Spectroscopic studies and structures of trans-ruthenium(II) and ruthenium(III) bis(cyanide) complexes supported by a tetradentate macrocyclic tertiary amine ligand

trans-[Ru(16-TMC)(C[triple bond]N)2] (1; 16-TMC = 1,5,9,13-tetramethyl-1,5,9,13-tetraazacyclohexadecane) was prepared by the reaction of trans-[Ru(16-TMC)Cl2]Cl with KCN in the presence of zinc powder. The oxidation of 1 with bromine gave trans-[Ru(16-TMC)(CN)2]+ isolated as PF6 salt (2.PF6). The Ru-C/C-N distances are 2.061(4)/1.130(5) and 2.069(5)/1.140(7) A for 1 and 2, respectively. Both complexes show a Ru(III/II) couple at 0.10 V versus FeCp2+/0. The UV-vis absorption spectrum of 1 is dominated by an intense high-energy absorption at lambda(max) = 230 nm, which is mainly originated from dpi(RuII) --> pi*(N[triple bond]C-Ru-C[triple bond]N) charge-transfer transition. Complex 2 shows intense absorption bands at lambda(max) pi*(N[triple bond]C-Ru-C[triple bond]N) and sigma(-CN) --> d(RuIII) charge-transfer transition, respectively. Density functional theory and time-dependent density-functional theory calculations have been performed on trans-[(NH3)4Ru(C[triple bond]N)2] (1') and trans-[(NH3)4Ru(C[triple bond]N)2]+ (2') to examine the Ru-cyanide interaction and the nature of associated electronic transition(s). The 230 nm band of 1 has been probed by resonance Raman spectroscopy. Simulations of the absorption band and the resonance Raman intensities show that the nominal nuC[triple bond]N stretch mode accounts for ca. 66% of the total vibrational reorganization energy. A change of nominal bond order for the cyanide ligand from 3 to 2.5 is estimated upon the electronic excitation.     

Probing ruthenium-acetylide bonding interactions: synthesis, electrochemistry, and spectroscopic studies of acetylide-ruthenium complexes supported by tetradentate macrocyclic amine and diphosphine ligands

The synthesis and spectroscopic properties of trans-[RuL4(C[triple bond]CAr)2] (L4 = two 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane, (dmpe)2; 1,5,9,13-tetramethyl-1,5,9,13-tetraazacyclohexadecane, 16-TMC; 1,12-dimethyl-3,4:9,10-dibenzo-1,12-diaza-5,8-dioxacyclopentadecane, N2O2) are described. Investigations into the effects of varying the [RuL4] core, acetylide ligands, and acetylide chain length for the [(-)C[triple bond]C(C6H4C[triple bond]C)(n-1)Ph] and [(-)C[triple bond]C(C6H4)(n-1)Ph] (n = 1-3) series upon the electronic and electrochemical characteristics of trans-[RuL4(C[triple bond]CAr)2](0/+) are presented. DFT and TD-DFT calculations have been performed on trans-[Ru(L')4(C[triple bond]CAr)2](0/+) (L' = PH3 and NH3) to examine the metal-acetylide pi-interaction and the nature of the associated electronic transition(s). It was observed that (1) the relationship between the transition energy and 1/n for trans-[Ru(dmpe)2{C[triple bond]C(C6H4C[triple bond]C)(n-1)Ph}2] (n = 1-3) is linear, and (2) the sum of the d(pi)(Ru(II)) --> pi*(C[triple bond]CAr) MLCT energy for trans-[Ru(16-TMC or N2O2)(C[triple bond]CAr)2] and the pi(C[triple bond]CAr) --> d(pi)(Ru(III)) LMCT energy for trans-[Ru(16-TMC or N2O2)(C[triple bond]CAr)2]+ corresponds to the intraligand pi pi* absorption energy for trans-[Ru(16-TMC or N2O2)(C[triple bond]CAr)2]. The crystal structure of trans-[Ru(dmpe)2{C[triple bond]C(C6H4C[triple bond]C)2Ph}2] shows that the two edges of the molecule are separated by 41.7 A. The electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of these complexes can be systematically tuned by modifying L4 and Ar to give E(1/2) values for oxidation of trans-[RuL4(C[triple bond]CAr)2] that span over 870 mV and lambda(max) values of trans-[RuL4(C[triple bond]CAr)2] that range from 19,230 to 31,750 cm(-1). The overall experimental findings suggest that the pi-back-bonding interaction in trans-[RuL4(C[triple bond]CAr)2] is weak and the [RuL4] moiety in these molecules may be considered to be playing a "dopant" role in a linear rigid pi-conjugated rod.     

C7 and C9 carbon-rich bridges in diruthenium systems: synthesis, spectroscopic, and theoretical investigations of different oxidation States

Two methodologies of C-C bond formation to achieve organometallic complexes with 7 or 9 conjugated carbon atoms are described. A C7 annelated trans-[Cl(dppe)2Ru=C=C=C-CH=C(CH2)-C[triple bond]C-Ru(dppe)2Cl][X] (X = PF6, OTf) complex is obtained from the diyne trans-[Cl(dppe)2Ru-(C[triple bond]C)2-R] (R = H, SiMe3) in the presence of [FeCp2][PF6] or HOTf, and C7 or C9 complexes trans-[Cl(dppe)2Ru-(C[triple bond]C)n-C(CH3)=C(R1)-C(R2)=C=C=Ru(dppe)2Cl][X] (n = 1, 2; R1 = Me, Ph, R2 = H, Me; X = BF4, OTf) are formed in the presence of a polyyne trans-[Cl(dppe)2Ru-(C[triple bond]C)n-R] (n = 2, 3; R = H, SiMe3) with a ruthenium allenylidene trans-[Cl(dppe)2Ru=C=C=C(CH2R1)R2][X]. These reactions proceed under mild conditions and involve cumulenic intermediates [M+]=(C=)nCHR (n = 3, 5), including a hexapentaenylidene. A combination of chemical, electrochemical, spectroscopic (UV-vis, IR, NIR, EPR), and theoretical (DFT) techniques is used to show the influence of the nature and conformation of the bridge on the properties of the complexes and to give a picture of the electron delocalization in the reduced and oxidized states. These studies demonstrate that the C7 bridging ligand spanning the metal centers by almost 12 angstroms is implicated in both redox processes and serves as a molecular wire to convey the unpaired electron with no tendency for spin localization on one of the halves of the molecules. The reactivity of the C7 complexes toward protonation and deprotonation led to original bis(acetylides), vinylidene-allenylidene, or carbyne-vinylidene species such as trans-[Cl(dppe)2Ru[triple bond]C-CH=C(CH3)-CH=C(CH3)-HC=C=Ru(dppe)2Cl][BF4]3.     

Isomeric [RuCl2(dmso)2(indazole)2] complexes: ruthenium(II)-mediated coupling reaction of acetonitrile with 1H-indazole

Reaction of the antitumor complex trans-[Ru(III)Cl4(Hind)2]- (Hind = indazole) with an excess of dimethyl sulfoxide (dmso) in acetone afforded the complex trans,trans,trans-[Ru(II)Cl2(dmso)2(Hind)2] (1). Two other isomeric compounds trans,cis,cis-[Ru(II)Cl2(dmso)2(Hind)2] (2) and cis,cis,cis-[Ru(II)Cl2(dmso)2(Hind)2] (3) have been obtained on refluxing cis-[Ru(II)Cl(2)(dmso)(4)] with 2 equiv. of indazole in ethanol and methanol, respectively. Isomers 1 and 2 react with acetonitrile yielding the complexes trans-[Ru(II)Cl2(dmso)(Hind){HN=C(Me)ind}].CH3CN (4.CH3CN) and trans,cis-[Ru(II)Cl2(dmso)2{HN=C(Me)ind}].H2O (5.H2O), respectively, containing a cyclic amidine ligand resulting from insertion of the acetonitrile C triple bond N group in the N1-H bond of the N2-coordinated indazole ligand in the nomenclature used for 1H-indazole. These are the first examples of the metal-assisted iminoacylation of indazole. The products isolated have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, electrospray mass-spectrometry, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, 1H NMR spectroscopy, and solid-state 13C CP MAS NMR spectroscopy. The isomeric structures of 1-3 and the presence of a chelating amidine ligand in 4 and 5 have been confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The electrochemical behavior of 1-5 and the formation of 5 have been studied by cyclic voltammetry.     

Mixed unsymmetric oxadiazoline and/or imine platinum(II) complexes

Iminoacylation of acetone oxime Me(2)C[double bond, length as m-dash]NOH upon reaction with trans-[PtCl(2)(NCCH(2)CO(2)Me)(2)] and [2 + 3] cycloaddition of acyclic nitrone (-)O(+)N(Me) = C(H)(C(6)H(4)Me-4) to a nitrile ligand in lead to the formation of mono-imine trans-[PtCl(2)(imine-a)(NCCH(2)CO(2)Me)] [imine-a = NH[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH(2)CO(2)Me)ON = CMe(2)] and mono-oxadiazoline trans-[PtCl(2)(oxadiazoline-a)(NCCH(2)CO(2)Me)] [oxadiazoline-a = [upper bond 1 start]N[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH(2)CO(2)Me)ON(Me)C[upper bond 1 end](H)(C(6)H(4)Me-4)] unsymmetric mixed ligand complexes, respectively, as the main products. Reactions of or with acetone oxime , cyclic nitrone (-)O(+)N = CHCH(2)CH(2)C[upper bond 1 end]Me(2) or N,N-diethylhydroxylamine give access, in moderate to good yields, to the unsymmetric mixed ligand oxadiazoline and/or imine complexes trans-[PtCl(2)(oxadiazoline-a)(imine-a)] , trans-[PtCl(2)(oxadiazoline-a)(oxadiazoline-b)] [oxadiazoline-b = [upper bond 1 start]N[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH(2)CO(2)Me)O[lower bond 1 start]NC[upper bond 1 end](H)CH(2)CH(2)C[lower bond 1 end]Me(2)], trans-[PtCl(2)(imine-a)(imine-b)] [imine-b = NH = C(CH(2)CO(2)Me)ONEt(2)] or trans-[PtCl(2)(imine-a)(oxadiazoline-b)] . The cis mono-imine mixed ligand complex cis-[PtCl(2)(imine-a)(NCCH(2)CO(2)Me)] is the major product from the reaction of cis-[PtCl(2)(NCCH(2)CO(2)Me)(2)] with the oxime , while the di-imine compound cis-[PtCl(2)(imine-a)(2)] is a minor product. Reaction of cis-[PtCl(2)(imine-a)(NCCH(2)CO(2)Me)] with N,N-diethylhydroxylamine or the cyclic nitrone affords, in good yields, the unsymmetric mixed ligand complexes cis-[PtCl(2)(imine-a)(imine-b)] or cis-[PtCl(2)(imine-a)(oxadiazoline-b)] , respectively. All these complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, IR and (1)H, (13)C and (195)Pt NMR spectroscopies, and FAB(+)-MS. The X-ray structural analysis of trans-[PtCl(2){NH=C(CH(2)CO(2)Me)ON=CMe(2)}(NCCH(2)CO(2)Me)] is also reported.     

Factors relevant for the ruthenium-benzylidene-catalyzed cyclopolymerization of 1,6-heptadyines

Fourteen metathesis initiators that had been designed for use in the living polymerization of diethyl dipropargylmalonate (DEDPM), including the Hoveyda catalyst [RuCl(2)(IMesH(2))([double bond]CH-2-(2-PrO)[bond]C(6)H(4))] (1 a), as well as [Ru(CF(3)COO)(2)(IMesH(2))([double bond]CH-2-(2-PrO)[bond]C(6)H(4))] (1 b), [Ru(CF(3)CF(2)COO)(2)(IMesH(2))([double bond]CH-2-(2-PrO)[bond]C(6)H(4))] (1 c), [Ru(CF(3)CF(2)CF(2)COO)(2)(IMesH(2))([double bond]CH-2-(2-PrO)[bond]C(6)H(4))] (1 d), [RuCl(2)(IMesH(2))([double bond]CH-2,4,5-(MeO)(3)[bond]C(6)H(2))] (2 a), [Ru(CF(3)COO)(2)(IMesH(2))([double bond]CH-2,4,5-(MeO)(3)[bond]C(6)H(2))] (2 b), [Ru(CF(3)CF(2)COO)(2)(IMesH(2))([double bond]CH-2,4,5-(MeO)(3)[bond]C(6)H(2))] (2 c), [Ru(CF(3)CF(2)CF(2)COO)(2)(IMesH(2))([double bond]CH-2,4,5-(MeO)(3)[bond]C(6)H(2))] (2 d), [RuCl(2)(IMes)([double bond]CH-2-(2-PrO)[bond]C(6)H(4))] (3 a), [Ru(CF(3)COO)(2)(IMes)([double bond]CH-2-(2-PrO)[bond]C(6)H(4))] (3 b), [RuCl(2)(IMesH(2))([double bond]CH-2-(2-PrO)-5-NO(2)[bond]C(6)H(3))] (4 a), [Ru(CF(3)COO)(2)(IMesH(2))([double bond]CH-2-(2-PrO)-5-NO(2)[bond]C(6)H(3))] (4 b), [Ru(CF(3)CF(2)COO)(2)(IMesH(2))([double bond]CH-2-(2-PrO)-5-NO(2)[bond]C(6)H(3))] (4 c), and [Ru(CF(3)CF(2)CF(2)COO)(2)(IMesH(2))([double bond]CH-2-(2-PrO)-5-NO(2)[bond]C(6)H(3))] (4 d) (IMes=1,3-dimesitylimidazol-2-ylidene; IMesH(2)=1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene) were prepared. Living polymerization systems could be generated with DEDPM by careful tuning of the electronic nature and steric placement of the ligands. Although 1 a, 2 a, 3 a, 3 b, and 4 a were inactive in the cyclopolymerization of DEDPM, and initiators 1 b-d did not allow any control over molecular weight, initiators 2 b-d and 4 b-d offered access to class VI living polymerization systems. In particular, compounds 2 b and 4 d were superior. The livingness of the systems was demonstrated by linear plots of M(n) versus the number of equivalents of monomer added (N). For initiators 2 b-d and 4 b-d, values for k(p)/k(i) were in the range of 3-7, while 1 b, 1 c, and 1 d showed a k(p)/k(i) ratio of >1000, 80, and 40, respectively. The use of non-degassed solvents did not affect these measurements and underlined the high stability of these initiators. The effective conjugation length (N(eff)) was calculated from the UV/Vis absorption maximum (lambda(max)). The final ruthenium content in the polymers was determined to be 3 ppm.     

Bis(acetylacetonato)ruthenium(II) complexes containing alkynyldiphenylphosphines. Formation and redox behaviour of [Ru(acac)2(Ph2PC triple bond CR)2] (R=H, Me, Ph) complexes and the binuclear complex cis-[{Ru(acac)2}2(micro-Ph2PC triple bond CPPh2)}2

Two equivalents of Ph(2)PC triple bond CR (R=H, Me, Ph) react with thf solutions of cis-[Ru(acac)(2)(eta(2)-alkene)(2)] (acac=acetylacetonato; alkene=C(2)H(4), 1; C(8)H(14), 2) at room temperature to yield the orange, air-stable compounds trans-[Ru(acac)(2)(Ph(2)PC triple bond CR)(2)] (R=H, trans-3; Me=trans-4; Ph, trans-5) in isolated yields of 60-98%. In refluxing chlorobenzene, trans-4 and trans-5 are converted into the yellow, air-stable compounds cis-[Ru(acac)(2)(Ph(2)PC triple bond CR)(2)] (R=Me, cis-4; Ph, cis-5), isolated in yields of ca. 65%. From the reaction of two equivalents of Ph(2)PC triple bond CPPh(2) with a thf solution of 2 an almost insoluble orange solid is formed, which is believed to be trans-[Ru(acac)(2)(micro-Ph(2)PC triple bond CPPh(2))](n) (trans-6). In refluxing chlorobenzene, the latter forms the air-stable, yellow, binuclear compound cis-[{Ru(acac)(2)(micro-Ph(2)PC triple bond CPPh(2))}(2)] (cis-6). Electrochemical studies indicate that cis-4 and cis-5 are harder to oxidise by ca. 300 mV than the corresponding trans-isomers and harder to oxidise by 80-120 mV than cis-[Ru(acac)(2)L(2)] (L=PPh(3), PPh(2)Me). Electrochemical studies of cis-6 show two reversible Ru(II/III) oxidation processes separated by 300 mV, the estimated comproportionation constant (K(c)) for the equilibrium cis-6(2+) + cis6 <=> 2(cis-6(+)) being ca. 10(5). However, UV-Vis spectra of cis-6(+) and cis-6(2+), generated electrochemically at -50 degrees C, indicate that cis-6(+) is a Robin-Day Class II mixed-valence system. Addition of one equivalent of AgPF(6) to trans-3 and trans-4 forms the green air-stable complexes trans-3 x PF(6) and trans-4 x PF(6), respectively, almost quantitatively. The structures of trans-4, cis-4, trans-4 x PF(6) and cis-6 have been confirmed by X-ray crystallography.     

Ruthenium complexes with tridentate PNX (X = O, S) donor ligands

The ligands, PhPNXMe (1), PhPNXPh (2), and PhPNSMe (3), (PhPNX = 2-Ph2P-C6H4CH[double bond, length as m-dash]NC6H4X-2; X = O, S) have been prepared. A range of new ruthenium complexes were synthesised using these and related ligands, namely: [{RuCl(PhPNO)}2Cl] (4), [Ru(PhPNO)2] (5), [RuCl(PhPNXR)(PPh3)]BPh4 [X = O, R = Me (6); X = O, R = Ph (7); X = S, R = Me (8)], [{RuCl(PhPNX'R)}2Cl]X [X' = O, R = Me, X = Cl(-) (9); X' = S, R = Me, X = BPh4(-) or PF6(-) (10)], and [RuCl(PhPNO-eta 6C6H5)]BPh4 (11). The catalytic activity of these complexes with respect to the hydrosilyation of acetophenone and the hydrogenation of styrene has been investigated, giving an insight into the requirements for an active complex in these reactions.     

Synthesis and reactivity of the aquation product of the antitumor complex trans-[Ru(III)Cl4(indazole)2]-

Aquation of the investigational anticancer drug trans-[Ru(III)Cl4(Hind)2](-) (1, KP1019) results in the formation of mer,trans-[Ru(III)Cl3(Hind)2(H2O)] (2), which was isolated in high yield (85%) and characterized by spectroscopic methods and X-ray crystallography. Dissolution of 2 in acetone, led to its dimerization into [Ru(III)2(mu-Cl)2Cl4(Hind)4] x 2 (Me)2CO (3) in 79% yield, with release of two water molecules. Complex 2 reacts readily with nucleophilic organic molecules, viz., methanol or dimethyl sulfide, at room temperature by replacement of the aqua ligand to give mer,trans-[Ru(III)Cl3(Hind)2(MeOH)] (4) and mer,trans-[Ru(III)Cl3(Hind)2(Me2S)] (5) in 58 and 64% yield, respectively. By reaction of 2 with DMSO at room temperature or dimethyl sulfide at elevated temperatures trans,trans,trans-[Ru(II)Cl2(Hind)2(Me2S)2] (6) and trans,trans,trans-[Ru(II)Cl2(Hind)2(S-DMSO)2] (7) were prepared in 64 and 75% yield, respectively. Dissolution of 2 in acetonitrile or benzonitrile gave rise to mer,trans-[Ru(III)Cl3(Hind)(HNC(Me)ind)] (8a), mer,trans-[Ru(III)Cl3(Hind)(HNC(Ph)ind)] (8b), and trans,trans-[Ru(III)Cl2(HNC(Me)ind)2]Cl (9) in 67, 50, and 23% yield, respectively, upon metal-assisted iminoacylation of indazole, which is unprecedented for ruthenium(III). Furthermore, complex 2 reacts with the DNA-model bases 9-methyladenine (9-meade) and N6,N6-dimethyladenine (6-me2ade) to yield mer,trans-[Ru(III)Cl3(Hind)2(9-meade)] (10) and mer,trans-[Ru(III)Cl3(Hind)2(6-me2ade)] (11) with the purine bases bound to the Ru(III) center via N7 and N3, respectively. Complex 11 represents the first ruthenium complex in which the coordination of the purine ligand N6,N6-dimethyladenine occurs via N3. In addition, the polymer [Na(EtOAc)2Ru(III)(mu-Cl)4(Hind)2]n (12) was crystallized from ethyl acetate/diethyl ether solutions of Na[trans-Ru(III)Cl4(Hind)2] x 1.5 H2O (1a). The reported complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and UV-vis spectroscopy, ESI mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, and X-ray crystallography. Electrochemical investigations give insight into the mechanistic details of the solvolytic behavior of complex 2. The lability of the aqua ligand in 2 suggests that this complex is a potential active species responsible for the high antitumor activity of trans-[Ru(III)Cl4(Hind)2](-).     

Syntheses of four-membered metallacyclic complexes with nitrosylruthenium and their ring-opening upon HCl addition

Symmetrically disubstituted bis(3-hydroxyalkynyl) complex [TpRu{C[triple chemical bond]CCPh(2)(OH)}(2)(NO)] (1) (Tp = BH(pyrazol-1-yl)(3)) and unsymmetrically mixed (arylalkynyl)(3-hydroxyalkynyl) congener [TpRu(C[triple chemical bond]CC(6)H(4)Me){C[triple chemical bond]CCPh(2)(OH)}(NO)] (2) were newly prepared. Treatment of 1 or 2 with p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate was carried out to give unusual four-membered metallacyclic complexes [TpRu{C(=C=CPh(2))C(O)C(=CPh(2))}(NO)] (3) and [TpRu{C(=C=CPh(2))C(O)CH(C(6)H(4)Me)}(NO)] (5), respectively, as major products. Formation mechanism of 3 and 5 would involve insertion of the generated allenylidene group (Ru=C=C=CPh(2)) into the other Ru--C(alkynyl) bond, followed by hydration of the resulting alpha-alkynyl--allenyl fragment. With regards to the chemical reactivity of their four-membered metallacycles, treatment with aq. HCl in MeOH afforded the ring-opened one-HCl adducts, [TpRuCl{C(=C=CPh(2))C(O)CH=CPh(2)}(NO)] (7) and [TpRuCl{C(=C=CPh(2))C(O)CH(2)(C(6)H(4)Me)}(NO)] (8). On the other hand, the use of CH(2)Cl(2) and THF as the reaction solvent gave another type of one-HCl adducts [TpRu{CH(C(Cl)=CPh(2))C(O)C(==CPh(2))}(NO)] (9 a/9 b) and [TpRu{CH(C(Cl)=CPh(2))C(O)CH(C(6)H(4)Me)}(NO)] (11 a/11 b) as diastereomeric pairs, still retaining the four-membered ring structure. Moreover, their kinetically controlled products 9 b and 11 b were treated with aq. HCl to afford the ring-opened two-HCl adducts [TpRuCl{C(C(Cl)=CPh(2))(H)C(O)CH=CPh(2)}(NO)] (10) and [TpRuCl{CH(C(6)H(4)Me)C(O)CH(2)(C(Cl)=CPh(2))}(NO)] (12), respectively. In 10 and 12, each one Ru--C bond is cleaved at mutually different positions in the ring. Protonation on the carbonyl group would trigger the formation of 7-12.     

Photolabile ruthenium nitrosyls with planar dicarboxamide tetradentate N(4) ligands: effects of in-plane and axial ligand strength on NO release

Four ruthenium nitrosyls, namely [(bpb)Ru(NO)(Cl)] (1), [(Me(2)bpb)Ru(NO)(Cl)] (2), [(Me(2)bpb)Ru(NO)(py)](BF(4)) (3), and [(Me(2)bqb)Ru(NO)(Cl)] (4) (H(2)bpb = 1,2-bis(pyridine-2-carboxamido)benzene, H(2)Me(2)bpb = 1,2-bis(pyridine-2-carboxamido)-4,5-dimethylbenzene, H(2)Me(2)bqb = 1,2-bis(quinaldine-2-carboxamido)-4,5-dimethylbenzene; H is the dissociable amide proton), have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. All four complexes exhibit nu(NO) in the range 1830-1870 cm(-)(1) indicating the [Ru-NO](6) configuration. Clean (1)H NMR spectra in CD(3)CN (or (CD(3))(2)SO) confirm the S = 0 ground state for all four complexes. Although the complexes are thermally stable, they release NO upon illumination. Rapid NO dissociation occurs when solutions of 1-3 in acetonitrile (MeCN) or DMF are exposed to low-intensity (7 mW) UV light (lambda(max) = 302 nm). Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of the photolyzed solutions display anisotropic signals at g approximately 2.00 that confirm the formation of solvated low-spin Ru(III) species upon NO release. The ligand trans to bound NO namely, anionic Cl(-) and neutral pyridine, has significant effect on the electronic and NO releasing properties of these complexes. Change in the in-plane ligand strength also has effects on the rate of NO release. The absorption maximum (lambda(max)) of 4 is significantly red shifted (455 nm in DMF) compared to the lambda(max) values of 1-3 (380-395 nm in DMF) due to the extension of conjugation on the in-plane ligand frame. As a consequence, 4 is also sensitive to visible light and release NO (albeit at a slower rate) upon illumination to low-intensity visible light (lambda > 465 nm). Collectively, the photosensitivity of the present series of ruthenium nitrosyls demonstrates that the extent of NO release and their wavelength dependence can be modulated by changes of either the in-plane or the axial ligand (trans to bound NO) field strength.     

Mixed-metal cluster chemistry. 28. Core enlargement of tungsten-iridium clusters with alkynyl, ethyndiyl, and butadiyndiyl reagents

Reaction of [WIr3(mu-CO)3(CO)8(eta-C5Me5)] (1c) with [W(C[triple bond]CPh)(CO)3(eta-C5H5)] afforded the edge-bridged tetrahedral cluster [W2Ir3(mu4-eta2-C2Ph)(mu-CO)(CO)9(eta-C5H5)(eta-C5Me5)] (3) and the edge-bridged trigonal-bipyramidal cluster [W3Ir3(mu4-eta2-C2Ph)(mu-eta2-C=CHPh)(Cl)(CO)8(eta-C5Me5)(eta-C5H5)2] (4) in poor to fair yield. Cluster 3 forms by insertion of [W(C[triple bond]CPh)(CO)3(eta-C5H5)] into Ir-Ir and W-Ir bonds, accompanied by a change in coordination mode from a terminally bonded alkynyl to a mu4-eta2 alkynyl ligand. Cluster 4 contains an alkynyl ligand interacting with two iridium atoms and two tungsten atoms in a mu4-eta2 fashion, as well as a vinylidene ligand bridging a W-W bond. Reaction of [WIr3(CO)11(eta-C5H5)] (1a) or 1c with [(eta-C5H5)(CO)2 Ru(C[triple bond]C)Ru(CO)2(eta-C5H5)] afforded [Ru2WIr3(mu5-eta2-C2)(mu-CO)3(CO)7(eta-C5H5)2(eta-C5R5)] [R = H (5a), Me (5c)] in low yield, a structural study of 5a revealing a WIr3 butterfly core capped and spiked by Ru atoms; the diruthenium ethyndiyl precursor has undergone Ru-C scission, with insertion of the C2 unit into a W-Ir bond of the cluster precursor. Reaction of [W2Ir2(CO)10(eta-C5H5)2] with the diruthenium ethyndiyl reagent gave [RuW2Ir2{mu4-eta2-(C2C[triple bond]C)Ru(CO)2(eta-C5H5)}(mu-CO)2(CO)6(eta-C5H5)3] (6) in low yield, a structural study of 6 revealing a butterfly W2Ir2 unit capped by a Ru(eta-C5H5) group resulting from Ru-C scission; the terminal C2 of a new ruthenium-bound butadiyndiyl ligand has been inserted into the W-Ir bond. Reaction between 1a, [WIr3(CO)11(eta-C5H4Me)] (1b), or 1c and [(eta-C5H5)(CO)3W(C[triple bond]CC[triple bond]C)W(CO)3(eta-C5H5)] afforded [W2Ir3{mu4-eta2-(C2C[triple bond]C)W(CO)3(eta-C5H5)}(mu-CO)2(CO)2(eta-C5H5)(eta-C5R5)] [R = H (7a), Me (7c); R5 = H4Me (7b)] in good yield, a structural study of 7c revealing it to be a metallaethynyl analogue of 3.     

Stereospecific synthesis of polysubstituted E-olefins by reaction of acyclic nitrones with free and platinum(II) coordinated organonitriles

Free nitriles NCCH2R (1a R = CO2Me, 1b R = SO2Ph, and 1c R = COPh) with an acidic alpha-methylene react with acyclic nitrones -O+N(Me)=C(H)R' (2a R' = 4-MeC6H4 and 2b R' = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2), in refluxing CH2Cl2, to afford stereoselectively the E-olefins (NC)(R)C=C(H)R' (3a-3c and 3a'-3c'), whereas, when coordinated at the platinum(II) trans-[PtCl2(NCCH2R)2] complexes (4a R = CO2Me and 4b R = Cl), they undergo cycloaddition to give the (oxadiazoline)-PtII complexes trans-[PtCl2{N=C(CH2R)ON(Me)C(H)R'}2] (R = CO2Me, Cl and R' = 4-MeC6H4, 2,4,6-Me3C6H2) (5a-5d). Upon heating in CH2Cl2, 5a affords the corresponding alkene 3a. The reactions are greatly accelerated when carried out under focused microwave irradiation, particularly in the solid phase (SiO2), without solvent, a substantial increase of the yields being also observed. The compounds were characterized by IR and 1H, 13C, and 195Pt NMR spectroscopies, FAB+-MS, elemental analyses and, in the cases of the alkene (NC)(CO2Me)C=C(H)(4-MeC6H4) 3a and of the oxadiazoline complex trans-[PtCl2{N=C(CH2Cl)ON(Me)C(H)(4-C6H4Me)}2] 5c, also by X-ray diffraction analyses.     

Facile Ni(II)/ketoxime-mediated conversion of organonitriles into imidoylamidine ligands. Synthesis of imidoylamidines and acetyl amides

Treatment of alkyl nitriles with NiX(2).6H(2)O (X = Cl, NO(3)) and 2-propanone oxime, followed by (X = Cl) addition of [i-Pr(4)N](NO(3)) for precipitation of the product, resulted in the formation of amidinium nitrates [RC([double bond]NH(2))NH(2)](NO(3)) (R = Me, Et, n-Pr). The reaction went to another direction with NiX(2).2H(2)O, i.e., the reaction between neat RCN (R = Me, Et, n-Pr, i-Pr, n-Bu, CH(2)Cl, CH(2)C(6)H(4)OMe-p) and NiCl(2).2H(2)O/2-propanone oxime (other ketoximes can also be used) gave the (imidoylamidine)Ni(II) complexes [Ni[N(H)[double bond]C(R)NHC(R)[double bond]NH](2)](2+) (1(2+)-7(2+)). The latter were isolated in good yields (65-91%) as the bis-chloride salts 1.Cl(2)-6.Cl(2) and the mixed salt 7.(Cl)(p-MeOC(6)H(4)CH(2)CO(2)). Remarkably, the latter transformation does not proceed at all if NiCl(2).2H(2)O or the ketoxime are taken alone. Liberation of imidoylamidines was performed for one alkyl-containing complex [2.Cl(2)] and one benzyl-containing complex [7.(Cl)(p-MeOC(6)H(4)CH(2)CO(2))], by (i) addition of HBF(4).Et(2)O to the acetonitrile solution of the complexes to yield [N(H)[double bond]C(R)NHC(R)[double bond]NH].2HBF(4) (R = Et 8 and R = CH(2)C(6)H(4)OMe-p 9) or (ii) substitution for ethanediamine (en) with following precipitation of the complex [Ni(en)(3)]Cl(2) with formation of free N(H)[double bond]C(R)NHC(R)[double bond]NH (R = Et 10 and R = CH(2)C(6)H(4)OMe-p 11). In contrast to the liberation in nonaqueous media, treatment of 2.Cl(2) and 7.(Cl)(p-MeOC(6)H(4)CH(2)CO(2)) with Na(2)EDTA.2H(2)O in water-methanol solutions led to substitution and hydrolysis to furnish the acyl amides [EtC([double bond]O)](2)NH (12) and [p-MeOC(6)H(4)CH(2)C([double bond]O)](2)NH (13). Alternatively, 12 and 13 were obtained by hydrolysis of 10 and 11 in water at pH ca. 8.5. It was shown that the oxime complexes trans-[NiCl(2)(C(4)H(8)C[double bond]NOH)(4)] (14) or cis-[Ni(O,O-NO(3))(2)(C(4)H(8)C[double bond]NOH)(2)] (15) can be intermediates in the formation of amidines and imidoylamidines. The sequence of the Ni(II)/oxime mediated formation of (imidoylamidine)Ni complexes and liberation (or hydrolytic liberation) of the ligands opens up a novel, facile and environmentally benign route to imidoylamidines and acyl amides.     

C-Cl bond activation of ortho-chlorinated benzamides by nickel and cobalt compounds supported with phosphine ligands

The C-Cl bonds of ortho-chlorinated benzamides Cl-ortho-C(6)H(4)C(=O)NHR (R = Me (1), nBu (2), Ph (3), (4-Me)Ph (4) and (4-Cl)Ph (5)) were successfully activated by tetrakis(trimethylphosphine)nickel(0) and tetrakis(trimethylphosphine)cobalt(0). The four-coordinate nickel(II) chloride complexes trans-[(C(6)H(4)C([double bond, length as m-dash]O)NHR)Ni(PMe(3))(2)Cl] (R = Me (6), nBu (7), Ph (8) and (4-Me)Ph (9)) as C-Cl bond activation products were obtained without coordination of the amide groups. In the case of 2, the ionic penta-coordinate cobalt(II) chloride [(C(6)H(4)C(=O)NHnBu)Co(PMe(3))(3)]Cl (10) with the [C(phenyl), O(amide)]-chelate coordination as the C-Cl bond activation product was isolated. Under similar reaction conditions, for the benzamides 3-5, hexa-coordinate bis-chelate cobalt(III) complexes (C(6)H(4)C(=O)NHR)Co(Cl-ortho-C(6)H(4)C(=O)NR)(PMe(3))(2) (11-13) were obtained via the reaction with [Co(PMe(3))(4)]. Complexes 11-13 have both a five-membered [C,N]-coordinate chelate ring and a four-membered [N,O]-coordinate chelate ring with two trimethyphosphine ligands in the axial positions. Phosphonium salts [Me(3)P(+)-ortho-C(6)H(4)C(=O)NHR]Cl(-) (R = Ph (14) and (4-Me)Ph (15)) were isolated by reaction of complexes 8 and 9 as a starting material under 1 bar of CO at room temperature. The crystal and molecular structures of complexes 6, 7 and 9-12 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes: potential precursors, metalloligands, and topo II inhibitors

Neutral and cationic mononuclear complexes containing both group 15 and polypyridyl ligands [Ru(kappa3-tptz)(PPh3)Cl2] [1; tptz=2,4,6-tris(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine], [Ru(kappa3-tptz)(kappa2-dppm)Cl]BF4 [2; dppm=bis(diphenylphosphino)methane], [Ru(kappa3-tptz)(PPh3)(pa)]Cl (3; pa=phenylalanine), [Ru(kappa3-tptz)(PPh3)(dtc)]Cl (4; dtc=diethyldithiocarbamate), [Ru(kappa3-tptz)(PPh3)(SCN)2] (5) and [Ru(kappa3-tptz)(PPh3)(N3)2] (6) have been synthesized. Complex 1 has been used as a metalloligand in the synthesis of homo- and heterodinuclear complexes [Cl2(PPh3)Ru(micro-tptz)Ru(eta6-C6H6)Cl]BF4 (7), [Cl2(PPh3)Ru(mu-tptz)Ru(eta6-C10H14)Cl]PF6 (8), and [Cl2(PPh3)Ru(micro-tptz)Rh(eta5-C5Me5)Cl]BF4 (9). Complexes 7-9 present examples of homo- and heterodinuclear complexes in which a typical organometallic moiety [(eta6-C6H6)RuCl]+, [(eta6-C10H14)RuCl]+, or [(eta5-C5Me5)RhCl]+ is bonded to a ruthenium(II) polypyridine moiety. The complexes have been fully characterized by elemental analyses, fast-atom-bombardment mass spectroscopy, NMR (1H and 31P), and electronic spectral studies. Molecular structures of 1-3, 8, and 9 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Complex 1 functions as a good precursor in the synthesis of other ruthenium(II) complexes and as a metalloligand. All of the complexes under study exhibit inhibitory effects on the Topoisomerase II-DNA activity of filarial parasite Setaria cervi and beta-hematin/hemozoin formation in the presence of Plasmodium yoelii lysate.     

Electronic structures of ruthenium and osmium complexes of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone

The reaction of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone (PQ) with [M(II)(H)(CO)(X)(PPh(3))(3)] in boiling toluene leads to the homolytic cleavage of the M(II)-H bond, affording the paramagnetic trans-[M(PQ)(PPh(3))(2)(CO)X] (M = Ru, X = Cl, 1; M = Os, X = Br, 3) and cis-[M(PQ)(PPh(3))(2)(CO)X] (M = Ru, X = Cl, 2; M = Os, X = Br, 4) complexes. Single-crystal X-ray structure determinations of 1, 2·toluene, and 4·CH(2)Cl(2), EPR spectra, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations have substantiated that 1-4 are 9,10-phenanthrenesemiquinone radical (PQ(?-)) complexes of ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) and are defined as trans-[Ru(II)(PQ(?-))(PPh(3))(2)(CO)Cl] (1), cis-[Ru(II)(PQ(?-))(PPh(3))(2)(CO)Cl] (2), trans-[Os(II)(PQ(?-))(PPh(3))(2)(CO) Br] (3), and cis-[Os(II)(PQ(?-))(PPh(3))(2)(CO)Br] (4). Two comparatively longer C-O [average lengths: 1, 1.291(3) ?; 2·toluene, 1.281(5) ?; 4·CH(2)Cl(2), 1.300(8) ?] and shorter C-C lengths [1, 1.418(5) ?; 2·toluene, 1.439(6) ?; 4·CH(2)Cl(2), 1.434(9) ?] of the OO chelates are consistent with the presence of a reduced PQ(?-) ligand in 1-4. A minor contribution of the alternate resonance form, trans- or cis-[M(I)(PQ)(PPh(3))(2)(CO)X], of 1-4 has been predicted by the anisotropic X- and Q-band electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of the frozen glasses of the complexes at 25 K and unrestricted DFT calculations on 1, trans-[Ru(PQ)(PMe(3))(2)(CO)Cl] (5), cis-[Ru(PQ)(PMe(3))(2)(CO)Cl] (6), and cis-[Os(PQ)(PMe(3))(2)(CO)Br] (7). However, no thermodynamic equilibria between [M(II)(PQ(?-))(PPh(3))(2)(CO)X] and [M(I)(PQ)(PPh(3))(2)(CO)X] tautomers have been detected. 1-4 undergo one-electron oxidation at -0.06, -0.05, 0.03, and -0.03 V versus a ferrocenium/ferrocene, Fc(+)/Fc, couple because of the formation of PQ complexes as trans-[Ru(II)(PQ)(PPh(3))(2)(CO)Cl](+) (1(+)), cis-[Ru(II)(PQ)(PPh(3))(2)(CO)Cl](+) (2(+)), trans-[Os(II)(PQ)(PPh(3))(2)(CO)Br](+) (3(+)), and cis-[Os(II)(PQ)(PPh(3))(2)(CO)Br](+) (4(+)). The trans isomers 1 and 3 also undergo one-electron reduction at -1.11 and -0.96 V, forming PQ(2-) complexes trans-[Ru(II)(PQ(2-))(PPh(3))(2)(CO)Cl](-) (1(-)) and trans-[Os(II)(PQ(2-))(PPh(3))(2)(CO)Br](-) (3(-)). Oxidation of 1 by I(2) affords diamagnetic 1(+)I(3)(-) in low yields. Bond parameters of 1(+)I(3)(-) [C-O, 1.256(3) and 1.258(3) ?; C-C, 1.482(3) ?] are consistent with ligand oxidation, yielding a coordinated PQ ligand. Origins of UV-vis/near-IR absorption features of 1-4 and the electrogenerated species have been investigated by spectroelectrochemical measurements and time-dependent DFT calculations on 5, 6, 5(+), and 5(-).     

Preparation and characterization of diarylphosphazene and diarylphosphinohydrazide complexes of titanium, tungsten and ruthenium and phosphorylketimido complexes of rhenium

Reaction of the proligand Ph2PN(SiMe3)2 (L1) with WCl6 gives the oligomeric phosphazene complex [WCl4(NPPh2)]n, 1 and subsequent reaction with PMe2Ph or NBu4Cl gives [WCl4(NPPh2)(PMe2Ph)] (2) or [WCl5(NPPh2)][NBu4] (3), respectively. DF calculations on [WCl5(NPPh2)][NBu4] show a W=N double bond (1.756 A) and a P-N bond distance of 1.701 A, which combined with the geometry about the P atom suggests, there is no P-N multiple bonding. Reaction of L1 with [ReOX3(PPh3)2] in MeCN (X = Cl or Br) gives [ReX2(NC(CH3)P(O)Ph2)(MeCN)(PPh3)](X = Cl, 4, X = Br, 5) which contains the new phosphorylketimido ligand. It is bound to the rhenium centre with a virtually linear Re-N-C arrangement (Re-N-C angle = 176.6 degrees, when X = Cl) and there is multiple bonding between Re and N (Re-N = 1.809(7) A when X = Cl). The proligand Ph2PNHNMe2(L2H) reacts with [(C5H5)TiCl3] to give [(C5H5)TiCl2(Me2NNPPh2)] (6). An X-ray crystal structure of the complex shows the ligand (L2) is bound by both nitrogen atoms. Reaction of the proligands Ph2PNHNR2[R2 = Me2 (L2H), -(CH2CH2)2NCH3 (L3H), (CH2CH2)2CH2 (L4H)] with [{RuCl(mu-Cl)(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)}2] gave [RuCl2(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)L] {L = L2H (7), L3H (8), L4H (9)}. The X-ray crystal structures of 7-9 confirmed that the phosphinohydrazine ligand is neutral and bound via the phosphorus only. Reaction of complexes 7-9 with AgBF4 resulted in chloride ion abstraction and the formation of the cationic species [RuCl(6-p-MeC6H4iPr)(L)]+ BF4- {(L = L2H (10), L3H (11), L4H (12)}. Finally, reaction of complex 6 with [{RuCl(mu-Cl)(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)}2] gave the binuclear species [(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)Cl2Ru(mu2,eta3-Ph2PNNMe2)TiCl2(C5H5)], 13.     

Kinetic and mechanistic study of the Pt(II) versus Pt(IV) effect in the platinum-mediated nitrile-hydroxylamine coupling

The metal-mediated coupling between coordinated EtCN in the platinum(II) and platinum(IV) complexes cis- and trans-[PtCl(2)(EtCN)(2)], trans-[PtCl(4)(EtCN)(2)], a mixture of cis/trans-[PtCl(4)(EtCN)(2)] or [Ph(3)PCH(2)Ph][PtCl(n)(EtCN)] (n = 3, 5), and dialkyl- and dibenzylhydroxylamines R(2)NOH (R = Me, Et, CH(2)Ph, CH(2)C(6)H(4)Cl-p) proceeds smoothly in CH(2)Cl(2) at 20-25 degrees C and the subsequent workup allowed the isolation of new imino species [PtCl(n){NH=C(Et)ONR(2)}(2)] (n = 2, R = Me, cis-1 and trans-1; Et, cis-2 and trans-2; CH(2)Ph, cis-3 and trans-3; CH(2)C(6)H(4)Cl-p, cis-4 and trans-4; n = 4, R = Me, trans-9; Et, trans-10; CH(2)Ph, trans-11; CH(2)C(6)H(4)Cl-p, trans-12) or [Ph(3)PCH(2)Ph][PtCl(n){NH=C(Et)ONR(2)}] (n = 3, R = Me, 5; Et, 6; CH(2)Ph, 7; CH(2)C(6)H(4)Cl-p, 8; n = 5, R = Me, 13; Et, 14; CH(2)Ph, 15; CH(2)C(6)H(4)Cl-p, 16) in excellent to good (95-80%) isolated yields. The reduction of the Pt(IV) complexes 9-16 with the ylide Ph(3)P=CHCO(2)Me allows the synthesis of Pt(II) species 1-8. The compounds 1-16 were characterized by elemental analyses (C, H, N), FAB-MS, IR, (1)H, (13)C{(1)H}, and (31)P{(1)H} NMR (the latter for the anionic type complexes 5-8 and 13-16) and by X-ray crystallography for the Pt(II) (cis-1, cis-2, and trans-4) and Pt(IV) (15) species. Kinetic studies of addition of R(2)NOH (R = CH(2)C(6)H(4)Cl-p) to complexes [Ph(3)PCH(2)Ph][Pt(II)Cl(3)(EtCN)] and [Ph(3)PCH(2)Ph][Pt(IV)Cl(5)(EtCN)] by the (1)H NMR technique revealed that both reactions are first order in (p-ClC(6)H(4)CH(2))(2)NOH and Pt(II) or Pt(IV) complex, the second-order rate constant k(2) being three orders of magnitude larger for the Pt(IV) complex. The reactions are intermolecular in nature as proved by the independence of k(2) on the concentrations of added EtC triple bond N and Cl(-). These data and the calculated values of Delta H++ and Delta S++ are consistent with the mechanism involving the rate-limiting nucleophilic attack of the oxygen of (p-ClC(6)H(4)CH(2))(2)NOH at the sp-carbon of the C triple bond N bond followed by a fast proton migration.     

Enhancement of metal-metal coupling at a considerable distance by using 4-pyridinealdazine as a bridging ligand in polynuclear complexes of rhenium and ruthenium

Novel polynuclear complexes of rhenium and ruthenium containing PCA (PCA = 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde azine or 4-pyridinealdazine or 1,4-bis(4-pyridyl)-2,3-diaza-1,3-butadiene) as a bridging ligand have been synthesized as PF(6-) salts and characterized by spectroscopic, electrochemical, and photophysical techniques. The precursor mononuclear complex, of formula [Re(Me(2)bpy)(CO)(3)(PCA)](+) (Me(2)bpy = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine), does not emit at room temperature in CH(3)CN, and the transient spectrum found by flash photolysis at lambda(exc) = 355 nm can be assigned to a MLCT (metal-to-ligand charge transfer) excited state [(Me(2)bpy)(CO)(3)Re(II)(PCA(-))](+), with lambda(max) = 460 nm and tau < 10 ns. The spectral properties of the related complexes [[Re(Me(2)bpy)(CO)(3)}(2)(PCA)](2+), [Re(CO)(3)(PCA)(2)Cl], and [Re(CO)(3)Cl](3)(PCA)(4) confirm the existence of this low-energy MLCT state. The dinuclear complex, of formula [(Me(2)bpy)(CO)(3)Re(I)(PCA)Ru(II)(NH(3))(5)](3+), presents an intense absorption in the visible spectrum that can be assigned to a MLCT d(pi)(Ru) --> pi(PCA); in CH(3)CN, the value of lambda (max) = 560 nm is intermediate between those determined for [Ru(NH(3))(5)(PCA)](2+) (lambda(max) = 536 nm) and [(NH(3))(5)Ru(PCA)Ru(NH(3))(5)](4+) (lambda(max) = 574 nm), indicating a significant decrease in the energy of the pi-orbital of PCA. The mixed-valent species, of formula [(Me(2)bpy)(CO)(3)Re(I)(PCA)Ru(III)(NH(3))(5)](4+), was obtained in CH(3)CN solution, by bromine oxidation or by controlled-potential electrolysis at 0.8 V in a OTTLE cell of the [Re(I),Ru(II)] precursor; the band at lambda(max) = 560 nm disappears completely, and a new band appears at lambda(max) = 483 nm, assignable to a MMCT band (metal-to-metal charge transfer) Re(I) --> Ru(III). By using the Marcus-Hush formalism, both the electronic coupling (H(AB)) and the reorganization energy (lambda) for the metal-to-metal intramolecular electron transfer have been calculated. Despite the considerable distance between both metal centers (approximately 15.0 Angstroms), there is a moderate coupling that, together with the comproportionation constant of the mixed-valent species [(NH(3))(5)Ru(PCA)Ru(NH(3))(5)](5+) (K(c) approximately 10(2), in CH(3)CN), puts into evidence an unusual enhancement of the metal-metal coupling in the bridged PCA complexes. This effect can be accounted for by the large extent of "metal-ligand interface", as shown by DFT calculations on free PCA. Moreover, lambda is lower than the driving force -DeltaG degrees for the recombination charge reaction [Re(II),Ru(II)] --> [Re(I),Ru(III)] that follows light excitation of the mixed-valent species. It is then predicted that this reverse reaction falls in the Marcus inverted region, making the heterodinuclear [Re(I),Ru(III)] complex a promising model for controlling the efficiency of charge-separation processes.