Effect of high external pressures on the vibrational spectra of Zeise’s complexes, K[Pt(η-C2H4)Cl3] and [Pt(η-C2H4)Cl2]2

The pressure dependences (dν/dP) of the main IR and Raman bands of Zeise’s complexes, K[Pt(η²-C₂H₄)Cl₃] and [Pt(η²-C₂H₄)Cl₂]₂, have been determined for the first time for selected pressures up to ∼33 kbar with the aid of diamond-anvil cells. Neither complex undergoes a pressure-induced structural change throughout the pressure range investigated. The dν/dP values range from −0.13 to 0.79 cm⁻¹ kbar⁻¹. The negative values have proved particularly informative in identifying the location of the CC stretching modes of the Pt-ethylene groups, a topic of considerable disagreement in the literature.     

Synthesis and reactivity of asymmetrically substituted ansa-bridged zirconocene complexes: X-ray crystal structures of [Zr{R(H)C(η-C5Me4)(η-C5H4)}Cl2] (R = Bu, Bu) and [Zr{Bu(H)C(η-C5Me4)(η-C5H4)}(CH2Ph)2]

The dialkyl complexes, (R = Prⁱ, R′ = Me (2a), CH₂Ph (3a); R = Buⁿ, R′ = Me (2b), CH₂Ph (3b); R = Bu^t, R′ = Me (2c), CH₂Ph (3c); R = Ph, R′ = Me (2d), CH₂Ph (3d)), have been synthesized by the reaction of the ansa-metallocene dichloride complex, [Zr{R(H)C(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] (R = Prⁱ (1a), Buⁿ (1b), Bu^t (1c), Ph (1d)), and two molar equivalents of the alkyl Gringard reagent. The insertion reaction of the isocyanide reagent, CNC₆H₃Me₂-2,6, into the zirconium-carbon σ-bond of 2 gave the corresponding η²-iminoacyl derivatives, [Zr{R(H)C(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}{η²-MeCNC₆H₃Me₂-2,6}Me] (R = Prⁱ (4a), Buⁿ (4b), Bu^t (4c), Ph (4d)). The molecular structures of 1b, 1c and 3b have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic behaviour of ansa-zirconocene complexes containing tetraphenylcyclopentadienyl rings: X-ray crystal structures of [Zr{Me2Si(η-C5Ph4)(η-C5H3R)}Cl2] (R = H, Bu)

The ansa-bis(cyclopentadiene) compounds, Me₂Si(C₅HPh₄)(C₅H₄R) (R = H (2); Bu^t (3)), have been prepared by the reaction of C₅HPh₄(SiMe₂Cl) (1) with Na(C₅H₅) or Li(C₅H₄Bu^t), respectively, and transformed to the di-lithium derivatives, Li₂{Me₂Si(C₅Ph₄)(C₅H₃R)} (R = H (4); Bu^t (5)), by the action of n-butyllithium. The ansa-zirconocene complexes, [Zr{Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₃R)}Cl₂] (R = H (6); Bu^t (7)), were synthesized from the reaction of ZrCl₄ with 4 or 5, respectively. Compounds 6 and 7 have been tested in the polymerization of ethylene and compared with their methyl-substituted analogues, [Zr{Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₃R)}Cl₂] (R = H (8); Bu^t (9)). Whilst 8 and 9 are catalytically active, the tetraphenyl-substituted complexes 6 and 7 proved to be inactive in the polymerization of ethylene. This phenomenon has been explained by DFT calculations based on the reaction intermediates in the polymerization processes involving 6 and 7, which showed that the extraction of a methyl group from the zirconocene complex to form the cationic active specie is endothermic and therefore unfavourable.     

(Cyclopentadienyl){(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl)cyclopentadienyl} complexes of zirconium: Crystal structure of [(η-C5H5)(η-C5H4CH2CH2NHMe2)ZrCl2]2[ZrCl6]

[(η⁵-C₅H₅)ZrCl₃] reacts with [C₅H₄CH₂CH₂NMe₂]Li yielding the coordination polymer [(C₅H₅)(C₅H₄CH₂CH₂NMe₂)ZrCl₂]_n (1) as a brown solid which is very sensitive to moisture. The reaction of 1 with 1.35 equivalent of HCl (methanolic solution) yields pale yellow green crystals of [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH₂NHMe₂)ZrCl₂]₂[ZrCl₆] (2). Compound 2 was fully characterized on the basis of NMR data and X-ray crystal structure analysis. The formation of this product indicates the elimination of C₅H₄CH₂CH₂NMe₂ as well as C₅H₅ ligands from the Zr(IV) metal centre.     

Hexadecahydrotetrabenzo[a,c,d,f]fluorene - Ligand, available by Friedel-Crafts fluorene cycloalkylation. Synthesis, crystal and molecular structure of (η-C29H34)(η-C5H5)ZrCl2

Friedel-Crafts cycloalkylation of fluorene with 1,4-dichlorobutane has been studied in different conditions. This reaction allows to obtain the product of exhausting fluorene alkylation, hexadecahydrotetrabenzo[a,c,d,f]fluorene - perspective η⁵ ligand. The simplest zirconocene has been synthesized and its structure has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The molecule of this compound possesses skewed conformation of metallocene fragment with the phenylene moiety of fluorenyl ligand oriented towards the front side of metallocene wedge.     

Derivatisation of boryl substituted titanium half-sandwich complexes - Molecular structures of [Ti{(η-C5H4)B(NiPr2)N(H)tBu}Cl2(NMe2)] and [{TiCl2(μ-{OB(NHMe2)-η-C5H4})}2-μ-O]

The half-sandwich complex [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)N(H)iPr}(NMe₂)₃] (6) was prepared from (η¹-C₅H₅)B(NiPr₂)N(H)iPr (5) and [Ti(NMe₂)₄] with cleavage of one equivalent of HNMe₂ and further converted into the corresponding constrained geometry complex [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)NiPr}(NMe₂)₂] (7) by elimination of a second equivalent of HNMe₂. Reaction of the half-sandwich complexes [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)N(H)R}(NMe₂)₃] (R = iPr, tBu) with excess Me₃SiCl yielded the corresponding dichloro complexes [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)N(H)R}Cl₂(NMe₂)] (R = tBu (10), iPr (11)). The intermediate species [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)N(H)iPr}Cl(NMe₂)₂] (9) could also be spectroscopically characterised. Partial hydrolysis of 10 and 11, respectively, resulted in formation of [{TiCl₂(μ-{OB(NHMe₂)-η⁵-C₅H₄})}₂-μ-O] (12). The molecular structures of 10 and 12 have been determined by X-ray crystallographic analyses. Complex 10, when activated with MAO, was found to be a highly active styrene polymerisation catalyst while being inactive towards the polymerisation of ethylene.     

Palladium (II) complexes with mono-oxide 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)metallocene ligands [Fe(η-C5Me4PPh2)(η-C5Me4P{O}Ph2)] and [Os(η-C5H4PPh2)(η-C5H4P{O}Ph2)]

The monoxides [Fe(η⁵-C₅Me₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅Me₄P{O}Ph₂)] (1) and [Os(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅H₄P{O}Ph₂)] (2) have been prepared by treatment of the corresponding diphosphines with CCl₄ and methanol.These ligands react with [Pd(PhCN)₂Cl₂] to give dichloride complexes of different structure.The dimeric complex [{Os(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅H₄P{O}Ph₂)}PdCl(μ-Cl)]₂ (4) contains the monodentate P-coordinated osmocene ligand with the free P{O}Ph₂ group, while the octamethylferrocene ligand gives the chelate k²-P,O complex [{Fe(η⁵-C₅Me₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅Me₄P{O}Ph₂)}PdCl₂] (3).The structures of 3 and 4 have been determined crystallographically.Treatment of 3 and 4 with silver salts in CH₂Cl₂ or acetonitrile leads to the corresponding dicationic complexes[{M(η⁵-C₅R₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅R₄P{O}Ph₂)}Pd(MeCN)_x]²⁺ (5, M = Fe, R = Me; 6, M = Os, R = H). Complex 5 decomposes upon isolation, in contrast 6 is rather stable, probably due to Os-Pd bonding. The dichlorides 3 and 4 catalyze catalytic amination of p-bromotoluene with N-(4-tolyl)morpholine with lower activity than (dppf)PdCl₂, however they perform comparable to (dppf)PdCl₂ activity in coupling of p-bromotoluene with p-methoxyphenyl boronic acid.     

Synthesis, properties and structures of methyldiphenylphosphonium 1-indenylide, 1-C9H6PMePh2, and its chiral tricarbonylchromium(0) complex Cr(η-1-C9H6PMePh2)(CO)3

The hitherto unknown indenyl-derived ylide, methyldiphenylphosphonium 1-indenylide, 1-C₉H₆PMePh₂ (1) and its chromium(0) complex, Cr(η⁵-1-C₉H₆PMePh₂)(CO)₃ (2) have been synthesized and characterized spectroscopically and crystallographically. The structures and properties of 1 and 2 are compared with those of the analogous C₅H₄PMePh₂ and its chromium complex, Cr(η⁵-C₅H₄PMePh₂)(CO)₃. Compound 2, obtained as a racemic mixture, exhibits planar chirality resulting from coordination of the prochiral aromatic ligand.     

Aldol condensation reactions of [Co(η-C4Ph4){η-C5H4C(O)CH3}]

The aldol condensation reaction between [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄){η⁵-C₅H₄C(O)CH₃}] and a range of aromatic aldehydes [RCHO] and [RCHCH-CHO] gives a series of α,β-unsaturated ketones [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄){η⁵-C₅H₄C(O)CHCH-R}] and [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄){η⁵-C₅H₄C(O)CHCH-CHCH-R}] (3). The reaction is promoted by various bases: NaH proved to be the most effective whilst ⁿBuLi gave [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄){η⁵-C₅H₄C(OH)(ⁿBu)CH₃}] as the major product. NaOH was ineffective, perhaps indicating that that the methyl protons in [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄){η⁵-C₅H₄C(O)CH₃}] are less acidic than those in [Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅){η⁵-C₅H₄C(O)CH₃}]. Compounds 3 were characterised spectroscopically. Their ¹H NMR spectra are consistent with a trans configuration about their CC bond, and this was confirmed by X-ray crystallography in five cases, which showed that all have the same basic structure with parallel cyclobutadiene and cyclopentadienyl ligands, but they are not identical. The C₅H₄C(O)(CHCH)_n-R (n = 1 or 2) moieties show little evidence for delocalisation and often deviate from planarity. The UV/Vis spectra of those 3 with smaller aromatic rings (R = C₆H₅, 4-C₆H₄NMe₂, 2-C₄H₃S and 1-C₁₀H₇) suggest that these are donor-π-acceptor systems, but as the annellation of R increases (R = 9-C₁₄H₉, 1-C₁₆H₉ and 1-C₂₀H₁₁) the spectra increasingly resemble those of the parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, RH. Reduction of [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄){η⁵-C₅H₄C(O)CHCH-C₁₀H₇-1}] with DIBAL gives a mixture of [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄){η⁵-C₅H₄C(O)CH₂CH₂-C₁₀H₇-1}] and [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄){η⁵-C₅H₄CH(OH)CHCH-C₁₀H₇-1}]. A minor product from the preparation of [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄){η⁵-C₅H₄C(O)CH₃}] was shown by X-ray crystallography to be the η⁴-butadiene complex [Co{η⁴-Ph(H)CC(Ph)-C(Ph)C(H)Ph}{η⁵-C₅H₄C(O)CH₃}].     

Cyclopentadienyl chromium and tungsten complexes with halide, methyl and σ-phenylethynyl ligands: Structures of (η-C5H5)Cr(NO)2(-CC-C6H5), (η-C5H5)Cr(NO)2I and [(η-C5H4)-COOCH3]W(CO)3Cl

With copper(I) iodide as catalyst, σ-alkynyls, compounds (η⁵-C₅H₅)Cr(NO)₂(CC-C₆H₅) (5), [(η⁵-C₅H₄)-COOCH₃]Cr(NO)₂(CC-C₆H₅) (10), and [(η⁵-C₅H₄)-COOCH₃]W(CO)₃(CC-C₆H₅) (13), were prepared from their corresponding metal chloride 1, 6 and 12. Structures of compound 3, 5 and 12 have been solved by X-ray diffraction studies. In the case of 5, there is an internal mirror plane passing through the phenylethynyl ligand and bisecting the Cp ring. The phenyl group is oriented perpendicularly to the Cp with an eclipsed conformation. The twist angle is 0° and 118.4° for -CC-Ph and two NO ligands, respectively. The orientation is rationalized in terms of orbital overlap between ψ₃ of Cp, dπ of Cr atom, and π^∗ of alkynyl ligand, and complemented by molecular orbital calculation. The opposite correlation was observed on the chemical shift assignments of C(2)-C(5) on Cp ring in compounds 6 and 12, using HetCOR NMR spectroscopy. The electron density distribution in the cyclopentadienyl ring is discussed on the basis of ¹³C NMR data and compared with the calculations via density functional B3LYP correlation-exchange method.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of highly soluble ansa-titano- and zirconocene dichloride complexes [Me2Si(η-C5H2(SiMe3)2]2MCl2 (M=Ti, Zr)

The synthesis and X-ray characterization of ansa-metallocene dichloride titanium and zirconium complexes of the type [Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅H₂(SiMe₃)₂)₂]MCl₂ (M=Zr (1), Ti (2)) are reported. The complexes have been tested for ethylene polymerization.     

Reactions of diferrocenyl dichalcogenides with [W(CO)5(THF)]: X-ray crystal structures of Fc2Te2 and [W2(μ-SeFc)2(CO)8] (Fc = [Fe(η-C5H5)(η-C5H4)])

Treatment of [W(CO)₅THF] with diferrocenyl diselenide, Fc₂Se₂, yielded the novel metal-metal bonded tungsten(I) complex, [W₂(μ-SeFc)₂(CO)₈] (1: Fc = ferrocenyl, [Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₄)]), which was characterised by NMR and IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography. The corresponding tellurium derivative could not be prepared by an analogous route. The X-ray crystal structure of Fc₂Te₂ has also been determined.     

Synthesis of new chloro methyl niobium and tantalum complexes with silyl-cyclopentadienyl ligands: X-ray crystal structure of [Ta{η-C5H3(SiMe3)2}Cl2Me2]

Trichloro methyl [Nb{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₃Me] (X = Cl, 2; Me, 3), dichloro dimethyl [Nb{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₂Me₂] (X = Cl, 4; Me, 5) and tetramethyl [Nb{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Me₄] (X = Me, 6; Cl, 7) niobium complexes were synthesized by treatment of starting tetrachloro derivatives [Nb{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₄] (X = Cl, 1a; Me, 1b) with dimethyl zinc or chloro methyl magnesium in different proportions and conditions. A mixture of trichloro methyl and dichloro dimethyl tantalum complexes [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiClMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl_4−xMe_x] (x = 1, 8; 2, 9) in a 2:1 molar ratio was obtained in the reaction of [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiClMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₄] (1c) with 0.5 equivalents of ZnMe₂ in toluene at low temperature. 8 could be isolated as single compound when 1 equivalent of 1c was added to the mixtures of 8 and 9, while the reaction of 1c with 1.5 equivalents of dimethyl zinc gave 9 as unitary product. However, [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Cl₄] (1d) reacts with 0.5 equivalents of alkylating reagent giving the trichloro methyl compound [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Cl₃Me] (10) in good yield. On the other hand, [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Cl₄] (1d) reacts with 2 equivalents of MgClMe in hexane at room temperature giving a mixture of dichloro dimethyl and chloro trimethyl complexes[Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Cl_4−xMe_x] (x = 2, 11; 3, 12), while the use of 4 equivalents of MgClMe converts 1c into the tetramethyl derivative [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiClMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Me₄] (13). Finally, a tetramethyl tantalum complex [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Me₄] (14) was prepared by reaction of [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₄] (X = Cl, 1c; Me, 1d) with 5 (X = Cl) or 4 (X = Me) equivalents of MgClMe in diethyl ether (X = Cl) or hexane (X = Me), respectively, as solvent. All the complexes were studied by IR and NMR spectroscopy and the molecular structure of the complex 11 was determined by X-ray diffraction methods.     

Synthesis and reactions of cycloheptadienyl and cyclooctadienyl tungsten complexes: X-ray crystal structure of [W(CO)2(PPh3)2(η-C7H9)][BF4]

Protonation of the cycloheptatriene complex [W(CO)₃(η⁶-C₇H₈)] with H[BF₄] · Et₂O in CH₂Cl₂ affords the cycloheptadienyl system [W(CO)₃(η⁵-C₇H₉)][BF₄] (1). Complex 1 reacts with NaI to yield [WI(CO)₃(η⁵-C₇H₉)], which is a precursor to [W(CO)₂(NCMe)₃(η³-C₇H₉)][BF₄], albeit in very low yield. The dicarbonyl derivatives [W(CO)₂L₂(η⁵-C₇H₉)]⁺ (L₂=2PPh₃, 4, or dppm, 5) were obtained, respectively, by H[BF₄] · Et₂O protonation of [W(CO)₂(PPh₃)(η⁶-C₇H₈)] in the presence of PPh₃ and reaction of 1 with dppm. The X-ray crystal structure of 4 (as a 1/2 CH₂Cl₂ solvate) reveals that the two PPh₃ ligands are mutually trans and are located beneath the central dienyl carbon and the centre of the edge bridge. The first examples of cyclooctadienyl tungsten complexes [WBr(CO)₂(NCMe)₂(1-3-η:5,6-C₈H₁₁)] (6) and [WBr(CO)₂(NCMe)₂(1-3-η:4,5-C₈H₁₁)] (7) were synthesised by reaction of [W(CO)₃(NCR)₃] (R=Me or Prⁿ) with 3-Br-1,5-cod/6-Br-1,4-cod or 5-Br-1,3-cod/3-Br-1,4-cod (cod=cyclooctadiene), respectively. Complexes 6 and 7 are precursors to the pentahapto-bonded cyclooctadienyl tungsten species [W(CO)₂(dppm)(1-3:5,6-η-C₈H₁₁)][BF₄] and [W(CO)₂(dppe)(1-5-η-C₈H₁₁)][BF₄] · CH₂Cl₂.     

Synthesis and reactivity of η-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl-propenyl rhenium complexes: Molecular structure of [(η:η-C5Me4CH2CHCH2)Re(CO)2]

The fulvene complexes [(η⁶-C₅Me₄CH₂)Re(CO)₂(R)] (1a, RI; 1b, RC₆F₅) react at the exocyclic methylene carbon with a vinylmagnesium bromide solution to produce the anionic species [(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₂(R)]⁻. Protonation with HCl at 0 °C produces the hydride complexes [trans-(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₂(R)(H)] (2a, RI; 2b, RC₆F₅). Thermolysis of an hexane solution of the iodo-hydride (2a) under a CO atmosphere yields the complex [(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₃] (3) and [Re(CO)₅I] as by-product. Thermolysis of 2b produced three new products, mainly the chelated complex [(η⁵:η²-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₂] (4) and complex 3, with a non-coordinated olefin group, in moderated yield, and traces of [Re(CO)₅(C₆F₅)]. Thermolysis of an hexane solution of 2 in presence of an excess of PMe₃, afforded the phosphine derivative [(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₂(PMe₃)] (5). All the complexes were characterized by IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectroscopies and mass spectrometry. The molecular structure of 4 has also been determined. The molecule exhibits a formal three-legged piano-stool structure, with two CO groups, and the third position corresponding to the η²-coordination of the propenyl side arm of the η⁵-C₅Me₄ ring.     

Synthesis of the cyclooctadiene and cyclooctenediyl cobalt complexes. Structures of [(η2,η2-cyclooctadiene)Co(η-1,2,4,5-C6H2Me4)]BF4 and [(η1,η3-cyclooctenediyl)Co(η-9-SMe2-7,8-C2B9H10)

Cobaltacarboranes (η¹, η³-cyclooctenediyl)Co(Carb) (Carb = η-9-SMe₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀, η-1-tBuHN-1,7,9-C₃B₈H₁₀) were synthesized by the reaction of the carborane anions [Carb]⁻ with the acetonitrile complex [(η¹, η³-cyclooctenediyl)Co(MeCN)₃]⁺ generated in situ upon the dissolution of [(η¹, η³-cyclooctenediyl)Co(η-1,4-C₆H₄Me₂)]⁺ in MeCN. The structures of (η¹,η³-cyclooctenediyl)Co(η-9-SMe₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀ and [(η²,η²-cyclooctadiene)Co((η-1,2,4,5-C₆H₂Me₄)]BF₄ were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis of niobocene imido cations: X-ray crystal structure of [Nb(NBu)(η-C5H4SiMe3)2(CNBu)][BPh4]

The reduction of [Nb(NBu^t)(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Cl] by sodium amalgam followed by oxidation by [Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂][BPh₄] in the presence of CNBu^t gave [Nb(NBu^t)(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂(CNBu^t)][BPh₄] (1). In a similar manner, [Nb(NPh)(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂(CNBu^t)][BPh₄] (2), [Nb(NPh)(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂(CO)][BPh₄] (3) and [Nb(NBu^t){Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}(CNBu^t)][BPh₄] (4), were prepared. The reduction of [Nb(NBu^t){Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂}Cl] gave, depending on the experimental conditions, either the d¹-d¹ dimer [(Nb{Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂}(μ-NBu^t))₂] (5) or the hydride derivative [Nb(NBu^t){Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂}H] (6). The reaction of 5 with I₂ led to the formation of [Nb(NBu^t){Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂}I] (7). The molecular structure of 1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis and electrochemical studies of η-monocyclopentadienylruthenium(II) complexes with substituted thiophene nitrile ligands. Crystal structure of [Ru(η-C5H5)(dppe)(NC{SC4H2}2NO2)][PF6]

A systematic series of η⁵-monocyclopentadienylruthenium(II) complexes with substituted thiophene nitrile ligands of general formula [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(P_P)(NC{SC₄H₂}_nNO₂)][PF₆] (P_P = dppe, (+)-diop; n = 1-3) has been synthesized and characterized. Spectroscopic and electrochemical data were used in order to get an insight on the molecular nonlinear optical properties of these complexes when compared to those found for the reported thiophene iron(II) and p-benzonitrile or 1,2-di-(2-thienyl)-ethene derived iron(II)/ruthenium(II) related complexes. The compound [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(dppe)(NC{SC₄H₂}₂NO₂)][PF₆] was also characterized by X-ray diffraction. The solid state nonlinear optical properties of the chiral compounds were also evaluated by Kurtz powder technique with a Nd:YAG laser emitting at 1064 nm.     

New ferrocenylmethylphosphines - Preparation, characterisation and coordination chemistry of PH(CH2Fc)2, P(CH2Fc)3 [Fc = Fe(η-C5H5)(η-C5H4)] and their derivatives

The new ferrocenylmethylphosphines PH(CH₂Fc)₂ (1) [Fc = Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₄)] and P(CH₂Fc)₃ (2) and the phosphonium salt [P(CH₂Fc)₃(CH₂OH)]I (3) were synthesised from P(CH₂OH)₃ and [FcCH₂NMe₃]I. [P(CH₂Fc)(CH₂OH)₃]Cl (4) was obtained from P(CH₂Fc)(CH₂OH)₂, CH₂O and HCl. The new phosphines and phosphonium salts were fully characterised by NMR and IR spectroscopy and MS. [Mo(CO)₆] reacts with 1 to give [Mo(CO)₅{PH(CH₂Fc)₂}] (5) in high yield, but attempts to employ 2 as a ligand failed. The reaction of [P(CH₂Fc)₃(CH₂OH)]I (3) and [PH(CH₂Fc)₃]I (obtained in situ from 3 and Na₂S₂O₅) with [WI₂(CO)₃(NCMe)₂] gave the complex salts [P(CH₂Fc)₃(CH₂OH)][WI₃(CO)₄] (6) and [PH(CH₂Fc)₃][WI₃(CO)₄] (7), respectively. [P(CH₂Fc)₄]I (8) was synthesized from PH₂CH₂Fc and [FcCH₂NMe₃]I. Crystal structures were obtained for 1, 3-8.