Syntheses, structures, and dynamic properties of M(CO)2(η-C3H5)(en)(X) (M = Mo, W; X = Br, N3, CN) and [(en)(η-C3H5)(CO)2M(μ-CN)M(CO)2(η-C3H5)(en)]Br (M = Mo, W)

Mononuclear compounds M(CO)₂(η³-C₃H₅)(en)(X) (X = Br, M = Mo(1), W(2); X = N₃, M = Mo(3), W(4); X = CN, M = Mo(5), W(6)) and cyanide-bridged bimetallic compounds [(en)(η³-C₃H₅)(CO)₂M(μ-CN)M(CO)₂(η³-C₃H₅)(en)]Br (M = Mo (7), W(8)) were prepared and characterized. These compounds are fluxional and display broad unresolved proton NMR signals at room temperature. Compounds 1-6 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy at −60 °C, which revealed isomers in solution. The major isomers of 1-4 adopt an asymmetric endo-conformation, while those of 5 and 6 were both found to possess a symmetric endo-conformation. The single crystal X-ray structures of 1-6 are consistent with the structures of the major isomer in solution at low temperature. In contrast to mononuclear terminal cyanide compounds 5 and 6, cyanide-bridged compounds 7 and 8 were found to adopt the asymmetric endo-conformation in the solid state.     

[M(dipicH2)(H2O)3], M = Ni,Cu, Zn (dipicH2 = dipicolinic acid) – A combined crystallographic,spectroscopic and computational study

Cationic metal complexes of dipicolinic acid (dipicH₂) are stabilized by [Ce(dipic)₃]²⁻ ions in the three isomorphous crystals [M(dipicH₂)(OH₂)₃][Ce(dipic)₃] · 3H₂O (M = Ni, 1; Cu, 2; Zn, 3). Magnetic dilution provided by the bulky anions leads to well-resolved EPR spectra in polycrystalline samples of 2. The cations have 4+2 coordination, the carbonyl atom of the carboxylic acid groups coordinating weakly from trans positions. In the case of 2 this steric distortion is augmented by Jahn–Teller distortion. All the three structures are satisfactorily modelled by calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). The switch of the Jahn–Teller axis upon deprotonation of the complex, leading to the neutral species Cu(dipic)(H₂O)₃, is also reproduced by DFT. Electronic transition energies as well as the g-tensor component of the d⁹ complex obtained are in good agreement with experiment. However, the calculated hyperfine coupling constants are in error. DFT also fails to satisfactorily account for the electronic transition in the d⁸ ion in 1.     

Spin fluctuations and orbital ordering in quasi-one-dimensional α-Cu(dca)2(pyz) {dca = dicyanamide = N(CN)2; pyz = pyrazine}, a molecular analogue of KCuF3

The magnetic properties of α-Cu(dca)₂(pyz) were examined by magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, inelastic neutron scattering (INS), muon-spin relaxation (μSR) measurements and by first-principles density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations and quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) simulations. The χ versus T curve shows a broad maximum at 3.5 K, and the data between 2 and 300 K is well described by an S = 1/2 Heisenberg uniform chain model with g = 2.152(1) and J/k_B = −5.4(1) K. μSR measurements, conducted down to 0.02 K and as a function of longitudinal magnetic field, show no oscillations in the muon asymmetry function A(t). This evidence, together with the lack of spin wave formation as gleaned from INS data, suggests that no long-range magnetic order takes place in α-Cu(dca)₂(pyz) down to the lowest measured temperatures. Electronic structure calculations further show that the spin exchange is significant only along the Cu–pyz–Cu chains, such that α-Cu(dca)₂(pyz) can be described by a Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain model. Further support for this comes from the M versus B curve, which is strongly concave owing to the reduced spin dimensionality. α-Cu(dca)₂(pyz) is a molecular analogue of KCuF₃ owing to d_x2-y2${\text{d}}_{x^2-y^2}$ orbital ordering where nearest-neighbor magnetic orbital planes of the Cu²⁺ sites are orthogonal in the planes perpendicular to the Cu–pyz–Cu chains.     

On the synthesis and structures of the complexes [RuCl(L)(dppb)(N–N)]PF6 (L = CO,py or 4-NH2py; dppb = 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane; N–N = 2,2′-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline) and [(dppb)(CO)Cl2-Ru-pz-RuCl2(CO)(dppb)] (pz = pyrazine)

The “Ru(P–P)” unit (P–P = diphosphine) is recognized to be an important core in catalytic species for hydrogenation of unsaturated organic substrates. Thus, in this study we synthesized six new complexes containing this core, including the binuclear complex [(dppb)(CO)Cl₂Ru-pz-RuCl₂(CO)(dppb)] (pz = pyrazine) which can be used as a precursor for the synthesis of cationic carbonyl species of general formula [RuCl(CO)(dppb)(N–N)]PF₆ (N–N = diimine). Complexes with the formula [RuCl(py)(dppb)(N–N)]PF₆ were synthesized by exhaustive electrolysis of these carbonyl compounds or from the precursors [RuCl₂(dppb)(N–N)]. The new complexes were characterized by microanalysis, conductivity measurements, IR and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and X-ray crystallography.     

Reactions of Cu3(dppm)3(μ3-OH)(ClO4)2 (dppm = bis-(diphenylphosphino) methane) with Soft Heterocumulenes

The reaction of [Cu₃(dppm)₃(μ₃-OH)](ClO₄)₂ (1) with heterocumulenes (XCS; X = NPh, NMe and S) has been studied. The μ₃-OH ligand inserts into PhNCS and MeNCS only in the presence of methanol. Insertion products are formed in accord with earlier observations made with copper(I)-aryloxides. On heating, the insertion products convert to a S bridged cluster [Cu₄(dppm)₄(μ₄-S)](ClO₄)₂ (8), having a tetrameric core. However, in the reaction with CS₂, 1 is converted to 8 even at room temperature in the presence of methanol. On the other hand, the dimeric complex [Cu₂(dppm)₂(CH₃CN)₄](ClO₄)₂, reacts with CS₂ to give (diphenylphosphinomethyl)-diphenylphosphine sulfide, Ph₂P-CH₂-P(S)Ph₂ (dppmS), which forms the complex [Cu(dppmS)₂]ClO₄ (9). A single crystal X-ray crystallographic study of 9, the first copper(I) complex of dppmS has been taken up to confirm the mono-oxidation of the dppm ligand and the nuclearity of the complex. Reactions of complex 1 with heterocumulenes and with elemental sulfur, are compared.     

Synthesis and structural characterisation of five copper(I) and silver(I) complexes with 2-aminopyridine (2-APy), [Cu(μ-Cl)(2-Apy)(PPh3)]2, [Ag(μ-X)(2-Apy)(PPh3)]2 (X = Cl,Br), [Ag(μ-ONO2)(2-Apy)(EPh3)]2 (E = P,As)

Five new copper(I)/silver(I) complexes containing 2-aminopyridine, [Cu(μ-Cl)(2-Apy)(PPh₃)]₂(1), [Ag(μ-Cl)(2-Apy)(PPh₃)]₂(2), [Ag(μ-Br)(2-Apy)PPh₃)]₂(3), [Ag(μ-ONO₂)(2-Apy)(PPh₃)]₂(4), [Ag(μ-ONO₂)(2-Apy)(AsPh₃)]₂(5) have been synthesised for the first time. Complexes 1–5 are obtained by the reactions of MX (MX = CuCl for 1; M = Ag for 2–5; X = Cl, Br for 2–3; X = NO₃ for 4–5) with the monodentate ligands EPh₃ (E = P for 1–4; E = As for 5) and 2-Apy in the molar ratio of 1:1:2 in the mixed solvent of CH₂Cl₂ and MeOH. Complexes 1–5 are characterised by IR and X-ray diffraction. In 1–5, chloride, bromide and nitrate ions bridge two metal atoms to form dinuclear complexes containing the parallelogram cores M₂X₂ (M = Cu, Ag).     

Theoretical insight into stereodynamics of the O(D) + H2 (v = 0–3, j = 0) → OH + H reaction: A quasiclassical trajectory (QCT) study

In this work, the reaction O(¹D) + H₂ → OH + H has been theoretically studied using the quasiclassical trajectory (QCT) method developed by Han and co-workers. All the quasiclassical trajectory calculations are performed on the DK (Dobbyn and Knowles) potential energy surface (PES). The vector correlation information on the reaction O(¹D) + H₂ → OH + H has been obtained. It has been demonstrated that the product alignment is sensitive to the reactant vibrational quantum number (v) at collision energy of 19 kcal/mol. Moreover, with increasing the value of v, backward scattering becomes weaker and forward scattering becomes stronger.     

A general route for the synthesis of hydrido-carboxylate complexes of the type MH(CO)(κ-OCOR)(PPh3)2 [M = Ru,Os; R = CH3, CH2Cl,C6H5, CH(CH3)2] and their use as precatalysts for hydrogenation and hydroformylation reactions

The synthesis and solid-state IR, ¹H and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopic characterization of complexes of the type MH(CO)(κ³-OCOR)(PPh₃)₂ [M = Ru, Os; R = CH₃, CH₂Cl, C₆H₅ and CH(CH₃)₂] are reported in this paper. These compounds were obtained by reaction of the respective cationic complex [MH(CO)(NCMe)₂(PPh₃)₂]BF₄ with the sodium salt of the corresponding carboxylic acid in a 1:1 v/v dichloromethane/methanol solution at room temperature. The spectroscopic data of these complexes and some DFT calculations reveal an octahedral geometry with a bidentated carboxylate, two equivalent triphenylphosphines in a mutually trans positions, a linear hydride and a linear carbonyl both in the cis-positions of the coordination sphere. The catalytic results indicate that these complexes are efficient and regioselective precatalysts for the quinoline hydrogenation and for the hydroformylation of 1-hexene, under mild reaction conditions (130 °C and 4 atm H₂ and 120 °C and 15 atm H₂/CO, respectively). For benzothiophene hydrogenation, the osmium complexes showed low activities whereas the analogous ruthenium complexes were catalytically inactive under somewhat more drastic reaction conditions to those of the quinoline hydrogenation (140 °C and 10 atm H₂).     

Germylene and stannylene (Me2NCH2CH2O)2E as strong σ-donor ligands for transition metal complexes [ML(CO)n] (E = Ge, Sn; M = Cr, Mo, W, n = 4 or 5; M = Fe, n = 4). Synthesis, spectroscopic and theoretical study

A series of germylene and stannylene (Me₂NCH₂CH₂O)₂E (E = Ge, 1; E = Sn, 2) complexes of group 6 metals and iron carbonyls L·M(CO)_n (M = Cr, Mo, W, n = 5 (3-8), n = 4 (9, 10); M = Fe, n = 4 (11, 12)) were prepared. These complexes were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, FTIR and elemental analysis. Ligand properties of 1 and 2 were compared to PPh₃ and dmiy (N,N′-dimethylimidazolin-2-ylidene) using theoretical calculations (PBE/TZ2P) and FTIR. Ligand dissociation energies increase in the order Ph₃P < 2∼1 < dmiy, while donor strength rise in the order PPh₃ < dmiy < 2 < 1.     

Insertion reaction of elemental sulfur into the Ln–C bond: Synthesis and characterization of [(C5H4SiMe2Bu)2Ln(μ-SR)]2 (R = Me,Ln = Yb,Er, Dy,Y; R = Bu,Ln = Yb,Dy)

Treatment of (C₅H₄SiMe₂^tBu)₂LnR with 1 equiv of elemental sulfur in toluene at ambient temperature gives dimeric complexes [(C₅H₄SiMe₂^tBu)₂Ln(μ-SR)]₂ [R = Me, Ln = Yb (1), Er (2), Dy (3), Y (4); R = ⁿBu, Ln = Yb (5), Dy (6)]. All these complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and mass spectroscopies. The structures of complexes 1, 3, 5 and 6 are also determined through X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis, indicating that only one sulfur atom from elemental sulfur inserts into Ln–C σ-bond.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of [Bu3SbCr(CO)5], [Bu3BiM(CO)5] (M = Cr, W), and [Bu3BiMnCp′(CO)2] (Cp′ = η-C5H4CH3)

Syntheses and crystal structures of [^tBu₃SbCr(CO)₅] (1), [^tBu₃BiM(CO)₅] [M = Cr (2), W (3)] and [^tBu₃BiMnCp′(CO)₂] (4) (Cp′ = η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃) are reported.     

Collision energy effect on the H′ + BrH (ν = 0, j = 0) → H′Br + H reaction: A quasi-classical trajectory study

Theoretical studies on the dynamics of the exchange reaction H′ + BrH (ν = 0, j = 0) → H′Br + H are performed on potential energy surface (PES) (Kurosaki et al., private communication) for the ground state using the quasi-classical trajectory method. The cross sections, computed at the collision energies (E_c) of 0.5-2.0 eV, are in good agreement with the earlier quantum wave packet results. The rotational, vibrational, and translational fractions in the total energy and the vibrational distribution for the product molecule are calculated at the same collision-energy range. The results support the repulsive character of the PES. In the considered E_c range, it has little chance to occur in an indirect reaction. The alignment and orientation of the product H′Br are investigated in detail with stereodynamics. The results show that E_c can effect on both the alignment and the orientation of product.     

A series of multinuclear homo- and heterometallic complexes with bridging tellurolato ligands derived from [CpIr(CO)(TeTol)2] (Cp = η-C5Me5, Tol = p-tolyl)

Reactions of [Cp^∗Ir(CO)(TeTol)₂] (1; Tol = p-tolyl) with certain organometallic Pd(II), Pt(II), Ir(III), Rh(III), and Ru(II) species afforded IrPd, IrPt, IrPt₂, Ir₂, IrRh, IrRu₃, and IrRu complexes having tellurolato-bridged dinuclear or trinuclear cores. This finding demonstrates that 1 is a versatile precursor to synthesize a variety of multinuclear homo- and heterometallic μ-tellurolato complexes, whose chemistry is still less advanced as compared with that of μ-thiolato complexes.     

HMB and Cp* ruthenium(II) complexes containing bis- and tris-(mercaptomethimazolyl)borate ligands: Synthetic, X-ray structural and electrochemical studies (HMB = η-C6Me6, Cp* = η-C5Me5)

The reactions of [(HMB)RuCl₂]₂ with K[HB(mt)₃] and Na[H₂B(mt)₂] (mt = N-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazol-1-yl) led to the isolation of [(HMB)Ru{HB(mt)₃}]Cl (1) (ca. 66% yield) and [(HMB)Ru{H₂B(mt)₂}]Cl (2) (ca. 70% yield), respectively. The reaction of [Cp*RuOMe]₂ with Na[H₂B(mt)₂] yielded Cp*Ru[H₂B(mt)₂] (3) (ca. 85% yield). Single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses were carried out on all three complexes, together with cyclic voltammetric measurements.     

Synthesis,structure and physical properties of trinuclear M3tdt3(PEt3)3 (M = Fe,Co) clusters containing metal–metal bonds

Trinuclear M₃tdt₃(PEt₃)₃ (M = Fe^II for I, Co^II for II) clusters have been synthesized from the reaction between M(PEt₃)₂Cl₂ and Na₂tdt (tdt = toluene-3,4-dithiolate) in MeCN. Both complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, UV–Vis, FAB-MS, ¹H NMR and cyclic voltammetry. Structures of Fe₃tdt₃(PEt₃)₃ (I) and Co₃tdt₃(PEt₃)₃ (II) were determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The Fe₃ triangular core of the 48-electron complex I, with an isosceles triangular geometry, showed very short Fe–Fe distances of 2.4014(13) and 2.4750(12) Å, which are comparable to the extensive M–M frameworks found in the FeMo-cofactor in nitrogenase. The isostructural Co₃tdt₃(PEt₃)₃ (II), with an analogous Co₃ coordination geometry, showed short Co–Co distances of 2.4442(9) and 2.5551(10) Å. The slightly longer M–M distances in complex II were explained by a total valence electron counting argument. Cyclic voltammetry of Fe₃tdt₃(PEt₃)₃ (I) showed robust reduction waves compared to Co₃tdt₃(PEt₃)₃ (II). Temperature-dependent effective magnetic moment measurements of I and II showed both clusters behave similarly and the magnetic property of the M₃ equilateral triangle core with extensive metal–metal interactions was characterized as degenerate frustration.     

Synthesis and molecular structure of new heterometal alkoxide clusters Ln2Na8(OCH2CF3)14(THF)6 (Ln = Sm, Y, Yb): Highly active catalysts for polymerization of ε-caprolactone and trimethylene carbonate

The new polynuclear heterometal alkoxide clusters Ln₂Na₈(OCH₂CF₃)₁₄(THF)₆ (Ln = Sm 1, Y 2, Yb 3) have been synthesized by the reaction of anhydrous LnCl₃ with 7 equiv. of NaOCH₂CF₃ in 68–75% yields. Crystal structural analysis revealed clusters 1–3 are isomorphous composed of two cubanes and a double open cubane, with one face of an Ln₁Na₂O₄ open cubane capped by an additional Ln₁O₂ layer. Clusters 1–3 show extremely high activity for the polymerization of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) and trimethylene carbonate (TMC). The reactivity is much higher than those found for the monometallic alkoxides lanthanide complexes previously reported. The dependence of catalytic activity on lanthanide metals is observed: Yb ≈ Y < Sm for ε-CL and Yb < Y < Sm for TMC. The polymers obtained with these clusters all show a unimodal molecular weight distribution with moderate molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n = 1.4–1.7), indicating that clusters 1–3 can really be used as single-component catalysts. The bimetallic cooperation and the coordination–insertion mechanism were proposed.     

A laser flash photolysis, matrix isolation, and DFT investigation of (η-C6H5Y)Cr(CO)3 (Y = NH2, OCH3, H, CHO, or CO2CH3)

The quantum yield for arene displacement from (η⁶-C₆H₅Y)Cr(CO)₃ was measured in 1,1,2-trifluorotrichloroethane (Y = NH₂, OCH₃, H, CHO, or CO₂CH₃). Values of 0.24, 0.27, 0.15, 0.17, and 0.32 were obtained respectively (λ_exc. = 355 nm). These values are significantly higher than those measured for photoinduced arene loss in hydrocarbon solvents using the same excitation wavelength. Laser flash photolysis of (η⁶-C₆H₅Y)Cr(CO)₃ in 1,1,2-trifluorotrichloroethane (λ_exc. = 355 nm) resulted in the rapid formation (<10 ns) of Cr(CO)₆. Matrix isolation experiments on (η⁶-C₆H₅Y)Cr(CO)₃ (Y = H or CHO) at 12 K in CH₄ or CO-doped CH₄ matrixes using monochromatic irradiation confirmed the presence of two discrete excited states, one leading to CO-loss and the other to arene-loss. The results correlate with the calculated electron drift in the excited state derived from density functional theory and time dependent density functional theory calculations.     

Synthesis and characterization of mono and polymeric cyclopalladated compounds: Crystal and molecular structure of [{Pd(dmba)(ONO2)}2(μ-pz)] · H2O (pz = pyrazine)

In the treatment of cyclometallated dimer [Pd(dmba)(μ-Cl)]₂ (dmba = N,N-dimethylbenzylamine) with AgNO₃ and acetonitrile the result was the monomeric cationic precursor [Pd(dmba)(NCMe)₂](NO₃) (NCMe = acetonitrile) (1). Compound 1 reacted with m-nitroaniline (m-NAN) and pirazine (pz), originating [Pd(dmba)(ONO₂)(m-NAN)] (2) and [{Pd(dmba)(ONO₂)}₂(μ-pz)] · H₂O (3), respectively. These compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy. The IR spectra of (2–3) display typical bands of monodentade O-bonded nitrate groups, whereas the NMR data of 3 are consistent with the presence of bridging pyrazine ligands. The structure of compound 3 was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. This packing consists of a supramolecular chain formed by hydrogen bonding between the water molecule and nitrato ligands of two consecutive [Pd₂(dmba)₂(ONO₂)₂(μ-pz)] units.     

Structural studies on Ph3MSMPh3 (M = Sn,Pb): Quest for a metal–metal bond

The title compounds Ph₃PbSPbPh₃ (1) and Ph₃SnSSnPh₃ (2) were prepared in high yields by a reaction of Na₂S, respectively, with Ph₃Pb(SOCMe) and Ph₃Sn(SOCMe). X-ray crystallographic and density functional studies were made to understand the structure and bonding in these molecules. Though the Pb–Pb distance in 1 is only marginally shorter than the sum of the corresponding van der Waals’ radii, a smaller Pb–S–Pb angle suggests for a Pb···Pb interaction. DFT calculations were performed to analyse the nature of M···M interaction in 1 and 2. Strong intramolecular π–π interactions subsist between the different phenyl rings of the molecules.     

Synthesis, X-ray crystal structure, and reactivity of Pd2(μ-dotpm)2 (dotpm = bis(di-ortho-tolylphosphino)methane)

Alkylation of PdCl₂(dotpm) (dotpm = bis(di-ortho-tolylphosphino)methane) with n-butyllithium produces the binuclear Pd(0) complex Pd₂(μ-dotpm)₂ and the elimination byproducts 1-butene, cis-2-butene, trans-2-butene, butane, and octane. The dibutyl complex, Pd(dotpm)(n-Bu)₂, is presumed to be the reaction intermediate. The crystal structure of Pd₂(μ-dotpm)₂ reveals that the methylene groups of the bridging dotpm ligands are located on opposite sides of the Pd₂P₄ unit, forming an 8-membered ring that is in an elongated chair conformation. The four phosphorus atoms are not coplanar, and the P1-P2-P3-P4 ring has a torsion angle of 13.8°, which minimizes the spatial interactions among the o-tolyl rings. The Pd-Pd bond distance is 2.8560(6) Å, which indicates that there is a weak “closed-shell” bonding interaction between the d¹⁰-d¹⁰ metal centers. Each palladium atom has a nearly linear geometry, and the eight methyl groups of the dotpm ligands shield the open coordination sites on the metal centers. Four methyl groups shield the metal atoms above and below the Pd₂P₄ ring cavity, and four methyl groups block the open metal sites outside of the Pd₂P₄ ring. The Pd₂(μ-dotpm)₂ complex readily undergoes oxidative addition of dichloromethane to form the rigid A-frame complex Pd₂Cl₂(μ-CH₂)(μ-dotpm)₂.