Alkoxycarbene complexes of nickel(II)

Alkynylnickel complexes trans-C₆Cl₅Ni(PPhMe₂)₂CCR (IIIa, R  H; IIIb, R  Me; IIIc, R  Et; IIId, R  CH₂OH; IIIe, R  CH₂CH₂OH; IIIf, R  Ph; IIIg, R  C₆H₄OMe-p) have been prepared from trans-[C₆Cl₅Ni-(PPhMe₂)₂L]ClO₄ and monosubstituted acetylenes in the presence of triethylamine, and their reactions with alcohols in the presence of perchloric acid were studied. Complexes IIIa and IIIe afforded alkoxycarbene complexes trans-[C₆Cl₅Ni-(PPhMe₂)₂{C(OR′)Me}]ClO₄ (IVa, R′  Me; IVb, R′  Et; IVc, R′  n-Pr) or trans-C₆Cl₅Ni(PPhMe₂)₂{$\text{C(CH}{}_2\text{)}{}_3\text{O}$}]ClO₄(IVd), respectively, but IIIb either decomposed or afforded trans-C₆Cl₅Ni(PPhMe₂)₂CHC(OMe)Me, depending on the amount of acid used. Treatment of IVaIVd with amines resulted in deprotonation to give α-alkoxyvinyl complexes, trans-C₆Cl₅Ni(PPhMe₂)₂C(OR′)CH₂ (VIaVIc) or trans-C₆Cl₅Ni(PPhMe₂)₂$\text{CCHCH}{}_2\text{CH}{}_2\text{O}$ (VId), the reaction being reversible. A ¹H NMR study indicated: (i) that the carbene methyl and the vinyl protons IV or VI are D-exchangeable by MeOD without catalyst; (ii) that the basicity of VIa is comparable to those of amines; (iii) that the carbene complexes IVaIVc have two isomers due to hindered rotation about the C(carbene)O bond in solution, IVb existing in the Z-form in the solid state; (iv) that the rotationalbarriers (°G^≠) about the C(carbene)O bond in IVb and the NiC-(carbene) bond in IVd are 20 (or more) and 11.7 kcal/mol, respectively. These results are explained in term of double bond character of the carbene carbon and its surrounding atoms.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of acetatobis(triphenylphosphine)dicarbonylmanganese(I), (CH3CO2)Mn(CO)2[P(C6H5)3]2: An organometallic complex containing a chelating acetate ligand

The accidental but intriguing synthesis of acetatobis(triphenylphosphine)dicarbonylmanganese(I), (CH₃CO₂)Mn(CO)₂[P(C₆H₅)₃]₂, has been accomplished by the reaction of NaMn(CO)₅ with (CH₃)₃SiCl followed by the addition of triphenylphosphine and acetic acid. A three-dimensional single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis has shown an octahedral-like molecule containing a symmetrically oxygen-chelating acetate group, the first such group to be reported in a metal carbonyl complex. The two triphenylphosphine ligands occupy mutually trans positions with the two carbonyl ligands possessing the remaining cis sites in the octahedral complex. The compound crystallizes with four molecules in a monoclinic unit cell of space group symmetry $\text{P}\text{2}{}_1\text{c}$ and of dimensions a = 17.744(2) Å, b = 9.692(1) Å, c = 20.004(2) Å, and β = 106.195(4)°. The relatively long MnO(acetate) bond lengths [2.066(6) and 2.069(7) Å] and the relatively short MnCO bond lengths [1.701(12) and 1.760(13) Å] and the relatively short MnP(C₆H₅)₃ bond lengths [2.260(3) and 2.275(3) Å], compared to the corresponding MnCO and MnP(C₆H₅)₃ bond lengths in other manganese carbonyl triphenylphosphine complexes, are rationalized on the basis that the acetate ligand in this molecule functions primarily as a σ-donor.     

Acyl-platinum(II) and -palladium(II) complexes derived from 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde derivatives. X-ray structure of [Pt(OC6H4CO) (P(p-CH3C6H4)3)2]

Platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes containing chelating acyl ligands have been synthesized from salicylaldehyde, 2-hydroxynaphthaldehyde and 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde. The platinum(II) complexes [Pt(acyl)L₂], acyl  OC₆H₄CO, OC₁₀H₆CO, O(m-CH₃OC₆H₃CO), L  tertiary phosphine, 1/2 diphenylphosphinoethane, can be isolated with both monodentate and chelating diphosphines, whereas for palladium only the compounds with chelating phosphines are readily obtainable. The reactions of [Pt(OC₆H₄CO)L₂] with HCl afford trans-[PtCl(OHC₆H₄CO)L₂], L  monodentate tertiary phosphine and cis-[PtCl(OHC₆H₄CO)L₂], L2  1,2-bis-diphenylphosphinoethane, in which the metal—carbon bond remains intact. The structure of [Pt(OC₆H₄CO)-(P(p-CH₃C₆H₄)₃)₂] has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods and found to have the expected square planar structure. Some relevant bond lengths and angles are: PtP; 2.271(4) and 2.348(5) Å; PtC; 1.96(2) Å and PtO; 2.07(1) Å; PPtP  101°, CPtO  82°.     

Palladium(II) complexes with sulphonium ylides

Keto-stabilized sulphonium ylides displace styrene and benzonitrile from their adducts with PdCl₂ to give stable $\text{2}\text{1}$ ylidePdCl₂ complexes. Evidence is given for epimeric equilibrium between trans square-planar structures of these new complexes in solution.A $\text{1}\text{1}$ ylidePdI₂ complex, obtained from dimethylsulphonium methylide, is also described.     

A series of hydridoplatinum(II) complexes stabilized with tribenzylphosphines: their preparation,and an empirical approach to the mutual influence of ligands

The preparation, IR and NMR spectra of 123 platinum hydrides of the general formula, trans-PtHX(PBz₃)₂ or trans-PtHL(PBz₃)₂BPh₄ (X = a uninegative anionic ligand, L = a neutral donor molecule, Bz = benzyl), are described. Neutral platinum hydrides have been synthesized by the reduction of trans-PtCl₂-(PBz₃)₂ with NaBH₄, by the Michaelis—Arbuzov rearrangement, or by metathesis. Cationic hydridoplatinum(II) complexes are obtained from the reaction of trans-PtHX(PBz₃)₂ (X = Cl or NO₃) with a donor molecule (L) in the presence of NaBPh₄, or by coordinating a donor molecule through use of PtH(PBz₃)₂BPh₄ · $\text{1}\text{2}$CH₂Cl₂. The observed trends in ν(PtH), τ(H), ¹J(PtH) and ¹J(PtP) in a series of the hydridobenzylphosphineplatinum(II) complexes are discussed in terms of “trans- or cis-influences”, defined as the ability of a ligand to weaken the bond trans or cis to itself. The data support the view that a donor atom trans to the hydridic ligand is important in determining the strength of the PtH bond in this series. Some remarks on the distinctive characteristics of some complexes, e.g., dissociation of coordinated cycloalkanone from platinum(II) or stereochemical non-rigidity of the sym-dimethylurea ligand, are included. Tricyclohexylphosphine analogs also have been prepared for comparison.     

Reactivity of cyclopalladated compounds: VIII. Synthesis of cyclometallated compounds with an oxygen as the donor atom. Crystal and molecular structure of (8-methylquinoline-C,N)-(1-methoxynaphthalene-8-C,O)palladium(II)

Treatment of 1-methoxynaphthalene (MXNH) with n-butyllithium in a diethyl ether/n-hexane solution gives 1-methoxynaphthalene-8-lithium (MXNLi) in 30% yield as an insoluble material. This compound reacts with PdCl₂(SEt₂)₂ to give bis(1-methoxynaphthalene-8-C,O)palladium(II) (I)_and with PtCl₂(SEt₂)₂ to give cis- and trans-(1-methoxynaphthalene-8-C,O)(1-methoxynaphthalene-8-C)(diethylsulfide)platinum(II) (II), which are non-rigid molecules in solution. With the cyclopalladated dimers [{$\text{Pd(CN}$)Cl₂}₂], MXNLi gives the palladobicyclic compounds: ($\text{N∩C)P}$$\text{d(C∩O}$) (III). An X-ray diffraction study of compound IIIa where N∩N = 8-methylquinoline-C,N reveals the planarity of the molecule, shows that it has a cis configuration with respect to the PdC bonds, and confirms that the oxygen atom of MXN is bonded to palladium: PdO 2.236(4) Å. The geometry of IIIa is maintained in solution, whereas the corresponding compounds IIIb and IIIc in which N∩C is benzo[h]quinoline-9-C,N and N,N-dimethyl-1-naphthylamine-8-C,N, respectively, appear to be mixtures of cis and trans isomers in solution. With PMe₂Ph I and II give trans-Pd(MXN)₂(PMe₂Ph)₂ and cis-Pt(MNX)₂(PMe₂Ph)₂, respectively, in which the methoxynaphthalene is bound to the metals via the 8-carbon of the naphthalene ring. Only one phosphine ligand adds to compounds IIIb and IIIc with displacement of the O → Pd bond. One carbon monoxide ligand can be added to the platinum compound II to give Pt(MXN)₂(SEt₂)CO which in solution exists as two isomers in equilibrium.     

Reactions of dimethyl- and diphenyl-mercury with dihalobis(isocyanide)palladium(II) complexes

The reaction of cis-[PdCl₂(CNR)₂] (R = Ph, p-MeC₆H₄, p-MeOC₆H₄) and trans-[PdI₂(CNPh)₂] with HgR′₂ (R′ = Me, Ph) followed by addition of PPh₃ (Pd/PPh₃, $\text{1}\text{2}$) gives complexes of the type trans- [PdX {C(=NR)C(R′)=NR}(PPh₃)₂] (X = Cl, I) I as main products. These bis(imino) compounds may result from double insertion of the coordinated isocyanides into a PdR′ σ-bond. NaBPh₄ was also found to act like HgPh₂ as a good phenylating agent towards coordinated isocyanide. The reactions of I with methanolic HClO₄ yield cationic compounds: trans- [PdX{C(NHR)C(R′)=NR}(PPh₃)₂]ClO₄; the protonated bis(imino) group may also be formulated as {C(=NR)C(R′)NHR} and a fast equilibrium between the two forms probably exists in solution. The factors influencing the reaction with HgR′₂ and spectroscopic data (IR and ¹H NMR) for the complexes are reported and discussed.     

Synthesis of ylideplatinum(II) complexes via α-functionalised alkylplatinum(II) intermediates and some comparative data on palladium(II) complexes; X-ray structure of trans-[Pt(CH2PEt3)I(PEt3)2]I

The reaction of [Pt(PEt₃)₃] with CH₂I₂ affords trans-[Pt(CH₂PEt₃)I(PEt₃)₂]I and is believed to proceed via the α-functionalised alkyl cis-[Pt(CH₂I)I(PEt₃)₂], because similar ylides are obtained from cis- or trans-[PT(CH₂X)(PPh₃)₂X] (XCl, Br, or I) with PR₃ (PEt₃, PBu₃ⁿ, PMePh₂, PEtPh₂, or PPh₃); cis-[Pd(CH₂I)-I(PPh₃)₂] does not react with excess PPh₃, but with PEt₃ yields trans-[Pd(CH₂PEt₃)I(PPh₃)₂]I; the X-ray structure of trans-[Pt(CH₂PEt₃)I(PEt₃)₂]I (current R = 0.045) shows PtP(1) 2.332(7), PtP(2) 2.341(8), PtC 2.08(2), and PtI 2.666(2) Å, and angles (a) C(1)PtI, P(1), P(2): 176.9(8), 91.6(6), 93.4(6), (b) IPtP(1), P(2): 87.1(2), 88.5(2), and (c) P(1)P(2), 166.8(3), and (d) PtC(1)P(3), 118(1)°.     

Cyclometalation at carbon adjacent to oxygen in platinum(II) and iridium(I) phosphine complexes

Heating trans-PtCl₂(t-Bu₂PCH₂OCH₃)₂ at 125°C in 2-methoxyethanol yields a cyclometalated derivative, P$\text{tCl(t-Bu}{}_2\text{PCH}{}_2\text{OCH}$₂)(t-Bu₂PCH₂OCH₃). Adding excess NaI and 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene accelerates the reaction and gives the iodide-substituted analog. Under the same conditions, trans-PtCl₂(t-Bu₂POCH₂CH₃)₂ is also metalated at the methyl carbon atom. However, the slower rate of this reaction indicates that an α-oxygen atom has an electronic accelerating effect on the metalation process. Neither t-Bu₂POCH₃ nor t-Bu₂PCH₂CH₂OCH₃ give platinum(II) cyclometalated complexes; four- or six-membered chelate ring formation appears to be unfavorable. The t-Bu₂PCH(CH₃)OCH₃ ligand also does not yield a platinum(II) metalated derivative. However, [IrCl(COT)₂]₂ (COT = cyclooctene) reacts at 25°C with both t-Bu₂PCH₂OCH₃ and t-Bu₂PCH(CH₃)OCH₃, to form iridium(III) metalated complexes by oxidative addition to the methyl CH bond. These coordinatively unsaturated compounds react with CO, yielding octahedral iridium(III) carbonyl hydride complexes.     

Structure of trans-W(C0)4(CNC6H11)(CS) and a correlation of ν(cs) frequencies with CS bond distances in metal thiocarbonyl complexes

An X-ray structural investigation of $\text{trans}$-W(C0)₄(CNC₆H₁₁)(CS) shows that the Wz.bnd;C bond distances to the 3 isoelectronic ligands increase in the order: WCS(1.944Å) < WCO(2.0645Å, average) < WCNC₆H₁(2.158Å). Using data from this molecule as well as results from other thiocarbonyl complexes reported in the literature, an excellent correlation of low ν(CS) frequencies with long CS bond distances is observed, a trend which supports current bonding theories for thiocarbonyl complexes.     

Transition metalcarbon bonds: LV. Cyclometallation and other reactions of PBut2Bui and PPh2Bui with platinum(II) and palladium(II)

The new phosphine, PBu^t₂Buⁱ (L), was prepared from Bu^t₂PCl and LiBuⁱ. PPh₂Buⁱ (L′) was prepared from Ph₂PCl and LiBuⁱ. Treatment of [PtCl₂(NCBu^t)₂] with L′ gives [PtCl₂L′₂] which does not cyclometallate even on prolonged boiling in 2-methoxyethanol. In contrast, [PtCl₂(NCBu^t)₂] reacts with PBu^t₂Buⁱ in boiling 2-methoxyethanol to give the cyclometallated complex [$\text{Pt}{}_2\text{Cl}{}_2\text{(PBu}{}^{\mathrm{t}}{}_2\text{CH}{}_2\text{-CHMeCH}$₂)₂] (II, X = Cl). The corresponding bromide, iodide and acetylacetonate were prepared. With PPh₃ II (X = Cl) gives [$\text{PtCl(PBu}{}^{\mathrm{t}}{}_2\text{CH}{}_2\text{CHMeCH}$₂)(PPh₃)] which with NaBH₄ gives [$\text{PtH(PBu}{}^{\mathrm{t}}{}_2\text{CH}{}_2\text{CHMeC}$H₂)(PPh₃)]. Na₂PdCl₄ with L (2 mol equivalents) gave trans-[PdCl₂L₂], which was converted into trans-[Pd(NCS)₂-L₂] by metathesis with KSCN. Treatment of Na₂PdCl₄ with L (1 mol equivalent) gave [Pd₂Cl₄L₂], which on heating in 2-methoxyethanol gave [$\text{Pd}{}_2\text{Cl}{}_2\text{(PBu}{}^{\mathrm{t}}{}_2\text{CH}{}_2\text{-CHMeCH}$₂)₂], as a mixture of syn- and anti-isomers. The complexes trans-[PdCl₂-L′₂] and [Pd₂Cl₄L′₂] were also prepared. ¹H- and ³¹P NMR data are given.     

Metal—metal bonding in dinuclear complexes of platinum(I). The crystal and molecular structure of carbonyl(chloro)-bis-μ-[bis(diphenylphosphino)methane]diplatinum hexafluorophosphate

The structure of [Pt₂Cl(CO) (μ-Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂)₂] [PF₆] was determined by $\text{X}$-ray methods and refined to $\text{R}$ = 0.082, using diffractometric intensities of 5646 independent reflections. The crystals are monoclinic, space group $\text{P}$2₁/$\text{n}$, $\text{a}$ = 12.919(3), $\text{b}$ = 15.576(6), $\text{c}$ = 25.151(5)Å, β = 94.82(3)°, $\text{Z}$ = 4. They are built of octahedral hexafluorophosphate anions and dinuclear platinum(I) cations. The latter contain PtCl and PtCO fragments linked to one another by a PtPt σ-bond and by two bridging bis(diphenylphosphino)methane ligands. The platinum atoms are in square planar environments and the dihedral angle between the two coordination planes is 40.1°. Selected bond lengths are: PtPt 2.620(1), PtCl 2.384(5), PtC 1.89(3) and PtP 2.291(5) – 2.308(5)Å.     

Synthesis and molecular structure of niobocene(tricarbonyl)(π-cyclopentadienyl)molybdenum with metalmetal bond and unusual coordination of carbonyl groups

(C₅H₅)₂NbBH₄ reacts with C₅H₅M(CO)₃Me in toluene solution in the presence of Et₃N to give binuclear complexes (C₅H₅)₂NbM(CO)₃C₅H₅ where M is Mo or W (IV and V, respectively). The structure of IV has been studied by X-ray diffraction (the crystals are orthorhombic, a 12.748(5), b 16.745(6), c 14.314 $\text{A/ac>}\text{?}$;; Z = 8, space group of Pbca, automatic difractometer Syntex P2_I, λ(Mo-K_α, 1382 reflections, R = 0.056, R_w = 0.058). Molecule IV contains a wedge-like sandwich (π-C₅H₅)₂Nb (NbC 2.37–2.48, CC (av) 1.42 $\text{A/ac>}\text{?}$;, angle between ring planes 49°) linked with the (π-C₅H₅)Mo(CO) fragment by a direct NbMo bond (3.073 $\text{A/ac>}\text{?}$;) and two bridging CO groups, one nonsymmetrically bonded through the carbon atom only (CO 1.17, NbC 2.53, MoC 2.02 $\text{A/ac>}\text{?}$;) and the other σ-bonded to Mo (MoC 1.944 $\text{A/ac>}\text{?}$;) and π-bonded to Nb (CO 1.22, NbC 2.22, NbO 2.26 $\text{A/ac>}\text{?}$;). Three types of carbonyl groups present in IV give rise to strong IR bands at 1870, 1700 and 1560 cm^?1 assigned to the terminal, μ-bridging and σ, π-bridging CO groups respectively. Complex IV has a similar structure. The electronic structure of IV and its dissociation across the NbMo bond are discussed.     

Decomposition reactions of square-planar bis-aryl-cobalt(II) complexes

The organocobalt complexes [CoR₂L₂], with (a) L = PEtPh₂ and R = 2,3,5,6- C₆HCl₄, 2,4,6-C₆H₂Cl₃ and 2,6-C₆H₃Cl₂; and (b) R = 2,4,6-C₆H₂Cl₃ and L = PEt₃, PEt₂Ph, $\text{1}\text{2}$ dpe, 3,5-lut and $\text{1}\text{2}$ bipy, have been obtained by reaction of RMgX with [CoCl₂L₂] or by ligand exchange from [CoR₂(PEtPh₂)₂]. The decompositions in benzene and carbon tetrachloride, and under oxidative conditions have been studied. In benzene solutions, the stability decreases with decrease in the number of chlorine atoms in R. A mixture of RH and RR is obtained in a ratio which depends on the nature of L, the configuration of the complex, and the presence of oxidants. The thermal decomposition takes place through a tricoordinate intermediate “CoR₂L”, when L = phosphine, or directly from [CoR₂L₂] when L = amine. The oxidatively induced decomposition takes place through a cobalt(III) intermediate, which gives RR when L = phosphine or RX (X = H, Br) when L = amine. The process is intramolecular in all cases.     

Bis(dimethylmetall(III)glyoximato)metallate(II) (metall(III) = Al,Ga, In,metall(II) = Ni,Pd, Pt,Cu)

When the trimethyl derivatives of aluminium, gallium and indium react with glyoximato metallates, (R₂C₂N₂(O)OH)₂Met^II (R = H, CH₃; Met^II = Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu), in a $\text{2}\text{1}$ molar ratio, 2 mol of methane are evolved and monomeric bis(dimethylmetal(III)glyoximato)metallates(II) (metal(III) = Al, Ga, In) are formed in high yields. The vibrational and NMR spectra of the new complexes were measured and were partly resolved. The X-ray structure determinations of two of these compounds show non-planar structures of approximate C_2h and C₂ symmetry, respectively, with weak metal(III)?metal(II) π-interactions.     

Unusual effects of anisotropic bonding in Cu(II) and Ni(II) oxides with K2NiF4 structure

Geometric constraints present in A₂BO₄ compounds with the tetragonal-T structure of K₂NiF₄ impose a strong pressure on the BO_IIB bonds and a stretching of the AO_IA bonds in the basal planes if the tolerance factor is $\text{t ?}\text{R}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>AO</mtext>}}\text{√2 R}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>BO</mtext>}}\text{< 1}$, where R_AO and R_BO are the sums of the AO and BO ionic radii. The tetragonal-T phase of La₂NiO₄ becomes monoclinic for Pr₂NiO₄, orthorhombic for La₂CuO₄, and tetragonal-T′ for Pr₂CuO₄. The atomic displacements in these distorted phases are discussed and rationalized in terms of the chemistry of the various compounds. The strong pressure on the BO_IIB bonds produces itinerant bands and a relative stabilization of localized d_z² orbitals. Magnetic susceptibility and transport data reveal an intersection of the Fermi energy with the d²_z² levels for half the copper ions in La₂CuO₄; this intersection is responsible for an intrinsic localized moment associated with a configuration fluctuation; below 200 K the localized moment smoothly vanishes with decreasing temperature as the d²_z² level becomes filled. In La₂NiO₄, the localized moments for half-filled d_z² orbitals induce strong correlations among the electrons above $\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>d</mtext>}}\text{? 200}\text{K}$; at lower temperatures the electrons appear to contribute nothing to the magnetic susceptibility, which obeys a Curie-Weiss law giving a μ_eff corresponding to $\text{S =}\text{1}\text{2}$, but shows no magnetic order to lowest temperatures. These surprising results are verified by comparison with the mixed systems La₂Ni_1?xCu_xO₄ and La_2?2xSr_2xNi_1?xTi_xO₄. The onset of a charge-density wave below 200 K is proposed for both La₂CuO₄ and La₂NiO₄, but the atomic displacements would be short-range cooperative in mixed systems. The semiconductor-metallic transitions observed in several systems are found in many cases to obey the relation $\text{E}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}\text{? kT}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>min</mtext>}}$, where $\text{? = ?}{}_0\text{exp}\text{(}\text{?E}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}\text{kT}\text{)}$ and T_min is the temperature of minimum resistivity ?. This relation is interpreted in terms of a diffusive charge-carrier mobility with $\text{E}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}\text{? ΔH}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>m</mtext>}}\text{? kT}$ at T = T_min.     

Binuclear platinum(I) complexes with bis(dimethylphosphino)methane ligands: evidence for both short- and long-range NMR trans-influences

The diplatinum(I) complexes or complex ions [Pt₂X₂(μ-dmpm)₂] (X = Cl or I), [Pt₂X(PPh₃)(μ-dmpm)₂]⁺] (X = I, Br or Me), and [Pt₂(PPh₃)₂(μ-dmpm)₂]²⁺, where dmpm = Me₂PCH₂PMe₂, have been prepared and characterized by ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. In the linear X-Pt-Pt-Y unit the trans-influence of X is felt primarily at the PtPt bond, but groups X having a very high trans-influence (X = H or Me) can also exert a weaker long-range trans-influence on the PtY bond.     

Preparation and properties of dinitrogen trimethylphosphine complexes of molybdenum and tungsten—II: Synthesis and crystal structures of [MCl(N2)(PMe3)4] (M = Mo,W) and trans-[MoCl2(PMe3)4]

Sodium amalgam reduction of the complexes [MCl₃(PMe₃)₃] (M = Mo, W) in tetrahydrofuran, under dinitrogen, yields dark red-brown suspensions from which red-orange crystals of composition trans-[MCl(N₂)· (PMe₃)₄] can be collected. Spectroscopic and chemical evidence indicate the compounds are best formulated as mixtures of trans-[M(N₂)₂(PMe₃)₄] and trans-[MCl₂(PMe₃)₄] species, but attempts to isolate the pure bis(dinitro derivatives have proved unsuccessful. Single crystals of analytical composition [MCl(N₂)(PMe₃)₄] have been studied by X-ray crystallography, and the structure of trans-[MoCl₂(PMe₃)₄] has been determined for comparison. trans-[MCl(N₂)(PMe₃)₄] (M = Mo, W) and trans-[MoCl₂(PMe₃)₄] are all isostructural, crystallizing in the tetragonal space group I$\text{4}$2 trans-[MoCl(N₂)(PMe₃)₄] has a = 9.597(5), b = 12.294(6) Å, D_c = 1.36g cm^?3 Z = 2 and was refined to a final R value of 0.021 based on 319 independent observed reflections. The tungsten analogue has a = 9.573(4), b = 12.278(5) Å, D_c = 1.63g cm^?3 for Z = 2 and was refined to R = 0.19 with 322 independent observed reflections. trans-[MoCl₂(PMe₃)₄] has cell parameters a = 9.675(5), b = 12.311(6) Å D_c = 1.36 g cm^?3 for Z = 2 and was refined to R = 0.043 with 316 independent observed reflections. In each case the metal atom resides on a crystallographic $\text{4}$2m position. For trans-[MoCl(N₂)(PMe₃)₄] (M = Mo, W) the chlorine and dinitrogen ligands are disordered. M-N distances of 2.08(1) ? (M = Mo) and 2.04(2) ? (M = W) and M-Cl bond lengths of 2.415(8) Å (M = Mo) and 2.46(1) Å (M = W) are observed. In trans-[MoCl₂(PMe₃)₄], where there is no disorder, the Mo-Cl distance is 2.420(6) Å.