Synthesis of 1,2- bis (2′-ethynylpyrimidyl) benzene and characterization of the coordination complexes with palladium(II) chloride and silver(I) trifluoromethanesulfonate

Design, synthesis and coordination chemistry of a new trans-coordinating dipyrimidyl ligand are reported. Sonogashira coupling of 2-iodopyrimidine with 1,2-diethynylbenzene yielded the ligand 1,2-bis(2′-ethynylpyrimidyl)benzene (3), in good yield. Coordination complexes were formed with silver(I) and palladium(II) salts. The X-ray crystallographic characterization of the 1?:?1 complex formed between palladium(II) dichloride and 3, and the 4?:?2 complex formed between silver(I) trifluoromethanesulfonate and 3 are reported.     

Silver(I) 3-D-supramolecular coordination frameworks constructed by the combination of coordination bonds and supramolecular interactions

Room temperature reactions of the ternary adducts of AgNO₃, bipodal ligand [4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy) or trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (tbpe) or 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpe)] and organic ligand [4-aminobenzoic acid (4-aba) or 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-hba) or terephthalate ion (tph)] afford new 3-D supramolecular coordination polymers (SCPs), namely, {[Ag(4,4′-bpy) · H₂O](4-ab) · 2H₂O} (1), {[Ag(tbpe)]0.5(4-hb) · 3H₂O} (2), [Ag₂(L)₂ · (tph)] (L = 4,4′-bpy, tbpe) (3,4) and {[Ag₂(bpe)₂ · (tph)] · 2H₂O} (5). The bipodal ligand coordinates to silver forming a 1-D cationic chain (A), while the organic ligand and solvent form a 1-D anionic chain (B) via hydrogen bonds. The chains construct layers which are connected via hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking forming a 3-D network structure. The presence of the carboxylate, amino and hydroxyl groups in the organic ligands significantly extend the dimensionality via hydrogen bonds. All the SCPs 1–5 exhibit strong luminescence.     

Metal complexes of a phenol-tailed porphyrin with different hydrogen bonds

Hydrogen bonds are very common and important interactions in biological systems, they are used to control the microenvironment around metal centers. It is a challenge to develop appropriate models for studying hydrogen bonds. We have synthesized two metal complexes of the phenol-tailed porphyrin, [Zn(HL)] and [Fe(HL)(C₆H₄(OH)(O))]. X-ray crystallography reveals that the porphyrin functions as a dianion HL^2? and the phenol OH is involved in hydrogen bonds in both structures. In [Zn(HL)], an intramolecular hydrogen bond is formed between the carbonyl oxygen and OH. In [Fe(HL)(C₆H₄(OH)(O))], the unligated O(5) of the ligand is involved in two hydrogen bonds, as a hydrogen bond donor and a hydrogen bond acceptor. The overall electronic effect on the ligand could be very small, with negligible impact on the structure and the spin state of iron(III). The structural differences caused by the hydrogen bonds are also discussed.     

Syntheses,Crystal Structures and Cytotoxities of Silver (I) Complexes of 2,2′‐Bipyridines and 1,10‐Phenanthroline

The syntheses, characterizations and in vitro cytotoxities of seven soluble silver (I) compounds (1–7) with 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy), 5,5′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine (dmbpy) and 1, 10‐phenanthroline (phen) are described. Two of the complexes, [Ag(dmbpy)(NO₃)] (1) and [Ag(dmbpy)]ClO₄(2), have been structurally established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, which reveals the silver(I) atom in compound 1 is in a Y‐shape coordination geometry with two N atoms (av. Ag? N = 227.8 pm) from a chelate dmbpy ligand and an O atom (Ag? O=221.8(4) pm) from a monodentate nitrate. The Ag(I) atom in compound 2 is three‐coordinated by three N atoms, two of which are from a chelate dmbpy, and one from an acetonitrile ligand. The seven compounds showed strong cytotoxities in vitro to both normal and carcinoma cells.     

Two new cadmium(II) coordination polymers based on imidazole‐containing ligands: synthesis,structural characterization and fluorescence properties

The judicious selection of suitable ligands is vitally important in the construction of novel metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with fascinating structures and interesting properties. Recently, imidazole‐containing multidentate ligands have received much attention. Two new Cd^II coordination frameworks, namely, poly[tris{μ‐1,4‐bis[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]benzene‐κ²N³:N^3′}tetrakis(nitrato‐κ²O,O′)dicadmium], [Cd₂(NO₃)₄(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)₃]_n, (I), and poly[[bis{μ₃‐1,3,5‐tris[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]benzene‐κ³N³:N^3′:N^3′′}cadmium] hexafluorosilicate], {[Cd(C₁₈H₁₈N₆)₂](SiF₆)}_n, (II), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In polymer (I), the 1,4‐bis[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]benzene ligand bridges Cd²⁺ ions with a distorted seven‐coordinated pentagonal bipyramidal geometry, forming a one‐dimensional ladder chain, and the nitrate anions coordinate to the Cd²⁺ ions in a terminal bidentate fashion. In the crystal, adjacent chains are further connected by C—H…O hydrogen bonds to generate a two‐dimensional (2D) supramolecular structure. Polymer (II) exhibits a 2D layered structure in which 1,3,5‐tris[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl] benzene ligands join Cd²⁺ centres having a six‐coordinated octahedral structure. The layers are connected by hexafluorosilicate anions via C—H…F hydrogen‐bond interactions, giving rise to a three‐dimensional supramolecular network structure in the solid state. In addition, powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns were recorded, thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) carried out and fluorescence properties investigated.     

Tris(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ2N,N′)iron(II) bis(2,4,5‐tricarboxybenzoate) monohydrate and tris(2,2′‐bipyridine‐κ2N,N′)iron(II) 2,5‐dicarboxybenzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate–benzene‐1,2,4,5‐tetracarboxylic acid–water (1/1/2)

The title compounds, tris(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)iron(II) bis(2,4,5‐tricarboxybenzoate) monohydrate, [Fe(C₁₂H₈N₂)₃](C₁₀H₅O₈)₂·H₂O, (I), and tris(2,2′‐bipyridine‐κ²N,N′)iron(II) 2,5‐dicarboxybenzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate–benzene‐1,2,4,5‐tetracarboxylic acid–water (1/1/2), [Fe(C₁₀H₈N₂)₃](C₁₀H₄O₈)·C₁₀H₆O₈·2H₂O, (II), were obtained during an attempt to synthesize a mixed‐ligand complex of Fe^II with an N‐containing ligand and benzene‐1,2,4,5‐tetracarboxylic acid via a solvothermal reaction. In both mononuclear complexes, each Fe^II metal ion is six‐coordinated in a distorted octahedral manner by six N atoms from three chelating 1,10‐phenanthroline or 2,2′‐bipyridine ligands. In compound (I), the Fe^II atom lies on a twofold axis in the space group C2/c, whereas (II) crystallizes in the space group P2₁/n. In both compounds, the uncoordinated carboxylate anions and water molecules are linked by typical O—H...O hydrogen bonds, generating extensive three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bond networks which surround the cations.     

Ruthenium(II) Complexes Containing Lutidine‐Derived Pincer CNC Ligands: Synthesis,Structure, and Catalytic Hydrogenation of CN bonds

A series of Ru complexes containing lutidine‐derived pincer CNC ligands have been prepared by transmetalation with the corresponding silver‐carbene derivatives. Characterization of these derivatives shows both mer and fac coordination of the CNC ligands depending on the wingtips of the N‐heterocyclic carbene fragments. In the presence of tBuOK, the Ru‐CNC complexes are active in the hydrogenation of a series of imines. In addition, these complexes catalyze the reversible hydrogenation of phenantridine. Detailed NMR spectroscopic studies have shown the capability of the CNC ligand to be deprotonated and get involved in ligand‐assisted activation of dihydrogen. More interestingly, upon deprotonation, the Ru‐CNC complex 5 e (BF₄) is able to add aldimines to the metal–ligand framework to yield an amido complex. Finally, investigation of the mechanism of the hydrogenation of imines has been carried out by means of DFT calculations. The calculated mechanism involves outer‐sphere stepwise hydrogen transfer to the C?N bond assisted either by the pincer ligand or a second coordinated H₂ molecule.     

Dimethyl 2,2′‐bipyridine‐6,6′‐dicarboxylate and bis(dimethyl 2,2′‐bipyridine‐6,6′‐dicarboxylato‐κ2N,N′)copper(I) tetrafluoroborate

The single‐crystal X‐ray structures of dimethyl 2,2′‐bipyridine‐6,6′‐dicarboxylate, C₁₄H₁₂N₂O₄, and the copper(I) coordination complex bis(dimethyl 2,2′‐bipyridine‐6,6′‐dicarboxylato‐κ²N,N′)copper(I) tetrafluoroborate, [Cu(C₁₄H₁₂N₂O₄)₂]BF₄, are reported. The uncoordinated ligand crystallizes across an inversion centre and adopts the anticipated anti pyridyl arrangement with coplanar pyridyl rings. In contrast, upon coordination of copper(I), the ligand adopts an arrangement of pyridyl donors facilitating chelating metal coordination and an increased inter‐pyridyl twisting within each ligand. The distortion of each ligand contrasts with comparable copper(I) complexes of unfunctionalized 2,2′‐bipyridine.     

High‐throughput experimentation in atom transfer radical polymerization: A general approach toward a directed design and understanding of optimal catalytic systems

High‐throughput experimentation (HTE) was successfully applied in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) for the rapid screening and optimization of different reaction conditions. A library of 108 different reactions was designed for this purpose, which used four different initiators [ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate, methyl 2‐bromopropionate, (1‐bromoethyl)benzene, and p‐toluenesulfonyl chloride], five metal salts (CuBr, CuCl, CuSCN, FeBr₂, and FeCl₂), and nine ligands (2,2′‐bipyridine and its derivatives). The optimal reaction conditions for Cu(I) halide, CuSCN, and Fe(II) halide‐mediated ATRP systems with 2,2′‐bipyridine and its 4,4′‐dialkyl‐substituted derivatives as ligands were determined. Cu(I)‐mediated systems were better controlled than Fe(II)‐mediated ones under the examined conditions. A bipyridine‐type ligand with a critical length of the substituted alkyl group (i.e., 4,4′‐dihexyl 2,2′‐bipyridine) exhibited the best performance in Cu(I)‐mediated systems, and p‐toluenesulfonyl chloride and ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate could effectively initiate Cu(I)‐mediated ATRP of MMA, resulting in polymers with low polydispersities in most cases. Besides, Cu(I) halide‐mediated ATRP with 4,5′‐dimethyl 2,2′‐bipyridine as the ligand and p‐toluenesulfonyl chloride as the initiator proved to be better controlled than those with 4,4′‐dimethyl 2,2′‐bipyridine as the ligand, and polymers with much lower polydispersities were obtained in the former cases. This successful HTE example opens up a way to significantly accelerate the development of new catalytic systems for ATRP and to improve the understanding of structure–property relationships of the reaction systems. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1876–1885, 2004     

Crystal structure of a silver(I) complex {[Ag(N-methylthiourea)2]NO3}n exhibiting infinite chains of AgS4 tetrahedra

A polymeric silver(I) complex, bis(N-methylthiourea)silver(I) nitrate, {[Ag(Metu)₂]NO₃} _n is prepared and its crystal structure is determined. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic C2/c space group. In the structure, distorted AgS₄ tetrahedra are linked through the sulfur atoms of the Metu ligand to form isolated infinite chains of the type [Ag(SR)₂] _n ⁿ⁺. The cationic chains are separated from each other by nitrate ions that do not coordinate to the metal ion. The chains are bridged via N-H...O hydrogen bonds involving the nitrate ions. The complex exhibits an Ag—Ag separation of ∼3.21 ? indicating the existence of significant argentophilic interactions. An upfield shift in the >C=S resonance of Metu in ¹³C NMR and downfield shift in the N-H resonance in ¹H NMR are consistent with sulfur coordination to silver(I).     

Synthesis of the monosubstituted arylcyanoxime and its Na,Tl(I) and Ag(I) compounds

Nitrosation of 2-chlorophenyl acetonitrile with t-butylnitrite under basic conditions (Meyer reaction) resulted in a high-yield preparation of the first substituted arylcyanoxime, 2-chlorophenyl(oximino)acetonitrile, H(2Cl–PhCO) (HL). The obtained cyanoxime is readily deprotonated in solution by metal hydroxides or carbonates with the formation of yellow sodium, tetrabutylammonium, thallium(I) and silver(I) derivatives. The crystal structure of the Tl(I) complex was determined. Thallium(I) salt (TlL) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁ n with a?=?3.8382(7), b?=?11.0065(18), c?=?20.901(4)?Å, and β?=?92.447(3)°, V?=?882.2(3) ų, Z?=?4; T?=?193?K (Mo?Kα radiation). The structure was solved by direct methods to a final R of 0.0689 (wR2?=?0.1650) for I?>?2σ(I). The crystal structure of the complex is a one-dimensional coordination polymer that consists of centrosymmetric [TlL]₂ dimers in which Tl₂O₂ rhombohedra are connected to each other at 90.72°. The crystal structure of TlL is an interesting example of the ruffled metal-organic network composed of Tl–O–Tl–O zigzag chains with close (3.838?Å) intermetallic distances comparable to those in metallic thallium (3.42?Å). The cyanoxime anion bridges metal centers and acts as a tridentate ligand where oxygen atoms of the oxime group bond to three different Tl(I) cations with three different bond lengths.     

A two‐dimensional ZnII coordination polymer constructed from benzene‐1,2,3‐tricarboxylic acid and N,N′‐bis[(pyridin‐4‐yl)methylidene]hydrazine

The hydrothermal synthesis of the novel complex poly[aqua(μ₄‐benzene‐1,2,3‐tricarboxylato)[μ₂‐4,4′‐(hydrazine‐1,2‐diylidenedimethanylylidene)dipyridine](μ₃‐hydroxido)dizinc(II)], [Zn(C₉H₃O₆)(OH)(C₁₂H₁₀N₄)(H₂O)]_n, is described. The benzene‐1,2,3‐tricarboxylate ligand connects neighbouring Zn₄(OH)₂ secondary building units (SBUs) producing an infinite one‐dimensional chain. Adjacent one‐dimensional chains are connected by the N,N′‐bis[(pyridin‐4‐yl)methylidene]hydrazine ligand, forming a two‐dimensional layered structure. Adjacent layers are stacked to generate a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture via O—H...O hydrogen‐bond interactions. The thermal stability of this complex is described and the complex also appears to have potential for application as a luminescent material.     

Synthesis,characterization, luminescent,and catalytic performance of a dinuclear triazenido–silver complex

Our group has developed a series of molecular electrocatalysts for hydrogen generation based on triazenido–metal complexes (such as cobalt, copper, etc.). In this paper, we present the electrocatalytic performance of a new dinuclear silver complex, [Ag₂(L)₂], formed by reaction of the triazenido ligand, 1-[(2-carboxyethyl)benzene]-3-[benzimidazole]triazene (HL) with AgNO₃. The electrocatalytic systems based on this silver complex can afford 91.23 and 473 moles of hydrogen per mole of catalyst per hour (mol H₂/mol catalyst/h) from acetic acid at overpotential (OP) of 991.6 mV and an aqueous buffer at an OP of 837.6 mV, respectively. Electrochemical investigations show both the silver center and the triazenido ligand, HL, play important roles in determining the catalytic activities of the electrocatalytic system. Additionally, the triazenido ligand (HL) can serve as a fluorescent sensor for Ag⁺.     

cis‐Bis(2,2′‐bipyridyl‐N,N′)dichlorosilicon diiodide

The crystal and molecular structure of the title compound, C₂₀H₁₆Cl₂N₄Si²⁺·2I^?, has been determined at 173 K. To our knowledge, this is the first crystal structure of a silicon tetrahalide complex with a bidentate base as a ligand. The two chloro ligands are cis relative to each other. The Si—N bonds trans to a chloro ligand are longer than the Si—N bonds trans to an Si—N bond. This feature is observed for the majority of M(bipy)₂Cl₂ (M = metal and bipy = 2,2′‐bipyridyl) complexes, but it does not hold for all structures retrieved from the Cambridge Structural Database. The two pyridyl rings of each bipyridyl unit are nearly coplanar, whereas the bipyridyl units are almost perpendicular to each other. The two I^? ions are more than 5 Å from the silicon centre. As a result, the compound can definitely be described as ionic. The crystal packing is stabilized by short C—H?I contacts.     

Complexes of a New N3S2 Macrocycle: Synthesis,Structure and Electrospray Mass Spectrometry

The silver(I) complex of a 15-membered macrocyclic ligand with an N₃S₂ donor set (L¹) has been prepared by the reaction of 2,6-diacetylpyridine with 1,8-diamino-3,6-dithiaoctane in the presence of silver(I) ions. A reduced form (L²) of the ligand, in which the imine groups are converted to amines, was prepared by the reduction of the silver(I) complex by sodium borohydride. The ligand L² has been characterised by various spectroscopic techniques and the copper(II) complex has been prepared. The metal complexes of L¹ and L² have been characterised by electrospray mass spectrometry and UV-visible spectroscopy. The copper(II) complex of L¹ has been synthesised from [AgL¹]⁺ via metal exchange. [CuL¹](ClO₄)₂ crystallises in the orthorhombic space group Pna2₁ with a = 14.374(5) Å, b = 12.947(3) Å, c = 11.824(3) Å with Z= 4. The geometry about the metal centre approximates trigonal bipyramidal with the pyridinyl nitrogen and the sulfur donors in the equatorial positions and the imine nitrogen donors in the axial positions. Metal ion exchange and the relative stabilities of metal complexes of the macrocyclic ligands were studied by electrospray mass spectrometry.     

Alcohol‐Induced C−N Bond Cleavage of Cyclometalated N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands with a Methylene‐Linked Pendant Imidazolium Ring

Reaction of the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl rhodium iodide dimer [Cp*RhI₂]₂ with 1,1′‐diphenyl‐3,3′‐methylenediimidazolium diiodide in non‐alcohol solvents, in the presence of base, led to the formation of bis‐carbene complex [Cp*Rh(bis‐NHC)I]I (bis‐NHC=1,1′‐diphenyl‐4,4′‐methylenediimidazoline‐5,5′‐diylidene). In contrast, when employing alcohols as the solvent in the same reaction, cleavage of a methylene C?N bond is observed, affording ether‐functionalized (cyclometalated) carbene ligands coordinated to the metal center and the concomitant formation of complexes with a coordinated imidazole ligand. Studies employing other 1,1′‐diimidazolium salts indicate that the cyclometalation step is a prerequisite for the activation/scission of the C?N bond and, based on additional experimental data, a S_N2 mechanism for the reaction is tentatively proposed.     

Poly[diaqua(μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐κ2N:N′)bis(μ‐cyanido‐κ2C:N)bis(cyanido‐κC)nickel(II)copper(II)]: a metal–organic cyanide‐bridged framework

The structure of the title compound, [NiCu(CN)₄(C₁₀H₈N₂)(H₂O)₂]_n or [{Cu(H₂O)₂}(μ‐C₁₀H₈N₂)(μ‐CN)₂{Ni(CN)₂}]_n, was shown to be a metal–organic cyanide‐bridged framework, composed essentially of –Cu–4,4′‐bpy–Cu–4,4′‐bpy–Cu– chains (4,4′‐bpy is 4,4′‐bipyridine) linked by [Ni(CN)₄]²⁻ anions. Both metal atoms sit on special positions; the Cu^II atom occupies an inversion center, while the Ni^II atom of the cyanometallate sits on a twofold axis. The 4,4′‐bpy ligand is also situated about a center of symmetry, located at the center of the bridging C—C bond. The scientific impact of this structure lies in the unique manner in which the framework is built up. The arrangement of the –Cu–4,4′‐bpy–Cu–4,4′‐bpy–Cu– chains, which are mutually perpendicular and non‐intersecting, creates large channels running parallel to the c axis. Within these channels, the [Ni(CN)₄]²⁻ anions coordinate to successive Cu^II atoms, forming zigzag –Cu—N[triple‐bond]C—Ni—C[triple‐bond]N—Cu– chains. In this manner, a three‐dimensional framework structure is constructed. To the authors' knowledge, this arrangement has not been observed in any of the many copper(II)–4,4′‐bipyridine framework complexes synthesized to date. The coordination environment of the Cu^II atom is completed by two water molecules. The framework is further strengthened by O—H...N hydrogen bonds involving the water molecules and the symmetry‐equivalent nonbridging cyanide N atoms.     

Die durch Silberionen katalysierte Umlagerung von Propargyl-phenyläther

It is known that propargyl-phenylethers rearrange at about 200° to 2 H-chromenes [1–4]. It is shown that this rearrangement occurs in benzene or chloroform at lower temperatures (20–80°) in the presence of silver-tetrafluoroborate (or-trifluoracetate). The ethers examined are presented in Scheme 1. Thus in chloroform at 61° in the presence of AgBF₄, phenyl-propargylether ( 3 ) yields 2 H-chromene ( 13 ). With 0.78 molar equivalents AgBF₄ in benzene at 80° the same ether 3 yields a 3:1 mixture of 2-methyl-cumaron ( 14 ) and 2 H-chromene ( 13 ). From 1′-methylpropargyl-phenylether ( 4 ) and 2′-butinyl-3,5-dimethylphenylether ( 5 ) under similar conditions the corresponding chromenes 16 and 17 resp. are obtained. Rearrangement of propargyl- and 2′-butinyl-1-methyl-2-naphthylether ( 6 and 7 resp.) in benzene at 80° in the presence of AgBF₄ gives the corresponding allenyl-naphthalenones 18 and 19 resp. Treatment of propargyl- and 2′-butinyl-mesityl-ether ( 8 and 9 resp.), and propargyl- and l′-methylpropargyl- 2 , 6 -dimethyl-phenylether ( 10 and 11 resp.) in benzene at 80° with AgRF, yields as the only product the corresponding 3 -allenyl-phenols 21 , 22 , 24 and 25 (Scheme 3). It is shown that in the presence of μ-dichlor-dirhodiuni (1)-tetracarbonyl in benzene a t 80° the ether 4 rearranges to 2-methyl-2H-chromene (16). However with this catalyst the predominant reaction is a cleavage to phenol. No reaction was observed when ethers 3 and 12 , (Scheme 7 ) were treated with the tris-(trimethylsily1)-ester of vanadic acid in benzene a t 80° (see also [8]). By analogy with the known mechanism for thc silver catalysis of the reversible propargylesterl/allenylester rearrangement [S], the silver (1)ion is assumed to form a pre-equilibrium π-complex with the C, C-triplebond of the substrate. This complex then undergoes a [3s, 3s]-sigmatropic rearrangement (Scheme 2). In the case of the others 6 , 7 and 12 the resulting allenyldienones were isolated. The 2,G-dimethyl substituted ethers 8 , 9 , 10 and 11 resp. first give the usual allenyl- dienones (Scheme 3). These then undergo a novel silver catalysed dienon-phenol-rearrangement (Sclzenzu4) to give the 3-allenylphenols 21 , 22 , 24 and 25 . Thc others 3 , 4 and 5 with free ortho positions presumably rearrange first to the non-isolated 2-allenyl-phenols 15 , 42 and 43 resp.(Scheme 7). These then rearrange, either thermally or by silver (1)ion catalysis to the 2H-chromenes 13 , 16 and 17 resp. The rate of the rearrangement of 2-allenylphenol ( 15 ) to 13 at room temperature in benzene or chloroform is approximately doubled when silver ions are present as catalyst.     

Binuclear metal carbonyl dab complexes : II. The syntheses and coordination properties of Mn(CO)5M′(CO)3DAB (M′ = Mn,Re; DAB = 1,4-diazabutadiene)

Mn(CO)₅M′(CO)₃DAB complexes (M′ = Mn, Re; DAB = R₁N=C(R₂)-C(R′₂)=NR₁) can be easily obtained from the reaction between Mn(CO)₅^? and M′(CO)₃X(DAB) (M′ = Mn, Re; X = Cl, Br, I). The complexes are formed by a nucleophilic mechanism, while a redistribution is responsible for the formation of a small amount of Mn₂(CO)₁₀.A diastereotopic effect can be observed in the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of complexes having isopropyl groups attached to the DAB ligand skeleton. A comparison is made with mononuclear complexes of the same symmetry, and the chemical shift differences for the methyl groups strongly depend on the substituent on the central metal responsible for the asymmetry.The low temperature enhancement of the σ → σ^★ transition localised on the metal—metal bond, which is normally observed for this type of compounds, was not observed for the Mn(CO)₅M′(CO)₃(DAB) complexes. The metal—metal bond can be activated by irradiating at the wave lengths associated with the CT transitions between the metal and the DAB ligand. Metal—metal bond cleavage occurs and Mn₂(CO)₁₀ is formed.