Aggregation of PMe3-stabilized molybdenum sulfides and the catalytic dehydrogenation of H2S

The reactivity of [MoS(4)](2-) (1) toward PMe(3) was explored in the presence and absence of proton donors. Whereas MeCN solutions of (Et(4)N)(2)[MoS(4)] and PMe(3) are stable, in the presence of H(2)S such solutions catalyze formation of H(2) and SPMe(3). Addition of NH(4+) to such solutions afforded MoS(2)(PMe(3))(4) (2), which can be prepared directly from (NH(4))(2)[1]. Compound 2 is reactive toward thiols via a process proposed to involve the initial dissociation of one PMe(3) ligand, a hypothesis supported by the relative inertness of trans-MoS(2)(dmpe)(2). Benzene solutions of 2 react with EtSH to give Mo(2)(mu-S)(mu-SH)(PMe(3))(4)(SEt)(3) (3Et). Analogous reactions with thiocresol (MeC(6)H(4)SH) and H(2)S gave Mo(2)(mu-S)(mu-SH)(PMe(3))(4)(SR)(3) (R = tol, H). Crystallographic analyses of 3Et, 3H, and 3tol indicate dinuclear species with seven terminal ligands and a Mo(2)(mu-SR)(mu-S) core (r(Mo)(-)(Mo) = 2.748(1) A). From reaction mixtures leading to 3Et from 2, we obtained the intermediate Mo(IV)(2)(mu-S)(2)(SEt)(4)(PMe(3))(2) (4), an edge-shared bis(trigonal pyramidal) structure. Compounds 3H and 3Et react further with H(2)S to give Mo(4)(mu(2)-S)(4)(mu(3)-S)(2)(PMe(3))(6)(SH)(2) (5H) and Mo(4)(mu(2)-S)(4)(mu(3)-S)(2)(PMe(3))(6)(SEt)(2) (5Et), respectively. Analogously, W(4)(mu(2)-S)(4)(mu(3)-S)(2)(PMe(3))(6)(SH)(2) was synthesized from a methanol solution of (NH(4))(2)WS(4) with H(2)S and PMe(3). A highly accurate crystallographic analysis of (NH(4))(2)MoS(4) (R(1) = 0.0193) indicates several weak NH.S interactions.     

Electron-rich diferrous-phosphane-thiolates relevant to Fe-only hydrogenase: is cyanide "nature's trimethylphosphane"?

The two-step one-pot oxidative decarbonylation of [Fe2(S2C2H4)(CO)4(PMe3)2] (1) with [FeCp2]PF6, followed by addition of phosphane ligands, led to a series of diferrous dithiolato carbonyls 2-6, containing three or four phosphane ligands. In situ measurements indicate efficient formation of 1(2+) as the initial intermediate of the oxidation of 1, even when a deficiency of the oxidant was employed. Subsequent addition of PR3 gave rise to [Fe2(S2C2H4)(mu-CO)(CO)3(PMe3)3]2+ (2) and [Fe2(S2C2H4)(mu-CO)(CO)2(PMe3)2(PR3)2]2+ (R = Me 3, OMe 4) as principal products. One terminal CO ligand in these complexes was readily substituted by MeCN, and [Fe2(S2C2H4)(mu-CO)(CO)2(PMe3)3(MeCN)]2+ (5) and [Fe2(S2C2H4)(mu-CO)(CO)(PMe3)4(MeCN)]2+ (6) were fully characterized. Relevant to the H(red) state of the active site of Fe-only hydrogenases, the unsymmetrical derivatives 5 and 6 feature a semibridging CO ligand trans to a labile coordination site.     

Synthesen und Kristallstrukturen neuer selenidoverbrückter Ruthenium-Clusterverbindungen

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of New Selenido-bridged Ruthenium Clusters The reaction of Se(SiMe₃)₂ with [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃], or a mixture of [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃] and alkylphosphines leads to the formation of selenido-bridged ruthenium clusters. In this publication the compounds [Ru₆Se₈(PPh₃)₆] ( 1 ), [Ru₆Se₈(PEt₃)₆] ( 2 ) und[Ru₆Se₈(PⁿPr₃)₆] ( 3 ) are described.The compounds 1-3 contain Ru₆¹⁶⁺ cluster cores with Ru²⁺ and Ru³⁺ centers. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by single crystal X-ray structural analyses.     

Organo-tricyanoborates as tectons: illustrative coordination polymers based on copper(I) derivatives

The first systematic study on the use of tricyanoborates as ligands is presented. The tricyanoborates [RB(CN)3]- (R = oct and Ph) can be prepared by direct cyanation of RBCl2 precursors as well as by thermolysis of the corresponding isocyanides [RB(NC)3]-. The first organo-cyanogallates [RGa(CN)3]- (R = Bu, C6H2-2,4,6-Me3) were prepared from the corresponding dichloride, the structure of Et4N[mesGa(CN3] being confirmed crystallographically. The reaction of equimolar [RB(CN)3]- (R = oct, Ph) and [Cu(MeCN)4]+ afforded two-dimensional polymers [RB(CN)3Cu(NCMe)]. The sheets arise via conjoined hexagonal B3Cu3(CN)6 rings with chair conformations. The reaction of excess [PhB(CN)3]- and [Cu(MeCN)4]+ gives the polymer [K(18-crown-6)]{Cu[PhB(CN)3]2}. Treatment of [PhB(CN)3]- with [Cu(PCy3)2(NCMe)x]PF6 gave the one-dimensional polymer [PhB(CN)3Cu(PCy3)2], wherein two of the three BCN substituents are coordinated.