First‐Row Transition‐Metal–Diborane and –Borylene Complexes

A combined experimental and quantum chemical study of Group 7 borane, trimetallic triply bridged borylene and boride complexes has been undertaken. Treatment of [{Cp*CoCl}₂] (Cp*=1,2,3,4,5‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) with LiBH₄ ? thf at ?78 °C, followed by room‐temperature reaction with three equivalents of [Mn₂(CO)₁₀] yielded a manganese hexahydridodiborate compound [{(OC)₄Mn}(η⁶‐B₂H₆){Mn(CO)₃}₂(μ‐H)] ( 1 ) and a triply bridged borylene complex [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*Co)₂(μ‐CO)(μ‐H)₂MnH(CO)₃] ( 2 ). In a similar fashion, [Re₂(CO)₁₀] generated [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*Co)₂(μ‐CO)(μ‐H)₂ReH(CO)₃] ( 3 ) and [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*Co)₂(μ‐CO)₂(μ‐H)Co(CO)₃] ( 4 ) in modest yields. In contrast, [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] under similar reaction conditions yielded a heterometallic semi‐interstitial boride cluster [(Cp*Co)(μ‐H)₃Ru₃(CO)₉B] ( 5 ). The solid‐state X‐ray structure of compound 1 shows a significantly shorter boron–boron bond length. The detailed spectroscopic data of 1 and the unusual structural and bonding features have been described. All the complexes have been characterized by using ¹H, ¹¹B, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The DFT computations were used to shed light on the bonding and electronic structures of these new compounds. The study reveals a dominant B?H?Mn, a weak B?B?Mn interaction, and an enhanced B?B bonding in 1 .     

Polyether Adducts of d‐Block Metal Compounds as Starting Materials for New Cluster Compounds

New crystalline cobalt, nickel, zinc, and mercury halide adducts with polyethers as ligands have been isolated, characterized, and identified as [Co(μ‐Cl)₂CoCl₂(glyme)₂] (glyme = 1,2‐dimethoxyethane), cis‐[CoI₂(H₂O)₂(glyme)₂]²⁺[CoI₄]^2–, [NiI₂(glyme)₂], [ZnI₂(glyme)], [HgCl₂(glyme)], [CoI₂(diglyme)] (diglyme = bis(2‐methoxyethyl)ether), [ZnI₂(diglyme)], [HgI₂(diglyme)], [CoCl(μ‐Cl)(diglyme)]₂, [NiI(μ‐I)(diglyme)]₂, [Co(μ‐Cl)(triglyme)]₂²⁺[CoCl₂(μ‐Cl)]₂^2–, and cis‐[(NiI₂)(triglyme)]_n. These compounds were obtained from the metal halide salts in solution of glyme or diglyme, and some of them show unusual coordination numbers and arrangements.     

Untersuchungen zur Sb–Sb‐Bindungsknüpfung in der Koordinationssphäre von Übergangsmetallen

Investigations of Sb–Sb Bond Formation Reactions in the Coordination Sphere of Transition Metals The reaction of SbCl₃ with various transition metal metalates of the type K[ML_n] [ML_n = Ni(CO)Cp*, Fe(CO)Cp′, Co(CO)₄; Cp* = η⁵‐C₅Me₅, Cp′ = η⁵‐C₅H₄Me] in the presence of [Cr(CO)₅thf] have been studied. With K[Ni(CO)Cp*] and K[Fe(CO)₂Cp′] the trigonal‐pyramidal complexes [(μ₃‐Sb){Ni(CO)Cp*}₃] ( 1 ) and [(μ₃‐Sb){Fe · (CO)₂Cp′}₃] ( 2 ), respectively, are obtained. The reaction with K[Co(CO)₄] leads to the tetrahedral cluster [Co₃(CO)₉(μ₃‐Sb{Cr(CO)₅})] ( 3 ) and the butterfly cluster [Co₂(CO)₆(μ‐SbCl)(μ‐SbCl{Cr(CO)₅})] ( 4 ). All products are characterised by X‐ray crystal structure determination. In contrast to the corresponding [(CO)₅CrPCl₃] system forming P–P bonds, starting from SbCl₃/[Cr(CO)₅thf] does not cause a Sb–Sb bond formation.     

New Heteronuclear Bridged Borylene Complexes That Were Derived from [{Cp*CoCl}2] and Mono‐Metal?Carbonyl Fragments

The synthesis, structural characterization, and reactivity of new bridged borylene complexes are reported. The reaction of [{Cp*CoCl}₂] with LiBH₄ ? THF at ?70 °C, followed by treatment with [M(CO)₃(MeCN)₃] (M=W, Mo, and Cr) under mild conditions, yielded heteronuclear triply bridged borylene complexes, [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*Co)₂(μ‐CO)M(CO)₅] ( 1 – 3 ; 1 : M=W, 2 : M=Mo, 3 : M=Cr). During the syntheses of complexes 1 – 3 , capped‐octahedral cluster [(Cp*Co)₂(μ‐H)(BH)₄{Co(CO)₂}] ( 4 ) was also isolated in good yield. Complexes 1 – 3 are isoelectronic and isostructural to [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*RuCO)₂(μ‐CO){Fe(CO)₃}] ( 5 ) and [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*RuCO)₂(μ‐H)(μ‐CO){Mn(CO)₃}] ( 6 ), with a trigonal‐pyramidal geometry in which the μ₃‐BH ligand occupies the apical vertex. To test the reactivity of these borylene complexes towards bis‐phosphine ligands, the room‐temperature photolysis of complexes 1 – 3 , 5 , 6 , and [{(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*Ru)Fe(CO)₃}₂(μ‐CO)] ( 7 ) was carried out. Most of these complexes led to decomposition, although photolysis of complex 7 with [Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂] (n=1–3) yielded complexes 9 – 11 , [3,4‐(Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂)‐closo‐1,2,3,4‐Ru₂Fe₂(BH)₂] ( 9 : n=1, 10 : n=2, 11 : n=3). Quantum‐chemical calculations by using DFT methods were carried out on compounds 1 – 3 and 9 – 11 and showed reasonable agreement with the experimentally obtained structural parameters, that is, large HOMO–LUMO gaps, in accordance with the high stabilities of these complexes, and NMR chemical shifts that accurately reflected the experimentally observed resonances. All of the new compounds were characterized in solution by using mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, and ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹¹B NMR spectroscopy and their structural types were unequivocally established by crystallographic analysis of complexes 1 , 2 , 4 , 9 , and 10 .     

Rhodium(I) and Silver(I) Complexes of 4, 5‐Dicyano‐1, 3‐dimesityl‐ and 4, 5‐Dicyano‐1, 3‐dineopentylimidazol‐2‐ylidene

The new N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors 4, ‐dicyano‐1, ‐dimesityl‐ ( 9 ) and 4, 5‐dicyano‐1, 3‐dineopentyl‐2‐(pentafluorophenyl)imidazoline ( 14 ) were synthesized. The structure of 9 could be determined by X‐ray crystallography. With the 2‐pentafluorophenyl‐substituted imidazolines 9 and 14 , the [AgCl(NHC)], [RhCl(COD)(NHC)], and [RhCl(CO)₂(NHC)] complexes [NHC = 4, 5‐dicyano‐1, 3‐dimesitylimidazol‐2‐ylidene ( 3 ) and 4, 5‐dicyano‐1, 3‐dineopentylimidazol‐2‐ylidene ( 4 )] were obtained. Crystal structures of [AgCl( 3 )] ( 15 ), [RhCl(COD)( 3 )] ( 17 ), [RhCl(COD)( 4 )] ( 18 ), and [RhCl(CO)₂( 3 )] ( 19 ) were solved and with the crystal data of 19 , the percent buried volume ( %V_bur) of 31.8(±0.1) % was determined for NHC 3 . Infrared spectra of the imidazolines 9 and 14 and of the complexes 15 – 20 were recorded and the CO stretching frequencies of complexes 19 and 20 were used to determine the Tolman electronic parameters of the newly obtained NHCs 3 (TEP: 2060 cm^–1) and 4 (TEP: 2061 cm^–1), thus proving that 1, 3‐substitution of maleonitrile‐NHCs does not have a significant effect for the high π‐acceptor strength of these carbenes.     

Oxo–Group‐14‐Element Bond Formation in Binuclear Uranium(V) Pacman Complexes

Simple and versatile routes to the functionalization of uranyl‐derived U^V–oxo groups are presented. The oxo‐lithiated, binuclear uranium(V)–oxo complexes [{(py)₃LiOUO}₂(L)] and [{(py)₃LiOUO}(OUOSiMe₃)(L)] were prepared by the direct combination of the uranyl(VI) silylamide “ate” complex [Li(py)₂][(OUO)(N”)₃] (N”=N(SiMe₃)₂) with the polypyrrolic macrocycle H₄L or the mononuclear uranyl (VI) Pacman complex [UO₂(py)(H₂L)], respectively. These oxo‐metalated complexes display distinct U? O single and multiple bonding patterns and an axial/equatorial arrangement of oxo ligands. Their ready availability allows the direct functionalization of the uranyl oxo group leading to the binuclear uranium(V) oxo–stannylated complexes [{(R₃Sn)OUO}₂(L)] (R=nBu, Ph), which represent rare examples of mixed uranium/tin complexes. Also, uranium–oxo‐group exchange occurred in reactions with [TiCl(OiPr)₃] to form U‐O? C bonds [{(py)₃LiOUO}(OUOiPr)(L)] and [(iPrOUO)₂(L)]. Overall, these represent the first family of uranium(V) complexes that are oxo‐functionalised by Group 14 elements.     

[{Cp″Co}3(μ3-P)(μ3-PSe)], ein Dreikerncluster mit einem PSe-Liganden

[{Cp″Co}₃(μ₃-P)(μ₃-PSe)], a Trinuclear Cluster with a PSe Ligand The cothermolysis of [Cp″Co(CO)₂] ( 1 ), Cp″ = C₅H₃Bu-1.3, and P₄ gives besides [{Cp″Co}₃(μ₃-P)₂] ( 2 ) the cobalt P_n complexes [{Cp″Co}₄(μ₃-P)₄] ( 3 ) and [{Cp″Co}₂(μ, η^2:2-P₂)₂] ( 4 ). 2 can be oxidized with grey selenium forming [{Cp″Co}₃(μ₃-P)(μ₃-PSe)] ( 5 ) and [{Cp″Co}₃(μ₃-PSe)₂] ( 6 ), complexes with the hitherto unknown PSe ligand. The crystal structure of 5 reveals a trigonal-bipyramidal Co₃P₂ skeleton with one μ₃-PSe ligand.     

A New Class of Remote N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes with Exceptionally Strong σ‐Donor Properties: Introducing Benzo[c]quinolin‐6‐ylidene

We make the case for benzo[c]quinolin‐6‐ylidene ( 1 ) as a strongly electron‐donating carbene ligand. The facile synthesis of 6‐trifluoromethanesulfonylbenzo[c]quinolizinium trifluoromethanesulfonate ( 2 ) gives straightforward access to a useful precursor for oxidative addition to low‐valent metals, to yield the desired carbene complexes. This concept has been achieved in the case of [Mn(benzo[c]quinolin‐6‐ylidene)(CO)₅]⁺ ( 15 ) and [Pd(benzo[c]quinolin‐6‐ylidene)(PPh₃)₂(L)]²⁺ L=THF ( 21 ), OTf ( 22 ) or pyridine ( 23 ). Attempts to coordinate to nickel result in coupling products from two carbene precursor fragments. The CO IR‐stretching‐frequency data for the manganese compound suggests benzo[c]quinolin‐6‐ylidene is at least as strong a donor as any heteroatom‐stabilised carbene ligand reported.     

Syntheses and Structures of Homo‐ and Heterobimetallic Complexes Containing a (Cyclopentadienone)rhodium(I) Fragment

The reaction of [RhCl(η⁴‐Ph₂R₂C₄CO)]₂ (R=Ph, 2‐naphthyl) with the dimeric complexes [RuCl₂(p‐cymene)]₂ p‐cymene=1‐methyl‐4‐(1‐methylethyl)benzene, [RuCl₂(1,3,5‐Et₃C₆H₃)]₂, [MCl₂(Cp*)]₂ (M=Rh, Ir; Cp*=1,2,3,4,5‐pentamethylcyclopenta‐2,4‐dien‐1‐yl), [RuCl₂(CO)₃]₂, [RuCl₂(dcypb)(CO)]₂ (dcypb=butane‐1,4‐diylbis[dicyclohexylphosphine]), [(dppb)ClRu(μ‐Cl)₂(μ‐OH₂)RuCl(dppb)] (dppb=butane‐1,4‐diylbis[diphenylphosphine]), and [(dcypb)(N₂)Ru(μ‐Cl)₃RuCl(dcypb)] was investigated. In all cases, mixed, chloro‐bridged complexes were formed in quantitative yield (see 5 – 8, 9 – 16, 18, 19, 21 , and 22 ). The six new complexes 5, 8, 9, 13, 15 , and 22 were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis (Figs. 1–3).     

Heterodinukleare Komplexe: Synthese und Kristallstrukturen von [RuRh(μ‐CO)(CO)4(μ‐PtBu2)(tBu2PH)], [RuRh(μ‐CO)(CO)3(μ‐PtBu2)(μ‐Ph2PCH2PPh2)] und [CoRh(CO)4(μ‐H)(μ‐PtBu2)(tBu2PH)]

Heterobinuclear Complexes: Synthesis and X‐ray Crystal Structures of [RuRh(μ‐CO)(CO)₄(μ‐P^tBu₂)(^tBu₂PH)], [RuRh(μ‐CO)(CO)₃(μ‐P^tBu₂)(μ‐Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂)], and [CoRh(CO)₄(μ‐H)(μ‐P^tBu₂)(^tBu₂PH)] [Ru₃Rh(CO)₇(μ₃‐H)(μ‐P^tBu₂)₂(^tBu₂PH)(μ‐Cl)₂] ( 2 ) yields by cluster degradation under CO pressure as main product the heterobinuclear complex [RuRh(μ‐CO)(CO)₄(μ‐P^tBu₂)(^tBu₂PH)] ( 4 ). The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pcab with a = 15.6802(15), b = 28.953(3), c = 11.8419(19) Å and V = 5376.2(11) ų. The reaction of 4 with dppm (Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) in THF at room temperature affords in good yields [RuRh(μ‐CO)(CO)₃(μ‐P^tBu₂)(μ‐dppm)] ( 7 ). 7 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P 1 with a = 9.7503(19), b = 13.399(3), c = 15.823(3) Å and V = 1854.6 ų. Moreover single crystals of [CoRh(CO)₄(μ‐H)(μ‐P^tBu₂)(^tBu₂PH)] ( 9 ) could be obtained and the single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis revealed that 9 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/a with a = 11.611(2), b = 13.333(2), c = 18.186(3) Å and V = 2693.0(8) ų.     

Chemistry of N,S‐Heterocyclic Carbene and Metallaboratrane Complexes: A New η3‐BCC‐Borataallyl Complex

A high‐yielding synthetic route for the preparation of group 9 metallaboratrane complexes [Cp*MBH(L)₂], 1 and 2 ( 1 , M=Rh, 2 , M=Ir; L=C₇H₄NS₂) has been developed using [{Cp*MCl₂}₂] as precursor. This method also permitted the synthesis of an Rh–N,S‐heterocyclic carbene complex, [(Cp*Rh)(L₂)(1‐benzothiazol‐2‐ylidene)] ( 3 ; L=C₇H₄NS₂) in good yield. The reaction of compound 3 with neutral borane reagents led to the isolation of a novel borataallyl complex [Cp*Rh(L)₂B{CH₂C(CO₂Me)}] ( 4 ; L=C₇H₄NS₂). Compound 4 features a rare η³‐interaction between rhodium and the B‐C‐C unit of a vinylborane moiety. Furthermore, with the objective of generating metallaboratranes of other early and late transition metals through a transmetallation approach, reactions of rhoda‐ and irida‐boratrane complexes with metal carbonyl compounds were carried out. Although the objective of isolating such complexes was not achieved, several interesting mixed‐metal complexes [{Cp*Rh}{Re(CO)₃}(C₇H₄NS₂)₃] ( 5 ), [Cp*Rh{Fe₂(CO)₆}(μ‐CO)S] ( 6 ), and [Cp*RhBH(L)₂W(CO)₅] ( 7 ; L=C₇H₄NS₂) have been isolated. All of the new compounds have been characterized in solution by mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, and ¹H, ¹¹B, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies, and the structural types of 4 – 7 have been unequivocally established by crystallographic analysis.     

Iridium Complexes of 2,2′‐Bidipyrrins

The reaction of [{Ir(cod)(μ‐Cl)}₂] and K₂CO₃ or of [{Ir(cod)(μ‐OMe)}₂] alone with the non‐natural tetrapyrrole 2,2′‐bidipyrrin (H₂BDP) yields, depending on the stoichiometry, the mononuclear complex [Ir(cod)(HBDP)] or the homodinuclear complex [{Ir(cod)}₂(BDP)]. Both complexes react readily with carbon monoxide to yield the species [Ir(CO)₂(HBDP)] and [{Ir(CO)₂}₂(BDP)], respectively. The results from NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction reveal different conformations for the tetrapyrrolic ligand in both complexes. The reaction of [{Ir(coe)₂(μ‐Cl)}₂] with H₂BDP proceeds differently and yields the macrocyclic [4e^?,2H⁺]‐oxidized product [IrCl₂(9‐Meic)] (9‐Meic = monoanion of 9‐methyl‐9,10‐isocorrole), which can be addressed as an iridium analog of cobalamin.     

Addition von kationischen Lewis‐Säuren [M′Ln]+ (M′Ln = Fe(CO)2Cp,Fe(CO)(PPh3)Cp,Ru(PPh3)2Cp,Re(CO)5, ${1 \over 2}$ Pt(PPh3)2, W(CO)3Cp an die anionischen Thiocarbonyl‐Komplexe [HB(pz)3(OC)2M(CS)]− (M = Mo,W; pz = 3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl)

Addition of Cationic Lewis Acids [M′L_n]⁺ (M′L_n = Fe(CO)₂Cp, Fe(CO)(PPh₃)Cp, Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp, Re(CO)₅, Pt(PPh₃)₂, W(CO)₃Cp to the Anionic Thiocarbonyl Complexes [HB(pz)₃(OC)₂M(CS)]⁻ (M = Mo, W; pz = 3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl) Adducts from Organometallic Lewis Acids [Fe(CO)₂Cp]⁺, [Fe(CO)(PPh₃)Cp]⁺, [Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp]⁺, [Re(CO)₅]⁺, [ Pt(PPh₃)₂]⁺, [W(CO)₃Cp]⁺ and the anionic thiocarbonyl complexes [HB(pz)₃(OC)₂M(CS)]⁻ (M = Mo, W) have been prepared. Their spectroscopic data indicate that the addition of the cations occurs at the sulphur atom to give end‐to‐end thiocarbonyl bridged complexes [HB(pz)₃(OC)₂MCSM′L_n].     

Cyclopentadienyl Dicarbonyl Iron‐Bismuth Compounds – Synthesis,Structure, and Reactivity

Abstract. The cyclopentadienyl‐substituted iron‐bismuth complexes [{Cp(CO)₂Fe}BiCl₂] ( 1 ), [{Cp(CO)₂Fe}BiBr₂] ( 2 ), [{Cp′′(CO)₂Fe}BiBr₂] ( 3 ) and [{Cp*(CO)₂Fe}BiBr₂] ( 4 ) were prepared with high yields starting from [Cp^x(CO)₂Fe]₂ [Cp^x = C₅H₅ (Cp), C₅H₃‐1, 3‐tBu₂ (Cp′′), C₅Me₅ (Cp*)] and the corresponding bismuth halides. The single crystal X‐ray structure analyses of compounds 2 – 4 are reported. Comparison of their solubility demonstrates that the steric hindrance in this type of compounds is only slightly higher for compound 3 compared with compound 2 but significantly lower compared with the Cp* derivative 4 . Compounds 1 – 4 react with nucleophililic reagents such as KOtBu, NaOCH₂CH₂OCH₃, and NaOSiMe₃ as well as with water in the presence of an amine to give a mixture of [{Cp^x(CO)₂Fe}BiX] (X = Cl, Br) and [{Cp^x(CO)₂Fe}₃Bi]. In case of a reaction with nBu₄NCl and DMAP (dimethylaminopyridine) no such dismutation is observed. Instead the complexes [{Cp(CO)₂Fe}BiBr₂(DMAP)₂] ( 5 ), [NnBu₄]₂[{{Cp(CO)₂Fe}BiBr₃}₂] ( 6 ) and [NnBu₄]₂[{{Cp(CO)₂Fe}BiCl₃}₂] ( 7 ) were isolated and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

New Trinuclear Complexes of Group 6, 8, and 9 Metals with a Triply Bridging Borylene Ligand

Trinuclear complexes of group 6, 8, and 9 transition metals with a (μ₃‐BH) ligand [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*Rh)₂(μ‐CO)M′(CO)₅], 3 and 4 ( 3 : M′=Mo; 4 : M′=W) and 5 – 8 , [(Cp*Ru)₃(μ₃‐CO)₂(μ₃‐BH)(μ₃‐E)(μ‐H){M′(CO)₃}] ( 5 : M′=Cr, E=CO; 6 : M′=Mo, E=CO; 7 : M′=Mo, E=BH; 8 : M′=W, E=CO), have been synthesized from the reaction between nido‐[(Cp*M)₂B₃H₇] (nido‐ 1 : M=Rh; nido‐ 2 : M=RuH, Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅) and [M′(CO)₅ ? thf] (M′=Mo and W). Compounds 3 and 4 are isoelectronic and isostructural with [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*Co)₂(μ‐CO)M′(CO)₅], (M′=Cr, Mo and W) and [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*Co)₂(μ‐CO)(μ‐H)₂M′′H(CO)₃], (M′′=Mn and Re). All compounds are composed of a bridging borylene ligand (B?H) that is effectively stabilized by a trinuclear framework. In contrast, the reaction of nido‐ 1 with [Cr(CO)₅ ? thf] gave [(Cp*Rh)₂Cr(CO)₃(μ‐CO)(μ₃‐BH)(B₂H₄)] ( 9 ). The geometry of 9 can be viewed as a condensed polyhedron composed of [Rh₂Cr(μ₃‐BH)] and [Rh₂CrB₂], a tetrahedral and a square pyramidal geometry, respectively. The bonding of 9 can be considered by using the polyhedral fusion formalism of Mingos. All compounds have been characterized by using different spectroscopic studies and the molecular structures were determined by using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

Heterometallic Triply‐Bridging Bis‐Borylene Complexes

Triply‐bridging bis‐{hydrido(borylene)} and bis‐borylene species of groups 6, 8 and 9 transition metals are reported. Mild thermolysis of [Fe₂(CO)₉] with an in situ produced intermediate, generated from the low‐temperature reaction of [Cp*WCl₄] (Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅) and [LiBH₄?THF] afforded triply‐bridging bis‐{hydrido(borylene)}, [(μ₃‐BH)₂H₂{Cp*W(CO)₂}₂{Fe(CO)₂}] ( 1 ) and bis‐borylene, [(μ₃‐BH)₂{Cp*W(CO)₂}₂{Fe(CO)₃}] ( 2 ). The chemical bonding analyses of 1 show that the B?H interactions in bis‐{hydrido (borylene)} species is stronger as compared to the M?H ones. Frontier molecular orbital analysis shows a significantly larger energy gap between the HOMO‐LUMO for 2 as compared to 1 . In an attempt to synthesize the ruthenium analogue of 1 , a similar reaction has been performed with [Ru₃(CO)₁₂]. Although we failed to get the bis‐{hydrido(borylene)} species, the reaction afforded triply‐bridging bis‐borylene species [(μ₃‐BH)₂{WCp*(CO)₂}₂{Ru(CO)₃}] ( 2′ ), an analogue of 2 . In search for the isolation of bridging bis‐borylene species of Rh, we have treated [Co₂(CO)₈] with nido‐[(RhCp*)₂(B₃H₇)], which afforded triply‐bridging bis‐borylene species [(μ₃‐BH)₂(RhCp*)₂Co₂(CO)₄(μ‐CO)] ( 3 ). All the compounds have been characterized by means of single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction study; ¹H, ¹¹B, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy; IR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry.     

Binuclear CpV,Cp*V,and Cp*Ta Complexes containing Organochalcogenolato Bridges, μ‐ER (E = Sulfur,Selenium, Tellurium; R = Methyl,Phenyl, and Ferrocenyl)

Photolysis of the halfsandwich tetracarbonylmetal complexes CpV(CO)₄, Cp*V(CO)₄ and Cp*Ta(CO)₄ in solution in the presence of di(organyl)dichalcogenides E₂R₂ (E = S, Se, Te; R = Me, Ph, Fc) leads to diamagnetic doubly organochalcogenolato‐bridged compounds, [Cp⁽⁾M(CO)₂(μ‐ER)]₂. According to the X‐ray structure determinations carried out for [CpV(CO)₂(μ‐TeMe)]₂, [Cp*V(CO)₂(μ‐TePh)]₂ and [Cp*Ta(CO)₂(μ‐SPh)]₂, the molecular framework consists of a folded M₂(μ‐ER)₂ ring with the cyclopentadienyl ligands in cis‐configuration and the organyl substituents R in a syn‐equatorial arrangement, thus forming a bowl‐shaped molecule with the four terminal CO ligands protruding into the inner sphere. The M…M distances (in the range between 305 and 330 pm) are not considered to indicate direct bonding interactions. The vanadium complexes [Cp⁽⁾V(CO)₂(μ‐ER)]₂ are completely decarbonylated in the presence of an excess of E₂R₂ in boiling toluene, and in many cases the paramagnetic quadruply‐bridged products, [CpV(μ‐ER)₂]₂, can be isolated.     

Valence‐to‐Core X‐Ray Emission Spectroscopy of Iron–Carbonyl Complexes: Implications for the Examination of Catalytic Intermediates

Valence‐to‐core X‐ray emission spectroscopy (V2C XES) has been applied to a series of compounds relevant to both homogeneous catalysts and intermediates in heterogeneous reactions, namely [Fe(CO)₅], [Fe₂(CO)₉], [Fe₃(CO)₁₂], [Fe(CO)₃(cod)] (cod=cyclo‐octadienyl), [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₄] (Cp=cyclo‐pentadienyl), [Fe₂Cp*₂(CO)₄] (Cp*=tetramethylcyclopentadienyl), and [FeCp(CO)₂(thf)][B(ArF)₄] (ArF=pentafluorophenyl). DFT calculations of the V2C XES spectra show very good agreement with experiment, which allows for an in depth analysis of the origins of the observed spectral signatures. It is demonstrated that the observed spectral features can be broken down into specific ligand and metal fragment contributions. The relative intensities of the observed features are further explained through a quantitative investigation of the metal 3p and 4p contributions to the spectra. The ability to use V2C XES to separate carbonyl, hydrocarbon, and solvent contributions is highlighted.     

Metal‐catalyzed reversible conversion between chemical and electrical energy designed towards a sustainable society

Proton dissociation of an aqua‐Ru‐quinone complex, [Ru(trpy)(q)(OH₂)]²⁺ (trpy = 2,2′ : 6′,2″‐terpyridine, q = 3,5‐di‐t‐butylquinone) proceeded in two steps (pK_a = 5.5 and ca. 10.5). The first step simply produced [Ru(trpy)(q)(OH)]⁺, while the second one gave an unusual oxyl radical complex, [Ru(trpy)(sq)(O^?.)]⁰ (sq = 3,5‐di‐t‐butylsemiquinone), owing to an intramolecular electron transfer from the resultant O^2? to q. A dinuclear Ru complex bridged by an anthracene framework, [Ru₂(btpyan)(q)₂(OH)₂]²⁺ (btpyan = 1,8‐bis(2,2′‐terpyridyl)anthracene), was prepared to place two Ru(trpy)(q)(OH) groups at a close distance. Deprotonation of the two hydroxy protons of [Ru₂(btpyan)(q)₂(OH)₂]²⁺ generated two oxyl radical Ru‐O^?. groups, which worked as a precursor for O₂ evolution in the oxidation of water. The [Ru₂(btpyan)(q)₂(OH)₂](SbF₆)₂ modified ITO electrode effectively catalyzed four‐electron oxidation of water to evolve O₂ (TON = 33500) under electrolysis at +1.70 V in H₂O (pH 4.0). Various physical measurements and DFT calculations indicated that a radical coupling between two Ru(sq)(O^?.) groups forms a (cat)Ru‐O‐O‐Ru(sq) (cat = 3,5‐di‐t‐butylcathechol) framework with a μ‐superoxo bond. Successive removal of four electrons from the cat, sq, and superoxo groups of [Ru₂(btpyan)(cat)(sq)(μ‐O₂^?)]⁰ assisted with an attack of two water (or OH^?) to Ru centers, which causes smooth O₂ evolution with regeneration of [Ru₂(btpyan)(q)₂(OH)₂]²⁺. Deprotonation of an Ru‐quinone‐ammonia complex also gave the corresponding Ru‐semiquinone‐aminyl radical. The oxidized form of the latter showed a high catalytic activity towards the oxidation of methanol in the presence of base. Three complexes, [Ru(bpy)₂(CO)₂]²⁺, [Ru(bpy)₂(CO)(C(O)OH)]⁺, and [Ru(bpy)₂(CO)(CO₂)]⁰ exist as an equilibrium mixture in water. Treatment of [Ru(bpy)₂(CO)₂]²⁺ with BH₄^? gave [Ru(bpy)₂(CO)(C(O)H)]⁺, [Ru(bpy)₂(CO)(CH₂OH)]⁺, and [Ru(bpy)₂(CO)(OH₂)]²⁺ with generation of CH₃OH in aqueous conditions. Based on these results, a reasonable catalytic pathway from CO₂ to CH₃OH in electro‐ and photochemical CO₂ reduction is proposed. A new pbn (pbn = 2‐pyridylbenzo[b]‐1,5‐naphthyridine) ligand was designed as a renewable hydride donor for the six‐electron reduction of CO₂. A series of [Ru(bpy)_3‐n(pbn)_n]²⁺ (n = 1, 2, 3) complexes undergoes photochemical two‐ (n = 1), four‐ (n = 2), and six‐electron reductions (n = 3) under irradiation of visible light in the presence of N(CH₂CH₂OH)₃. © 2009 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Chem Rec 9: 169–186; 2009: Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ) DOI 10.1002/tcr.200800039     

Ethylene‐Norbornene Terpolymerization with 5‐Vinyl‐2‐norbornene Using Single‐Site Catalysts

The incorporation of 5‐vinyl‐2‐norbornene (VNB) into ethylene‐norbornene copolymer was investigated with catalysts [Ph₂C(Fluo)(Cp)]ZrCl₂ ( 1 ), rac‐[Et(Ind)₂]ZrCl₂ ( 2 ), and [Me₂Si(Me₄Cp)^tBuN]TiCl₂ ( 3 ) in the presence of MAO by terpolymerizing different amounts of 5‐vinyl‐2‐norbornene with constant amounts of ethylene and norbornene at 60°C. The highest cycloolefin incorporations and highest activity in terpolymerizations were achieved with 1 . The distribution of the monomers in the terpolymer chain was determined by NMR spectroscopy. As confirmed by XRD and DSC analysis, catalysts 1 and 3 produced amorphous terpolymer, whereas 2 yielded terpolymer with crystalline fragments of long ethylene sequences. When compared with poly‐(ethylene‐co‐norbornene), VNB increased both the glass transition temperatures and molar masses of terpolymers produced with the constrained geometry catalyst whereas decreased those for the metallocenes.