Highly Strained Heterometallacycles of Group 4 Metallocenes with Bis(diphenylphosphino)amide Ligands

A study regarding coordination chemistry of the bis(diphenylphosphino)amide ligand Ph₂P‐N‐PPh₂ at Group 4 metallocenes is presented herein. Coordination of N,N‐bis(diphenylphosphino)amine ( 1 ) to [(Cp₂TiCl)₂] (Cp=η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl) generated [Cp₂Ti(Cl)P(Ph₂)N(H)PPh₂] ( 2 ). The heterometallacyclic complex [Cp₂Ti(κ²‐P,P‐Ph₂P‐N‐PPh₂)] ( 3 Ti ) can be prepared by reaction of 2 with n‐butyllithium as well as from the reaction of the known titanocene–alkyne complex [Cp₂Ti(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)] with the amine 1 . Reactions of the lithium amide [(thf)₃Li{N(PPh₂)₂}] with [Cp₂MCl₂] (M=Zr, Hf) yielded the corresponding zirconocene and hafnocene complexes [Cp₂M(Cl){κ²‐N,P‐N(PPh₂)₂}] ( 4 Zr and 4 Hf ). Reduction of 4 Zr with magnesium gave the highly strained heterometallacycle [Cp₂Zr(κ²‐P,P‐Ph₂P‐N‐PPh₂)] ( 3 Zr ). Complexes 2 , 3 Ti , 4 Hf , and 3 Zr were characterized by X‐ray crystallography. The structures and bondings of all complexes were investigated by DFT calculations.     

Highly Strained Heterometallacycles of Group 4 Metallocenes with Bis(diphenylphosphino)methanide Ligands

A study of the coordination chemistry of different bis(diphenylphosphino)methanide ligands [Ph₂PC(X)PPh₂] (X=H, SiMe₃) with Group 4 metallocenes is presented. The paramagnetic complexes [Cp₂Ti{κ²‐P,P‐Ph₂PC(X)PPh₂}] (X=H ( 3 a ), X=SiMe₃ ( 3 b )) have been prepared by the reactions of [(Cp₂TiCl)₂] with [Li{C(X)PPh₂}₂(thf)₃]. Complex 3 b could also be synthesized by reaction of the known titanocene alkyne complex [Cp₂Ti(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)] with Ph₂PC(H)(SiMe₃)PPh₂ ( 2 b ). The heterometallacyclic complex [Cp₂Zr(H){κ²‐P,P‐Ph₂PC(H)PPh₂}] ( 4 aH ) has been prepared by reaction of the Schwartz reagent with [Li{C(H)PPh₂}₂(thf)₃]. Reactions of [Cp₂HfCl₂] with [Li{C(X)PPh₂}₂(thf)₃] gave the highly strained corresponding metallacycles [Cp₂M(Cl){κ²‐P,P‐Ph₂PC(X)PPh₂}] ( 5 aCl and 5 bCl ) in very good yields. Complexes 3 a , 4 aH , and 5 aCl have been characterized by X‐ray crystallography. Complex 3 a has also been characterized by EPR spectroscopy. The structure and bonding of the complexes has been investigated by DFT analysis. Reactions of complexes 4 aH , 5 aCl , and 5 bCl did not give the corresponding more unsaturated heterometallacyclobuta‐2,3‐dienes.     

Synthesis, structure and properties of the Cp2Zr{CH(SiMe3)2} cation

The generation and properties of the Cp₂Zr{CH(SiMe₃)₂}⁺ cation are described. An X-ray crystallographic analysis shows that the carborane salt [Cp₂Zr{CH(SiMe₃)₂}][HCB₁₁Me₅Br₆] contains an agostic Zr-μ-Me-Si interaction in the solid state. Low temperature NMR spectra of the borate salt [Cp₂Zr{CH(SiMe₃)₂}][B(C₆F₅)₄] show that this interaction is retained in solution. Variable temperature NMR spectra establish that the SiMe₂(μ-Me) and unbound SiMe₃ units of Cp₂Zr{CH(SiMe₃)₂}⁺ exchange by a “pivot” process involving partial rotation around the Zr-CH(SiMe₃)₂ bond, with a barrier of ΔG^‡ = 9.2(1) kcal/mol at −89 °C. Cp₂Zr{CH(SiMe₃)₂}⁺ does not coordinate alkenes or alkynes.     

Formation of carbonylrhenium cryptates with alkali metal cations: Coordination chemistry studies of [Ph2P(E)NP(E)Ph2], E = O,S, Se towards ReBr(CO)5

Reaction of ReBr(CO)₅ with Li[Ph₂P(O)NP(O)Ph₂] afforded the cryptate Li[Re₂(CO)₆{μ-Ph₂P(O)NP(O)Ph₂-κ²O,O’}₃]; whereas K[Ph₂P(O)NP(O)Ph₂] reacted with ReBr(CO)₅ to give K[Re₂(CO)₆{μ-Ph₂P(O)NP(O)Ph₂-κ²O,O′}{Ph₂P(O)NP(O)Ph₂-κ²O,O′}₂]. Other chalcogen ligands’ salts M[Ph₂P(E)NP(E)Ph₂], E = Se and S, M = K and Li gave dirhenium carbonyls with bromido and Ph₂P(E)NP(E)Ph₂, E = Se or S bridges upon reaction with ReBr(CO)₅.     

Trimethylstannyl (diphenylphosphino)acetate: a source of (diphenylphosphino)acetate ligand in the synthesis of coordination compounds

Trimethylstannyl (diphenylphosphino)acetate (1), which is readily accessible from potassium (diphenylphosphino)acetate and trimethylstannyl chloride, may serve as the source of (diphenylphosphino)acetate anion in the preparation of coordination compounds. Thus, the reactions between [M(cod)Cl₂] (M = Pd and Pt; cod = η²:η²-cycloocta-1,5-diene) and two equivalents of 1 give [M(Ph₂PCH₂CO₂-κ²O,P)₂] (2 and 3), while the reaction of [{Pd(μ-Cl)Cl(PFur₃)}₂] (4; Fur = 2-furyl) with one equivalent of 1 yields [SP-4-3]-[PdCl(Ph₂PCH₂CO₂-κ²O,P)(PFur₃)] (5). The reactions of 1 with the dimers [{Rh(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Cl(μ-Cl)}₂] and [{Ru(η⁶-1,4-MeC₆H₄(CHMe₂))Cl(μ-Cl)}₂] (at 1-to-metal ratio 1:1) produce O,P-chelated complexes as well, albeit as stable adducts with the liberated Me₃SnCl: [RhCl(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(Ph₂PCH₂CO₂-κ²O,P)] · Me₃SnCl (6) and[RuCl(η⁶-1,4-MeC₆H₄(CHMe₂))(Ph₂PCH₂CO₂-κ²O,P)] · Me₃SnCl (8). The related complexes with P-monodentate (diphenylphosphino)acetic acid, [RhCl₂(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(Ph₂PCH₂CO₂H-κ,P)] (7) and [RuCl₂(η⁶-1,4-MeC₆H₄(CHMe₂))(Ph₂PCH₂CO₂H-κP)] (9), were obtained by bridge splitting in the dimers with the phosphinocarboxylic ligand. All new compounds were characterized by spectral methods and combustion analyses, and the structures of 2 · 3CH₂Cl₂, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 were determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis, characterization and reactivity of tetramethylphospholyl complexes of scandium

Reaction of 2 equiv. of (C₄Me₄P)Li(tmeda) (tmeda = tetraethylenediamine) with 1 equiv. of ScCl₃(THF)₃ gave the new compound (η⁵-C₄Me₄P)₂ScCl₂Li(tmeda) (1), which was characterized by X-ray crystallography. A phospholyl moiety in 1 is labile, as demonstrated by reactions of 1 with LiCH(SiMe₃)₂ and Cp^∗Li (Cp^∗ = C₅Me₅) to afford, respectively, (η⁵-Me₄C₄P)Sc[CH(SiMe₃)₂]Cl₂Li(tmeda) (4) and (η⁵-Me₄C₄P)Cp^∗ScCl₂Li(tmeda) (5). Attempts to generate alkyl derivatives of the general type (η⁵-C₄Me₄P)₂ScR (R = alkyl) were unsuccessful.     

Elimination of bis(trimethylsilyl)stannylene from tris(trimethylsilyl)stannylated zirconocene and hafnocene chlorides

Reactions of (Me₃Si)₃SnK with Cp₂MCl₂ (M = Zr, Hf) give the respective stannylated metallocene chlorides. These complexes display a tendency to eliminate bis(trimethylsilyl)-stannylene under Cp₂M(Cl)SiMe₃ formation.     

Synthesis and structural studies of phosphorus carbonyl manganacycles containing the tetraphenyldiselenoimidodiphosphinato ligand

The [Mn(CO)_4−x(L){Ph₂P(Se)NP(Se)Ph₂-κ²Se}] complexes, where x = 1 for L = PPh₃ and PMePh₂, and x = 2 for L = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂ (diphos), were synthesized by two routes. The complexes were characterized by IR, mass spectrometry (FAB+), NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P, ⁷⁷Se) spectroscopy and/or single crystal X-ray diffraction. The X-ray diffraction analysis for [Mn(CO)₃PMePh₂{Ph₂P(Se)NP(Se)Ph₂-κ²Se}] showed that the unit cell contains two independent mononuclear molecules with different MnSePNPSe rings’ conformations.     

“Constrained geometry” catalysts of the rare-earth metals for the hydrosilylation of olefins

A series of yttrium and lutetium alkyl complexes [Ln(η⁵-C₅Me₄ZNR′-κN)(CH₂SiMe₃)(THF)_n] (Ln = Y, Lu) was prepared by reacting the tris(trimethylsilylmethyl) precursor [Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂] with different linked amino-cyclopentadienes of the type (C₅Me₄H)ZNHR′ (Z = SiMe₂, CH₂SiMe₂; R′ = tBu, Ph, C₆H₄-tBu-4, C₆H₄-nBu-4). The catalytic activity of these alkyl complexes in the hydrosilylation of 1-decene and styrene using PhSiH₃ as reagent was examined under standard conditions. A significant influence of the ligand structure on the catalytic property (turnover frequency, regioselectivity) was observed with the yttrium complex [Y(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂SiMe₂NtBu-κN)(CH₂SiMe₃)(THF)] being the most active for 1-decene hydrosilylation.     

Spectroscopic and structural characterization of cationic N-(2-aminoethyl)aziridine-N,N′ chelate complexes of the d-metals Rh(III) and Ir(III)

The syntheses of the compounds [M(Cp^∗)(aeaz)(az)](OTf)₂ (4, 5) (M = Rh(III), Ir(III); aeaz = C₂H₄NC₂H₄NH₂, az = C₂H₄NH (3)) containing cationic N-(2-aminoethyl)aziridine-N,N′ chelate complexes are described. The bis-aziridine complexes [MCl(Cp^∗)(az)₂]Cl (M = Rh (1), M = Ir (2)) react with an excess of the aziridine (az) in the presence of AgO₃SCF₃ (=AgOTf) via AgCl precipitation and az addition followed by a metal-mediated coupling reaction, to give the compounds [M(Cp^∗)(aeaz)(az)](OTf)₂ (4, 5). The new aeaz ligand is formally the dimerisation product of az. Using the same reaction conditions with the analogous, but weaker Lewis acidic ruthenium(II) complex [RuCl(C₆Me₆)(az)₂]Cl (6) an anion exchange reaction yielding [RuCl(C₆Me₆)(az)₂]OTf (8) is observed. After purification, all compounds are fully characterized using IR, FAB-MS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The single crystal X-ray structure analysis reveals a distorted octahedral geometry for all complexes.     

Gallium(III) halide complexes with phosphines,arsines and phosphine oxides – a comparative study

The phosphine oxide complexes [GaX₃(Me₃PO)] and [(GaX₃)₂{μ-o-C₆H₄(CH₂P(O)Ph₂)₂}] have been prepared and characterised by microanalysis, IR and multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, ³¹P{¹H} and ⁷¹Ga) spectroscopy. The structures of [GaCl₃(Me₃PO)], [(GaBr₃)₂{μ-o-C₆H₄(CH₂P(O)Ph₂)₂}] and of the ionic product [GaI₂(Me₃PO)₂][GaI₄] have been determined and show that the Lewis acidity of the gallium halides towards phosphinoyl ligands diminishes as the halogen becomes heavier. The [GaX₃(Ph₃E)] (X = Cl, Br or I; E = P or As) and [(GaX₃)₂{μ-o-C₆H₄(CH₂PPh₂)₂}] (X = Br or I) have been prepared and their structural and spectroscopic properties compared with those of the phosphinoyl complexes. The results, and competitive solution NMR studies, show that Ga(III) binds the hard R₃PO in preference to the softer phosphine or arsine ligands. Hydrolysis of gallium(III) phosphines is shown to lead to [R₃PH][GaX₄], but in contrast to some other p-block halides, GaX₃ do not promote air-oxidation of R₃P to R₃PO.     

Group 4 metallocene complexes with non-bridged and tetramethyldisiloxane-bridged methyl-phenyl-cyclopentadienyl ligands: synthesis, characterization and olefin polymerization studies

The non-vicinal methyl-phenyl-substituted zirconocene dichlorides meso-and rac-[Zr{η⁵-(1-Ph-3-Me-C₅H₃)}₂Cl₂] and [Zr(η⁵-C₅H₅){η⁵-(1-Ph-3-Me-C₅H₃)}Cl₂] have been isolated by transmetallation of the lithium salt Li(1-Ph-3-Me-C₅H₃) to ZrCl₄(THF)₂ and [Zr(η⁵-C₅H₅)Cl₃ · DME] (DME = dimethoxyethane), respectively. Similar transmetallation of the lithium salt Li₂[(Me-Ph-C₅H₂SiMe₂)₂O] to MCl₄ gave the ansa-metallocenes [M{η⁵-(Me-Ph-C₅H₂SiMe₂)₂O}Cl₂] (M = Zr, Hf) for which the meso- and rac-diastereomers were separated. The dimethyl and dibenzyl derivatives of these metallocenes were also prepared and the structure of all of these compounds determined by NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structure of rac-[Zr{η⁵-(2-Me-4-Ph-C₅H₂SiMe₂)₂O}Cl₂] was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The activity of the dichlorometallocenes/MAO catalysts for ethene and propene polymerization was evaluated.     

Straightforward synthesis of phosphametallocenium cations of Rh and Ir

Reaction of 3,4-dimethylphospholylthallium (Tl-1) with [Cp^∗MCl₂]₂ (M = Rh, Ir) leads to the formation of the dimeric species [(Cp^∗M)₂(Me₂C₄H₂P)₃]⁺2 and 3 with bridging μ-η¹:η¹-phospholyl ligands. The phosphametallocenium sandwich complexes [Cp^∗M(Me₂C₄(SiMe₃)₂P)]⁺7 (M = Rh) and 8 (M = Ir) could be obtained from the reaction of [Cp^∗MCl₂]₂ and the 2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1-trimethylstannylphosphole 6, with the bulky trimethylsilyl groups preventing the phosphole from η¹- and enforcing a η⁵-coordination. The structures of phospharhodocenium cation 7 and a byproduct 9 containing a phosphairidocenium moiety could be determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis of molybdenocene(IV) and tungstenocene(IV) tropolonato complexes: Its derivative containing calix[4]arene moiety

The cationic di-μ-hydroxo dinuclear complexes of molybdenocene and tungstenocene [Cp₂M(μ-OH)₂MCp₂]⁺ (Cp = η-C₅H₅; M = Mo or W) react with tropolone to afford corresponding tropolonato complexes [Cp₂M(trop)]⁺ (trop = C₇H₅O₂). The products were investigated by IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy as well as by X-ray crystallography (M = W). The structure shows that the central metal is surrounded by a distorted tetrahedral array of the two centers of cyclopentadienyl ligands and the two oxygen atoms of tropolonato ligand. The reaction has been extended to the synthesis of calix[4]arene receptor functionalized at the 1,3-positions of the upper rim with two tropolonato-molybdenocene centers.     

Investigation in the coupling of zirconocene complexes and trimethylsilyl(diphenylphosphino)acetylene. P-C bond cleavage chemistry from protonolysis reactions

The regioselectivity of the coupling reactions of the internal acetylenic derivative Ph₂P-CC-SiMe₃ (2) and the benzyne complex [Cp₂Zr(η²-C₆H₄)] (1) resulted preferentially in the formation of the zirconaindene metallacycle with the metal α-carbanions stabilized by the trimethylsilyl group. We have been able to structurally characterize the two regiosomers. The unusual acute Zr-C-P angle and the short Zr-P distance revealed that a significant Lewis-base/Lewis-acid σ-P-Zr interaction occurs in the α-phosphino zirconaindene metallacycle. Addition of HCl · Et₂O on the cyclic α-silyl zirconindene complex led to competition reactions between (i) the nucleophilic attack of the lone pair of the phosphino group followed by P-C cleavage to form Ph₂PH and Ph-CC-SiMe₃ (7) and (ii) protonolysis of the Zr-CSi bond to give the Z-vinyl silyl phosphino product Ph₂PC(Ph)C(H)SiMe₃ (8). When the lone electron pair of the phosphino group is engaged intramolecularly with the metal center to achieve the stable 18-electron configuration protonolysis reaction on the Zr-C bonds to give the Z-vinyl silyl phosphino product Ph₂PC(H)C(Ph)SiMe₃ (9) is the unique process observed. Protonolysis reaction on the complexes prepared in situ from the addition of 2 and zirconocene like reagents “[Cp₂Zr]” gave Ph₂PH, H-CC-SiMe₃, and Ph₂PC(H)C(H)SiMe₃ (18) which resulted from the competitive P-C and Zr-C bond cleavage processes of the transient alkyne complex Cp₂Zr(η²-Ph₂P-CC-SiMe₃)] (14).     

Reactions of the metallocene dichlorides [M(Cp)2Cl2] (M = Zr, Hf) and [Ti(MeCp)2Cl2] with the pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate(−2) ligand: Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and X-ray structures of the products

The reactivity pattern of the 16-electron species [M(Cp)₂Cl₂] (M = Zr, Hf; Cp⁻ = η⁵-C₅H₅⁻) and [Ti(MeCp)₂Cl₂] (MeCp⁻ = η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃⁻) towards the dipicolinate(−2) (dipic²⁻) ligand under mild (ambient temperature) and convenient (aerobic reactions, aqueous media) conditions have been investigated. The syntheses, molecular structures and spectroscopic (IR, ¹H NMR) characterization are reported for the 18-electron products [Zr(Cp)₂(dipic)] (1), [Hf(Cp)₂(dipic)] (2) and [Ti(MeCp)₂(dipic)] (3). The dipic²⁻ ion behaves as N,O,O′-chelating ligand in the three complexes, while the centroids of the Cp⁻ (1, 2) and MeCp⁻ (3) rings formally occupy the fourth and fifth coordination sites about the central metal. The two identical/very similar bite angles of only ∼70° make the dipic²⁻ ligand particularly suited to form stable metallocene derivatives with 5-coordinate geometry. IR and ¹H NMR data are discussed in terms of the known structures and the tridentate chelating mode of the dipic²⁻ ligand.     

Synthetic studies for the preparation of phosphorus carbonyl rhenacycles with the selenoimidodiphosphinate ligand [N(SePPh2)2]

The synthesis of the rhenacycles [Re(CO)₃(PR₃){Ph₂P(Se)NP(Se)Ph₂-κ²Se}], PR₃ = PPh₃ (1), PMePh₂ (2), and PMe₂Ph (3) by a straightforward high yield procedure is described. Attempts at the preparation of the spiro [Re(CO)₂(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂-κ²P){Ph₂P(Se)NP(Se)Ph₂-κ²Se}] resulted in the formation of complexes [Re₂(CO)₆{Ph₂P(Se)NP(Se)Ph₂-κ²Se}₂(μ-Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)] (4) and [Re(CO)₃(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂-κ²P){Ph₂P(Se)NP(Se)Ph₂-κSe}] (5). All new inorganic rhenacycles 1-5 were characterized in solution and in solid state. The X-ray diffraction analysis of [Re(CO)₃PPh₃{Ph₂P(Se)NP(Se)Ph₂-κ²Se}] showed that its MnSePNPSe ring conformation is sensitive to temperature.     

Syntheses and structures of non-symmetric guanidinato zirconium and hafnium complexes and their catalytic behavior for ethylene polymerization

Equivalent addition reactions of PhN(Li)SiMe₃ to nitriles, RCN (R = dimethylamido, 1-piperidino), generated non-symmetric guanidinato lithium [(Et₂O)LiN(SiMe₃)C(NMe₂)N(Ph)]₂ (1) or [(THF)LiN(SiMe₃)C(NMe₂)N(Ph)]₂ (2) and [(Et₂O)LiN(SiMe₃)C(N(CH₂)₅)N(Ph)]₂ (5) which further reacted with zirconium or hafnium tetrachloride to form Zr and Hf guanidinato complexes with the general formula [PhNC(R)NSiMe₃]₃MCl (R = dimethylamido, M = Zr (3), Hf (4); R = 1-piperidino, M = Zr (6), Hf (7)). Complexes 1-4, 6 and 7 were well characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR and microanalysis, the single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis data for complexes 1, 3, 4 and 7 were also provided. Furthermore, complexes 3, 4, 6 and 7 were found to be active for ethylene polymerization. The influences of cocatalyst, pressure, reaction temperature and Al/M ratio on activity were investigated.     

Structural investigations on diorgano- and triorganotin(IV) derivatives of [meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine] metal chlorides

Several new complexes of organotin(IV) moieties with MCl_n[meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine], (R₂Sn)₂MCl_n[meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)-porphinate]s and (R₃Sn)₄MCl_n [meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphinate]s, [M = Fe(III), Mn(III): n = 1, R = Me, n-Bu; Ph; M = Sn(IV): n = 2, R = Me, n-Bu] have been synthesized and their solid state configuration investigated by infrared (IR) and Mössbauer spectroscopy, and by ¹H and ¹³C NMR in D₂O.The electron density on the metal ion coordinated inside the porphyrin ring is not influenced by the organotin(IV) moieties bonded to the oxygen atoms of the side chain sulfonatophenyl groups, as it has been inferred on the basis of Mössbauer spectroscopy and, in particular, from the invariance of the isomer shift of the Fe(III) and Sn(IV) atoms coordinated into the porphyrin square plane of the newly synthesized complexes, with respect to the same atoms in the free ligand.As far as the coordination polyhedra around the peripheral tin atoms are concerned, infrared spectra and experimental Mössbauer data would suggest octahedral and trigonal bipyramidal environments around tin, in polymeric configurations obtained, respectively, in the diorganotin derivatives through chelating or bridging sulfonate groups coordinating in the square plane, and in triorganotin(IV) complexes through bridging sulfonate oxygen atoms in axial positions.The structures of the (Me₃Sn)₄Sn(IV)Cl₂[meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphinate] and of the two model systems, Me₃Sn(PS)(HPS) and Me₂Sn(PS)₂ [HPS = phenylsulfonic acid], have been studied by a two layer ONIOM method, using the hybrid DFT B3LYP functional for the higher layer, including the significant tin environment. This approach allowed us to support the structural hypotheses inferred by the IR and Mössbauer spectroscopy analysis and to obtain detailed geometrical information of the tin environment in the compounds investigated.¹H and ¹³C NMR data suggested retention of the geometry around the tin(IV) atom in D₂O solution.     

Sulfur-alkylation-initiated CpRu thiyl radicals

The formation of thiyl radicals from [Cp^∗Ru^III{κ³SSS′-tpdt}] (1A) and [Cp^∗Ru^III{κ³SSN-apdt}] (1B) {Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅Me₅; tpdt = S(CH₂CH₂S⁻)₂; apdt = HN(CH₂CH₂S⁻)₂} has been initiated by thiolate alkylation or oxidation with iodine. Subsequent electron transfer processes yielded disulfide-bridged dinuclear complexes. The mechanistic pathways of these processes will be discussed.