Towards Structural‐Functional Mimics of Acetylene Hydratase: Reversible Activation of Acetylene using a Biomimetic Tungsten Complex

The synthesis and characterization of a biomimetic system that can reversibly bind acetylene (ethyne) is reported. The system has been designed to mimic catalytic intermediates of the tungstoenzyme acetylene hydratase. The thiophenyloxazoline ligand S‐Phoz (2‐(4′,4′‐dimethyloxazolin‐2′‐yl)thiophenolate) is used to generate a bioinspired donor environment around the W center, facilitating the stabilization of W–acetylene adducts. The featured complexes [W(C₂H₂)(CO)(S‐Phoz)₂] ( 2 ) and [WO(C₂H₂)(S‐Phoz)₂] ( 3 ) are extremely rare from a synthetic and structural point of view as very little is known about W–C₂H₂ adducts. Upon exposure to visible light, 3 can release C₂H₂ from its coordination sphere to yield the 14‐electron species [WO(S‐Phoz)₂] ( 4 ). Under light‐exclusion 4 re‐activates C₂H₂ making this the first fully characterized system for the reversible activation of acetylene.     

Acetylene Dithiolate Linking up the [Tp′W(CO)(CN)] Moiety with RuII or PdII

A series of heterodinuclear complexes with acetylene dithiolate (acdt^2?) as the bridging moiety were synthesised by a facile one‐pot procedure that avoided use of the highly elusive acetylene dithiol. Generation of the W–Ru complex [Tp′W(CN)(CO)(C₂S₂)Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(PPh₃)] (Tp’=hydrotris(3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) and the W–Pd complexes [Tp′W(CN)(CO)(C₂S₂)Pd(dppe)] and [Tp′W(CO)₂(C₂S₂)Pd(dppe)][PF₆] (dppe=1,2‐bis(diphenylphoshino)ethane), which exhibit a [W(η²‐κ²‐C₂S₂)M] core (M=Ru, Pd), was accomplished by using a transition‐metal‐assisted solvolytical removal of the Me₃Si‐ethyl thiol protecting groups. All intermediate species of the reaction have been fully characterised. The highly coloured W–Ru complex [Tp′W(CN)(CO)(C₂S₂)Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(PPh₃)] shows reversible redox chemistry, as does the prototype complex [Tp′W(CO)₂(C₂S₂)Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(PPh₃)][PF₆]. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction and IR, EPR and UV/Vis spectroscopic studies in conjunction with DFT calculations prove the high electronic delocalisation of states over the acdt^2? linker. Comparative studies revealed a higher donor strength and more pronounced dithiolate character of acdt^2? in [Tp′W(CN)(CO)(C₂S₂)Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(PPh₃)] relative to [Tp′W(CO)₂(C₂S₂)Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(PPh₃)]⁺. In addition, the influence of the overall complex charge on the metric parameters was investigated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies with the W–Pd complexes [Tp′WL₂(C₂S₂)Pd(dppe)] (L=(CN^?)(CO) or (CO)₂). The central [W(C₂S₂)Pd] units exhibit high structural similarity, which indicates the extensive delocalisation of charge over both metals.     

Soft Scorpionate Hydridotris(2-mercapto-1-methylimidazolyl) borate) Tungsten-Oxido and -Sulfido Complexes as Acetylene Hydratase Models

A series of W^IV alkyne complexes with the sulfur-rich ligand hydridotris(2-mercapto-1-methylimidazolyl) borate) (Tm^Me) are presented as bio-inspired models to elucidate the mechanism of the tungstoenzyme acetylene hydratase (AH). The mono- and/or bis-alkyne precursors were reacted with NaTm^Me and the resulting complexes [W(CO)(C₂R₂)(Tm^Me)Br] (R=H 1 , Me 2 ) oxidized to the target [WE(C₂R₂)(Tm^Me)Br] (E=O, R=H 4 , Me 5 ; E=S, R=H 6 , Me 7 ) using pyridine-N-oxide and methylthiirane. Halide abstraction with TlOTf in MeCN gave the cationic complexes [WE(C₂R₂)(MeCN)(Tm^Me)](OTf) (E=CO, R=H 10 , Me 11 ; E=O, R=H 12 , Me 13 ; E=S, R=H 14 , Me 15 ). Without MeCN, dinuclear complexes [W₂O(μ-O)(C₂Me₂)₂(Tm^Me)₂](OTf)₂ ( 8 ) and [W₂(μ-S)₂(C₂Me₂)(Tm^Me)₂](OTf)₂ ( 9 ) could be isolated showing distinct differences between the oxido and sulfido system with the latter exhibiting only one molecule of C₂Me₂. This provides evidence that a fine balance of the softness at W is important for acetylene coordination. Upon dissolving complex 8 in acetonitrile complex 13 is reconstituted in contrast to 9 . All complexes exhibit the desired stability toward water and the observed effective coordination of the scorpionate ligand avoids decomposition to disulfide, an often-occurring reaction in sulfur ligand chemistry. Hence, the data presented here point toward a mechanism with a direct coordination of acetylene in the active site and provide the basis for further model chemistry for acetylene hydratase.     

Rhodium Complexes in P−H Bond Activation Reactions

The feasibility of oxidative addition of the P−H bond of PHPh₂ to a series of rhodium complexes to give mononuclear hydrido-phosphanido complexes has been analyzed. Three main scenarios have been found depending on the nature of the L ligand added to [Rh(Tp)(C₂H₄)(PHPh₂)] (Tp= hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate): i) clean and quantitative reactions to terminal hydrido-phosphanido complexes [RhTp(H)(PPh₂)(L)] (L=PMe₃, PMe₂Ph and PHPh₂), ii) equilibria between Rh^I and Rh^III species: [RhTp(H)(PPh₂)(L)]⇄[RhTp(PHPh₂)(L)] (L=PMePh₂, PPh₃) and iii) a simple ethylene replacement to give the rhodium(I) complexes [Rh(κ²-Tp)(L)(PHPh₂)] (L=NHCs-type ligands). The position of the P−H oxidative addition–reductive elimination equilibrium is mainly determined by sterics influencing the entropy contribution of the reaction. When ethylene was used as a ligand, the unique rhodaphosphacyclobutane complex [Rh(Tp)(η¹-Et)(κ^C,P-CH₂CH₂PPh₂)] was obtained. DFT calculations revealed that the reaction proceeds through the rate limiting oxidative addition of the P−H bond, followed by a low-barrier sequence of reaction steps involving ethylene insertion into the Rh−H and Rh−P bonds. In addition, oxidative addition of the P−H bond in OPHPh₂ to [Rh(Tp)(C₂H₄)(PHPh₂)] gave the related hydride complex [RhTp(H)(PHPh₂)(POPh₂)], but ethyl complexes resulted from hydride insertion into the Rh−ethylene bond in the reaction with [Rh(Tp)(C₂H₄)₂].     

The reactions of AgY salts with [Fe2(η-C5H5)2(CO)4-n(CNMe)n] complexes (Y−  NO3−, BF4− or PF6−; n  0, 1 or 2). The crystal structure of [Fe(η-C5H5)2(CNMe)]BF4

The oxidative cleavage of [Fe₂(η-C₅H₅)₂(CO)_4-n(CNMe)_n] (n=0−2) by 2AgX gives mononuclear products. It is shown to be a two-electron process in most solvents but a one-electron process in acetonitrile. The two-electron oxidations proceed by way of adducts such as [Fe₂(η-C₅H₅)₂(CO)(CNMe)(μ-CO){;μ-CN(Me)AgPPh₃};]BF₄ which are isolable when n = 2, detectable when n = 1 and postulatetd when n = 0. The one-electron process gives no adducts, and 1AgX cleaves all of the substrate to [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)(L)(NCMe)]⁺ and [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)(L)]^. (L  CO or CNME). The latter may combine or react with added CHBr₃ to give [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)(L)Br]. The structure of [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)₂-(CNMe)]BF₄ has been determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Nickel Tetracarbonyl as Starting Material for the Synthesis of NHC-stabilized Nickel(II) Allyl Complexes

A novel, useful in situ synthesis for NHC nickel allyl halide complexes [Ni(NHC)(η³-allyl)(X)] starting from [Ni(CO)₄], NHC and allyl halides is presented. The reaction of [Ni(CO)₄] with (i) one equivalent of the corresponding NHC and (ii) with an excess of the corresponding allyl chloride at room temperature leads with elimination of carbon monoxide to complexes of the type [Ni(NHC)(η³-allyl)(X)]. This approach was used to synthesize the complexes [Ni(tBu₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 2 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 3 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 4 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (H)-C (Me)₂)(Br)] ( 5 ), [Ni(Me₂Im^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 6 ), and [Ni(EtiPrIm^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 7 ). The complexes 1 to 7 were characterized using NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, and the molecular structures are provided for 2 and 7 . The allyl nickel complexes 1 – 7 are stereochemically non-rigid in solution due to (i) NHC rotation about the nickel-carbon bond, (ii) allyl rotation about the Ni–η³-allyl axis and (iii) π–σ–π allyl isomerization processes. The allyl halide complexes can be methylated as was demonstrated by the methylation of a number of the complexes [Ni(NHC)(η³-allyl)(X)] with methylmagnesium chloride or methyllithium, which led to isolation of the complexes [Ni(Me₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 8 ), [Ni(tBu₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 9 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 10 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 11 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (H)-C (Me)₂)(Me)] ( 12 ), and [Ni(EtiPrIm^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 13 ). These complexes were fully characterized including X-ray molecular structures for 10 and 11 .     

Complexes dinucleaires pontes des metaux d8: II.preparation de deux series de composes du rhodium(I) pentacoordonne

In the course of the study of the reactivity of the dinuclear complexes [RhCl(CO)(C₂H₂)]₂ and [RhSR(CO)₂]₂ towards nucleophiles, two series of dinuclear pentacoordinated rhodium(I) complexes, [RhCl(CO)(C₂H₄)(amine)]₂ and [RhSR(CO)₂PR₃]₂, have been isolated.     

Structural and Infrared Spectroscopic Study on Solvation of Acetylene by Protonated Water Molecules

The effect of solvation on the conformation of acetylene has been studied by adding one water molecule at a time. Quantum chemical calculations of the H⁺(C₂H₂)(H₂O)_n (n=1-5) clusters indicate that the H₂O molecules prefer to form the OH…π interaction rather than the CH…O interaction. This solvation motif is different from that of neutral (C₂H₂)(H₂O)_n (n=1-4) clusters, in which the H₂O molecules prefer to form the CH…O and OH…C H-bonds. For the H⁺(C₂H₂)(H₂O)_n cationic clusters, the first solvation shell consists of one ring structure with two OH…π H-bonds and three water molecules, which is completed at n=4. Simulated infrared spectra reveal that vibrational frequencies of OH…π H-bonded O-H stretching afford a sensitive probe for exploring the solvation of acetylene by protonated water molecules. Infrared spectra of the H⁺(C₂H₂)(H₂O)_n(n=1-5) clusters could be readily measured by the infrared photodissociation technique and thus provide useful information for the understanding of solvation processes.     

Synthesis of Ir Catalysts Featuring Amide-functionalized NHC Ligands and Survey of their Activity on Formic Acid Dehydrogenation

2 a and 2 b , [Ir(CI)(COD)(NHC)] (COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene), have been prepared via transmetallation from NHC−Ag complexes. [Rh(CI)(COD)(NHC)] ( 4 ) was prepared analogously. [Ir({κ-C,N-(NHC-acetamide−1H)}(COD)] ( 3 c ) has been synthesized via transmetallation from the deprotonated NHC−Ag complex. [IrCp*({κ-C,N-(NHC-acetamide−1H)}] ( 5 ) (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl), has been obtained analogously. [Ir(CI)(CO)₂(NHC)] ( 6 ) and [Ir({κ-C,N-(NHC-acetamide−1H)}(CO)₂] ( 7 ) have been prepared by carbonylation of 2 b and 3 c , respectively. The catalytic activity of these complexes has been evaluated in the dehydrogenation of formic acid, under solventless conditions, in the presence of water as a cosolvent, and in a 5 : 2 HCOOH/Et₃N mixture, with the best TOF values being obtained in the case of the latter. Stoichiometric experiments suggest COD hydrogenation as the preactivation step.     

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)(μ‐CO)(CO)₃(PMe₃)₃]²⁺ ( 2 ) and [Fe₂(S₂C₂H₄)(μ‐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)(μ‐CO)(CO)₂(PMe₃)₃(MeCN)]²⁺ ( 5 ) and [Fe₂(S₂C₂H₄)(μ‐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.     

The Effect of Hard and Soft Donors on Structural Motifs in (Isocyanide)gold(I) Complexes

Treatment of the (isocyanide)gold(I) species LAuCl (L=^tBuNC, 2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃NC) with 4‐mercaptobenzoic acid in the presence of NaOMe yields the complexes [Au(4‐SC₆H₄CO₂H)L] in good yield. Reaction of LAuCl with 2‐HSQn (Qn=quinoline) and 2‐HSPy (Py=pyridine) under the same conditions provides the thiolato compounds [Au(2‐SQn)L] and [Au(2‐SPy)L], respectively. A structural investigation of the pyridylthiolato compound revealed chains of molecules with alternating medium and long Au−Au interactions. Treatment of this compound with HBF₄ results in the cationic species [Au(2‐HSPy)(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃NC)]⁺ as the BF₄⁻ salt. The same product is obtained on reaction of [AuCl(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃NC)] with AgOTf followed by HSPy. Treatment of the gold(I) halide compounds LAuCl (L=^tBuNC, 2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃NC) with potassium 1,3,4‐thiadiazole‐2,5‐dithiolate (KSSSK) leads to the isolation of dinuclear thiolatogold complexes [(AuL)₂(SSS)]. These products go on to form insoluble polymers through loss of isocyanide on standing in solution. A single crystal of [{Au(^tBuNC)}₂(SSS)] was obtained and the subsequent structural analysis revealed one of the most complicated networks known based solely on aurophilic interactions. A good comparison to the ‘soft' S‐donation of the thiolato ligands was provided by the synthesis of a number of nitratogold(I)complexes with the anion bound through the ‘hard' O‐donor. Reaction of ⁱPrNC and CyNC with Au(tht)Cl provided the complexes [AuCl(ⁱPrNC)] and [AuCl(CyNC)], respectively. These compounds were found to yield the respective nitrato species [Au(NO₃)ⁱPrNC)] and [(Au(NO₃)(CyNC)] on treatment with AgNO₃. The nitrato complexes yielded single crystals enabling a structural investigation to be carried out. While [Au(NO₃)(CyNC)] has a more conventional structure with dimers aligned into strings with alternating short and long aurophilic bonding, [Au(NO₃)(ⁱPrNC)] has a unique structure based on strings of alternating, corner‐sharing Au₆ and Au₈ units with short Au−Au contacts in edge‐sharing Au₃ triangles.     

Mechanistic Studies on the Gas‐Phase Dehydrogenation of Alkanes at Cyclometalated Platinum Complexes

In the ion/molecule reactions of the cyclometalated platinum complexes [Pt(L? H)]⁺ (L=2,2′‐bipyridine (bipy), 2‐phenylpyridine (phpy), and 7,8‐benzoquinoline (bq)) with linear and branched alkanes C_nH_2n+2 (n=2–4), the main reaction channels correspond to the eliminations of dihydrogen and the respective alkenes in varying ratios. For all three couples [Pt(L? H)]⁺/C₂H₆, loss of C₂H₄ dominates clearly over H₂ elimination; however, the mechanisms significantly differs for the reactions of the “rollover”‐cyclometalated bipy complex and the classically cyclometalated phpy and bq complexes. While double hydrogen‐atom transfer from C₂H₆ to [Pt(bipy? H)]⁺, followed by ring rotation, gives rise to the formation of [Pt(H)(bipy)]⁺, for the phpy and bq complexes [Pt(L? H)]⁺, the cyclometalated motif is conserved; rather, according to DFT calculations, formation of [Pt(L? H)(H₂)]⁺ as the ionic product accounts for C₂H₄ liberation. In the latter process, [Pt(L? H)(H₂)(C₂H₄)]⁺ (that carries H₂ trans to the nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic ligand) serves, according to DFT calculation, as a precursor from which, due to the electronic peculiarities of the cyclometalated ligand, C₂H₄ rather than H₂ is ejected. For both product‐ion types, [Pt(H)(bipy)]⁺ and [Pt(L? H)(H₂)]⁺ (L=phpy, bq), H₂ loss to close a catalytic dehydrogenation cycle is feasible. In the reactions of [Pt(bipy? H)]⁺ with the higher alkanes C_nH_2n+2 (n=3, 4), H₂ elimination dominates over alkene formation; most probably, this observation is a consequence of the generation of allyl complexes, such as [Pt(C₃H₅)(bipy)]⁺. In the reactions of [Pt(L? H)]⁺ (L=phpy, bq) with propane and n‐butane, the losses of the alkenes and dihydrogen are of comparable intensities. While in the reactions of “rollover”‐cyclometalated [Pt(bipy? H)]⁺ with C_nH_2n+2 (n=2–4) less than 15 % of the generated product ions are formed by C? C bond‐cleavage processes, this value is about 60 % for the reaction with neo‐pentane. The result that C? C bond cleavage gains in importance for this substrate is a consequence of the fact that 1,2‐elimination of two hydrogen atoms is no option; this observation may suggest that in the reactions with the smaller alkanes, 1,1‐ and 1,3‐elimination pathways are only of minor importance.     

Dicarboxylate rhodium complexes with diolefins and carbon monoxide

Dinuclear rhodium complexes of the type [Rh₂(C₂O₄)(diolefin)₂] (diolefin)₂  1,5-cyclooctadiene, 2,5-norbornadiene and tetrafluorobenzobarrelene) with bridging oxalate ligands have been obtained by reaction of [Rh(acac)(diolefin)] with oxalic acid (2: 1 mol ratio). The use of a 1 : 1 molar ratio affords [Rh(HC₂O₄)(COD)], that reacts with [Ir(acac)(COD)] yielding the heterodinuclear [(COD)Rh(C₂O₄)Ir(COD)] complex. Treatment of [Rh₂(C₂O₄)(diolefin)₂] complexes with phenanthroline type ligands leads to ionic complexes of formula [Rh(diolefin) (phen)][Rh(C₂O₄)(diolefin)]. Bubbling of carbon monoxide through solutions of the diolefin complexes leads to the formation of carbonylrhodium species of formula [Rh₂(C₂O₄)(CO)₂L₂] (L = CO, PPh₃t-BuNC) or [Rh(CO)₂(phen)] - [Rh(C₂O₄)(CO)₂]. Other related malonate complexes are also described.     

In Search of Fulminate Analogues: LnM≡CP=NR

The “CPNR” ligand may be viewed as being isolobal with fulminate, CNO; however, attempts to prepare a complex of such a ligand resulted instead in a range of novel imino and aminophosphinocarbyne complexes. Sequential treatment of [Mo(≡CBr)(CO)₂(Tp*)] (Tp*=hydrotris(dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) with nBuLi and ClP=NMes* (Mes*=C₆H₂tBu₃-2,4,6) afforded mixtures of the complexes [Mo(≡CPnBuNHMes*)(CO)₂(Tp*)] and traces of the bimetallic products [Mo₂{μ₂-C₂P₂O(NHMes)₂}(CO)₄(Tp*)₂] and [Mo₂(μ₂-C₂PNHMes)(CO)₄(Tp*)₂]. The reaction of [W(≡CBr)(CO)₂(Tp*)] with nBuLi and ClP=NMes* afforded predominantly the mononuclear carbyne [W{≡CP(=NMes*)nBu₂})(CO)₂(Tp*)] and traces of the binuclear complex [W₂(μ-C₂PNHMes)(CO)₄(Tp*)₂] which is also obtained when tBuLi is used. Although not isolable, the intended complexes [M(≡CPNMes*)(CO)₂(Tp*)] could be generated in situ and spectroscopically characterized via the reactions of the stannyl carbynes [M(≡CSnnBu₃)(CO)₂(Tp*)] and ClP=NMes*. The preceding observations are mechanistically interpreted with reference to a computational interrogation of the model complex [Mo(≡CP=NCH₃)(CO)₂(Tp*)], the LUMO of which has considerable phosphorus character.     

Insight into the structures of [M(C5H4I)(CO)3] and [M2(C12H8)(CO)6] (M = Mn and Re) containing strong I...O and π(CO)–π(CO) interactions

The compounds tricarbonyl(η⁵‐1‐iodocyclopentadienyl)manganese(I), [Mn(C₅H₄I)(CO)₃], (I), and tricarbonyl(η⁵‐1‐iodocyclopentadienyl)rhenium(I), [Re(C₅H₄I)(CO)₃], (III), are isostructural and isomorphous. The compounds [μ‐1,2(η⁵)‐acetylenedicyclopentadienyl]bis[tricarbonylmanganese(I)] or bis(cymantrenyl)acetylene, [Mn₂(C₁₂H₈)(CO)₆], (II), and [μ‐1,2(η⁵)‐acetylenedicyclopentadienyl]bis[tricarbonylrhenium(I)], [Re₂(C₁₂H₈)(CO)₆], (IV), are isostructural and isomorphous, and their molecules display inversion symmetry about the mid‐point of the ligand C[triple‐bond]C bond, with the (CO)₃M(C₅H₄) (M = Mn and Re) moieties adopting a transoid conformation. The molecules in all four compounds form zigzag chains due to the formation of strong attractive I...O [in (I) and (III)] or π(CO)–π(CO) [in (I) and (IV)] interactions along the crystallographic b axis. The zigzag chains are bound to each other by weak intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds for (I) and (III), while for (II) and (IV) the chains are bound to each other by a combination of weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds and π(Csp²)–π(Csp²) stacking interactions between pairs of molecules. The π(CO)–π(CO) contacts in (II) and (IV) between carbonyl groups of neighboring molecules, forming pairwise interactions in a sheared antiparallel dimer motif, are encountered in only 35% of all carbonyl interactions for transition metal–carbonyl compounds.     

Oxidative dehydrogenation of N-methyl-o-phenylenediamine coordinated to the PdII and PtII atoms

The reactions of N-methyl-ortho-phenylenediamine (1) with K₂MCl₄ (M = Pd or Pt) were investigated. At the first stage, the tetraamine dicationic complexes [(C₆H₄(NH₂)(NMeH))₂M]Cl₂ were formed. Oxidation of these compounds with atmospheric oxygen in an alkaline medium afforded the neutral semiquinonediimine complexes [C₆H₄(NH)(NMe)]₂M. The structures of the {[(C₆H₄)(NH₂)(NHMe)]₂Pd}Cl₂ and [C₆H₄(NH)(NPh)]₂Pt complexes were established by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

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

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

(Cycloheptatrienyl)hydridotungsten Complexes

Carbonyl(cycloheptatrienyl)iodo(phosphorus donor)tungstens ([WI(C₇H₇)(CO)L]; L = P(OMe)₃, 1a ; L = P[O(i-Pr)]₃, 1b ; L = PPh₃, 1c ) were prepared from dicarbonyl(cycloheptatrienyl)iodotungsten ([WI(C₇H₇)(CO)₂)] via a carbonyl-substitution process. Similarly, bromocarbonyl(phosphorus donor)(1,2,4,6-tetramethylcycloheptatrienyl)tungstens ([WBr(Me₄C₇H₃)(CO)L]; L = P(OMe)₃, 6a ; L = P[O(i-Pr)]₃, 6b ; L = PPh₃, 6c ) were obtained from the reaction of bromodicarbonyl(1,2,4,6)-tetramethylcycloheptatrienyl)tungsten ([WBr(Me₄C₇H₃)(CO)₂]; 4 ) with L. The reduction of 1a - c , 4 , and 6a , b with sodiumdihydridobis(2-methoxyethoxy)aluminium in toluene led to stable hydrido complexes [WH(R₄C₇H₃)(CO)L] (R = H, L = P(OMe)₃, 2a ; R = H, L = P[O(i-Pr)]₃, 2b ; R = H, L = PPh₃, 2c ; R = Me, L = P(OMe)₃, 7a ; R = Me, L = P[O(i-Pr)]₃, 7b ; R = Me, L = CO, 7d ). Complexes 2a and 7b were characterized by X-ray structure analyses.     

Chemistry of transition‐metal complexes containing functionalized phosphines: synthesis and structural analysis of rhodium(I) complexes containing allyl and cyanoalkylphosphines

A series of related acetylacetonate–carbonyl–rhodium compounds substituted by functionalized phosphines has been prepared in good to excellent yields by the reaction of [Rh(acac)(CO)₂] (acac is acetylacetonate) with the corresponding allyl‐, cyanomethyl‐ or cyanoethyl‐substituted phosphines. All compounds were fully characterized by ³¹P, ¹H, ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy. The X‐ray structures of (acetylacetonato‐κ²O,O′)(tert‐butylphosphanedicarbonitrile‐κP)carbonylrhodium(I), [Rh(C₅H₇O₂)(CO)(C₈H₁₃N₂)] or [Rh(acac)(CO)(^tBuP(CH₂CN)₂}] ( 2b ), (acetylacetonato‐κ²O,O′)carbonyl[3‐(diphenylphosphanyl)propanenitrile‐κP]rhodium(I), [Rh(C₅H₇O₂)(C₁₅H₁₄N)(CO)] or [Rh(acac)(CO){Ph₂P(CH₂CH₂CN)}] ( 2h ), and (acetylacetonato‐κ²O,O′)carbonyl[3‐(di‐tert‐butylphosphanyl)propanenitrile‐κP]rhodium(I), [Rh(C₅H₇O₂)(C₁₁H₂₂N)(CO)] or [Rh(acac)(CO){^tBu₂P(CH₂CH₂CN)}] ( 2i ), showed a square‐planar geometry around the Rh atom with a significant trans influence over the acetylacetonate moiety, evidenced by long Rh—O bond lengths as expected for poor π‐acceptor phosphines. The Rh—P distances displayed an inverse linear dependence with the coupling constants J_P‐Rh and the IR ν(C[triple‐bond]O) bands, which accounts for the Rh—P electronic bonding feature (poor π‐acceptors) of these complexes. A combined study from density functional theory (DFT) calculations and an evaluation of the intramolecular H…Rh contacts from X‐ray diffraction data allowed a comparison of the conformational preferences of these complexes in the solid state versus the isolated compounds in the gas phase. For 2b , 2h and 2i , an energy‐framework study evidenced that the crystal structures are mainly governed by dispersive energy. In fact, strong pairwise molecular dispersive interactions are responsible for the columnar arrangement observed in these complexes. A Hirshfeld surface analysis employing three‐dimensional molecular surface contours and two‐dimensional fingerprint plots indicated that the structures are stabilized by H…H, C…H, H…O, H…N and H…Rh intermolecular interactions.     

Nanoscale ensembles using building blocks inspired by the [FeFe]-hydrogenase active site

The hydrogenase model [Fe₂(S₂C₃H₆)(CN)₂(CO)₄]²⁻ was employed as a molecular tecton for the construction of supramolecular aggregates. IR spectroscopy indicated that cyanide bridged aggregates are formed when [Fe₂(S₂C₃H₆)(CN)₂(CO)₄]²⁻ was treated with Lewis acids such as Zn(tetraphenylporphyrinate), [Cu(NCMe)(2,2′-bipyridine)]PF₆ and [Cu(NCMe)₄]PF₆. Condensation of [Fe₂(S₂C₃H₆)(CN)₂(CO)₄]²⁻ with the tritopic Lewis acid [Cp¹Rh]²⁺ afforded the novel expanded tetrahedron cage, {[Fe₂(S₂C₃H₆)(CN)₂(CO)₄]₆[Cp¹Rh]₄}⁴⁻. The tetrahedron cage was characterized crystallographically as the PPN salt.