The first metallacarborane triple-decker complexes with a bridging borole ligand

The (borole)iodide complex [(η⁵-C₄H₄BPh)RhI]₄ reacts with the carborane anion [Carb′]⁻ (Carb′ = 9-SMe₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀) giving (Carb′)Rh(η⁵-C₄H₄BPh) (2). Reactions of 2 with dicationic fragments [LM]²⁺ afford the μ-borole triple-decker complexes [(Carb′)Rh(μ-η⁵:η⁵-C₄H₄BPh)ML]²⁺ [LM = Cp^∗Ir (4), (Carb′)Rh (7)] or the arene-type complexes [(Carb′)Rh(μ-η⁵:η⁶-C₄H₄BPh)ML]²⁺ [LM = Cp^∗Rh (3), (Carb′)Ir (8)]. The structure of 4(BF₄)₂ was determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Rhodium-containing triple-decker complexes with a central borole ligand

Triple-decker complexes with a bridging borole ligand (C₄H₄BPh)Rh(μ-C₄H₄BPh)ML (ML = RuCp, 2a; RuCp^∗, 2b; FeCp^∗, 3; Co(C₄Me₄), 4; Ir(cod), 5) were synthesized by stacking reactions of [Rh(C₄H₄BPh)₂]⁻ (1) with cationic [ML]⁺ fragments. The structures of 2a,b and (C₄H₄BPh)Rh(μ-C₄H₄BPh)Rh(C₄H₄BPh) (6) were determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Dicationic triple-decker complexes with a bridging boratabenzene ligand

New dicationic triple-decker complexes with a bridging boratabenzene ligand [Cp*Fe(μ-η:η-C₅H₅BMe)ML]X₂ (ML=CoCp*, 6(CF₃SO₃)₂; RhCp, 7(BF₄)₂; IrCp, 8(CF₃SO₃)₂; Ru(η-C₆H₆), 9(CF₃SO₃)₂; Ru(η-C₆H₃Me₃-1,3,5), 10(CF₃SO₃)₂; Ru(η-C₆Me₆), 11(CF₃SO₃)₂) were synthesized by stacking reactions of Cp*Fe(η-C₅H₅BMe) (2) with the corresponding half-sandwich fragments [ML]²⁺. The structure of 10(CF₃SO₃)₂ was determined by X-ray diffraction study.     

Olefin uptake as tool for linking platinum(II) and iridium(III) in heterobinuclear complexes: Synthesis and characterization of [PtI2(Me2phen){(C5Me4CH2CH2CHCH2)Ir(Me)(CO)(Ph)}]

The ability of [PtX₂(Me₂phen)] (Me₂phen = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, X = Cl, Br, I) to act as olefin scavengers, easily giving stable trigonal bipyramidal five-coordinated platinum species [PtX₂(Me₂phen)(η²-olefin)], has been checked toward [(C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂CHCH₂)Ir(Me)(CO)(Ph)], a cyclopentadienyl complex containing an olefinic function introduced by ring methyl activation in the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl iridium(III) complex [(C₅Me₅)Ir(Me)(CO)(Ph)]. The reaction of [PtI₂(Me₂phen)] with [(C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂CHCH₂)Ir(Me)(CO)(Ph)] results in the formation of the heterometallic binuclear complex [PtI₂(Me₂phen){(C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂CHCH₂)Ir(Me)(CO)(Ph)}] which is stable and has been completely characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR spectroscopy.     

Heteroleptic platinum(II) complexes of macrocyclic thioethers and halides: the crystal structures of [Pt(9S3)Cl2], [Pt(9S3)Br2], and [Pt(9S3)I2]

The synthesis, spectroscopic, and crystal structures of three heteroleptic thioether/halide platinum(II) (Pt(II)) complexes of the general formula [Pt(9S3)X₂] (9S3=1,4,7-trithiacyclononane, X=Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻) are presented. All three 9S3/dihalo complexes form very similar structures in which the Pt(II) center is surrounded by a cis arrangement of two halides and two sulfur atoms from the 9S3 ligand. The third sulfur from the 9S3 forms a long distance interaction with the Pt center resulting in an elongated square pyramidal structure with a S₂X₂+S₁ coordination geometry. The distances between the Pt(II) center and axial sulfur shorten with larger halide ions (Cl⁻=3.260(3) Å>Br⁻=3.243(2) Å>I⁻=3.207(2) Å). These distances are consistent with the halides functioning as π donor ligands, and their Pt---S axial distances fall intermediate between Pt(II) thioether complexes involving π acceptor and σ donor ligands. The ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR chemical shift values follow a similar trend with an increased shielding of the platinum ion with larger halide ions. The 9S3 ligand is fluxional in all of these complexes, producing a single carbon resonance. Additionally, a related series of homoleptic crown thioether complexes have been studied using ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR, and there is a strong correlation between the chemical shift and complex structure. Homoleptic crown thioethers show the anticipated upfield chemical shifts with increasing number of coordinated sulfurs. Complexes containing four coordinated sulfur donors have chemical shifts that fall in the range of −4000 to −4800 ppm while a value near −5900 ppm is indicative of five coordinated sulfurs. However, for S₄ crown thioether complexes, differences in the stereochemical orientation of lone pair electrons on the sulfur donors can greatly influence the observed ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR chemical shifts, often by several hundred ppm.     

Two-electron reductive reactivity of trivalent uranium tetraphenylborate complexes of (C5Me5) and (C5Me4H)

The reductive reactivity of the (BPh₄)¹⁻ ligand in pentamethylcyclopentadienyl [(C₅Me₅)₂U][(μ-η²:η¹-Ph)₂BPh₂] (1) was compared with that of the tetramethyl analog, [(C₅Me₄H)₂U][(μ-η⁶:η¹-Ph)(μ-η¹:η¹-Ph)BPh₂] (2) using PhSSPh as a probe to determine if the mode of (BPh₄)¹⁻ bonding affected the reduction. Both complexes act as two-electron reductants to form (C₅Me₄R)₂U(SPh)₂ [R = Me, 3; H, 4], but only in the R = H case could the product be crystallographically characterized. An improved synthesis of 1 from [(C₅Me₅)₂UH]₂ (5) and [Et₃NH][BPh₄] is also reported as well as its reaction with MeCN that provides another route to the unusual, parallel-ring, uranium metallocene [(C₅Me₅)₂U(NCMe)₅][BPh₄]₂ (6).     

The development of highly selective approaches to sandwich-type heteroleptic double- and triple-decker lutetium(III) and europium(III) phthalocyanine complexes

The selective synthesis of heteroleptic (heteronuclear) sandwich-type lanthanide phthalocyanines has been accomplished. Double-decker complexes ^BuPcLnPc, and ^BuPcLnPc^Cl (Ln = Lu, Eu; ^BuPc = 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octabutylphthalocyaninate; Pc = phthalocyaninate, ^ClPc = 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octachlorophthalocyaninate) were obtained in good yields by a direct interaction of metal-free ligand ^BuPcH₂ with the monophthalocyanines PcLnOAc or ^ClPcLnOAc. Heteronuclear triple-decker phthalocyanines PcEu^RPcLu^RPc, ^ClPcEu^RPcLu^RPc and ^BuPcEu^RPcLu^RPc (^RPc = ^BuPc, ^tBuPc; ^tBuPc = 2(3),9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetra-tert-butylphthalocyaninate) were obtained from the corresponding mono-(PcEuOAc, ^ClPcEuOAc, ^BuPcEuOAc) and bisphthalocyanines (^RPc₂Lu) under similar conditions.     

Tuning the sulfur-heterometal interaction in organolead(IV) complexes of [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4]

Reactions of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with Ph₃PbCl, Ph₂PbI₂, Ph₂PbBr₂ and Me₃PbOAc result in the formation of bright yellow to orange solutions containing the cations [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄PbR₃]⁺ (R₃ = Ph₃, Ph₂I, Ph₂Br, Me₃) isolated as PF₆⁻ or BPh₄⁻ salts. In the case of the Me₃Pb and Et₃Pb systems, a prolonged reaction time results in formation of the alkylated species [Pt₂(μ-S)(μ-SR)(PPh₃)₄]⁺ (R = Me, Et). X-ray structure determinations on [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄PbMe₃]PF₆ and [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄PbPh₂I]PF₆ have been carried out, revealing different coordination modes. In the Me₃Pb complex, the (four-coordinate) lead atom binds to a single sulfur atom, while in the Ph₂PbI adduct coordination of both sulfurs results in a five-coordinate lead centre. These differences are related to the electron density on the lead centre, and indicate that the interaction of the heterometal centre with the {Pt₂S₂} metalloligand core can be tuned by variation of the heteroatom substituents. The species [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄PbR₃]⁺ display differing fragmentation pathways in their ESI mass spectra, following initial loss of PPh₃ in all cases; for R = Ph, loss of PbPh₂ occurs, yielding [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₃Ph]⁺, while for R = Me, reductive elimination of ethane gives [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₃PbMe]⁺, which is followed by loss of CH₄.     

Modeling the platinum-catalyzed intermolecular hydroamination of ethylene: The nucleophilic addition of HNEt2 to coordinated ethylene in trans-PtBr2(C2H4)(HNEt2)

Compound trans-PtBr₂(C₂H₄)(NHEt₂) (1) has been synthesized by Et₂NH addition to K[PtBr₃(C₂H₄)] and structurally characterized. Its isomer cis-PtBr₂(C₂H₄)(NHEt₂) (3) has been obtained from 1 by photolytic dissociation of ethylene, generating the dinuclear trans-[PtBr₂(NHEt₂)]₂ intermediate (2), followed by thermal re-addition of C₂H₄, but only in low yields. The addition of further Et₂NH to 1 in either dichloromethane or acetone yields the zwitterionic complex trans-Pt⁽⁻⁾Br₂(NHEt₂)(CH₂CH₂N⁽⁺⁾HEt₂) (4) within the time of mixing in an equilibrated process, which shifts toward the product at lower temperatures (ΔH° = −6.8 ± 0.5 kcal/mol, ΔS° = 14.0 ± 2.0 e.u., from a variable temperature IR study). ¹H NMR shows that free Et₂NH exchanges rapidly with H-bonded amine in a 4·NHEt₂ adduct, slowly with the coordinated Et₂NH in 1, and not at all (on the NMR time scale) with Pt-NHEt₂ or -CH₂CH₂N⁽⁺⁾HEt₂ in 4. No evidence was obtained for deprotonation of 4 to yield an aminoethyl derivative trans-[PtBr₂(NHEt₂)(CH₂CH₂NEt₂)]⁻ (5), except as an intermediate in the averaging of the diasteretopic methylene protons of the CH₂CH₂N⁽⁺⁾HEt₂ ligand of 4 in the higher polarity acetone solvent. Computational work by DFT attributes this phenomenon to more facile ion pair dissociation of 5·Et₂NH₂⁺, obtained from 4·Et₂NH, facilitating inversion at the N atom. Complex 4 is the sole observable product initially but slow decomposition occurs in both solvents, though in different ways, without observable generation of NEt₃. Addition of TfOH to equilibrated solutions of 4, 1 and excess Et₂NH leads to partial protonolysis to yield NEt₃ but also regenerates 1 through a shift of the equilibrium via protonation of free Et₂NH. The DFT calculations reveal also a more favourable coordination (stronger Pt-N bond) of Et₂NH relative to PhNH₂ to the Pt^II center, but the barriers of the nucleophilic additions of Et₂NH to the C₂H₄ ligand in 1 and of PhNH₂ to trans-PtBr₂(C₂H₄)(PhNH₂) (1a) are predicted to be essentially identical for the two systems.     

Synthesis and structures of new metallocene derivatives of lanthanides. Molecular structures of the complexes (C13H9)2Eu(THF)2 and (C5Me4H)2YbI(THF)

The divalent europium bis-fluorenyl complex (C₁₃H₉)₂Eu(THF)₂ was synthesized by the metathesis reaction of EuI₂(THF)₂ with two equivalents of fluorenylpotassium and by the protolytic substitution of the naphthalene ligand in the (C₁₀H₈)Eu(THF)₂ complex using the reaction with fluorene. According to X-ray diffraction data, the complex displays a skewed sandwich structure, in which one fluorenyl ligand is η⁵-coordinated to the metal atom, whereas the η³-coordination mode makes a great contribution to the coordination of another ligand. The (C₅Me₄H)₂YbI(THF) complex was synthesized by the reaction of YbI₃(THF)₂ with two equivalents of (C₅Me₄H)K. The structure of the complex was established by X-ray diffraction. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 530–534, March, 2008.     

Cationic rhodium tetrafluorobenzobarrelene complexes with diolefin or arene ligands,crystal structures of [Rh(TFB)(arene)] ClO4, (arene = C6Me6, C6H3Me3, C6H4Me2)

The preparation and properties of complexes of the general formulae [Rh(TFB)(diolefin)]ClO₄, [Rh(TFB)(arene)]ClO₄ and [Rh(TFB)L₂]ClO₄, (TFB = tetrafluorobenzobarrelene, L = dimethylsulfoxide and tetrahydrothiophen) are described. The crystal structures of the arene complexes (arene = C₆Me₆, C₆H₃Me₃ and C₆H₄Me₂) have been solved by X-ray methods. The three compounds crystallize in quite similar lattices: R3c, a = b = 27.122, 26.233, 25.731 and c = 17.079, 16.388, 16.256 Å, respectively. δR-plots for about 2000 reflections show the agreement in the refinements carried out up to R-values of 5%, 5% and 4% respectively. The Rh atom is coordinated to the double bonds of the TFB and to the arene ring in all three compounds, but the deviation from planarity of the arene and its relative position with respect to the TFB moiety varies.     

Bimetallic single-source precursors [M(NH3)4][Co(C2O4)2(H2O)2]·2H2O (M = Pd, Pt) for the one run synthesis of CoPd and CoPt magnetic nanoalloys

All the steps of the proposed technique, from the synthesis of single-source precursors to the preparation of CoPd and CoPt nanoalloys, are described. The double complex salts (DCS) [M(NH₃)₄][Co(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O (M = Pd, Pt), which were synthesized by mixing solutions containing [M(NH₃)₄]²⁺ cations and [Co(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁻ anions, have been used as precursors. The salts obtained were characterized by IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis, XRD and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The prepared compounds crystallize in the monoclinic (space group I2/m, M = Pd) and orthorhombic (space group I222, M = Pt) crystal systems. Thermal decomposition of the salts in helium or hydrogen atmosphere at 200-600 °C results in the formation of nanoalloys powders (random solid solution Co_0.50Pd_0.50 and chemically ordered CoPt). The size of the bimetallic particles varied from 5 to 20 nm. Order-disorder structural transformations in Co_0.50Pt_0.50 nanoalloys were studied. The magnetic properties of both chemically disordered Co_0.50Pd_0.50 and ordered CoPt clusters have also been measured.     

Synthesis and structure of mixed-metal thiolate complex Cp′Cr(CO)2(μ-SBu)Pt(PPh3)2: Side-on-coordination of Cr–S double bond with platinum

The reaction of [Cp′Cr(CO)₂(μ-SBu)]₂ (1) (Cp′ = MeC₅H₄) with (PPh₃)₂Pt(PhCCPh) gives Cp′Cr(CO)₂(μ-SBu)Pt(PPh₃)₂ (2) which could be regarded as a product of the substitution of acetylene ligand at platinum by a monomeric chromium–thiolate fragment. According to the X-ray diffraction analysis 2 contains single Cr–Pt (2.7538(15)) and Pt–S (2.294(2) Å) bonds while Cr–S bond (2.274(3) Å) is shortened in comparison with ordinary Cr–S bonds (2.4107(4)–2.4311(4) Å) in 1. The bonding between Cr–S fragment and platinum atom is similar to the olefine coordination in their platinum complexes.     

Coordination chemistry of the [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4] metalloligand with π-hydrocarbon derivatives of d ruthenium(II), osmium(II), rhodium(III) and iridium(III)

The reactivity of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] towards [RuCl₂(η⁶-arene)]₂ (arene=C₆H₆, C₆Me₆, p-MeC₆H₄Prⁱ=p-cymene), [OsCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)]₂ and [MCl₂(η⁵-C₅Me₅)]₂ (M=Rh, Ir) have been probed using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry. In all cases, dicationic products of the type [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄ML]²⁺ (L=π-hydrocarbon ligand) are observed, and a number of complexes have been prepared on the synthetic scale, isolated as their BPh₄⁻ or PF₆⁻ salts, and fully characterised. A single-crystal X-ray structure determination on the Ru p-cymene derivative confirms the presence of a pseudo-five-coordinate Ru centre. This resists addition of small donor ligands such as CO and pyridine. The reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with RuClCp(PPh₃)₂ (Cp=η⁵-C₅H₅) gives [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄RuCp]⁺. In addition, the reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with the related carbonyl complex [RuCl₂(CO)₃]₂, monitored by electrospray mass spectrometry, gives [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Ru(CO)₃Cl]⁺.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of the double cluster [Cp3Fe4(CO)4(C5H4)]2(p-C6H4)

[Cp₄Fe₄(CO)₄] (1) reacts with p-BrC₆H₄Li and MeOH in sequence to afford the functionalized cluster [Cp₃Fe₄(CO)₄(C₅H₄-p-C₆H₄Br)] (2), while the reaction of 2 with n-BuLi and MeOH produces [Cp₂Fe₄(CO)₄(C₅H₄Bu)(C₅H₄-p-C₆H₄Br)] (3). The double cluster [Cp₃Fe₄(CO)₄(C₅H₄)]₂(p-C₆H₄) (4) has been prepared by treatment of [Cp₄Fe₄(CO)₄] with p-C₆H₄Li₂ and MeOH in sequence. The electrochemistry of 2 and 4, as well as the crystal structure of 4 have been investigated.     

Formal aza-Michael additions to tropone: Addition of diverse aryl- and alkylamines to tricarbonyl(tropone)iron and [(C7H7O)Fe(CO)3]BF4

A formal aza-Michael addition to tropone by way of tricarbonyl(tropone)iron and/or the tetrafluoroborate salt formed via protonation of the complex is reported. Tricarbonyl(tropone)iron smoothly undergoes the direct aza-Michael reaction with unhindered aliphatic amines under solvent free conditions in good yields. Meanwhile, the known cationic complex [(C₇H₇O)Fe(CO)₃]BF₄ (whose reaction with a small number of nucleophiles was previously reported) undergoes addition with an even broader array of amine nucleophiles. Finally, it was discovered that protecting the aza-Michael adduct as a carbamate was necessary for oxidative demetallation of the complex.     

One-pot synthesis of the new dianionic ligand [Na]2[C5H4CO2(CH2)2NTs]; preparation and structures of two rhodium derivatives

The new dianionic ligand [Na]₂[C₅H₄CO₂(CH₂)₂NTs] (1) having an alkoxycarbonyl and an amide group in the same side chain has been prepared by a single step, high yield procedure. The synthesis of the related rhodium complexes [Rh{η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂(CH₂)₂N(H)Ts}(NBD)] (3) and [Rh{η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂ (CH₂)₂N(Me)Ts}(NBD)] (4) is reported as well as their X-ray molecular structures.     

Synthesis and characterisation of the platinum complexes [PtCl(CClPAr)(PPh3)2] and [PtCl(CClPAr′)(PPh3)2] as potential intermediates in the preparation of phosphaalkynes

Oxidative addition reactions of Cl₂CPR (R = 2,4,6-tris(trifluoromethyl)phenyl (Ar) or 2,6-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl (Ar′) with Pt(PPh₃)₄ yield the cis and trans (at platinum) complexes [PtCl(ClCPAr)(PPh₃)₂] and [PtCl(ClCPAr′)(PPh₃)₂]. All starting materials and intermediates have been characterised by NMR spectroscopy. The crystal and molecular structures of the trans-platinum complexes have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction at low temperature.     

Antimony-Carbon bond activation in a Pt(II) complex: The crystal structure of [Pt(9S3)(SbPh3)(Ph)](PF6)·CH3NO2

The complex [Pt(9S3)(SbPh₃)(Ph)](PF₆) forms directly from [Pt(9S3)(SbPh₃)₂](PF₆)₂ during the room temperature crystallization of the latter in nitromethane. The crystal structure shows a five-coordinate Pt(II) center containing the tridentate thiacrown ligand, a Sb donor from the triphenylstibine ligand, and a σ-coordinating phenyl group. The phenyl group forms via Sb-C bond cleavage from one of the SbPh₃ ligands in the bis complex.     

New heterodimetallic cyclopentadienyl carbonyl complexes: crystal structure of (C5Me4Et)(μ-CO)3Ru(C5Me5)

A series of heterodimetallic complexes of general formula (C₅R₅)M(μ-CO)₃RuC₅Me₅ (M = Cr, Mo, W; R = Me, Et) has been prepared in good yields by the reaction of [C₅R₅M(CO)₃]⁻ with [C₅Me₅Ru(CH₃CN)₃]⁺. (C₅Me₄Et)W(μ-CO)₃Ru(C₅Me₅) was characterized by a crystal structure determination. The W---Ru bond length of 2.41 Å is consistent with the formulation of a metal-metal triple bond, while the unsymmetrical bonding mode of the three bridging carbonyl groups reflects the inherent non-equivalence of the two different C₅R₅M-units. Using [CpRu(CH₃CN)₃]⁺ or [CpRu(CO)₂(CH₃CN)]⁺ as the cationic precursor leads to the formation of dimetallic species (C₅R₅)M(CO)₅RuC₅H₅ with both bridging and terminal carbonyl groups.