Increasing rates and scope of reactions: sluggish amines in microwave-heated aminocarbonylation reactions under air

Commercially available molybdenum hexacarbonyl serves as a convenient and solid carbon monoxide source in palladium-catalyzed aminocarbonylations of aryl bromides and iodides. This improved microwave protocol, relying on DBU as base and THF as solvent, enables rapid couplings using otherwise sluggish anilines, tert-butylamine, and free amino acids. In addition, Cr(CO)(6) and W(CO)(6) were found to be useful alternative CO-releasing reagents. Altogether, 16 different aromatic amides were synthesized under air in 35-95% yield after only 15 min of controlled microwave irradiation.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis of organometallic complexes of ⁹⁹mTc(CO)₃ and Re(CO)₃: its application to radiopharmaceuticals

(99m)Tc-tricarbonyl [(99m)Tc(CO)(3)] complexes have been conventionally synthesized by heating [(99m)Tc(CO)(3)(H(2)O)(3)](+) and a tridentate chelating ligand under atmospheric pressure; however, this method is poor in terms of chemical yield and reproducibility. Moreover, since the half-life of (99m)Tc is very short (6 h), the development of facile and rapid methods of synthesizing (99m)Tc-labeled compounds, which could be used as radioactive tracers for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), is required. Thus, we initiated a study on the application of a microwave reaction to the synthesis of (99m)Tc(CO)(3)-2-picolylamine monoacetic acid (PAMA) [(99m)Tc(CO)(3)-PAMA] complexes on the basis of the fact that synthesis of metal complexes proceeds rapidly by microwave irradiation owing to an efficient exothermic phenomenon and heat conduction effect. Formation of by-products could be markedly suppressed by comparison with that in conventional methods. In the present study, rhenium (Re), an element belonging to the same group in the periodic table as technetium (Tc), and which also forms bipyramidal complexes, was first used to investigate the synthetic reaction because no stable isotopes exist for Tc. As a result, when water was used as the solvent under the irradiation of microwaves within 1 min, the Re(CO)(3)-PAMA complex could be directly synthesized from ethyl ester of PAMA (PAMAEE) and [Re(CO)(3)(H(2)O)(3)]Br in one step and with a high yield (94%). Finally, the (99m)Tc(CO)(3)-PAMA complex was successfully synthesized at a high radiochemical yield (>99%) within 1 min of reaction using (99m)Tc instead of Re under the same conditions.     

Easy-to-execute carbonylations: microwave synthesis of acyl sulfonamides using Mo(CO)(6) as a solid carbon monoxide source

The development of a robust palladium-catalyzed amidocarbonylation protocol for the preparation of aromatic acyl sulfonamides utilizing high-density microwave heating is described. This synthetic approach employs Mo(CO)(6) as a convenient CO-releasing reagent and allows for the direct preparation of acyl sulfonamides from both aryl iodides and aryl bromides. The reactions can be performed under air, employing only 15 min of microwave irradiation, to produce acyl sulfonamide derivatives in good to excellent yields. To illustrate the usefulness of this method, we reported the synthesis of a novel hepatitis C virus NS3 protease inhibitor.     

Microwave-mediated nickel-catalyzed cyclotrimerization reactions: total synthesis of illudinine

Rapid and efficient [2 + 2 + 2] cyclotrimerization reactions were discovered through the application of microwave irradiation in conjunction with a Ni(CO)(2)(PPh(3))(2) catalyst. This enables the facile construction of highly substituted indane, isoindoline, and tetraline core structures. The developed microwave-mediated Ni-catalyzed cyclotrimerization reaction was employed as the key step in a concise synthesis of the isoquinoline natural product illudinine. This represents the first example of a Ni-catalyzed cyclotrimerization reaction in total synthesis.     

Control of photobleaching in photodynamic therapy using the photodecarbonylation reaction of ruthenium phthalocyanine complexes via stepwise two-photon excitation

In this study, we have investigated the photochemical properties and photodynamic effects of ruthenium phthalocyanine (RuPc(CO)(Py)) and naphthalocyanine (RuNc(CO)(Py)) complexes. When a nanosecond-pulsed laser is used, the photodecarbonylation of our Ru complexes efficiently proceeds via stepwise two-photon excitation, while the reaction yields are negligibly small when a continuous-wave (CW) laser is employed. The pulsed laser selective photodecarbonylation decreases the Q-band absorbance, which satisfies what the photodynamic therapy (PDT) requires of the photobleaching. For RuPc(CO)(Py), the photochemical reactions including both the photodecarbonylation and just photobleaching occur in HeLa cells in vitro. Toxicity and phototoxicity tests indicate that our RuPc(CO)(Py) and RuNc(CO)(Py) complexes in concentrations of 0.3-1 microM and 1-2 microM, respectively, are applicable as PDT agents. The phototoxicity is consistent with the photochemical properties of these complexes, namely, excited triplet lifetimes (10 and 4.8 micros for the Pc and Nc complexes, respectively) and singlet oxygen yields (0.48 and 0.35 for the Pc and Nc complexes, respectively). On the basis of these results, we propose a novel concept for achieving a greater depth of necrosis in PDT as follows: (1) PDT of upper cellular layers using CW-laser irradiation; (2) efficient photobleaching in upper cellular layers using pulsed dye-laser irradiation, which results in an increase in the therapeutic depth of red light; (3) PDT directed toward deeper tumor tissues using CW laser irradiation. In addition, these Ru complexes are promising as CO release agents for investigative biochemistry.     

微波辐照下（Bi_2O_3）_（0．8）（La_2O_3）_（0．2）固熔体对甲

微波辐照下（Ｂｉ_２Ｏ_３）_（０．８）（Ｌａ_２Ｏ_３）_（０．２）固熔体对甲烷氧化偶联的催化行为陈长林,洪品杰,戴树珊,阚家德（云南大学化学系,昆明,６５００９１）关键词微波,甲烷氧化偶联,（Ｂｉ_２Ｏ_３）_（０．８）（Ｌａ_２Ｏ_３）_（０．２）甲烷氧化...     

Structural studies and photochromism of mercury(II)-iodo complexes of (arylazo)imidazoles

Neat reaction between HgI2 and 1-methyl-2-(phenylazo)imidazole (Pai-Me) under microwave irradiation has isolated a novel compound whose structure shows intercalated HgI2 in the layers of Pai-Me. They exist independently in interpenetrated arrays. In a solution phase study, the same reaction has synthesized an iodo-bridged azoimidazole-Hg(II) complex, [Hg(RaaiR')(mu-I)(I)]2 (RaaiR' = 1-alkyl-2-(arylazo)imidazole). The structures have been characterized by X-ray diffraction studies. Chloro-bridged Hg(II) complexes of azoimidazoles, [Hg(RaaiR')(mu-Cl)(Cl)]2, are also known. These complexes upon irradiation with UV light show trans-to-cis isomerization. The reverse transformation, cis-to-trans isomerization, is very slow with visible light irradiation. Quantum yields (phi t-->c) of trans-to-cis isomerization are calculated, and the free ligand shows higher phi than their Hg(II) complexes. The cis-to-trans isomerization is a thermally induced process. The activation energy (Ea) of cis-to-trans isomerization is calculated by controlled temperature reaction. The Ea's of free ligands are much higher than that of halo-bridged Hg(II)-azoimidazole complexes. Chloro-bridged Hg(II) complexes show lower Ea's than those of iodo-bridged complexes. DFT calculation has been adopted to rationalize the experimental results.     

The photolysis of Chlorocarbonylbis(triphenylphosphine)iridium(I) in chloroform

Under 254 or 313 nm irradiation in chloroform, [IrCl(CO)(PPh3)2] is converted cleanly to [IrCl2(CO)H(PPh3)2] through the addition of HCl, produced photochemically. Under 254 nm irradiation, some of the reaction of [IrCl(CO)(PPh3)2] occurs by direct photolysis of chloroform, though a greater contribution arises from a reaction initiated through absorption of light by the metal complex. Under 313 nm irradiation, essentially all of the reaction is metal-initiated. The linear dependence of the reaction rate on light intensity and on the fraction of light absorbed by the Ir(I) complex as well as the lack of a deuterium isotope effect rule out a radical process. Instead it is proposed that an association complex between excited state [IrCl(CO)(PPh3)2] and CHCl3 leads to dissociation of a chlorine atom from CHCl3, yielding HCl after abstraction of a hydrogen from another CHCl3. HCl then adds to a ground state [IrCl(CO)(PPh3)2] complex.     

New insights into catalytic hydrogenation by phosphido-substituted triruthenium clusters: confirmation of intact cluster catalysis by parahydrogen NMR

The phosphido-substituted triruthenium cluster Ru(3)(CO)(9)(mu-H)(micro-PPh(2)) is shown to react with H(2) to form the trihydride cluster Ru(3)(CO)(9)(H)(mu-H)(2)(mu-PPh(2)), which undergoes a number of re-arrangement reactions on heating to yield other phosphido-substituted triruthenium clusters. In the presence of alkyne substrates, heating the system leads to catalytic hydrogenation via CO loss and the formation of a Ru(3)(eta(2)-PhC[double bond, length as m-dash]CHPh)(CO)(8)(micro-H)(PHPh(2)) resting state, in a reaction affected by the polarity of the solvent. No mononuclear fragments are observed in the catalytic transformation, confirming directly that the phosphido ligand is able to exert a stabilising influence on the cluster core.     

Binding and photodissociation of CO in iron(II) complexes for application in positron emission tomography (PET) radiolabelling

(R-DAB)FeI(2) complexes containing bidentate diimide ligands (R-DAB = RN=CH-CH=NR; R = (i)Pr, c-C(6)H(11)) have been investigated for their ability to react with carbon monoxide to form iron(II) dicarbonyl complexes, (R-DAB)FeI(2)(CO)(2). Solution IR spectroscopy revealed two νCO stretches between 2000 and 2040 cm(-1) corresponding to a cis-arrangement of the carbonyl ligands around the iron. Photochemical decarbonylation was achieved by UV irradiation (365 nm), which occurred within 5 min as evidenced by solution IR spectroscopy. (c-C(6)H(11)-DAB)FeI(2) has been characterised by X-ray crystallography. Reactions using (11)C-labelled carbon monoxide were investigated and revealed that both (R-DAB)FeI(2) species were not effective as trapping complexes due to the low concentrations of [(11)C]CO used in these experiments. A Fe(TPP)(THF)(x) (TPP = tetraphenylporphyrin) complex was investigated with unlabelled CO and the monocarbonyl adduct Fe(TPP)(THF)CO was formed in situ as identified by IR spectroscopy (νCO = 1966 cm(-1)) yet was stable to CO loss upon UV irradiation. Carbonylation reactions of in situ-generated Fe(TPP)(THF)(x) using [(11)C]CO revealed that 97% of the [(11)C]CO stream could be trapped in one pass of the gas at room temperature and at atmospheric pressure.     

Metal carbonyl derivatives of sulfur-containing quinones and hydroquinones: synthesis, structures, and electrochemical properties

The reaction of CpMoMn(mu-S(2))(CO)(5), 1, with 1,4-benzoquinone in the presence of irradiation with visible light yielded the quinonedithiolato complex CpMoMn(CO)(5)(mu-S(2)C(6)H(2)O(2)), 2. The new complex CpMoMn(CO)(5)(mu-S(2)C(6)Cl(2)O(2)) (4) was synthesized similarly from 1 and 2,3-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone. Compounds 2 and 4 were reduced with hydrogen to yield the hydroquinone complexes CpMoMn(CO)(5)[mu-S(2)C(6)H(2)(OH)(2)], 3, and CpMoMn(CO)(5)[mu-S(2)C(6)Cl(2)(OH)(2)], 5. UV-vis irradiation of solutions of Fe(2)(CO)(6)(mu-S(2)) and 1,4-benzoquinone yielded the hydroquinone complex Fe(2)(CO)(6)[mu-S(2)C(6)H(2)(OH)(2)], 6. Compound 6 was oxidized to the quinone complex Fe(2)(CO)(6)(mu-S(2)C(6)H(2)O(2)), 7, by using 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone. Substitution of the CO ligands on 6 by PPh(3) yielded the derivatives Fe(2)(CO)(5)(PPh(3))[mu-S(2)C(6)H(2)(OH)(2)], 8, and Fe(2)(CO)(4)(PPh(3))(2)[mu-S(2)C(6)H(2)(OH)(2)], 9. The electrochemical properties of 3, 5, 6, 8, and 9 were measured by cyclic voltammetry. The molecular structure of each of the new compounds 2-9 was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.     

Ionic liquid mediated CO2 activation for DMC synthesis

Promoted catalytic reaction between methanol and CO2 for dimethyl carbonate(DMC) synthesis is conducted over K2CO3/CH3 I catalyst in the presence of ionic liquid under microwave irradiation.The effect of ionic liquids incorporated with microwave irradiation on the yield of DMC is investigated.DMC was found to form at lower temperature in a relative short time,which indicated an enhanced catalytic process by ionic liquid.Among the ionic liquids used,1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride is the most effective promoter.Density functional theory calculations indicate that CO2 bond lengths and angles changed due to the molecular interaction of ionic liquid and CO2,resulting in the activation of CO2 molecules and consequently the acceleration of reaction rate.     

Structure, reactivity and solution behaviour of [Re(ser)(7-MeG)(CO)(3)] and [Re(ser)(3-pic)(CO)(3)]: "nucleoside-mimicking" complexes based on the fac-[Re(CO)(3)](+) moiety

The fac-[Re(CO)(3)](+) moiety was reacted with the amino acid serine (D- and L-ser) and with 7-methylguanine (7-MeG), 3-methylpyridine (3-pic) or adenine (ade) to yield novel complexes intended as nucleoside-mimicking compounds. Reaction of [Re(H(2)O)(3)(CO)(3)](+)(1) with L-ser yields the complex [Re(L-ser)(2)(CO)(3)](L-2). X-Ray structure analysis of L-2 reveals that one of the two amino acids is bound to the metal centre in a bidentate fashion while the other amino acid is bound as a zwitterion via the carboxylate oxygen only. Reaction of L-2 and of [Re(D-ser)(2)(CO)(3)](D-2) with 7-MeG yields complexes [Re(L-ser)(7-MeG)(CO)(3)](L-3) and [Re(D-ser)(7-MeG)(CO)(3)](D-3) respectively. Complexes L-3 and D-3 are received as a mixture of diastereomers. If 3-pic is used instead of 7-MeG complex [Re(L-ser)(3-pic)(CO)(3)](L-4) is obtained in good yield, while interaction of L-2 with ade gives a mixture of five distinct species. Crystallization gave one single diastereomer for L-3 and D-3 and the two forms for 4 respectively. X-Ray structure analyses reveal that in all cases the amino acid is bound in a chelate fashion with the base occupying the sixth co-ordination site. When crystals of either 2 or 3 are dissolved in a CD(3)OD/D(2)O mixture (1:1, 293 K) rapid transformation to the diastereomeric mixture is observed. While for L-2 this reorganisation is fast on the NMR time scale even at 193 K, the rate constant for the rearrangement of L-3 and D-3 is 1.36 +/- 0.24 x 10(-2) s(-1) at 293 K.     

Matrix-isolation Raman spectroscopy and photochemistry of carbonyl-metal-silyl complexes

To study the photochemistry of metal-silyl complexes the compounds Cp(CO)(2)Fe-SiH(2)(CH(3)) (Cp = eta(5)-C(5)H(5)) and Cp*(CO)(2)((CH(3))(3)P)Mo-SiH(3) (Cp* = eta(5)-C(5)(CH(3))(5)) have been isolated in krypton or nitrogen matrices and subsequently detected by Raman spectroscopy. Vibrational assignments for the two compounds are given. Furthermore, differences in the Raman spectra induced by UV irradiation are discussed.     

Clean diesel power via microwave susceptible oxidation catalysts.

The problem of soot emissions from diesel engines is introduced and the possible solution of combining doped perovskites and microwave (mw) irradiation to "clean up" diesel soot filters is outlined. Eighteen doped perovskite catalysts are synthesized and tested for propane and CO oxidation, which are taken as model components for soot. The activity, selectivity, and SO2 tolerance are compared under conventional heating and mw irradiation. By combining mw irradiation and doped perovskites, one can create "hot spots" on the catalyst, resulting in efficient and selective heating of the active site, as well as less poisoning. Sr-doped and Ce-doped manganese perovskites show the highest activity. These catalysts are also the most selective, and have a high mw susceptibility. Optimal SO2 tolerance is displayed by Cr perovskites, from which the La0.8Ca0.2CrO3 combination uniquely converts propane before CO, and therefore can be used to remove >C2 hydrocarbons from a mix with CO. Possible mechanistic scenarios are presented and discussed.     

Characterization of ruthenium oxide nanocluster as a cocatalyst with (Ga(1-x)Zn(x))(N(1-x)Ox) for photocatalytic overall water splitting

The formation and structural characteristics of Ru species applied as a cocatalyst on (Ga(1)(-)(x)()Zn(x)())(N(1)(-)(x)()O(x)()) are examined by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. RuO(2) is an effective cocatalyst that enhances the activity of (Ga(1)(-)(x)()Zn(x)())(N(1)(-)(x)()O(x)()) for overall water splitting under visible-light irradiation. The highest photocatalytic activity is obtained for a sample loaded with 5.0 wt % RuO(2) from an Ru(3)(CO)(12) precursor followed by calcination at 623 K. Calcination is shown to cause the decomposition of initial Ru(3)(CO)(12) on the (Ga(1)(-)(x)()Zn(x)())(N(1)(-)(x)()O(x)()) surface (373 K) to form Ru(IV) species (423 K). Amorphous RuO(2) nanoclusters are then formed by an agglomeration of finer particles (523 K), and the nanoclusters finally crystallize (623 K) to provide the highest catalytic activity. The enhancement of catalytic activity by Ru loading from Ru(3)(CO)(12) is thus shown to be dependent on the formation of crystalline RuO(2) nanoparticles with optimal size and coverage.     

Surface photochemistry of Rh(CO)2 on zeolite Y-production of a stable coordinatively unsaturated rhodium monocarbonyl surface species at room temperature

The photochemical production and chemical reactivity of a new coordinatively unsaturated rhodium monocarbonyl species on the surface of dealuminated zeolite Y over a temperature range of 300-420 K and a pressure range from 10(-5) to 20 Torr has been studied. Using high vacuum techniques and transmission infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet irradiation (350 +/- 50 nm) of supported Rh(CO)(2) surface species led to the production of stable, but reactive, =Rh(CO) surface species, characterized by an infrared band at 2023 cm(-1). The coordinatively unsaturated =Rh(CO) species convert to less reactive and coordinatively saturated Rh(CO) by thermal treatment above 370 K. The Rh(CO) species were characterized by an infrared band at 2013 cm(-1). An explanation of the mode of bonding of the rhodium monocarbonyl species to the zeolite surface is provided. Coordinatively unsaturated =Rh(CO) species captured N(2), H(2), and O(2) gas molecules near room temperature to produce a variety of mixed ligand rhodium surface complexes of the form Rh(CO)(N(2)), Rh(CO)(H(2)), Rh(CO)(H)(2), Rh(CO)(H), Rh(CO)(O), and Rh(O). Infrared band assignments for the new species are provided. The work provides new insight into the photochemical behavior of Rh(CO)(2) species supported on high-area zeolite materials and may improve our understanding of the role of active rhodium monocarbonyl species in the development of heterogeneous photocatalysts.     

Photochemical synthesis and reactivity studies of dirhenacarboranes

Ultraviolet irradiation of [PPh(4)][closo-1-CB(8)H(9)] with [Re(2)(CO)(10)] in THF (tetrahydrofuran) at ambient temperature affords the dirhenacarborane anion [6,10-{Re(CO)(4)}-10-(micro-H)-6,6,6-(CO)(3)-closo-6,1-ReCB(8)H(8)]-, isolated as its [PPh(4)]+ salt (1). Further irradiation of 1 yields a second isomeric anion [6,10-{Re(CO)(4)}-6-(micro-H)-10,10,10-(CO)(3)-closo-10,1-ReCB(8)H(8)]- that was characterized as a [N(PPh(3))(2)]+ salt (2). Reaction of 1 with NOBF(4) produces the neutral dirhenacarborane compound [8,10-{Re(CO)(4)}-8,10-(micro-H)2-6,6-(CO)(2)-6-NO-closo-6,1-ReCB(8)H(7)] (3). Compounds 1-3 all consist of a central {closo-ReCB(8)} cluster with a second rhenium center which is exo-polyhedral. Attempts to substitute the carbonyl ligands of 3 with other donor ligands such as phosphines, isocyanides, or alkynes resulted in loss of the exo-polyhedral rhenium moiety and formation of a monorhenium anion, [6,6-(CO)(2)-6-NO-closo-6,1-ReCB(8)H(9)]-, isolated as its [N(PPh(3))(2)]+ salt (4). The heterometallic dimetallacarborane species, [6,7,10-{Cu(PPh(3))}-7,10-(micro-H)2-6,6-(CO)(2)-6-NO-closo-6,1-ReCB(8)H(7)] (5) and [6,7-{Au(PPh(3))}-7-(micro-H)-6,6-(CO)(2)-6-NO-closo-6,1-ReCB(8)H(8)] (6) were formed from reactions of 4 with {Cu(PPh(3))}+ and {Au(PPh(3))}+, respectively. Similarly, reaction of 4 with {Ir(CO)(PPh(3))(2)}+ afforded two products, [6,10-{Ir(micro-PPh(2))(Ph)(CO)(PPh(3))}-10-(micro-H)-6-CO-6-NO-closo-6,1-ReCB(8)H(8)] (7) and [6,9,10-{Ir(micro-PPh(2))(H)(PPh(3))}-9-(micro-H)-6-CO-6-NO-10-Ph-closo-6,1-ReCB(8)H(8)] (8). The solid-state structures of compounds 1-8 were all unequivocally established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments.     

Theoretical study on the mechanism of iron carbonyls mediated isomerization of allylic alcohols to saturated carbonyls

The conversion of allylic alcohols to enols mediated by Fe(CO)(3) has been studied through density functional theoretical calculations. From the results obtained a complete catalytic cycle has been proposed in which the first intermediate is the [(allyl alcohol)Fe(CO)(3)] complex. This intermediate evolves to the [(enol)Fe(CO)(3)] complex through two consecutive 1,3-hydrogen shifts involving a pi-allyl hydride intermediate. The highest Gibbs energy transition state corresponds to the partial decoordination ot the enol ligand prior to the coordination of a new allyl alcohol molecule that regenerates the first intermediate. Alternative processes for the [(enol)Fe(CO)(3)] complex such as [Fe(CO)(3)]-mediated enol-aldehyde transformation and enol isomerization have also been considered. The results obtained show that the former process is unfavourable, whereas the enol isomerization may compete with the enol decoordination step of the catalytic cycle.     

Dynamical intramolecular metal-to-metal ligand exchange of phosphine and thioether ligands in derivatives PtRu5(CO)16(mu6-C)

The complexes PtRu(5)(CO)(15)(PMe(2)Ph)(mu(6)-C) (2), PtRu(5)(CO)(14)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)(mu(6)-C) (3), PtRu(5)(CO)(15)(PMe(3))(mu(6)-C) (4), PtRu(5)(CO)(14)(PMe(3))(2)(mu(6)-C) (5), and PtRu(5)(CO)(15)(Me(2)S)(mu(6)-C) (6) were obtained from the reactions of PtRu(5)(CO)(16)(mu(6)-C) (1) with the appropriate ligand. As determined by NMR spectroscopy, all the new complexes exist in solution as a mixture of isomers. Compounds 2, 3, and 6 were characterized crystallographically. In all three compounds, the six metal atoms are arranged in an octahedral geometry, with a carbido carbon atom in the center. The PMe(2)Ph and Me(2)S ligands are coordinated to the Pt atom in 2 and 6, respectively. In 3, the two PMe(2)Ph ligands are coordinated to Ru atoms. In solution, all the new compounds undergo dynamical intramolecular isomerization by shifting the PMe(2)Ph or Me(2)S ligand back and forth between the Pt and Ru atoms. For compound 2, DeltaH++ = 15.1(3) kcal/mol, DeltaS++ = -7.7(9) cal/(mol.K), and DeltaG(298) = 17.4(6) kcal/mol for the transformation of the major isomer to the minor isomer; for compound 4, DeltaH++ = 14.0(1) kcal/mol, DeltaS++ = -10.7(4) cal/(mol.K), and DeltaG(298) = 17.2(2) kcal/mol for the transformation of the major isomer to the minor isomer; for compound 6, DeltaH++ = 18(1) kcal/mol, DeltaS++ = 21(5) cal/(mol.K) and DeltaG(298) = 12(2) kcal/mol. The shifts of the Me(2)S ligand in 6 are significantly more facile than the shifts for the phosphine ligand in compounds 2-5. This is attributed to a more stable ligand-bridged intermediate for the isomerizations of 6 than that for compounds 2-5. The intermediate for the isomerization of 6 involves a bridging Me(2)S ligand that can use two lone pairs of electrons for coordination to the metal atoms, whereas a tertiary phosphine ligand can use only one lone pair of electrons for bridging coordination.