Formation of an Acyl‐Ethynyl‐Methylidyne Complex of Cobalt: Structure of Co3{μ3‐CC(O)C≡C[Ru(dppe)Cp*]}(CO)8(PPh3)

The reaction between Ru(C≡CH)(dppe)Cp* and Co₃(μ₃‐CBr)(CO)₉ in the presence of Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI afforded dark red Co₃{μ₃‐CC(O)C≡C[Ru(dppe)Cp*]}(CO)₈(PPh₃), whose formation may involve attack of the Ru‐ethynyl fragment on an intermediate cluster‐bound CCO ligand; abstraction of PPh₃ from the palladium catalyst also occurs.     

Organo‐Palladium(II)‐Verbindungen mit PdC4‐Koordination: Phenylethinyl‐ und Methylphenylethinylkomplexe

Tetrakis(p‐tolyl)oxalamidinato‐bis[acetylacetonatopalladium(II)] ([Pd₂(acac)₂(oxam)]) reacted with Li–C≡C–C₆H₅ in THF with formation of [Pd(C≡C–C₆H₅)₄Li₂(thf)₄] ( 1a ). Reaction of [Pd₂(acac)₂(oxam)] with a mixture of 6 equiv. Li–C≡C–C₆H₅ and 2 equiv. LiCH₃ resulted in the formation of [Pd(CH₃)(C≡C–C₆H₅)₃Li₂(thf)₄] ( 2 ), and the dimeric complex [Pd₂(CH₃)₄(C≡C–C₆H₅)₄Li₄(thf)₆] ( 3 ) was isolated upon reaction of [Pd₂(acac)₂(oxam)] with a mixture of 4 equiv. Li–C≡C–C₆H₅ and 4 equiv. LiCH₃. 1 – 3 are extremely reactive compounds, which were isolated as white needles in good yields (60–90%). They were fully characterized by IR, ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, ⁷Li‐NMR spectroscopy, and by X‐ray crystallography of single crystals. In these compounds Li ions are bonded to the two carbon atoms of the alkinyl ligand. 1a reacted with Pd(PPh₃)₄ in the presence of oxygen to form the already known complexes trans‐[Pd(C≡C–C₆H₅)₂(PPh₃)₂] and [Pd(η²‐O₂)(PPh₃)₂]. In addition, 1a is an active catalyst for the Heck coupling reaction, but less active in the catalytic Sonogashira reaction.     

Syntheses and Structural Studies of Several Diynyl‐Ruthenium Complexes and their Adducts with Cyano‐Alkenes

Herein are described some continuing investigations into the reactions of cyano‐alkenes with diynyl‐ruthenium complexes which have resulted in the preparation and characterisation of diynyl‐ruthenium compounds Ru(C≡CC≡CR)(PP)Cp [R = Ph, PP = dppe; R = Fc, PP = dppf; R = CPh=CBr₂, PP = (PPh₃)₂], together with the polycyanobutadienyls Ru{C≡CC[=C(CN)₂]CR=CR′(CN)}(PP)Cp′ [R = Fc, (PP)Cp′ = (dppf)Cp; R = H, SiMe₃, (PP)Cp′ = (dppe)Cp*] formed by [2 + 2]‐cycloaddition of the cyano‐alkenes to the outer C≡C triple bonds and subsequent ring‐opening reactions. Single‐crystal XRD molecular structure determinations of six complexes are reported.     

Further Evidence for ‘Extended’ Cumulene Complexes: Derivatives from Reactions with Halide Anions and Water

Reactions of [Ru{C=C(H)-1,4-C₆H₄C≡CH}(PPh₃)₂Cp]BF₄ ([ 1 a ]BF₄) with hydrohalic acids, HX, results in the formation of [Ru{C≡C-1,4-C₆H₄-C(X)=CH₂}(PPh₃)₂Cp] [X=Cl ( 2 a-Cl ), Br ( 2 a-Br )], arising from facile Markovnikov addition of halide anions to the putative quinoidal cumulene cation [Ru(=C=C=C₆H₄=C=CH₂)(PPh₃)₂Cp]⁺. Similarly, [M{C=C(H)-1,4-C₆H₄-C≡CH}(LL)Cp ]BF₄ [M(LL)Cp’=Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp ([ 1 a ]BF₄); Ru(dppe)Cp* ([ 1 b ]BF₄); Fe(dppe)Cp ([ 1 c ]BF₄); Fe(dppe)Cp* ([ 1 d ]BF₄)] react with H⁺/H₂O to give the acyl-functionalised phenylacetylide complexes [M{C≡C-1,4-C₆H₄-C(=O)CH₃}(LL)Cp’] ( 3 a – d ) after workup. The Markovnikov addition of the nucleophile to the remote alkyne in the cations [ 1 a–d ]⁺ is difficult to rationalise from the vinylidene form of the precursor and is much more satisfactorily explained from initial isomerisation to the quinoidal cumulene complexes [M(=C=C=C₆H₄=C=CH₂)(LL)Cp’]⁺ prior to attack at the more exposed, remote quaternary carbon. Thus, whilst representative acetylide complexes [Ru(C≡C-1,4-C₆H₄-C≡CH)(PPh₃)₂Cp] ( 4 a ) and [Ru(C≡C-1,4-C₆H₄-C≡CH)(dppe)Cp*] ( 4 b ) reacted with the relatively small electrophiles [CN]⁺ and [C₇H₇]⁺ at the β-carbon to give the expected vinylidene complexes, the bulky trityl ([CPh₃]⁺) electrophile reacted with [M(C≡C-1,4-C₆H₄-C≡CH)(LL)Cp’] [M(LL)Cp’=Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp ( 4 a ); Ru(dppe)Cp* ( 4 b ); Fe(dppe)Cp ( 4 c ); Fe(dppe)Cp* ( 4 d )] at the more exposed remote end of the carbon-rich ligand to give the putative quinoidal cumulene complexes [M{C=C=C₆H₄=C=C(H)CPh₃}(LL)Cp’]⁺, which were isolated as the water adducts [M{C≡C-1,4-C₆H₄-C(=O)CH₂CPh₃}(LL)Cp’] ( 6 a–d ). Evincing the scope of the formation of such extended cumulenes from ethynyl-substituted arylvinylene precursors, the rather reactive half-sandwich (5-ethynyl-2-thienyl)vinylidene complexes [M{C=C(H)-2,5-^cC₄H₂S-C≡CH}(LL)Cp’]BF₄ ([ 7 a – d ]BF₄ add water readily to give [M{C≡C-2,5-^cC₄H₂S-C(=O)CH₃}(LL)Cp’] ( 8 a – d )].     

Modification of Electrode Surfaces by Self‐Assembled Monolayers of Thiol‐Terminated Oligo(Phenyleneethynylene)s

The wire‐like properties of four S‐(4‐{2‐[4‐(2‐phenylethynyl)phenyl]ethynyl}phenyl) thioacetate derivatives, PhC≡CC₆H₄C≡CC₆H₄SAc ( 1 ), H₂NC₆H₄C≡CC₆H₄C≡CC₆H₄SAc ( 2 ), PhC≡CC₆H₂(OMe)₂C≡CC₆H₄SAc ( 3 ) and AcSC₆H₄C≡CC₆H₄C≡CC₆H₄SAc ( 4 ) (Figure 1 ), all of which possess a high degree of conjugation along the oligo(phenyleneethynylene) (OPE) backbone, were investigated as self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold and platinum electrodes by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The redox probe [Fe(CN)₆]₄^? was used in both the CV and impedance experiments. The results indicate that the thiolates derived from thioacetate‐protected precursor molecules 1 and 2 form well‐ordered monolayers on a gold electrode, whereas SAMs derived from 3 and 4 exhibit randomly distributed pinholes. The electron tunnelling resistance and fractional coverage of SAMs of all four compounds were examined using electron tunnelling theory. The analysis of the results reveal that the well‐ordered SAMs of 1 and 2 exhibit higher charge‐transfer resistance in comparison to the defect‐ridden SAMs of 3 and 4 . The additional steric bulk offered by the methoxy groups in 3 is likely to prevent efficient packing within the SAM, leading to a microelectrode behaviour, when assembled on a gold electrode surface. The protected dithiol derivative 4 probably binds to the surface through both terminal groups which prevents dense packing and leads to the formation of a monolayer with randomly distributed pinholes. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to examine the morphology of the monolayers, and height images gave root‐mean‐square (RMS) roughness′s which are in agreement with the proposed SAM structures.     

Transition‐Metal Complexes Based on the 1,3,5‐Triethynyl Benzene Linking Unit

The synthesis of a unique series of heteromultinuclear transition metal compounds is reported. Complexes 1‐I‐3‐Br‐5‐(FcC≡C)‐C₆H₃ ( 4 ), 1‐Br‐3‐(bpy‐C≡C)‐5‐(FcC≡C)‐C₆H₃ ( 6 ), 1,3‐(bpy‐C≡C)₂‐5‐(FcC≡C)‐C₆H₃ ( 7 ), 1‐(XC≡C)‐3‐(bpy‐C≡C)‐5‐(FcC≡C)‐C₆H₃ ( 8 , X = SiMe₃; 9 , X = H), 1‐(HC≡C)‐3‐[(CO)₃ClRe(bpy‐C≡C)]‐5‐(FcC≡C)‐C₆H₃ ( 11 ), 1‐[(Ph₃P)AuC≡C]‐3‐[(CO)₃ClRe(bpy‐C≡C)]‐5‐(FcC≡C)‐C₆H₃ ( 13 ), 1‐[(Ph₃P)AuC≡C]‐3‐(bpy‐C≡C)‐5‐(FcC≡C)‐C₆H₃ ( 14 ), [1‐[(Ph₃PAuC≡C]‐3‐[{[Ti](C≡CSiMe₃)₂}Cu(bpy‐C≡C)]‐5‐(FcC≡C)‐C₆H₃]PF₆ ( 16 ), and [1,3‐[(tBu₂bpy)₂Ru(bpy‐C≡C)]₂‐5‐(FcC≡C)‐C₆H₃](PF₆)₄ ( 18 ) (Fc = (η⁵‐C₅H₄)(η⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe, bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridiyl‐5‐yl, [Ti] = (η⁵‐C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti) were prepared by using consecutive synthesis methodologies including metathesis, desilylation, dehydrohalogenation, and carbon–carbon cross‐coupling reactions. In these complexes the corresponding metal atoms are connected by carbon‐rich bridging units comprising 1,3‐diethynyl‐, 1,3,5‐triethynylbenzene and bipyridyl units. They were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and partly by ESI‐TOF mass spectrometry., The structures of 4 and 11 in the solid state are reported. Both molecules are characterized by the central benzene core bridging the individual transition metal complex fragments. The corresponding acetylide entities are, as typical, found in a linear arrangement with representative M–C, C–C_C≡C and C≡C bond lengths.     

Reaction of (η5‐C5H5)Fe(CO)2I with Anionic Bidentate Phosphine Ligands PPh2(o‐C6H4NHLi) or PPh2(o‐C6H4OLi)

The o‐substituted hybrid phenylphosphines, PPh₂(o‐C₆H₄NH₂) and PPh₂(o‐C₆H₄OH), could be deprotonated with LDA or n‐BuLi to yield PPh₂(o‐C₆H₄NHLi) and PPh₂(o‐C₆H₄OLi), respectively. When added to a solution of (η⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂I at room temperature, these two lithiated reagents produce a chelated neutral complex 1 (η⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe(CO)[C(O)NH(o‐C₆H₄)PPh₂‐C,P‐η²] for the former and mainly a zwitterionic complex 2 , (η⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe⁺(CO)₂[PPh₂(o‐C₆H₄O^?)] for the latter. Complex 1 could easily be protonated and then decarbonylated to give 4 [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe(CO){NH₂(o‐C₆H₄)PPh₂‐N,P‐η²}⁺]. Complexes 1 and 4‐I have been crystallographically characterized with X‐ray diffraction.     

Pentadiynylidyne and Pentacarbido Complexes

The reaction of the halocarbyne [W(≡CBr)(CO)₂(Tp*)] (Tp*=hydrotris(3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl)borate) with trimethylsilyl‐butadiyne, mediated by [Pd(PPh₃)₄] and CuI, affords the first pentadiynylidyne complex [W(≡CC≡CC≡CSiMe₃)(CO)₂(Tp*)]. Desilylation provides a general route to heterobimetallic pentacarbido complexes, including [(Tp*)(CO)₂W(μ‐C₅)(PPh₃)₂Ru(η‐C₅H₅)] and [(Ph₃P)₂(CO)HIr{(μ‐C₅)W(CO)₂(Tp*)}₂].     

The Versatile Coordination Modes of Monophosphine‐o‐Carborane in the Formation of Iridium and Rhodium Complexes: Synthesis,Reactivity, and Characterization

Monophosphine‐o‐carborane has four competitive coordination modes when it coordinates to metal centers. To explore the structural transitions driven by these competitive coordination modes, a series of monophosphine‐o‐carborane Ir,Rh complexes were synthesized and characterized. [Cp*M(Cl)₂{1‐(PPh₂)‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₁}] (M=Ir ( 1 a ), Rh ( 1 b ); Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅), [Cp*Ir(H){7‐(PPh₂)‐7,8‐C₂B₉H₁₁}] ( 2 a ), and [1‐(PPh₂)‐3‐(η⁵‐Cp*)‐3,1,2‐MC₂B₉H₁₀] (M=Ir ( 3 a ), Rh ( 3 b )) can be all prepared directly by the reaction of 1‐(PPh₂)‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₁ with dimeric complexes [(Cp*MCl₂)₂] (M=Ir, Rh) under different conditions. Compound 3 b was treated with AgOTf (OTf=CF₃SO₃^?) to afford the tetranuclear metallacarborane [Ag₂(thf)₂(OTf)₂{1‐(PPh₂)‐3‐(η⁵‐Cp*)‐3,1,2‐RhC₂B₉H₁₀}₂] ( 4 b ). The arylphosphine group in 3 a and 3 b was functionalized by elemental sulfur (1 equiv) in the presence of Et₃N to afford [1‐{(S)PPh₂}‐3‐(η⁵‐Cp*)‐3,1,2‐MC₂B₉H₁₀] (M=Ir ( 5 a ), Rh ( 5 b )). Additionally, the 1‐(PPh₂)‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₁ ligand was functionalized by elemental sulfur (2 equiv) and then treated with [(Cp*IrCl₂)₂], thus resulting in two 16‐electron complexes [Cp*Ir(7‐{(S)PPh₂}‐8‐S‐7,8‐C₂B₉H₉)] ( 6 a ) and [Cp*Ir(7‐{(S)PPh₂}‐8‐S‐9‐OCH₃‐7,8‐C₂B₉H₉)] ( 7 a ). Compound 6 a further reacted with nBuPPh₂, thereby leading to 18‐electron complex [Cp*Ir(nBuPPh₂)(7‐{(S)PPh₂}‐8‐S‐7,8‐C₂B₉H₁₀)] ( 8 a ). The influences of other factors on structural transitions or the formation of targeted compounds, including reaction temperature and solvent, were also explored.     

Iron(0), rhodium(I) and palladium(II) complexes with p‐(N,N‐dimethylaminophenyl) diphenylphosphine and the application of the palladium complex as a catalyst for the Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction

The reaction of p‐(N,N‐dimethylaminophenyl)diphenylphosphine [PPh₂(p‐C₆H₄NMe₂)] with [Fe₃(CO)₁₂], [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ and PdCl₂ resulted in three new mononuclear complexes, {Fe(CO)₄[η¹‐(P)‐PPh₂(p‐C₆H₄NMe₂)]} ( 1a ), trans‐{Rh(CO)Cl[η¹‐(P)‐PPh₂(p‐C₆H₄NMe₂)]₂} ( 2 ) and trans‐{PdCl₂[η¹‐(P)‐PPh₂(p‐C₆H₄NMe₂)]₂} ( 3 ), respectively. A small amount of dinuclear nonmetal‐metal bonded complex, {Fe₂(CO)₈[µ‐(P,N)‐PPh₂(p‐C₆H₄NMe₂)]} ( 1b ), was also isolated as a side product in the reaction of [Fe₃(CO)₁₂]. The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, mass, IR, UV–vis, ¹H, ¹³C (except 1b) and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy. The Pd complex 3 effectively catalyzes the Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions of aryl halides with arylboronic acids in water–isopropanol (1:1) at room temperature. Excellent yields (up to 99% isolated yield) were achieved. The effects of different solvents, bases, catalyst quantities were also evaluated. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of platinum acetylide complexes and their application in curing silicone rubber by hydrosilylation

Eight platinum acetylide complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The catalytic properties of these complexes in curing silicone rubber by hydrosilylation have been tested. Among the complexes tested, trans‐Pt(PPh₃)₂[―C≡CC(CH₃)₂OSi(CH₃)₃] ₂ (2), trans‐Pt(PPh₃)₂[―C≡CC(CH₃)₂OSi(CH₂CH₃)₃]₂ (3), trans‐Pt(PPh₃)₂[―C≡CC(CH₃)₂OSiPh(CH₃)₂]₂ (4), trans‐Pt(PPh₃)₂[―C≡C(C₆H₁₀)OSi(CH₃)₃]₂ (6), trans‐Pt(PPh₃)₂[―C≡C(C₆H₁₀)OSi(CH₂CH₃)₃]₂ (7), and trans‐Pt(PPh₃)₂[―C≡C(C₆H₁₀)OSiPh(CH₃)₂]₂ (8) exhibited sufficiently long pot‐lives (15 days) at room temperature and short silicone rubber curing times of 10–35 min at 100°C or 1–5 min at 120°C. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kupferchalkogenid‐Clusterverbindungen mit Brom‐funktionalisierter Ligandenhülle

Five new copper chalcogenide cluster molecules, [Cu₄(S–C₆H₄–Br)₄(PPh₃)₄] ( 1 ), [Cu₂₂Se₆(S–C₆H₄–Br)₁₀(PPh₃)₈] ( 2 ), [Cu₂₈Se₆(S–C₆H₄–Br)₁₆(PPh₃)₈] ( 3 ), [Cu₄₇Se₁₀(S–C₆H₄–Br)₂₁(OAc)₆(PPh₃)₈] ( 4 ) and [Cu₈(S–C₆H₄–Br)₆(S₂C–NMe₂)₂(PPh₃)₄] ( 5 ) have been synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis. Compounds 1 – 4 were prepared from the reaction of CuOAc, p‐Br–C₆H₄–SSiMe₃ and Se(SiMe₃)₂ in the presence of PPh₃. In a further reaction of 1 with ⁱPrMgCl and (Me₂N–CS₂)₂ cluster 5 was crystallized.     

Formation of Alkyne Bridged Multicobalt Carbonyl Complexes with Tris(2‐Thienyl)Phosphine or Bis(Trimethylsilylethynyl)Phenylphosphine Ligand

Treatment of Co₄(CO)₁₂ with an excess of trimethylsilylacetylene (TMSA) in the presence of tri(2‐thienyl)phosphine in THF at 25 °C for 2 hours yielded six compounds. Two pseudo‐octahedral, alkyne‐bridged tetracobalt clusters, [Co₄(μ₄‐η²‐HC≡CSiMe₃)(CO)₁₀(μ‐CO)₂] ( 4 ) and [Co₄(μ₄‐η²‐HC≡CSiMe³)‐(CO)₉(μ‐CO)₂{P(C₄H₄S)₃}] ( 6 ), along with an alkyne‐bridged dicobalt complex, [Co₂(CO)₅(μ‐HC≡CSiMe₃)‐{P(C₄H₄S)₃}] ( 5 ), were obtained as new compounds. The addition of the thienylphosphine ligand, in fact, facilitates the reaction rate. Reaction of an alkyne‐bridged dicobalt complex, [(η²‐H‐C≡C‐SiMe₃)Co₂(CO)₆] ( 3 ), with a bi‐functional ligand, PPh(‐C≡C‐SiMe₃)₂, yielded an unexpected six‐membered, cyclic compound, {(Ph)(Me₃Si‐C≡C)P‐[(η²‐C≡C‐SiMe₃)Co₂(CO)₅]}₂ ( 7 ). All of these new compounds were characterized by spectroscopic means; the solid‐state structures of ( 5 ), ( 6 ) and ( 7 ) have been established by X‐ray crystallography.     

Cyclization Reactions of Aryl Propargyl Acetates with Tethered Epoxide Induced by Ruthenium Complex

Reactions of the ruthenium complex [Ru]Cl ([Ru]=Cp(PPh₃)₂Ru; Cp=η⁵‐C₅H₅) with several aryl propargyl acetates, each with an ortho ‐substituted chain of various length containing an epoxide on the aromatic ring and with or without methyl substitutents on the epoxide ring, bring about novel cyclizations. The cyclization reactions of HC≡CCH(OAc)(C₆H₄)CH₂(RC₂H₂O) (R=H, 6 a ; R=CH₃, 6 b , where RC₂H₂O is an epoxide ring) in MeOH give the vinylidene complexes 5 a – b , respectively, each with the Cβ integrated into a tetrahydro‐5H ‐benzo[7]annulen‐6‐ol ring. A C−C bond formation takes place between the propargyl acetate and the less substituted carbon of the epoxide ring. Further cyclizations of 5 a – b induced by HBF₄ give the corresponding vinylidene complexes 8 a – b each with a new 8‐oxabicyclo‐[3.2.1]octane ring by removal of a methanol molecule in high yield. For similar aryl propargyl acetates with a shorter epoxide chain, the cyclization gives a mixture of a vinylidene complex with a tetrahydronaphthalen‐1‐ol ring and a carbene complex with a tricyclic indeno‐furan ring. For the cyclization of 18 , with a longer epoxide chain, opening of the epoxide is required to afford the vicinal bromohydrin 22 , then tandem cyclization occurs in one pot. Products are characterized by spectroscopic methods as well as by XRD analysis.     

Zur Reaktivität von Titanocenkomplexen [Ti(Cp′)2(η2‐Me3SiC≡CSiMe3)] (Cp′ = Cp,Cp*) gegenüber Benzoldicarbonsäuren

On the Reactivity of Titanocene Complexes [Ti(Cp′)₂(η²‐Me₃SiC≡CSiMe₃)] (Cp′ = Cp, Cp*) towards Benzenedicarboxylic Acids Titanocene complexes [Ti(Cp′)₂(BTMSA)] ( 1a , Cp′ = Cp = η⁵‐C₅H₅; 1b , Cp′ = Cp* = η⁵‐C₅Me₅; BTMSA = Me₃SiC≡CSiMe₃) were found to react with iodine and methyl iodide yielding [Ti(Cp′)₂(μ‐I)₂] ( 2a / b ; a refers to Cp′ = Cp and b to Cp′ = Cp*), [Ti(Cp′)₂I₂] ( 3a / b ) and [Ti(Cp′)₂(Me)I] ( 4a / b ), respectively. In contrast to 2a , complex 2b proved to be highly moisture sensitive yielding with cleavage of HCp* [{Ti(Cp*)I}₂(μ‐O)] ( 7 ). The corresponding reactions of 1a / b with p‐cresol and thiophenol resulted in the formation of [Ti(Cp′)₂{O(p‐Tol)}₂] ( 5a / b ) and [Ti(Cp′)₂(SPh)₂] ( 6a / b ), respectively. Reactions of 1a and 1b with 1,n‐benzenedicarboxylic acids (n = 2–4) resulted in the formation of dinuclear titanium(III) complexes of the type [{Ti(Cp′)₂}₂{μ‐1,n‐(O₂C)₂C₆H₄}] (n = 2, 8a / b ; n = 3, 9a / b ; n = 4, 10a / b ). All complexes were fully characterized analytically and spectroscopically. Furthermore, complexes 7 , 8b , 9a ·THF, 10a / b were also be characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses.     

Mixed‐Valence Ruthenium Complexes Rotating through a Conformational Robin–Day Continuum

The conformational energy landscape and the associated electronic structure and spectroscopic properties (UV/Vis/near‐infrared (NIR) and IR) of three formally d⁵/d⁶ mixed‐valence diruthenium complex cations, [{Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂(μ‐C≡CC₆H₄C≡C)]⁺, [ 1 ]⁺, [trans‐{RuCl(dppe)₂}₂(μ‐C≡CC₆H₄C≡C)]⁺, [ 2 ]⁺, and the Creutz–Taube ion, [{Ru(NH₃)₅}₂(μ‐pz)]⁵⁺, [ 3 ]⁵⁺ (Cp=cyclopentadienyl; dppe=1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane; pz=pyrazine), have been studied using a nonstandard hybrid density functional BLYP35 with 35 % exact exchange and continuum solvent models. For the closely related monocations [ 1 ]⁺ and [ 2 ]⁺, the calculations indicated that the lowest‐energy conformers exhibited delocalized electronic structures (or class III mixed‐valence character). However, these minima alone explained neither the presence of shoulder(s) in the NIR absorption envelope nor the presence of features in the observed vibrational spectra characteristic of both delocalized and valence‐trapped electronic structures. A series of computational models have been used to demonstrate that the mutual conformation of the metal fragments—and even more importantly the orientation of the bridging ligand relative to those metal centers—influences the electronic coupling sufficiently to afford valence‐trapped conformations, which are of sufficiently low energy to be thermally populated. Areas in the conformational phase space with variable degrees of symmetry breaking of structures and spin‐density distributions are shown to be responsible for the characteristic spectroscopic features of these two complexes. The Creutz–Taube ion [ 3 ]⁵⁺ also exhibits low‐lying valence‐trapped conformational areas, but the electronic transitions that characterize these conformations with valence‐localized electronic structures have low intensities and do not influence the observed spectroscopic characteristics to any notable extent.     

Hydroboration of Alkynes with Zwitterionic Ruthenium–Borate Complexes: Novel Vinylborane Complexes

Building upon previous studies on the synthesis of bis(sigma)borate and agostic complexes of ruthenium, the chemistry of nido‐[(Cp*Ru)₂B₃H₉] ( 1 ) with other ligand systems was explored. In this regard, mild thermolysis of nido‐ 1 with 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole (2‐mbzt), 2‐mercaptobenzoxazole (2‐mbzo) and 2‐mercaptobenzimidazole (2‐mbzi) ligands were performed which led to the isolation of bis(sigma)borate complexes [Cp*RuBH₃L] ( 2 a – c ) and β‐agostic complexes [Cp*RuBH₂L₂] ( 3 a – c ; 2 a , 3 a : L=C₇H₄NS₂; 2 b , 3 b : L=C₇H₄NSO; 2 c , 3 c : L=C₇H₅N₂S). Further, the chemistry of these novel complexes towards various diphosphine ligands was investigated. Room temperature treatment of 3 a with [PPh₂(CH₂)_nPPh₂] (n=1–3) yielded [Cp*Ru(PPh₂(CH₂)_nPPh₂)‐BH₂(L₂)] ( 4 a – c ; 4 a : n=1; 4 b : n=2; 4 c : n=3; L=C₇H₄NS₂). Mild thermolysis of 2 a with [PPh₂(CH₂)_nPPh₂] (n=1–3) led to the isolation of [Cp*Ru(PPh₂(CH₂)_nPPh₂)(L)] (L=C₇H₄NS₂ 5 a – c ; 5 a : n=1; 5 b : n=2; 5 c : n=3). Treatment of 4 a with terminal alkynes causes a hydroboration reaction to generate vinylborane complexes [Cp*Ru(R?C?CH₂)BH(L₂)] ( 6 and 7 ; 6 : R=Ph; 7 : R=COOCH₃; L=C₇H₄NS₂). Complexes 6 and 7 can also be viewed as η‐alkene complexes of ruthenium that feature a dative bond to the ruthenium centre from the vinylinic double bond. In addition, DFT computations were performed to shed light on the bonding and electronic structures of the new compounds.     

Preparation and Structures of Several Complexes Containing Carbon-Rich Ligands Attached to Polynuclear Metal Carbonyls

Several new gold-containing cluster complexes have been prepared from the reactions of gold alkynyl complexes, L _n M-C _x -Au(PPh₃), (x = 3, 4, 6) with Ru₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂. The bis-cluster complex 1,4-{AuRu₃(CO)₉(PPh₃)(μ₃-C₂)}₂C₆H₄ was obtained from Ru₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ and 1,4-{(Ph₃P)Au(C≡C)}₂C₆H₄. The complexes Ru₃(μ-H){μ₃-C₂C≡C[Ru(PP)Cp′]}(CO)₉ [PP = (PPh₃)₂, Cp′ = Cp; PP = dppe, Cp′ = Cp*] were also obtained as minor by-products and synthesised independently from Ru(C≡CC≡CH)(PP)Cp′. A reaction between Co₃{μ₃-CC≡CC≡CAu(PPh₃)}(μ-dppm)(CO)₇ and Ru₃(CO)₁₂ afforded {(Ph₃P)(OC)₉AuRu₃}C≡CC≡CC{Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} 7. Related complexes AuRu₃{μ₃-C₂C≡[M(CO)₂Tp]}(CO)₉(PPh₃) (M = Mo 8, W 9) were obtained from {Tp(OC)₂M}≡CC≡C{Au(PPh₃)}, while the mixed metal cluster complexes MoM₂(C₂Me)(CO)₈Tp (M = Ru 13, Fe 14) were obtained from M(≡CC≡CSiMe₃)(CO)₂Tp (M = Mo, W) with Fe₂(CO)₉ and Ru₃(CO)₁₂, respectively. Reactions of the Mo carbyne complex with Co₂(LL)(CO)₆ [LL = (CO)₂, μ-dppm] or nickelocene afforded complexes 15–17 in which Co₂ and Ni₂ fragments, respectively, had coordinated to the C≡C triple bond. XRD structural determinations of 7, 8, 14, 16 and {Tp(OC)₂W}≡CC≡CC≡{Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} (18-W) are reported. In memoriam: F. Albert Cotton (1930–2007).     

Synthesis,Structure, and Reactivity of RuII Complexes with Trimethylsilylethinylamidinate Ligands

The mononuclear amidinate complexes [(η⁶‐cymene)‐RuCl( 1a )] ( 2 ) and [(η⁶‐C₆H₆)RuCl( 1b )] ( 3 ), with the trimethylsilyl‐ethinylamidinate ligands [Me₃SiC≡CC(N‐c‐C₆H₁₁)₂]^– ( 1a^– ) and[Me₃SiC≡CC(N‐i‐C₃H₇)₂]^– ( 1b^– ) were synthesized in high yields by salt metathesis. In addition, the related phosphane complexes[(η⁵‐C₅H₅)Ru(PPh₃)( 1b )] ( 4a ) [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Ru(PPh₃)( 1b )] ( 4b ), and [(η⁶‐C₆H₆)Ru(PPh₃)( 1b )](BF₄) ( 5 ‐BF₄) were prepared by ligand exchange reactions. Investigations on the removal of the trimethyl‐silyl group using [Bu₄N]F resulted in the isolation of [(η⁶‐C₆H₆)Ru(PPh₃){(N‐i‐C₃H₇)₂CC≡CH}](BF₄) ( 6 ‐BF₄) bearing a terminal alkynyl hydrogen atom, while 2 and 3 revealed to yield intricate reaction mixtures. Compounds 1a / b to 6 ‐BF₄ were characterized by multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P) and IR spectroscopy and elemental analyses, including X‐ray diffraction analysis of 1b , 2 , and 3 .     

Chemistry of N,S‐Heterocyclic Carbene and Metallaboratrane Complexes: A New η3‐BCC‐Borataallyl Complex

A high‐yielding synthetic route for the preparation of group 9 metallaboratrane complexes [Cp*MBH(L)₂], 1 and 2 ( 1 , M=Rh, 2 , M=Ir; L=C₇H₄NS₂) has been developed using [{Cp*MCl₂}₂] as precursor. This method also permitted the synthesis of an Rh–N,S‐heterocyclic carbene complex, [(Cp*Rh)(L₂)(1‐benzothiazol‐2‐ylidene)] ( 3 ; L=C₇H₄NS₂) in good yield. The reaction of compound 3 with neutral borane reagents led to the isolation of a novel borataallyl complex [Cp*Rh(L)₂B{CH₂C(CO₂Me)}] ( 4 ; L=C₇H₄NS₂). Compound 4 features a rare η³‐interaction between rhodium and the B‐C‐C unit of a vinylborane moiety. Furthermore, with the objective of generating metallaboratranes of other early and late transition metals through a transmetallation approach, reactions of rhoda‐ and irida‐boratrane complexes with metal carbonyl compounds were carried out. Although the objective of isolating such complexes was not achieved, several interesting mixed‐metal complexes [{Cp*Rh}{Re(CO)₃}(C₇H₄NS₂)₃] ( 5 ), [Cp*Rh{Fe₂(CO)₆}(μ‐CO)S] ( 6 ), and [Cp*RhBH(L)₂W(CO)₅] ( 7 ; L=C₇H₄NS₂) have been isolated. All of the new compounds have been characterized in solution by mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, and ¹H, ¹¹B, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies, and the structural types of 4 – 7 have been unequivocally established by crystallographic analysis.