cp*MCl3] with 1 equiv of AgX (X = ClO4 or CF3SO3) in CH2Cl2 allows the generation of [Cp*M(L')Cl]X, whereas the reaction of 1 equiv of [Cp*M(L')Cl] with 2 equiv of AgX yields the dicationic complexes [Cp*M(L')(H2O)][X]2, where single water molecules are directly bonded to the metal atoms. The solid-state structures of a number of complexes were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic studies. The reaction of [Cp*Ir(L')(H2O)][X]2 with ammonium formate in water or acetone solution allows the generation of the hydride species [Cp*Ir(L')H][X].     

Self-assembled organometallic [12]metallacrown-3 complexes

The reaction of [(arene)RuCl2]2 (arene = C6H6, cymene, C6H3Et3, or C6Me6) or [Cp*RhCl2]2 with 3-hydroxy-2-pyridone in the presence of Cs2CO3 gives trinuclear metallamacrocyclic complexes. The self-assembly process was shown to be completely diastereoselective, and a racemic mixture of complexes with M(R)M(R)M(R) or MsMsMs (M=Ru, Rh) configuration was obtained. Plausible mononuclear intermediates of the formula [(arene)RuCl(C5H4NO2)] (arene = cymene, C6Me6) have been isolated and characterized. A structurally related trimer was synthesized by using [(cymene)RuCl2]2 and 3-acetamido-2-pyridone instead of 3-hydroxy-2-pyridone. The macrocycles were shown to be highly potent ionophores for Na+ and/or Li+ with negligible affinities for the larger cation K+. The selectivities of the receptors depend on the pi-ligand present: whereas the (C6H6)Ru- and (cymene)Ru complexes bind both Li+ and Na+, the (C6Me6)Ru-, (C6H3Et3)Ru-, and Cp*Rh complexes bind exclusively Li+. For all receptors, the presence of alkali metal ions can be detected electrochemically: the peak potential is shifted by > 300 mV toward anionic potential upon binding. This behavior was utilized to detect Li+ and Na+ colorimetrically. Single crystal X-ray analyses have been carried out on eight complexes, four of which are bound to an alkali metal halide ion pair. Structural parameters, which affect the affinity and selectivity are discussed. A computational study on [[MX][12]crown-3] complexes (M =Li, Na; X=Cl, Br, I) was performed in order to compare relevant bond lengths and angles of the energy-minimized structures with those of the organometallic receptors.