Uranium(VI) bis(imido) disulfonamide and dihalide complexes: Synthesis density functional theory analysis

Novel cis- and trans-bis(imido) uranium disulfonamide derivatives have been prepared from iodide metathesis reactions between two equivalents of K[N(Me)(SO₂Ar’)] (Ar’ = 4-Me-C₆H₄) and U(N^tBu)₂(I)₂(L)_x (L = OPPh₃, x = 2; Me₂bpy, x = 1; Me₂bpy = 4,4’-dimethyl-2,2’-bipyridyl). These bis(amide) derivatives serve as useful precursors for the synthesis of the trans-diphenolate complex U(N^tBu)₂(O-2-^tBuC₆H₄)₂(OPPh₃)₂ (5), cis- and trans-dithiolate complexes U(N^tBu)₂(SPh)₂(L)_x (L = OPPh₃ (6); Me₂bpy (7)), and cis- and trans-dihalide complexes with the general formulas U(N^tBu)₂(X)₂(L)_x (X = Cl, L = OPPh₃ (8), L = Me₂bpy (10); X = Br, L = OPPh₃ (9), L = Me₂bpy (11)). DFT calculations performed on the trans-dihalide series U(N^tBu)₂(X)₂(L)₂ and the UO₂²⁺ analogues UO₂X₂(OPPh₃)₂ suggest that the uranium centers in the [U(N^tBu)₂]²⁺ ions possess more covalent character than analogous UO₂²⁺ derivatives but that the U-X bonds in the U(N^tBu)₂X₂L₂ complexes possess a more ionic nature.     

Dinuclear ruthenium(I) complexes of the type [Ru2(CO)4L2] with carboxylate or 2-pyridonate ligands: Evaluation as catalysts for olefin cyclopropanation with diazoacetates

Dinuclear ruthenium(I,I) carboxylate complexes [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-OOCR)₂]_n (R = CH₃ (1a), C₃H₇ (1b), H (1c), CF₃ (1d)) and 2-pyridonate complex [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-2-pyridonate)₂]_n (3) catalyze efficiently the cyclopropanation of alkenes with methyl diazoacetate. High yields are obtained with terminal nucleophilic alkenes (styrene, ethyl vinyl ether, α-methylstyrene), medium yields with 1-hexene, cyclohexene, 4,5-dihydrofuran and 2-methyl-2-butene. The E-selectivity of the cyclopropanes obtained from the monosubstituted alkenes and the cycloalkenes decreases in the order 1b > 1a > 1d > 1c. The cyclopropanation of 2-methyl-2-butene is highly syn-selective. Several complexes of the type [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-L¹)₂]₂ (4) and (5), [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-L¹)₂L²] (L² = CH₃OH, PPh₃) (6)–(9) and [Ru₂(CO)₄(CH₃CN)₂(μ-L¹)₂] (10) and (11), where L¹ is a 6-chloro- or 6-bromo-2-pyridonate ligand, are also efficient catalysts. Compared with catalyst 3, a halogen substituent at the pyridonate ligand affects the diastereoselectivity of cyclopropanation only slightly.     

Synthesis and structure of a tungsten dichlorosilyl dihydride complex

The reaction of the donor-stabilized silylene complex cis-Cp¹(CO)₂(H)WSiHPh · THF (3, Cp¹ = η⁵-C₅Me₅) with LiAlH₄ followed by the protonation of the resulting Li[Cp¹(CO)₂W(H)(SiH₂Ph)] (4) with excess CF₃COOH afforded the trihydride complex Cp¹(CO)₂WH₃ (6). The structure of 6 was characterized using variable-temperature NMR studies and X-ray crystal analysis. Deprotonation of 6 with KH gave the anionic dihydride complex K[Cp¹(CO)₂WH₂] (7), which was converted into the dichlorosilyl dihydride complex Cp¹(CO)₂W(H)₂(SiHCl₂) (8) on treatment with trichlorosilane. The X-ray crystal analysis of 8 revealed that it adopts a distorted pseudo-octahedral structure with a short W–Si bond, long Si–Cl bonds, and short contacts between the hydrides and silicon atom. Along with these structural features, the conformation of the silyl ligand around the W–Si bond may suggest the presence of a double interligand hypervalent interaction between the dichlorosilyl and hydrides ligands.     

Reaction of isocyanides with iminophosphorane-based carbene ligands: Synthesis of unprecedented ketenimine–ruthenium complexes

The RuC bond of the bis(iminophosphorano)methandiide-based ruthenium(II) carbene complexes [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(κ²-C,N-C[P{NP(O)(OR)₂}Ph₂]₂)] (R = Et (1), Ph (2)) undergoes a C–C coupling process with isocyanides to afford ketenimine derivatives [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(κ³-C,C,N-C(CNR′)[P{NP(O)(OR)₂}Ph₂]₂)] (R = Et, R′ = Bz (3a), 2,6-C₆H₃Me₂ (3b), Cy (3c); R = Ph, R′ = Bz (4a), 2,6-C₆H₃Me₂ (4b), Cy (4c)). Compounds 3–4a–c represent the first examples of ketenimine–ruthenium complexes reported to date. Protonation of 3–4a with HBF₄ · Et₂O takes place selectively at the ketenimine nitrogen atom yielding the cationic derivatives [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(κ³-C,C,N-C(CNHBz)[P{NP(O)(OR)₂}Ph₂]₂)][BF₄] (R = Et (5a), Ph (6a)).     

Spectroscopic,Electrochemical and Computational Characterisation of Ru Species Involved in Catalytic Water Oxidation: Evidence for a [RuV(O)(Py2Metacn)] Intermediate

A new family of ruthenium complexes based on the N‐pentadentate ligand Py₂^Metacn (N‐methyl‐N′,N′′‐bis(2‐picolyl)‐1,4,7‐triazacyclononane) has been synthesised and its catalytic activity has been studied in the water‐oxidation (WO) reaction. We have used chemical oxidants (ceric ammonium nitrate and NaIO₄) to generate the WO intermediates [Ru^II(OH₂)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺, [Ru^III(OH₂)(Py₂^Metacn)]³⁺, [Ru^III(OH)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺ and [Ru^IV(O)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺, which have been characterised spectroscopically. Their relative redox and pH stability in water has been studied by using UV/Vis and NMR spectroscopies, HRMS and spectroelectrochemistry. [Ru^IV(O)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺ has a long half‐life (>48 h) in water. The catalytic cycle of WO has been elucidated by using kinetic, spectroscopic, ¹⁸O‐labelling and theoretical studies, and the conclusion is that the rate‐determining step is a single‐site water nucleophilic attack on a metal‐oxo species. Moreover, [Ru^IV(O)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺ is proposed to be the resting state under catalytic conditions. By monitoring Ce^IV consumption, we found that the O₂ evolution rate is redox‐controlled and independent of the initial concentration of Ce^IV. Based on these facts, we propose herein that [Ru^IV(O)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺ is oxidised to [Ru^V(O)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺ prior to attack by a water molecule to give [Ru^III(OOH)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺. Finally, it is shown that the difference in WO reactivity between the homologous iron and ruthenium [M(OH₂)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺ (M=Ru, Fe) complexes is due to the difference in the redox stability of the key M^V(O) intermediate. These results contribute to a better understanding of the WO mechanism and the differences between iron and ruthenium complexes in WO reactions.     

Electronic characteristics of an extensive series of ruthenium complexes with the non-innocent o-benzoquinonediimine ligand: A pedagogical approach

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are carried out on an extensive series of ruthenium complexes with the non-innocent (redox active) o-benzoquinonediimine (bqdi) ligand, namely [Ru(WXYZ)(bqdi)]ⁿ⁺ where WXYZ are a range of spectator ligands including ammonia, phosphines, 2,2′-bipyridine, 2,2′,2″-terpyridine, carbon monoxide, water, halide, acetonitrile, triazacyclononane, nitrosyl, cyclam, etc. In addition, a smaller series, Ru(acac)₂(R-bqdi) is explored, where acac = 2,4-pentanedionate, and R = H, Cl, Me, NO₂ and N-SO₂Me. A range of properties including Mulliken and Natural population analysis (NPA) charges, Mayer bond orders (Ru–N, CN, CC, etc.), net σ-donation and net π-back donation, and percentage Ru 4dπ in the LUMO, are derived and correlated with experimental properties including oxidation and reduction potentials and ligand electrochemical parameters, E_L(L). The various properties are understood in terms of the primary involvement of π-back donation to the π*-LUMO of bqdi. Net π-back donation is derived from the contribution of the π*-LUMO (and higher virtual orbitals) of bqdi, to filled molecular orbitals of the complex. The question of whether these species should be considered exclusively as being represented as [Ru^IIL₄(bqdi)] or [Ru^IIIL₄(sqdi)] (sqdi = o-benzosemiquinonediimine) is briefly considered and evidence presented for the former electronic structure. This is written as a pedagogical treatise rather than a detailed research discussion of the electronic properties of these molecules.     

Reactions of trans-[RuCl2(CO)2(PEt3)2] with 1,1-dithiolates: Stepwise formation of cis-[Ru(CO)(PEt3)(S2X)] (X = CNMe2, CNEt2, COEt,P(OEt)2, PPh2)

Trans-[RuCl₂(CO)₂(PEt₃)₂] reacts with two equivalents of a series of 1,1-dithiolate ligands to form the bis(dithiolate) complexes, cis-[Ru(CO)(PEt₃)(S₂X)₂] (X = CNMe₂, CNEt₂, COEt, P(OEt)₂, PPh₂). Two intermediates have been isolated; trans-[Ru(PEt₃)₂Cl(CO){S₂P(OEt)₂}] and trans-[Ru(PEt₃)₂(CO)(η¹-S₂COEt)(η²-S₂COEt)], allowing a simple reaction scheme to be postulated involving three steps; (i) initial replacement of cis carbonyl and chloride ligands, (ii) substitution of the second chloride, (iii) loss of a phosphine. Thermolysis of cis-[Ru(CO)(PEt₃)(S₂CNMe₂)₂] with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ in xylene affords trinuclear [Ru₃(μ₃-S)₂(PEt₃)(CO)₈] as a result of dithiocarbamate degradation. Crystal structures of cis-[Ru(CO)(PEt₃)(S₂X)₂] (X = NMe₂, COEt), trans-[Ru(PEt₃)₂Cl(CO){S₂P(OEt)₂}], trans-[Ru(PEt₃)₂(CO)(η¹-S₂COEt)(η²-S₂COEt)] and [Ru₃(μ₃-S)₂(PEt₃)(CO)₈] are reported.     

Carbonyl and nitrosyl diruthenium compounds: Crystal structure of [Ru2(O2CMe)(DPhF)3(CO)]BF4 · CH2Cl2 and its isomorphous nitrosyl analogue

The reaction of [Ru₂(O₂CMe)(DPhF)₃(H₂O)]BF₄ (DPhF = N,N′-diphenylformamidinate) with CO gas leads to [Ru₂(O₂CMe)(DPhF)₃(CO)]BF₄ (1), that is the first isolated carbonyl complex containing the Ru₂⁵⁺ unit. The nitrosyl analogue [Ru₂(O₂CMe)(DPhF)₃(NO)]BF₄ (2) is prepared by reaction of Ru₂Cl(O₂CMe)(DPhF)₃ with NOBF₄. However, the attempts to obtain the cyanide derivative by reaction of Ru₂Cl(O₂CMe)(DPhF)₃ or [Ru₂(O₂CMe)(DPhF)₃(H₂O)]BF₄ with NaCN were unsuccessful. The structure of compounds 1 · CH₂Cl₂ and 2 · CH₂Cl₂ are described. Both compounds are isomorphous. The magnetic measurements at variable temperature demonstrate that 1 is paramagnetic with one unpaired electron in all range of temperature, in contrast to the three unpaired electrons usually present in Ru₂⁵⁺ complexes. The analogous nitrosyl compound 2 is diamagnetic.     

Diruthenium compounds of heterocycle-containing acetylides

Novel diruthenium compounds containing heterocycle-acetylide are reported here. Ru₂(Y-DMBA)₄(CC-2-pyrimidine)₂ were prepared from the reaction between Ru₂(Y-DMBA)₄(NO₃)₂ and HCC-2-pyrimidine in the presence of Et₂NH, where Y-DMBA is either N,N′-dimethylbenzamidinate (DMBA, Y = H) or N,N′-dimethyl-(3-methoxy)benzamidinate (Y = 3-CH₃O). Ru₂(Y-DMBA)₄(CC-4-N-methylpyridinium)₂ were obtained through the methylation of known compounds Ru₂(Y-DMBA)₄(CC-4-pyridine)₂. Both the structural and voltammetric data are consistent with the heterocycles being moderate electron acceptors.     

Homogeneous [RuIII(Me3tacn)Cl3]‐Catalyzed Alkene cis‐Dihydroxylation with Aqueous Hydrogen Peroxide

A simple and green method that uses [Ru(Me₃tacn)Cl₃] ( 1 ; Me₃tacn=N,N′,N′′‐trimethyl‐1,4,7‐triazacyclononane) as catalyst, aqueous H₂O₂ as the terminal oxidant, and Al₂O₃ and NaCl as additives is effective in the cis‐dihydroxylation of alkenes in aqueous tert‐butanol. Unfunctionalized alkenes, including cycloalkenes, aliphatic alkenes, and styrenes (14 examples) were selectively oxidized to their corresponding cis‐diols in good to excellent yield (70–96 %) based on substrate conversions of up to 100 %. The preparation of cis‐1,2‐cycloheptanediol (119 g, 91 % yield) and cis‐1,2‐cyclooctanediol (128 g, 92 % yield) from cycloheptene and cyclooctene, respectively, on the 1‐mol scale can be achieved by scaling up the reaction without modification. Results from Hammett correlation studies on the competitive oxidation of para‐substituted styrenes (ρ=?0.97, R=0.988) and the detection of the cycloadduct [(Me₃tacn)ClRuHO₂(C₈H₁₄)]⁺ by ESI‐MS for the 1 ‐catalyzed oxidation of cyclooctene to cis‐1,2‐cyclooctanediol are similar to those of the stoichiometric oxidation of alkenes by cis‐[(Me₃tacn)(CF₃CO₂)Ru^VIO₂]⁺ through [3+2] cycloaddition (W.‐P. Yip, W.‐Y. Yu, N. Zhu, C.‐M. Che, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005 , 127, 14239).     

Cationic organoiron mixed-sandwich hydrazine complexes: Reactivity toward aldehydes,ketones, β-diketones and dioxomolybdenum complexes

This review covers comprehensively the authors work during the present decade based on the chemistry of ionic organometallic hydrazines formulated as [(η⁵-Cp′)Fe(η⁶-Ar-NHNH₂)]⁺PF₆^? (Cp′ = C₅H₅, C₅Me₅; Ar = aryl), that could be considered as a new generation of hydrazines owing to the changes provoked by the coordination of the 12-electron Cp′Fe⁺ fragment both in the electronic properties of the aromatic ring and in the hydrazine group. The reactivity of this new class of hydrazine is obviously centered, as in the classic Fischer's organohydrazines, Ar-NHNH₂, on the –NHNH₂ functional unit which is able to react with aldehydes, RCH(O) (R = alkyl, aryl, ferrocenyl (Fc)) and ketones, RR′CO (R = alkyl, aryl; R′ = alkyl, aryl, Fc), to afford ionic organometallic hydrazones. Likewise, the mixed-sandwich hydrazine precursors react with β-diketones Me–C(O)–CH₂–C(O)–Me to afford ionic organometallic pyrazoles, and with cis-dioxo-molybdenum complexes, e.g. [MoO₂(S₂CNEt₂)₂], to afford ionic organometallic mono-organodiazenido complexes in which the two metal centers are connected by a μ,η⁶:η¹-aryldiazenido bridge. While some ionic hydrazones exhibit NLO properties, the ionic organodiazenido hybrid complexes exhibit charge-transfer features.     

Syntheses,characterisation and solid state thermal studies of 1-(2-aminoethyl)piperidine (L), 1-(2-aminoethyl)pyrrolidine (L′) and 4-(2-aminoethyl)morpholine (L″) complexes of nickel(II): X-ray single crystal structure analyses of trans-[NiL2(CH3CN)2](ClO4)2, trans-[NiL2(NCS)2] and trans-[NiL″2(NCS)2]

Reactions of nickel(II) salts with substituted ethane-1,2-diamine where one of the amine nitrogens is a part of a flexible cyclic ring, e.g. 1-(2-aminoethyl)piperidine (L), 1-(2-aminoethyl)pyrrolidine (L′) and 4-(2-aminoethyl)morpholine (L″) produce a number of complexes of the type: (i) Ni(AA)₂X₂ (where X=CF₃CO₂ ⁻, SCN⁻ and NO₂ ⁻; AA represents L/L′/L″); (ii) Ni(AA)₂(CH₃CN)₂X₂ (X=ClO₄ ⁻ and NO₃ ⁻); (iii) Ni(AA)₂(H₂O)₂X₂ (X=CF₃SO₃ ⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻ and I⁻); and (iv) Ni(AA)₂(H₂O)₄X₂ (X=0.5SO₄ ²⁻, 0.5SeO₄ ²⁻ and CF₃SO₃ ⁻). The complexes possess octahedral geometry. The major complexes upon desolvation retain trans-geometry, some of which are cis with respect to the counter-anion and a few of them are square planar. X-ray single crystal structure analyses of trans-[NiL₂(CH₃CN)₂](ClO₄)₂, trans-[NiL₂(NCS)₂] (violet) and trans-[NiL″₂(NCS)₂] (sky-blue) have been done. The violet and sky-blue thiocyanato species have blue and green coloured isomers, respectively, and these pairs of isomers are proposed to be conformational isomers. Solid state thermal investigation of the complexes has been carried out. The complexes show thermochromism due to deaquation–anation/deaquation reaction/change of conformation. Only [NiL₂](ClO₄)₂, [NiL′₂(CF₃CO₂)₂] and [NiL″₂(NO₂)₂] undergo thermally induced phase transition. The effect of flexible ring size on diamine has been discussed.     

Long-distance electronic interaction in a molecular wire consisting of a ferrocenyl–ethynyl unit bridging two [(η5-C5H5)(dppe)M] metal centers

Several multinuclear ferrocenyl–ethynyl complexes of formula [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(dppe)M^II?CC–(fc)_n–CC–M^II(dppe)(η⁵-C₅H₅)] (fc = ferrocenyl; dppe = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂; 1: M^II = Ru²⁺, n = 1; 2: M^II = Ru²⁺, n = 2; 3: M^II = Ru²⁺, n = 3; 4: M^II = Fe²⁺, n = 2; 5: M^II = Fe²⁺, n = 3) were studied. Structural determinations of 2 and 4 confirm the ferrocenyl group directly linked to the ethynyl linkage which is linked to the pseudo-octahedral [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(dppe)M] metal center. Complexes of 1–5 undergo sequential reversible oxidation events from 0.0 V to 1.0 V referred to the Ag/AgCl electrode in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ solution and the low-potential waves have been assigned to the end-capped metallic centers. The solid-state and solution-state electronic configurations in the resulting oxidation products of [1]⁺ and [2]²⁺ were characterized by IR, X-band EPR spectroscopy, and UV–Vis at room temperature and 77 K. In [1]⁺ and [2]²⁺, broad intervalence transition band near 1600 nm is assigned to the intervalence transition involving photo-induced electron transfer between the Ru³⁺ and Fe²⁺ metal centers, indicating the existence of strong metal-to-metal interaction. Application of Hush’s theoretical analysis of intervalence transition band to determine the nature and magnitude of the electronic coupling between the metal sites in complexes [1]⁺ and [2]²⁺ is also reported. Computational calculations reveal that the ferrocenyl–ethynyl-based orbitals do mix significantly with the (η⁵-C₅H₅)(dppe)Ru metallic orbitals. It clearly appears from this work that the ferrocenyl–ethynyl spacers strongly contribute in propagating electron delocalization.     

Palladium(II) complexes with the new P,N-type ligand (2-oxazoline-2-ylmethyl)di-isopropylphosphine as intermediates in CO/ethylene or CO/methyl acrylate insertion

The ligand (i-Pr)₂PCH₂(oxazoline) (1a), of the P,N-donor type, was reacted with [PdMeCl(COD)] to yield the square planar methylpalladium(II) complex [PdClMe(P,N)] (P,N = 1a) (2a), from which the complex [PdMe(P,N)OTf] (OTf = OSO₂CF₃) (3a) was obtained by AgOTf-promoted chloride abstraction. The alkyl complexes

(P,N = 1a) (5a, R = H; 7a, R = C(O)OMe) have been isolated from the initial CO/ethylene or CO/methyl acrylate insertion steps into the Pd–Me bond of 3a, respectively, and spectroscopically characterized. Complexes 2a, 3a and 7a have been fully characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 7a is still a rare example of a structurally characterized CO/methyl acrylate stepwise insertion product. These complexes are relevant to the alternating copolymerization of olefins and carbon monoxide catalyzed by palladium complexes. In addition, the centrosymmetric dinuclear complex trans-[Pd(μ-Cl){(i-Pr)₂PCH₂(oxazoline)}]₂(OTf)₂ (6) has been obtained and characterized by X-ray diffraction; it appears to be the first dinuclear complex of the type [Pd(μ-Cl)(P,N)]₂ to be characterized by X-ray crystallography.

Résumé

Le ligand (i-Pr)₂PCH₂(oxazoline) (1a), de type donneur P,N, réagit avec [PdClMe(COD)] pour former le complexe plan carré méthylpalladium(II) [PdClMe(P,N)] (P,N = 1a) (2a), à partir duquel le complexe [PdMe(P,N)OTf] (OTf = OSO₂CF₃) (3a) a été obtenu par abstraction de chlorure à l'aide de AgOTf. Les complexes alkyles

(P,N = 1a) (5a, R = H; 7a, R = C(O)OMe), ont été isolés lors des premières étapes d'insertion de CO/éthylène ou de CO/acrylate de méthyle, respectivement, dans la liaison Pd–Me de 3a, et caractérisés par méthodes spectroscopiques. Les complexes 2a, 3a et 7a ont été complètement caractérisés par diffraction des rayons X sur monocristal. Le complexe 7a est un exemple encore rare de produit d'insertion par étapes de CO/acrylate de méthyle qui ait été caractérisé structuralement. Ces complexes sont pertinents pour la copolymérisation alternée d'oléfines et de monoxyde de carbone catalysée par les complexes du palladium. En outre, le complexe dinucléaire centrosymétrique trans-[Pd(μ-Cl){(i-Pr)₂PCH₂(oxazoline)}]₂(OTf)₂ (6) a été obtenu et caractérisé par diffraction des rayons X; il s'agit du premier complexe dinucléaire de type [Pd(μ-Cl)(P,N)]₂ à être caractérisé par diffraction des rayons X.     

Olefin metathesis for metal incorporation: Preparation of conjugated ruthenium-containing complexes and polymers

Olefin Metathesis for Metal Incorporation (OMMI) was used for the stoichiometric attachment of ruthenium to both small and large polyenes. The dinuclear complexes (PCy₃)₂C1₂RuCH(CHCH)_nCHRu(PCy₃)₂Cl₂ (n = 1, 2), were prepared by reacting 2 equiv. of the Grubbs first-generation catalyst (PCy₃)₂C1₂Ru(CHPh)) with 1 equiv. of the appropriate polyene (1,3,5-hexatriene for n = 1 and 1,3,5,7-octatetraene for n = 2). Use of excess hexatriene led to the formation of the monoruthenium complex (PCy₃)₂C1₂RuCHCH CHCHCH₂. The mono- and di-ruthenium complexes exhibited marked differences in their spectroscopic and electrochemical properties, in addition to their Z–E isomerization rates. Nucleophilic attack of PCy₃ on the end CH₂ of the mono complex was observed, leading to both isomerization and phosphonium products. Extending the OMMI strategy to the second-generation catalyst was also done, despite the reduced initiation rate. The more reactive catalyst (H₂IMes)RuCl₂(CHPh)(3-bromopyridine)₂ allowed for ruthenium incorporation into polyacetylene, leading to the formation of polymers and oligomers with high ruthenium content.     

Synthesis and characterisation of the water soluble bis-phosphine complex [Ru(η6-cymene)(PPh2(o-C6H4O)-κ2-P,O)(pta)]+ and an investigation of its cytotoxic effects

Metal complexes bearing phosphine ligands are attracting increasing attention for their applications in medicinal chemistry. In particular, organometallic ruthenium-phosphine complexes have been found to exhibit promising antitumour activity. The synthesis, anticancer activity and reactivity of a novel bis-phosphine complex, [Ru(η⁶-cymene)(PPh₂(o-C₆H₄O)-κ²-P,O)(pta)]Cl (pta = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.1.]decane), is presented. The complex appears to exhibit its anticancer effect via a different mechanism to other ruthenium-arene pta complexes with labile co-ligands.     

Reaction of [Ru3(CO)12] with tri(2-furyl)phosphine: Di- and tri-substituted triruthenium and phosphido-bridged diruthenium complexes

Reaction of [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] with tri(2-furyl)phosphine, P(C₄H₃O)₃, at 40 °C in the presence of a catalytic amount of Na[Ph₂CO] furnishes two triruthenium complexes [Ru₃(CO)₁₀{P(C₄H₃O)₃}₂] (1) and [Ru₃(CO)₉{P(C₄H₃O)₃}₃] (2) with the ligand coordinated through the phosphorus atom. Treatment of 1 and 2 with Me₃NO at 40 °C affords the dinuclear phosphido-bridged complexes [Ru₂(CO)₆(μ-η¹,η²-C₄H₃O){μ-P(C₄H₃O)₂}] (3) and [Ru₂(CO)₅(μ-η¹,η²-C₄H₃O){μ-P(C₄H₃O)₂}{P(C₄H₃O)₃}] (4), respectively, that are formed via phosphorus–carbon bond cleavage of a coordinated phosphine followed by coordination of the dissociated furyl moiety to the diruthenium center in a σ,π-alkenyl mode. Reaction of [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] with tri(2-furyl)phosphine in refluxing benzene gives, in addition to 3 and 4, low yields of the cyclometallated complex [Ru₃(CO)₉{μ-η¹,η¹-P(C₄H₃O)₂(C₄H₂O)}₂] (5). Treatment of 3 with EPh₃ (E = P, As, Sb) at room temperature yields the monosubstituted derivatives [Ru₂(CO)₅(μ-η¹,η²-C₄H₃O){μ-P(C₄H₃O)₂}(EPh₃)] (E = P, 8; E = As, 9; E = Sb, 10). Similar reactions of 3 with P(C₄H₃O)₃, P(OMe)₃ and Bu^tNC yield 4, [Ru₂(CO)₅(μ-η¹,η²-C₄H₃O){μ-P(C₄H₃O)₂}{P(OMe)₃}] (11) and [Ru₂(CO)₅(μ-η¹,η²-C₄H₃O){μ-P(C₄H₃O)₂}(NCBu^t)] (12), respectively. The molecular structures of complexes 3, 4 and 8 have been elucidated by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Each complex contains a bridging σ,π-alkenyl group and while in 4 the phosphine is bound to the σ-coordinated metal atom, in 8 it is at the π-bound atom. Protonation of 3 and 4 gives the hydride complexes [(μ-H)Ru₂(CO)₆(μ-η¹,η²-C₄H₃O){μ-P(C₄H₃O)₂}]⁺ (6) and [(μ-H)Ru₂(CO)₅(μ-η¹,η²-C₄H₃O){μ-P(C₄H₃O)₂}{P(C₄H₃O)₃}]⁺ (7), respectively, while heating 3 with dimethylacetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) in refluxing toluene gives the cyclotrimerization product, C₆(CO₂Me)₆.     

Models of the iron-only hydrogenase: Synthesis and protonation of bridge and chelate complexes [Fe2(CO)4{Ph2P(CH2)nPPh2}(μ-pdt)] (n = 2–4) – evidence for a terminal hydride intermediate

Reactions of [Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-pdt)] (pdt = SCH₂CH₂CH₂S) and diphosphines, Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂ (n = 2–4) and trans-Ph₂PCHCHPPh₂, have been carried out under different conditions. For all, at room temperature in MeCN with added Me₃NO·2H₂O the diphosphine-linked complexes [{Fe₂(CO)₅(μ-pdt)}₂(μ,κ¹,κ¹-diphosphine)] result. For trans-Ph₂PCHCHPPh₂ this is the only product under all conditions. It has been crystallographically characterised revealing a C₂ symmetric structure with apical substitution at the diiron centres. In refluxing toluene, reactions with dppe and dppp lead to the formation of a mixture of diphosphine-bridged and chelate isomers [Fe₂(CO)₄(μ-diphosphine)(μ-pdt)] and [Fe₂(CO)₄(κ²-diphosphine)(μ-pdt)], respectively, while with dppb the bridged complex [Fe₂(CO)₄(μ-dppb)(μ-pdt)] is the only product. In MeCN at 60–70 °C (with added Me₃NO·2H₂O) similar products result although the ratios differ providing evidence for the conversion of chelate to bridge isomers. Three complexes, [Fe₂(CO)₄(μ-dppe)(μ-pdt)], [Fe₂(CO)₄(κ²-dppp)(μ-pdt)] and [Fe₂(CO)₄(μ-dppb)(μ-pdt)], have been crystallographically characterised and are compared to the previously reported dppm (n = 1) complexes [Fe₂(CO)₄(μ-dppm)(μ-pdt)] and [Fe₂(CO)₄(κ²-dppm)(μ-pdt)]. Diphosphine-bridged complexes are structurally superficially similar although significant differences are noted in some key bond lengths and angles, while chelate complexes [Fe₂(CO)₄(κ²-dppp)(μ-pdt)] and [Fe₂(CO)₄(κ²-dppm)(μ-pdt)] differ in adopting basal–apical and dibasal coordination geometries, respectively, in the solid state. A number of protonation studies have been carried out. Addition of HBF₄·Et₂O to [Fe₂(CO)₄(μ-dppe)(μ-pdt)] affords a bridging hydride complex with poor stability, while in contrast with [Fe₂(CO)₄(μ-dppb)(μ-pdt)] the stable hydride [(μ-H)Fe₂(CO)₄(μ-dppb)(μ-pdt)][BF₄] results. This difference is partially ascribed to the greater flexibility of the diphosphine backbone in dppb. With [Fe₂(CO)₄(κ²-dppp)(μ-pdt)] the bridging hydride complex [(μ-H)Fe₂(CO)₄(κ²-dppp)(μ-pdt)][BF₄] is the final product, in which the diphosphine occupies two basal sites. Monitoring by NMR at low temperature shows the initial formation of a terminal hydride, which rapidly rearranges to a bridged isomer in which the diphosphine adopts a basal–apical geometry and this in turn rearranges in a slower process to the dibasal isomer. This behavior is similar to that recently communicated for [Fe₂(CO)₄(κ²-dppe)(μ-pdt)]. [S. Ezzaher, J.-F. Capon, F. Gloaguen, F.Y. Pétillon, P. Schollhammer, J. Talarmin, R. Pichon, N. Kervarec, Inorg. Chem. 46 (2007) 3426–3428.]     

Synthesis and magneto-optical properties of a series of bis(β-diketonato) Co(II) complexes with imino nitroxide radical chelate

A series of bis(4,4,4-trifluoro-1-R-1,3-butanedinato) Co(II) complexes with imino nitroxide radical(IM2py), [Co(Rtfc)₂(IM2py)] (R = trifluoromethyl, phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl), was prepared and characterized by the X-ray analysis which demonstrated the stereospecific formation of the trans(CF₃)-isomer with the trans disposition of the CF₃ groups. The significant substituents effect on the UV–Vis spectra and magnetic properties were discussed in consideration of the inversion of the d_π(t_2g) orbital levels leading to the orbital orthogonality or overlap with the SOMOπ¹ of IM2py in terms of the AOM parametrizations or spin-paring energy.