Oxygen atom transfer in models for molybdenum enzymes: isolation and structural, spectroscopic, and computational studies of intermediates in oxygen atom transfer from molybdenum(VI) to phosphorus(III)

Intermediates in the oxygen atom transfer from Mo(VI) to P(III), [Tp(iPr)MoOX(OPR3)] (Tp(iPr) = hydrotris(3-isopropylpyrazol-1-yl)borate; X = Cl-, phenolates, thiolates), have been isolated from the reactions of [Tp(iPr)MoO2X] with phosphines (PEt3, PMePh2, PPh3). The green, diamagnetic oxomolybdenum(IV) complexes possess local C(1) symmetry (by NMR spectroscopy) and exhibit IR bands assigned to nu(Mo==O) (approximately 950 cm(-1)) and nu(P==O) (1140-1083 cm(-1)) vibrations. The X-ray crystal structures of [Tp(iPr)MoOX(OPEt3)] (X = OC6H4-2-sBu, SnBu), [Tp(iPr)MoO(OPh)(OPMePh2)], and [Tp(iPr)MoOCl(OPPh3)] have been determined. The monomeric complexes exhibit distorted octahedral geometries, with coordination spheres composed of tridentate fac-Tp(iPr) and mutually cis monodentate terminal oxo, phosphoryl (phosphine oxide), and monoanionic X ligands. The electronic structures and stabilities of the complexes have been probed by computational methods, with the three-dimensional energy surfaces confirming the existence of a low-energy steric pocket that restricts the conformational freedom of the phosphoryl ligand and inhibits complete oxygen atom transfer. The reactivity of the complexes is also briefly described.     

Electrochemistry and photoelectron spectroscopy of oxomolybdenum(V) complexes with phenoxide ligands: effect of para substituents on redox potentials,heterogeneous electron transfer rates,and ionization energies

Complexes of the form (Tp*)MoOCl(p-OC(6)H(4)X) and (Tp*)MoO(p-OC(6)H(4)X)(2) (Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate and X = OEt, OMe, Et, Me, H, F, Cl, Br, I, and CN) were examined by electrochemical techniques and gas-phase photoelectron spectroscopy to probe the effect of the remote substituent (X) on electron-transfer reactions at the oxomolybdenum core. Cyclic voltammetry revealed that all of these neutral Mo(V) compounds undergo a quasireversible one-electron oxidation (Mo(VI)/Mo(V)) and a quasireversible one-electron reduction (Mo(V)/Mo(IV)) at potentials that linearly depend on the electronic influence (Hammett sigma(p) parameter) of X. The first ionization energies for (Tp*)MoO(p-OC(6)H(4)X)(2) (X = OEt, OMe, H, F, and CN) were determined by photoelectron spectroscopy. A nearly linear correlation was found for the Mo(VI)/Mo(V) oxidation potentials in solution and the gas-phase ionization energies. Calculated heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constants show a slight systematic dependence on the substituent.     

Monodithiolene molybdenum(V, VI) complexes: a structural analogue of the oxidized active site of the sulfite oxidase enzyme family

The active sites of the xanthine oxidase and sulfite oxidase enzyme families contain one pterin-dithiolene cofactor ligand bound to a molybdenum atom. Consequently, monodithiolene molybdenum complexes have been sought by exploratory synthesis for structural and reactivity studies. Reaction of [MoO(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1-) or [MoO(bdt)(2)](1-) with PhSeCl results in removal of one dithiolate ligand and formation of [MoOCl(2)(S(2)C(2)Me(2))](1-) (1) or [MoOCl(2)(bdt)](1-) (2), which undergoes ligand substitution reactions to form other monodithiolene complexes [MoO(2-AdS)(2)(S(2)C(2)Me(2))](1-) (3), [MoO(SR)(2)(bdt)](1-) (R = 2-Ad (4), 2,4,6-Pr(i)(3)C(6)H(2) (5)), and [MoOCl(SC(6)H(2)-2,4,6-Pr(i)(3))(bdt)](1-) (6) (Ad = 2-adamantyl, bdt = benzene-1,2-dithiolate). These complexes have square pyramidal structures with apical oxo ligands, exhibit rhombic EPR spectra, and 3-5 are electrochemically reducible to Mo(IV)O species. Complexes 1-6 constitute the first examples of five-coordinate monodithiolene Mo(V)O complexes; 6 approaches the proposed structure of the high-pH form of sulfite oxidase. Treatment of [MoO(2)(OSiPh(3))(2)] with Li(2)(bdt) in THF affords [MoO(2)(OSiPh(3))(bdt)](1-) (8). Reaction of 8 with 2,4,6-Pr(i)(3)C(6)H(2)SH in acetonitrile gives [MoO(2)(SC(6)H(2)-2,4,6-Pr(i)(3))(bdt)](1-) (9, 55%). Complexes 8 and 9 are square pyramidal with apical and basal oxo ligands. With one dithiolene and one thiolate ligand of a square pyramidal Mo(VI)O(2)S(3) coordination unit, 9 closely resembles the oxidized sites in sulfite oxidase and assimilatory nitrate reductase as deduced from crystallography (sulfite oxidase) and Mo EXAFS. The complex is the first structural analogue of the active sites in fully oxidized members of the sulfite oxidase family. This work provides a starting point for the development of both structural and reactivity analogues of members of this family.     

Molybdenum(VI) dioxo and oxo-imido complexes of fluorinated β-ketiminato ligands and their use in OAT reactions

Substitution of a methyl by a trifluoromethyl moiety in well-known β-ketimines afforded the ligands (Ar)NC(Me)CH(2)CO(CF(3)) (HL(H), Ar = C(6)H(5); HL(Me), A r= 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3); HL(iPr), Ar = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)). Subsequent complexation to the [MoO(2)](2+) core leads to the formation of novel complexes of general formula [MoO(2)(L(R))(2)] (R = H, 1; R = Me, 2; R = iPr, 3). For reasons of comparison the oxo-imido complex [MoO(N(t)Bu)(L(Me))(2)] (4) has also been synthesized. Complexes 1-4 were investigated in oxygen atom transfer (OAT) reactions using the substrate trimethylphosphine. The respective products after OAT, the reduced Mo(IV) complexes [MoO(PMe(3))(L(R))(2)] (R = H, 5; R = Me, 6; R = iPr, 7) and [Mo(N(t)Bu)(PMe(3))(L(Me))(2)] (8), were isolated. All complexes have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy, and 1-4 also by cyclic voltammetry. A positive shift of the Mo(VI)-Mo(V) reduction wave upon fluorination was observed. Furthermore, molecular structures of complexes 2, 4, 5, and 8 have been determined via single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 8 represents a rare example of a Mo(IV) phosphino-imido complex. Kinetic measurements by UV-vis spectroscopy of the OAT reactions from complexes 1-4 to PMe(3) showed them to be more efficient than previously reported nonfluorinated ones, with ligand L' = (Ar)NC(Me)CH(2)CO(CH(3)) [MoO(2)(L')(2)] (9) and [MoO(N(t)Bu)(L')(2)] (10), respectively. Thermodynamic activation parameters ΔH(?) and ΔS(?) of the OAT reactions for complexes 2 and 4 have been determined. The activation enthalpy for the reaction employing 2 is significantly smaller (12.3 kJ/mol) compared to the reaction with the nonfluorinated complex 9 (60.8 kJ/mol). The change of the entropic term ΔS(?) is small. The reaction of the oxo-imido complex 4 to 8 revealed a significant electron-donating contribution of the imido substituent.     

Reactivity of niobium(v) and tantalum(v) halides with carbonyl compounds: synthesis of simple coordination adducts, C-H bond activation, C=O protonation, and halide transfer

The metal halides of Group 5 MX(5) (M = Nb, Ta; X = F, Cl, Br) react with ketones and acetylacetones affording the octahedral complexes [MX(5)(ketone)] () and [TaX(4){kappa(2)(O)-OC(Me)C(R)C(Me)O}] (R = H, Me, ), respectively. The adducts [MX(5)(acetone)] are still reactive towards acetone, acetophenone or benzophenone, giving the aldolate species [MX(4){kappa(2)(O)-OC(Me)CH(2)C(R)(R')O}] (). The syntheses of (M = Ta, X = F, R = R' = Ph) and (M = Ta, X = Cl, R = Me, R' = Ph) take place with concomitant formation of [(Ph(2)CO)(2)-H][TaF(6)], and [(MePhCO)(2)-H][TaCl(6)], respectively. The compounds [acacH(2)][TaF(6)], and [TaF{OC(Me)C(Me)C(Me)O}(3)][TaF(6)], have been isolated as by-products in the reactions of TaF(5) with acacH and 3-methyl-2,4-pentanedione, respectively. The molecular structures of, and have been ascertained by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Reactivity of Phosphaalkenes toward Carbene Complexes

Reaction of phosphaalkenes RP=C(NMe 2 ) 2 (R = t -Bu, Me 3 Si), featuring an inverse distribution of electron density about the P--C double bond, with Fischer carbene complexes [(CO) 5 M=C(OEt)Ar] (Ar=Ph, 2-MeC 6 H 4 , 2-MeOC 6 H 4 , M = Cr, W) afforded a mixture of complexes [(CO) 5 M{P(R)=C(NMe 2 ) 2 }] and [(CO) 5 M{P(R)=C(OEt)Ar}]. The treatment of phosphaalkene HP=C(NMe 2 ) 2 with compound [(CO) 5 W=C(OEt)(2-MeOC 6 H 4 )] gives rise to the formation of an ( E / Z )-mixture of [(CO) 5 W{P(CH(NMe 2 ) 2 )=C(OEt)(2-MeOC 6 H 4 )}].     

Bulky guanidinato nickel(I) complexes: synthesis, characterization, isomerization, and reactivity studies

Reactions of lithium complexes of the bulky guanidinates [{(Dip)N}(2)CNR(2)](-) (Dip=C(6)H(3)iPr(2)-2,6; R=C(6)H(11) (Giso(-)) or iPr (Priso(-)), with NiBr(2) have afforded the nickel(II) complexes [{Ni(L)(μ-Br)}(2)] (L=Giso(-) or Priso(-)), the latter of which was crystallographically characterized. Reduction of [{Ni(Priso)(μ-Br)}(2)] with elemental potassium in benzene or toluene afforded the diamagnetic species [{Ni(Priso)}(2)(μ-C(6)H(5)R)] (R=H or Me), which were shown, by X-ray crystallographic studies, to possess nonplanar bridging arene ligands that are partially reduced. A similar reduction of [{Ni(Priso)(μ-Br)}(2)] in cyclohexane yielded a mixture of the isomeric complexes [{Ni(μ-κ(1)-N-,η(2)-Dip-Priso)}(2)] and [{Ni(μ-κ(2)-N,N'-Priso)}(2)], both of which were structurally characterized. These complexes were also formed through arene elimination processes if [{Ni(Priso)}(2)(μ-C(6)H(5)R)] (R=H or Me) were dissolved in hexane. In that solvent, diamagnetic [{Ni(μ-κ(1)-N-,η(2)-Dip-Priso)}(2)] was found to slowly convert to paramagnetic [{Ni(μ-κ(2)-N,N'-Priso)}(2)], suggesting that the latter is the thermodynamic isomer. Computational analysis of a model of [{Ni(μ-κ(2)-N,N'-Priso)}(2)] showed it to have a Ni-Ni bond that has a multiconfigurational electronic structure. An analogous copper(I) complex [{Cu(μ-κ(2)-N,N'-Giso)}(2)] was prepared, structurally authenticated, and found, by a theoretical study, to have a negligible Cu···Cu bonding interaction. The reactivity of [{Ni(Priso)}(2)(μ-C(6)H(5)Me)] and [{Ni(μ-κ(2)-N,N'-Priso)}(2)] towards a range of small molecules was examined and this gave rise to diamagnetic complexes [{Ni(Priso)(μ-CO)}(2)] and [{Ni(Priso)(μ-N(3))}(2)]. Taken as a whole, this study highlights similarities between bulky guanidinate ligands and the β-diketiminate ligand class, but shows the former to have greater coordinative flexibility.     

Xenophilic complexes bearing a Tp(R) Ligand, [Tp(R)M--M'Ln] [Tp(R) = Tp(iPr2), Tp(#) (Tp(Me2,4-Br)); M=Ni, Co, Fe, Mn; M'Ln = Co(CO)4, Co(CO)3(PPh3), RuCp(CO)2]: the two metal centers are held together not by covalent interaction but by electrostatic attraction

A series of dinuclear complexes, [Tp(R)M--M'L(n)] [Tp(iPr(2) )M--Co(CO)(4) (1; M=Ni, Co, Fe, Mn); Tp(#)M--Co(CO)(4) (1'; M=Ni, Co); Tp(#)Ni--RuCp(CO)(2) (3')] (Tp(iPr(2) )=hydrotris(3,5-diisopropylpyrazolyl)borato; Tp(#) (Tp(Me(2),4-Br))=hydrotris(3,5-dimethyl-4-bromopyrazolyl)borato), has been prepared by treatment of the cationic complexes [Tp(iPr(2) )M(NCMe)(3)]PF(6) or the halo complexes [Tp(#)M--X] with the appropriate metalates. Spectroscopic and crystallographic characterization of 1-3' reveals that the tetrahedral, high-spin Tp(R)M fragment and the coordinatively saturated carbonyl-metal fragment (M'L(n)) are connected only by a metal-metal interaction and, thus, the dinuclear complexes belong to a unique class of xenophilic complexes. The metal-metal interaction in the xenophilic complexes is polarized, as revealed by their nu(CO) vibrations and structural features, which fall between those of reference complexes: covalently bonded species [R--M'L(n)] and ionic species [M'L(n)](-). Unrestricted DFT calculations for the model complexes [Tp(H(2) )Ni--Co(CO)(4)], [Tp(H(2) )Ni--Co(CO)(3)(PH(3))], and [Tp(H(2) )Ni--RuCp(CO)(2)] prove that the two metal centers are held together not by covalent interactions, but by electrostatic attractions. In other words, the obtained xenophilic complexes can be regarded as carbonylmetalates, in which the cationic counterpart interacts with the metal center rather than the oxygen atom of the carbonyl ligand. The xenophilic complexes show divergent reactivity dependent on the properties of donor molecules. Hard (N and O donors) and soft donors (P and C donors) attack the Tp(R)M part and the ML(n) moiety, respectively. The selectivity has been interpreted in terms of the hard-soft theory, and the reactions of the high-spin species 1-3' with singlet donor molecules should involve a spin-crossover process.     

C-X bond formation and cleavage in the reactions of the ditungsten hydride complex [W2(η5-C5H5)2(H)(μ-PCy2)(CO)2] with small molecules having multiple C-X bonds (X = C, N, O)

Two molecules of C(2)(CO(2)Me)(2) or isocyanides could be added to the title hydride complex under mild conditions to give dienyl-[W(2)Cp(2){μ-η(1),κ:η(2)-C(CO(2)Me)=C(CO(2)Me)C(CO(2)Me)=CH(CO(2)Me)}(μ-PCy(2))(CO)(2)] (Cp = η(5)-C(5)H(5)), diazadienyl-[W(2)Cp(2){μ-κ,η:κ,η-C{CHN(4-MeO-C(6)H(4))}N(4-MeO-C(6)H(4))}(μ-PCy(2))(CO)(2)] or aminocarbyne-bridged derivatives [W(2)Cp(2){μ-CNH(2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))}(μ-PCy(2)){CN(2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))}(CO)]. In contrast, its reaction with excess (4-Me-C(6)H(4))C(O)H gave the C-O bond cleavage products [W(2)Cp(2){CH(2)(4-Me-C(6)H(4))}(O)(μ-PCy(2))(CO)(2)] and [W(2)Cp(2){μ-η:η,κ-C(O)CH(2)(4-Me-C(6)H(4))}(O)(μ-PCy(2))(CO)].     

Nitrile-amidine coupling at Pt(IV) and Pt(II) centers. An easy entry to imidoylamidine complexes

Treatment of trans-[PtCl4(RCN)2] (R = Me, Et, Ph, NEt2) with 2 equiv of the amidine PhC(=NH)NHPh in a suspension of MeCN (R = Me), CHCl3 (R = Et, Ph), or in CHCl3 solution (R = NEt2) results in the formation of the imidoylamidine complexes trans-[PtCl4{NH=C(R)N=C(Ph)NHPh}2] (1-4) isolated in good yields (66-84%). The reaction of soluble complexes 3 and 4 with 2 equiv of Ph3P=CHCO2Me in CH2Cl2 (40 degrees C, 5 h) leads to dehydrochlorination resulting in a chelate ring closure to furnish the platinum(IV) chelates [PtCl2{NH=C(R)NC(Ph)=NPh}2] (R = Ph, 5; R = NEt2, 6), accordingly, and the phosphonium salt [Ph3PCH2CO2Me]Cl. Treatment of 5 with 3 equiv of Ph3P=CHCO2Me at 50 degrees C for 5 d resulted in only a 30% conversion to the corresponding Pt(II) complex [Pt{NH=C(NEt2)NC(Ph)=NPh}2] (15). The reduction can be achieved within several minutes, when Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2 in CDCl3 is used. When the platinum(II) complex trans-[PtCl2(RCN)2] is reacted with 2 equiv of the amidine, the imidoylamidinato complexes [PtCl(RCN){NH=C(R)NC(Ph)=NHPh}] (8-11) and [PhC(=NH)NHPh] x HCl (7) are formed. The reaction of trans-[PtCl2(RCN)2] with 4 equiv of the amidine under a prolonged reaction time or treatment of [PtCl(RCN){NH=C(R)NC(Ph)=NHPh}] (8-11) with 2 more equiv of the amidine yields the complex bearing two chelate rings [Pt{NH=C(R)NC(Ph)=NHPh}2] (12-15). The treatment of cis-[PtCl2(RCN)2] (R = Me, Et) with the amidine gives ca. 50-60% yield of [PtCl2{NH=C(R)NHC(Ph)=NHPh}] (16 and 17). All of the platinum compounds were characterized by elemental analyses; FAB mass spectrometry; IR spectroscopy; 1H, 13C{1H}, and 195Pt NMR spectroscopies, and four of them (4, 6, 8, and 15) were also characterized by X-ray crystallography. The coupling of the Pt-bound nitriles and the amidine is metal-mediated insofar as RCN and PhC(=NH)NHPh do not react in the absence of the metal centers in conditions more drastic than those of the observed reactions. The nitrile-amidine coupling reported in this work constitutes a route to the synthesis of imidoylamidine complexes, some of them exhibiting luminescent properties.     

Aerobic and hydrolytic decomposition of pseudotetrahedral nickel phenolate complexes

Pseudotetrahedral nickel(II) phenolate complexes Tp(R,Me)Ni-OAr (Tp(R,Me) = hydrotris(3-R-5-methylpyrazol-1-yl)borate; R = Ph {1a}, Me {1b}; OAr = O-2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)) were synthesized as models for nickel-substituted copper amine oxidase apoenzyme, which utilizes an N(3)O (i.e., His(3)Tyr) donor set to activate O(2) within its active site for oxidative modification of the tyrosine residue. The bioinspired synthetic complexes 1a,b are stable in dilute CH(2)Cl(2) solutions under dry anaerobic conditions, but they decompose readily upon exposure to O(2) and H(2)O. Aerobic decomposition of 1a yields a range of organic products consistent with formation of phenoxyl radical, including 2,6-diisopropyl-1,4-benzoquinone, 3,5,3',5'-tetraisopropyl-4,4'-diphenodihydroquinone, and 3,5,3',5'-tetraisopropyl-4,4'-diphenoquinone, which requires concurrent O(2) reduction. The dimeric product complex di[hydro{bis(3-phenyl-5-methylpyrazol-1-yl)(3-ortho-phenolato-5-methylpyrazol-1-yl)borato}nickel(II)] (2) was obtained by ortho C-H bond hydroxylation of a 3-phenyl ligand substituent on 1a. In contrast, aerobic decomposition of 1b yields a dimeric complex [Tp(Me,Me)Ni](2)(μ-CO(3)) (3) with unmodified ligands. However, a unique organic product was recovered, assigned as 3,4-dihydro-3,4-dihydroxy-2,6-diisopropylcyclohex-5-enone on the basis of (1)H NMR spectroscopy, which is consistent with dihydroxylation (i.e., addition of H(2)O(2)) across the meta and para positions of the phenol ring. Initial hydrolysis of 1b yields free phenol and the known complex [Tp(Me,Me)Ni(μ-OH)](2), while hydrolysis of 1a yields an uncharacterized intermediate, which subsequently rearranges to the new sandwich complex [(Tp(Ph,Me))(2)Ni] (4). Autoxidation of the released phenol under O(2) was observed, but the reaction was slow and incomplete. However, both 4 and the in situ hydrolysis intermediate derived from 1a react with added H(2)O(2) to form 2. A mechanistic scheme is proposed to account for the observed product formation by convergent oxygenation and hydrolytic autoxidation pathways, and hypothetical complex intermediates along the former were modeled by DFT calculations. All new complexes (i.e., 1a,b and 2-4) were fully characterized by FTIR, (1)H NMR, and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy and by X-ray crystallography.     

Syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of low-dimensional heterometallic complexes based on the versatile building block [(Tp)Cr(CN)3]-

Using the tricyano precursor (Bu(4)N)[(Tp)Cr(CN)(3)] (Bu(4)N(+) = tetrabutylammonium cation; Tp = tris(pyrazolyl)hydroborate), a pentanuclear heterometallic cluster [(Tp)(2)Cr(2)(CN)(6)Cu(3)(Me(3)tacn)(3)][(Tp)Cr(CN)(3)](ClO(4))(3)·5H(2)O (1, Me(3)tacn = N,N',N'-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane), three tetranuclear heterometallic clusters [(Tp)(2)Cr(2)(CN)(6)Cu(2)(L(OEt))(2)]·2.5CH(3)CN (2, L(OEt) = [(Cp)Co(P(O)(OEt)(2))(3)], Cp = cyclopentadiene), [(Tp)(2)Cr(2)(CN)(6)Mn(2)(L(OEt))(2)]·4H(2)O (3), and [(Tp)(2)Cr(2)(CN)(6)Mn(2)(phen)(4)](ClO(4))(2) (4, phen = phenanthroline), and a one-dimensional (1D) chain polymer [(Tp)(2)Cr(2)(CN)(6)Mn(bpy)](n) (5, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Complex 1 shows a trigonal bipyramidal geometry in which [(Tp)Cr(CN)(3)](-) units occupy the apical positions and are linked through cyanide to [Cu(Me(3)tacn)](2+) units situated in the equatorial plane. Complexes 2-4 show similar square structures, where Cr(III) and M(II) (M = Cu(II) or Mn(II)) ions are alternatively located on the rectangle corners. Complex 5 consists of a 4,2-ribbon-like bimetallic chain. Ferromagnetic interactions between Cr(III) and Cu(II) ions bridged by cyanides are observed in complexes 1 and 2. Antiferromagnetic interactions are presented between Cr(III) and Mn(II) ions bridged by cyanides in complexes 3-5. Complex 5 shows metamagnetic behavior with a critical field of about 22.5 kOe at 1.8 K.     

Synthesis, structures and reactions of lithium complexes of [(o-RCHC6H4)PPh2=NSiMe3]-(R = H, SiMe3) ligands

N-Trimethylsilyl o-methylphenyldiphenylphosphinimine, (o-MeC6H4)PPh2=NSiMe3 (1), was prepared by reaction of Ph2P(Br)=NSiMe3 with o-methylphenyllithium. Treatment of 1 with LiBun and then Me3SiCl afforded (o-Me3SiCH2C6H4)PPh2=NSiMe3 (2). Lithiations of both 1 and 2 with LiBu(n) in the presence of tmen gave crystalline lithium complexes [Li{CH(R)C6H4(PPh(2=NSiMe3)-.tmen](3, R = H; 4, R = SiMe3). From the mother liquor of 4, traces of the tmen-bridged complex [Li{CH(SiMe3)C6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2}]2(mu-tmen) (5) were obtained. Reaction of 2 with LiBun in Et2O yielded complex [Li{CH(SiMe3)C6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2}.OEt2] (6). Reaction of lithiated with Me2SiCl2 in a 2:1 molar ratio afforded dimethylsilyl-bridged compound Me2Si[CH2C6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2]2 (7). Lithiation of 7 with two equivalents of LiBun in Et2O yielded [Li2{(CHC6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2)2SiMe2}.0.5OEt2](8.0.5OEt2). Treatment of 4 with PhCN formed a lithium enamide complex [Li{N(SiMe3)C(Ph)CHC6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2}.tmen] (9). Reaction of two equivalents of 5 with 1,4-dicyanobenzene gave a dilithium complex [{Li(OEt2)2}2(1,4-{C(N(SiMe3)CHC6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2}2C6H4)] (10). All compounds were characterised by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The structures of compounds 2, 3, 5, 6 and 9 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques.     

Cationic diiron and diruthenium μ-allenyl complexes: synthesis, X-ray structures and cyclization reactions with ethyldiazoacetate/amine affording unprecedented butenolide- and furaniminium-substituted bridging carbene ligands

The novel cationic diiron μ-allenyl complexes [Fe(2)Cp(2)(CO)(2)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(2)(α,β)-C(α)(H)=C(β)=C(γ)(R)(2)}](+) (R = Me, 4a; R = Ph, 4b) have been obtained in good yields by a two-step reaction starting from [Fe(2)Cp(2)(CO)(4)]. The solid state structures of [4a][CF(3)SO(3)] and of the diruthenium analogues [Ru(2)Cp(2)(CO)(2)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(2)(α,β)-C(α)(H)=C(β)=C(γ)(R)(2)}][BPh(4)] (R = Me, [2a][BPh(4)]; R = Ph, [2c][BPh(4)]) have been ascertained by X-ray diffraction studies. The reactions of 2c and 4a with Br?nsted bases result in formation of the μ-allenylidene compound [Ru(2)Cp(2)(CO)(2)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(1)-C(α)=C(β)=C(γ)(Ph)(2)}] (5) and of the dimetallacyclopentenone [Fe(2)Cp(2)(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(3)-C(α)(H)=C(β)(C(γ)(Me)CH(2))C(=O)}] (6), respectively. The nitrile adducts [Ru(2)Cp(2)(CO)(NCMe)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(2)-C(α)(H)=C(β)=C(γ)(R)(2)}](+) (R = Me, 7a; R = Ph, 7b), prepared by treatment of 2a,c with MeCN/Me(3)NO, react with N(2)CHCO(2)Et/NEt(3) at room temperature, affording the butenolide-substituted carbene complexes [Ru(2)Cp(2)(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(3)-C(α)(H)[upper bond 1 start]C(β)C(γ)(R)(2)OC(=O)C[upper bond 1 end](H)] (R = Me, 10a; R = Ph, 10b). The intermediate cationic compound [Ru(2)Cp(2)(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(3)-C(α)(H)[upper bond 1 start]C(β)C(γ)(Me)(2)OC(OEt)C[upper bond 1 end](H)](+) (9) has been detected in the course of the reaction leading to 10a. The addition of N(2)CHCO(2)Et/NHEt(2) to 7a gives the 2-furaniminium-carbene [Ru(2)Cp(2)(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(3)-C(α)(H)[upper bond 1 start]C(β)C(γ)(Me)(2)OC(OEt)C[upper bond 1 end](H)](+) (11). The X-ray structures of 10a, 10b and [11][BF(4)] have been determined. The reactions of 4a,b with MeCN/Me(3)NO result in prevalent decomposition to mononuclear iron species.     

PalladiumII and platinumII complexes with heteroditopic 10-(aryl)phenoxarsine (aryl = 2-C6H4OR, R = H, Me, Pr(i)) ligands: solvent-oriented crystallization of cis isomers

The synthesis and characterization of 10-(o-alkoxyphenyl)phenoxarsines 2-ROC6H4As(C6H4)2O (R = H, Me, and Pri, As(C6H4)2O = phenoxarsine) and their platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes cis-[PtCl2{2-PriOC6H4As(C6H4)2O-kappaAs}2] (1), trans-[PdCl2{2-PriOC6H4As(C6H4)2O-kappaAs}2] (2), cis-[PtCl2{2-HOC6H4As(C6H4)2O-kappaAs}2] (3), cis-[PdCl2{2-HOC6H4As(C6H4)2O-kappaAs}2] (4), cis-[PtI2{2-MeOC6H4As(C6H4)2O-kappaAs}2] (5), and trans-[PdCl2{2-MeOC6H4As(C6H4)2O-kappaAs}2] (6) are reported. The chelate complex cis-[Pt{2-OC6H4As(C6H4)2O-kappaAs,O}2] (7) is also described. The molecular structures of 1-4 and 7 were determined. The short As...O intramolecular interaction found in complexes 1-4 in the solid state was also verified by calculations at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ level for complex 2 and for 10-(o-isopropoxyphenyl)phenoxarsine in the gas phase, and this suggests that the interaction is a characteristic of the ligand rather than a packing effect. Calculations at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ and Oniom(B3LYP/LANL2DZ:uff) levels for complexes 1-4 showed that the solvent plays a crucial role in the crystallization (through geometry constraints) of the kinetically stable cis isomers.     

Pt(II) and Pt(IV) amido, aryloxide, and hydrocarbyl complexes: synthesis, characterization, and reaction with dihydrogen and substrates that possess C-H bonds

The Pt(II) amido and phenoxide complexes ((t)bpy)Pt(Me)(X), ((t)bpy)Pt(X)(2), and [((t)bpy)Pt(X)(py)][BAr'(4)] (X = NHPh, OPh; py = pyridine) have been synthesized and characterized. To test the feasibility of accessing Pt(IV) complexes by oxidizing their Pt(II) precursors, the previously reported ((t)bpy)Pt(R)(2) (R = Me and Ph) systems were oxidized with I(2) to yield ((t)bpy)Pt(R)(2)(I)(2). The analogous reaction with ((t)bpy)Pt(Me)(NHPh) and MeI yields the corresponding ((t)bpy)Pt(Me)(2)(NHPh)(I) complex. Reaction of ((t)bpy)Pt(Me)(NHPh) and phenylacetylene at 80 °C results in the formation of the Pt(II) phenylacetylide complex ((t)bpy)Pt(Me)(C≡CPh). Kinetic studies indicate that the reaction of ((t)bpy)Pt(Me)(NHPh) and phenylacetylene occurs via a pathway that involves [((t)bpy)Pt(Me)(NH(2)Ph)][TFA] as a catalyst. The reaction of H(2) with ((t)bpy)Pt(Me)(NHPh) ultimately produces aniline, methane, (t)bpy, and elemental Pt. For this reaction, mechanistic studies reveal that 1,2-addition of dihydrogen across the Pt-NHPh bond to initially produce ((t)bpy)Pt(Me)(H) and free aniline is catalyzed by elemental Pt. Heating the cationic complexes [((t)bpy)Pt(NHPh)(py)][BAr'(4)] and [((t)bpy)Pt(OPh)(py)][BAr'(4)] in C(6)D(6) does not result in the production of aniline and phenol, respectively. Attempted synthesis of a cationic system analogous to [((t)bpy)Pt(NHPh)(py)][BAr'(4)] with ligands that are more labile than pyridine (e.g., NC(5)F(5)) results in the formation of the dimer [((t)bpy)Pt(μ-NHPh)](2)[BAr'(4)](2). Solid-state X-ray diffraction studies of the complexes ((t)bpy)Pt(Me)(NHPh), [((t)bpy)Pt(NH(2)Ph)(2)][OTf](2), ((t)bpy)Pt(NHPh)(2), ((t)bpy)Pt(OPh)(2), ((t)bpy)Pt(Me)(2)(I)(2), and ((t)bpy)Pt(Ph)(2)(I)(2) are reported.     

Oxido-bridged di-, tri-, and tetra-nuclear iron complexes bearing bis(trimethylsilyl)amide and thiolate ligands

A series of di-, tri-, and tetra-nuclear iron-oxido clusters with bis(trimethylsilyl)amide and thiolate ligands were synthesized from the reactions of Fe{N(SiMe(3))(2)}(2) (1) with 1 equiv of thiol HSR (R = C(6)H(5) (Ph), 4-(t)BuC(6)H(4), 2,6-Ph(2)C(6)H(3) (Dpp), 2,4,6-(i)Pr(3)C(6)H(2) (Tip)) and subsequent treatment with O(2). The trinuclear clusters [{(Me(3)Si)(2)N}Fe](3)(μ(3)-O){μ-S(4-RC(6)H(4))}(3) (R = H (3a), (t)Bu (3b)) were obtained from the reactions of 1 with HSPh or HS(4-(t)BuC(6)H(4)) and O(2), while we isolated a tetranuclear cluster [{(Me(3)Si)(2)N}(2)Fe(2)(μ-SDpp)](2)(μ(3)-O)(2) (4) as crystals from an analogous reaction with HSDpp. Treatment of a tertrahydrofuran (THF) solution of 1 with HSTip and O(2) resulted in the formation of a dinuclear complex [{(Me(3)Si)(2)N}(TipS)(THF)Fe](2)(μ-O) (5). The molecular structures of these complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis.     

Room-temperature phosphorescence and energy transfer in luminescent multinuclear platinum(II) complexes of branched alkynyls

A series of luminescent branched platinum(II) alkynyl complexes, [1,3,5-{RC[triple bond]C(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]C-C6H4C[triple bond]C}3C6H3] (R=C6H5, C6H4OMe, C6H4Me, C6H4CF3, C5H4N, C6H4SAc, 1-napthyl (Np), 1-pyrenyl (Pyr), 1-anthryl-8-ethynyl (HC[triple bond]CAn)), [1,3-{PyrC[triple chemical bond]C(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]CC6H4C[triple bond]C}2-5-{(iPr)3SiC[triple bond]C}C6H3], and [1,3-{PyrC[triple bond]C(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]CC6H4C[triple bond]C}2-5-(HC[triple bond]C)C6H3], was successfully synthesized by using the precursors [1,3,5-{Cl(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]CC6H4C[triple bond]C}3C6H3] or [1,3-{Cl(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]CC6H4C[triple bond]C}2-5-{(iPr)3SiC[triple bond]C}C6H3]. The X-ray crystal structures of [1,3,5-{MeOC6H4C[triple bond]C(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]CC6H4C[triple bond]C}3C6H3] and [1,8-{Cl(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]C}2An] have been determined. These complexes were found to show long-lived emission in both solution and solid-state phases at room temperature. The emission origin of the branched complexes [1,3,5-{RC[triple bond]C(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]CC6H4C[triple bond]C}3C6H3] with R=C6H5, C6H4OMe, C6H4Me, C6H4CF3, C5H4N, and C6H4SAc was tentatively assigned to be derived from triplet states of predominantly intraligand (IL) character with some mixing of metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) (dpi(Pt)-->pi*(C[triple bond]CR)) character, while the emission origin of the branched complexes with polyaromatic alkynyl ligands, [1,3,5-{RC[triple bond]C(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]CC6H4C[triple bond]C}3C6H3] with R=Np, Pyr, or HC[triple bond]CAn, [1,3-{PyrC[triple bond]C(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]CC6H4C[triple bond]C}2-5-{(iPr)3SiC[triple bond]C}C6H3], [1,3-{PyrC[triple bond]C(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]CC6H4C[triple bond]C}2-5-(HC[triple bond]C)C6H3], and [1,8-{Cl(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]C}2An], was tentatively assigned to be derived from the predominantly 3IL states of the respective polyaromatic alkynyl ligands, mixed with some 3MLCT (d(pi)(Pt)-->pi*(C[triple bond]CR)) character. By incorporating different alkynyl ligands into the periphery of these branched complexes, one could readily tune the nature of the lowest energy emissive state and the direction of the excitation energy transfer.     

Push-pull nitrile ligands exhibit specific hydration patterns

The reaction between K[PtCl(3)(Me(2)SO)] or prepared in this work cis- and trans-[PtCl(2)(NCNR(2))(Me(2)SO)] (R(2) = Me(2), 1; C(4)H(8)O, 2; C(5)H(10) 3) with an excess of NCNR(2) in water gives the cationic bischelate [Pt{κ(2)-N,N'-NH=C(NMe(2))OC(NMe(2))=NH}(2)](2+) (4(2+)) and the monochelates [PtCl{κ(2)-N,O-NH=C(NR(2))NC(NR(2))=O}(Me(2)SO)] (R(2) = C(4)H(8)O, 5; C(5)H(10), 6). Complex 4(2+) was released from the reaction mixture as 4·[PtCl(3)(Me(2)SO)](2)·(H(2)O)(2) or it was precipitated as 4·[A](2) (A = pic, 4·[pic](2); PF(6), 4·[PF(6)](2); BPh(4), 4·[BPh(4)](2)·(NH(2)CONMe(2))) by addition of picric acid, NaPF(6), or NaBPh(4), respectively, to the filtrate obtained after separation of 4·[PtCl(3)(Me(2)SO)](2)·(H(2)O)(2). In 2, the dialkylcyanamide ligand undergoes bond cleavage giving the known trans-[PtCl(2){N(H)C(4)H(8)O}(Me(2)SO)] (trans-7). All complexes were characterized by elemental analyses (C, H, N), high resolution ESI-MS, IR, (1)H and (13)C{(1)H} NMR spectroscopic techniques, including 2D NMR correlation experiments ((1)H,(1)H-COSY, (1)H,(13)C-HMQC/(1)H,(13)C HSQC, (1)H,(13)C-HMBC, and (1)H,(1)H-NOESY). The structures of cis-1, cis-3, 4·[PtCl(3)(Me(2)SO)](2)·(H(2)O)(2), 4·[BPh(4)](2)·(NH(2)CONMe(2)) and 5 were determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction.