The Cobalt cyclo‐P4 Sandwich Complex and Its Role in the Formation of Polyphosphorus Compounds

A synthetic approach to the sandwich complex [Cp′′′Co(η⁴‐P₄)] ( 2 ) containing a cyclo‐P₄ ligand as an end‐deck was developed. Complex 2 is the missing homologue in the series of first‐row cyclo‐P_n sandwich complexes, and shows a unique tendency to dimerize in solution to form two isomeric P₈ complexes [(Cp′′′Co)₂(μ,η⁴:η²:η¹‐P₈)] ( 3 and 4 ). Reactivity studies indicate that 2 and 3 react with further [Cp′′′Co] fragments to give [(Cp′′′Co)₂(μ,η²:η²‐P₂)₂] ( 5 ) and [(Cp′′′Co)₃P₈] ( 6 ), respectively. Furthermore, complexes 2 , 3 , and 4 thermally decompose forming 5 , 6 , and the P₁₂ complex [(Cp′′′Co)₃P₁₂] ( 7 ). DFT calculations on the P₄ activation process suggest a η³‐P₄ Co complex as the key intermediate in the synthesis of 2 as well as in the formation of larger polyphosphorus complexes via a unique oligomerization pathway.     

Coordination Behavior of a P4-Butterfly Complex towards Transition Metal Lewis Acids: Preservation versus Rearrangement

The reactivity of the P₄ butterfly complex [{Cp’’’Fe(CO)₂}₂(μ,η^1:1-P₄)] ( 1 , Cp’’’=η⁵-C₅H₂tBu₃) towards divalent Co, Ni and Zn salts is investigated. The reaction with the bromide salts leads to [{Cp’’’Fe(CO)₂}₂(μ₃,η^2:1:1-P₄){MBr₂}] (M=Co ( 2Co ), Ni ( 2Ni ), Zn ( 2Zn )) in which the P₄ butterfly scaffold is preserved. The use of the weakly ligated Co complex [Co(NCCH₃)₆][SbF₆]₂, results in the formation of [{(Cp’’’Fe(CO)₂)₂(μ₃,η^4:1:1-P₄)}₂Co][SbF₆]₃ ( 3 ), which represents the second example of a homoleptic-like octaphospha-metalla-sandwich complex. The formation of the threefold positively charged complex 3 occurs via redox processes, which among others also enables the formation of [{Cp’’’Fe(CO)₂}₄(μ₅,η^4:1:1:1:1-P₈){Co(CO)₂}][SbF₆] ( 4 ), bearing a rare octaphosphabicyclo[3.3.0]octane unit as a ligand. On the other hand, the reaction with [Zn(NCCH₃)₄][PF₆]₂ yields the spiro complex [{(Cp’’’Fe(CO)₂)₂(μ₃,η^2:1:1-P₄)}₂Zn][PF₆]₂ ( 5 ) under preservation of the initial structural motif.     

Rearrangement of a P4 Butterfly Complex—The Formation of a Homoleptic Phosphorus–Iron Sandwich Complex

The versatile coordination behavior of the P₄ butterfly complex [{Cp′′′Fe(CO)₂}₂(μ,η^1:1-P₄)] ( 1 , Cp′′′=η⁵-C₅H₂^tBu₃) towards different iron(II) compounds is presented. The reaction of 1 with [FeBr₂⋅dme] (dme=dimethoxyethane) leads to the chelate complex [{Cp′′′Fe(CO)₂}₂(μ₃,η^1:1:2-P₄){FeBr₂}] ( 2 ), whereas, in the reaction with [Fe(CH₃CN)₆][PF₆]₂, an unprecedented rearrangement of the P₄ butterfly structural motif leads to the cyclo-P₄ moiety in {(Cp′′′Fe(CO)₂)₂(μ₃,η^1:1:4-P₄)}₂Fe][PF₆]₂ ( 3 ). Complex 3 represents the first fully characterized “carbon-free” sandwich complex containing cyclo-P₄R₂ ligands in a homoleptic-like iron–phosphorus-containing molecule. Alternatively, 2 can be transformed into 3 by halogen abstraction and subsequent coordination of 1 . The additional isolated side products, [{Cp′′′Fe(CO)₂}₂(μ₃,η^1:1:2-P₄){Cp′′′Fe(CO)}][PF₆] ( 4 ) and [{Cp′′′Fe(CO)₂}₂(μ₃,η^1:1:4-P₄){Cp′′′Fe}][PF₆] ( 5 ), give insight into the stepwise activation of the P₄ butterfly moiety in 1 .     

Fixation and Release of Intact E4 Tetrahedra (E=P,As)

By the reaction of [NacnacCuCH₃CN] with white phosphorus (P₄) and yellow arsenic (As₄), the stabilization and enclosure of the intact E₄ tetrahedra are realized and the disubstituted complexes [(NacnacCu)₂(μ,η^2:2‐E₄)] ( 1 a : E=P, 1 b : E=As) are formed. The mono‐substituted complex [NacnacCu(η²‐P₄)] ( 2 ), was detected by the exchange reaction of 1 a with P₄ and was only isolated using low‐temperature work‐up. All products were comprehensively spectroscopically and crystallographically characterized. The bonding situation in the products as intact E₄ units (E=P, As) was confirmed by theory and was experimentally proven by the pyridine promoted release of the bridging E₄ tetrahedra in 1 .     

E4 Butterfly Complexes (E=P,As) as Chelating Ligands

The coordination properties of new types of bidentate phosphane and arsane ligands with a narrow bite angle are reported. The reactions of [{Cp′′′Fe(CO)₂}₂(μ,η^1:1‐P₄)] ( 1 a ) with the copper salt [Cu(CH₃CN)₄][BF₄] leads, depending on the stoichiometry, to the formation of the spiro compound [{{Cp′′′Fe(CO)₂}₂(μ₃,η^1:1:1:1‐P₄)}₂Cu]⁺[BF₄]^? ( 2 ) or the monoadduct [{Cp′′′Fe(CO)₂}₂(μ₃,η^1:1:2‐P₄){Cu(MeCN)}]⁺[BF₄]^? ( 3 ). Similarly, the arsane ligand [{Cp′′′Fe(CO)₂}₂(μ,η^1:1‐As₄)] ( 1 b ) reacts with [Cu(CH₃CN)₄][BF₄] to give [{{Cp′′′Fe(CO)₂}₂(μ₃,η^1:1:1:1‐As₄)}₂Cu]⁺[BF₄]^? ( 5 ). Protonation of 1 a occurs at the “wing tip” phosphorus atoms, which is in line with the results of DFT calculations. The compounds are characterized by spectroscopic methods (heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy and IR spectrometry) and by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies.     

A Phosphorus Analogue of Bis(η4‐cyclobutadiene)iron(0)

P makes it possible : The convenient oxidative synthesis of the 16‐electron organophosphorus iron sandwich complex [Fe(η⁴‐P₂C₂tBu₂)₂] (see structure) suggests that the elusive all‐carbon complex [Fe(η⁴‐C₄H₄)₂] is a viable synthetic target.

     

Eisen-Zweikernkomplexe mit unterschiedlichen P4-Liganden

Dinuclear Iron Complexes with Different P₄ Ligands The photolysis of [Cp″Fe(CO)₂]₂ 1 (Cp″ = C₅H₃^tBu₂-1,3) and P₄ gives with successive cleavage of P? P bonds and decarbonylation the P₄ complex series [Cp″₂Fe₂P₄(CO)_{4 ? n}] 2 (n = O), 3 (n = 1), 4 (n = 2), 5 (n = 3) and 6 (n = 4) with different P₄ ligands. 4 and 6 have been further characterized by X-ray structure analyses.     

A General Pathway to Heterobimetallic Triple-Decker Complexes

A systematic study on the reactivity of the triple-decker complex [(Cp’’’Co)₂(μ,η⁴:η⁴-C₇H₈)] ( A ) (Cp’’’=1,2,4-tritertbutyl-cyclopentadienyl) towards sandwich complexes containing cyclo-P₃, cyclo-P₄, and cyclo-P₅ ligands under mild conditions is presented. The heterobimetallic triple-decker sandwich complexes [(Cp*Fe)(Cp’’’Co)(μ,η⁵:η⁴-P₅)] ( 1 ) and [(Cp’’’Co)(Cp’’’Ni)(μ,η³:η³-P₃)] ( 3 ) (Cp*=1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) were synthesized and fully characterized. In solution, these complexes exhibit a unique fluxional behavior, which was investigated by variable temperature NMR spectroscopy. The dynamic processes can be blocked by coordination to {W(CO)₅} fragments, leading to the complexes [(Cp*Fe)(Cp’’’Co)(μ₃,η⁵:η⁴:η¹-P₅){W(CO)₅}] ( 2 a ), [(Cp*Fe)(Cp’’’Co)(μ₄,η⁵:η⁴:η¹:η¹-P₅){(W(CO)₅)₂}] ( 2 b ), and [(Cp’’’Co)(Cp’’’Ni)(μ₃,η³:η²:η¹-P₃){W(CO)₅}] ( 4 ), respectively. The thermolysis of 3 leads to the tetrahedrane complex [(Cp’’’Ni)₂(μ,η²:η²-P₂)] ( 5 ). All compounds were fully characterized using single-crystal X-ray structure analysis, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis.     

Two‐Coordinate Fe0 and Co0 Complexes Supported by Cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes

The CAAC [CAAC=cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene] family of carbene ligands have shown promise in stabilizing unusually low‐coordination number transition‐metal complexes in low formal oxidation states. Here we extend this narrative by demonstrating their utility in affording access to the first examples of two‐coordinate formal Fe⁰ and Co⁰ [(CAAC)₂M] complexes, prepared by reduction of their corresponding two‐coordinate cationic Fe^I and Co^I precursors. The stability of these species arises from the strong σ‐donating and π‐accepting properties of the supporting CAAC ligands, in addition to steric protection.     

Cover Picture: A Phosphorus Analogue of Bis(η4‐cyclobutadiene)iron(0) (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 17/2009)

A rare phosphorus analogue of the elusive complex bis(η⁴‐cyclobutadiene)iron(0) is reported by K. Lammertsma et al. in their Communication on page 3104 ff. The background of the cover picture shows John Montagu (1718–1792), 4th Earl of Sandwich and 1st Lord of the Admiralty, who certainly would not have dreamt that an important class of organometallic compounds, sandwich complexes, would bear his name one day. The synthesis of [Fe(P₂C₂tBu₂)₂] shows that sandwich complexes are still topical objects of research.

     

Synthesis and Reactivity of an End‐Deck cyclo‐P4 Iron Complex

Reduction of the Fe^II complex [(^PhPP₂^Cy)FeCl₂] ( 2 ) generated an electron‐rich and unsaturated Fe⁰ species, which was reacted with white phosphorus. The resulting new complex, [(^PhPP₂^Cy)Fe(η⁴‐P₄)] ( 3 ), is the first iron cyclo‐P₄ complex and the only known stable end‐deck cyclo‐P₄ complex outside Group V. Complex 3 features an Fe^II center, as shown by Mössbauer spectroscopy, associated to a P₄^2? fragment. The distinct reactivity of complex 3 was rationalized by analysis of the molecular orbitals. Reaction of complex 3 with H⁺ afforded the unstable complex [(^PhPP₂^Cy)Fe(η⁴‐P₄)(H)]⁺ ( 4 ), whereas with CuCl and BCF, the complexes [(^PhPP₂^Cy)Fe(η⁴:η¹‐P₄)(μ‐CuCl)]₂ ( 5 ) and [(^PhPP₂^Cy)Fe(η⁴:η¹‐P₄)B(C₆F₅)₃] ( 6 ) were formed.     

Dianionic Mononuclear Cyclo‐P4 Complexes of Zero‐Valent Molybdenum: Coordination of the Cyclo‐P4 Dianion in the Absence of Intramolecular Charge Transfer

Relative to other cyclic poly‐phosphorus species (that is, cyclo‐P_n), the planar cyclo‐P₄ group is unique in its requirement of two additional electrons to achieve aromaticity. These electrons are supplied from one or more metal centers. However, the degree of charge transfer is dependent on the nature of the metal fragment. Unique examples of dianionic mononuclear η⁴‐P₄ complexes are presented that can be viewed as the simple coordination of the [cyclo‐P₄]^2? dianion to a neutral metal fragment. Treatment of the neutral, molybdenum cyclo‐P₄ complexes Mo(η⁴‐P₄)I₂(CO)(CNAr^Dipp2)₂ and Mo(η⁴‐P₄)(CO)₂(CNAr^Dipp2)₂ with KC₈ produces the dianionic, three‐legged piano stool complexes, [Mo(η⁴‐P₄)(CO)(CNAr^Dipp2)₂]^2? and [Mo(η⁴‐P₄)(CO)₂(CNAr^Dipp2)]^2?, respectively. Structural, spectroscopic, and computational studies reveal a similarity to the classic η⁶‐benzene complex (η⁶‐C₆H₆)Mo(CO)₃ regarding the metal‐center valence state and electronic population of the planar‐cyclic ligand π system.