Preparation and characterization of [Hg[P(C6F5)2]2], [Hg[(mu-P(C6F5)2)W(CO)5]2], and [Hg[(mu-P(CF3)2)W(CO)5]2] and the X-ray crystal structure of [Hg[(mu-P(C6F5)2)W(CO)5]2].2DMF

The thermally unstable compound [Hg[P(C(6)F(5))(2)](2)] was obtained from the reaction of mercury cyanide and bis(pentafluorophenyl)phosphane in DMF solution and characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. The thermally stable trinuclear compounds [Hg[(mu-P(CF(3))(2))W(CO)(5)](2)] and [Hg[(mu-P(C(6)F(5))(2))W(CO)(5)](2)] are isolated and completely characterized. The higher order NMR spectra exhibiting multinuclear satellite systems have been sufficiently analyzed. [Hg[(mu-P(CF(3))(2))W(CO)(5)](2)].2DMF crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 2366.2(3) pm, b = 1046.9(1) pm, c = 104.0(1) pm, and beta = 104.01(1) degrees. Structural, NMR spectroscopic, and vibrational data prove a weak coordination of the two DMF molecules. Structural, vibrational, and NMR spectroscopic evidence is given for a successive weakening of the pi back-bonding effect of the W-P bond in the order [W(CO)(5)PH(R(f))(2)], [Hg[(mu-P(R(f))(2))W(CO)(5)](2)], and [W[P(R(f))(2)](CO)(5)](-) with R(f) = C(6)F(5) and CF(3). The pi back-bonding effect of the W-C bonds increases vice versa.     

Reactivity of Ph2P(Se)CH2C6H4CH2P(Se)Ph2 with [M3(CO)12] (M=Ru or Fe). Synthesis and characterization of the new carbene cluster [Ru3(mu3-Se)(mu3-H)(mu2-PPh2)(CO)6(mu2-CHC6H4CH2PPh2)

The reactions of [M3(CO)12] (M=Ru or Fe) with 1,2 bis[(diphenylphosphino)methyl]benzene diselenide (dpmbSe2) in hot toluene afford a variety of phosphine-substituted selenido carbonyl clusters. They belong to the following three families: (i) 50-electron clusters with a M3Se2 core (2, 3, 5-7), (ii) 48-electron clusters with a M3Se core (1, 8), (iii) 34-electron clusters with a M2Se2 core (4). All these species derive from the P=Se bond cleavage. Cluster 1, which contains a hydrido, a phosphido, and a carbene ligand, is produced by multiple fragmentation of the diphosphine. This fragmentation appears related to the presence of the selenido ligand on the cluster, as the reaction of [Ru3(CO)12] with dpmb (not selenized) produces only carbonyl substitution by the phosphine to give [Ru3(CO)10(mu-dpmb)] (9). All the clusters synthesized have been characterized by spectroscopic techniques, and in some cases fluxional behavior has been detected in solution by NMR analysis. The structures of 1, 2, and 7-9 have been determined by X-ray diffraction methods.     

Synthesis, Characterization, and Comparative Properties of [PPN](2)[Re(6)C(CO)(18)Mo(CO)(4)] and [PPN](2)[Re(6)C(CO)(18)Ru(CO)(3)

The reaction of [PPN](2)[Re(6)C(CO)(19)] with Mo(CO)(6) and Ru(3)(CO)(12) under sunlamp irradiation provided the new mixed-metal clusters [PPN](2)[Re(6)C(CO)(18)Mo(CO)(4)] and [PPN](2)[Re(6)C(CO)(18)Ru(CO)(3)], which were isolated in yields of 85% and 61%, respectively. The compound [PPN](2)[Re(6)C(CO)(18)Mo(CO)(4)] crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with a = 20.190 (7) ?, b = 16.489 (7) ?, c = 27.778 (7) ?, beta = 101.48 (2) degrees, and Z = 4 (at T = -75 degrees C). The cluster anion is composed of a Re(6)C octahedral core with a face capped by a Mo(CO)(4) fragment. There are three terminal carbonyl ligands coordinated to each rhenium atom. The four carbonyl ligands on the molybdenum center are essentially terminal, with one pair of carbonyl ligands (C72-O72 and C74-O74) subtending a relatively large angle at molybdenum (C72-Mo-C74 = 147.2(9) degrees ), whereas the remaining pair of carbonyl ligands (C71-O71 and C73-O73) subtend a much smaller angle (C71-Mo-C73 = 100.5(9) degrees ). The (13)C NMR spectrum of (13)CO-enriched [PPN](2)[Re(6)C(CO)(18)Mo(CO)(4)] shows signals for four sets of carbonyl ligands at -40 degrees C, consistent with the solid state structure, but the carbonyl ligands undergo complete scrambling at ambient temperature. The (13)C NMR spectrum of (13)CO-enriched [PPN](2)[Re(6)C(CO)(18)Ru(CO)(3)] at 20 degrees C is consistent with the expected structure of an octahedral Re(6)C(CO)(18) core capped by a Ru(CO)(3) fragment. The visible spectrum of [PPN](2)[Re(6)C(CO)(18)Mo(CO)(4)] shows a broad, strong band at 670 nm (epsilon = 8100), whereas all of the absorptions of [PPN](2)[Re(6)C(CO)(18)Ru(CO)(3)] are at higher energy. An irreversible oxidation wave with E(p) at 0.34 V is observed for [PPN](2)[Re(6)C(CO)(18)Mo(CO)(4)], whereas two quasi-reversible oxidation waves with E(1/2) values of 0.21 and 0.61 V (vs Ag/AgCl) are observed for [PPN](2)[Re(6)C(CO)(18)Ru(CO)(3)]. The molybdenum cap in [Re(6)C(CO)(18)Mo(CO(4))](2-) is cleaved by heating in donor solvents, and by treatment with H(2), to give largely [H(2)Re(6)C(CO)(18)](2-). In contrast, [Re(6)C(CO)(18)Ru(CO)(3)](2-) shows no tendency to react under similar conditions.     

Reactivity of the heterometallic clusters [HMCo3(CO)12] and [Et4N][MCo3(CO)12] (M = Fe, Ru) toward phosphine selenides, including selenium transfer. Crystal structures of [HRuCo3(CO)7(mu-CO)3(mu-dppy)], [MCo2(mu3-Se)(CO)7(mu-dppy)], and [RuCo2(mu3-Se)(CO)7(mu-dppm)] [dppy = Ph2(2-C5H4N)P, dppm = Ph2PCH2PPh2

The reactivity of [HMCo3(CO)12] and [Et4N][MCo3(CO)12] (M = Fe, Ru) toward phosphine selenides such as Ph3PSe, Ph2P(Se)CH2PPh2, Ph2(2-C5H4N)PSe, Ph2(2-C4H3S)PSe, and Ph2[(2-C5H4N)(2-C4H2S)]PSe has been studied with the aim to obtain new selenido-carbonyl bimetallic clusters. The reactions of the hydrido clusters give two main classes of products: (i) triangular clusters with a mu3-Se capping ligand of the type [MCo2(mu3-Se)(CO)(9-x)L(y)] resulting from the selenium transfer (x = y = 1, 2, with L = monodentate ligand; x = 2, 4, and y = 1, 2, with L = bidentate ligand) (M = Fe, Ru) and (ii) tetranuclear clusters of the type [HMCo3(CO)12xL(y)] obtained by simple substitution of axial, Co-bound carbonyl groups by the deselenized phosphine ligand. The crystal structures of [HRuCo3(CO)7(mu-CO)3(mu-dppy)] (1), [MCo2(mu3-Se)(CO)7(mu-dppy)] (M = Fe (16) or Ru (2)), and [RuCo2(mu3-Se)(CO)7(mu-dppm)] (12) are reported [dppy = Ph2(2-C5H4N)P, dppm = Ph2PCH2PPh2]. Clusters 2, 12, and 16 are the first examples of trinuclear bimetallic selenido clusters substituted by phosphines. Their core consists of metal triangles capped by a mu3-selenium atom with the bidentate ligand bridging two metals in equatorial positions. The core of cluster 1 consists of a RuCo3 tetrahedron, each Co-Co bond being bridged by a carbonyl group and one further bridged by a dppy ligand. The coordination of dppy in a pseudoaxial position causes the migration of the hydride ligand to the Ru(mu-H)Co edge. In contrast to the reactions of the hydrido clusters, those with the anionic clusters [MCo3(CO)12]- do not lead to Se transfer from phosphorus to the cluster but only to CO substitution by the deselenized phosphine.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of two novel heterometallic clusters: [Rh4Pt2(CO)11(dppm)2] and [Ru2Rh2Pt2(CO)12(dppm)2

Two novel heterometallic octahedral clusters [Rh(4)Pt(2)(CO)(11)(dppm)(2)](1) and [Ru(2)Rh(2)Pt(2)(CO)(12)(dppm)(2)](2) were synthesized by the reaction of [Rh(2)Pt(2)(CO)(6)(dppm)(2)] with [Rh(6)(CO)(14)(NCMe)(2)] and Ru(3)(CO)(12), respectively. Solid state structures of 1 and 2 have been established by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. Two dppm ligands in 1 are bonded to one platinum and three rhodium atoms, which form an equatorial plane of the Rh(4)Pt(2) octahedron. Two rhodium and two platinum atoms bound to the diphosphine ligands in 2 are nonplanar to give an octahedral C2 symmetric Ru(2)Rh(2)Pt(2)(dppm)2 framework. The (31)P NMR investigation of and (1D, (31)P COSY, (31)P-[(103)Rh] HMQC) and simulation of 1D spectral patterns showed that in both clusters the structures of the M(6)(PP)(2) fragments found in the solid state are maintained in solution.     

Reactions of [Ru(CO)3Cl2]2 with aromatic nitrogen donor ligands in alcoholic media

The reactions of mono‐ and bidentate aromatic nitrogen‐containing ligands with [Ru(CO)₃Cl₂]₂ in alcohols have been studied. In alcoholic media the nitrogen ligands act as bases promoting acidic behaviour of alcohols and the formation of alkoxy carbonyls [Ru(N–N)(CO)₂Cl(COOR)] and [Ru(N)₂(CO)₂Cl(COOR)]. Other products are monomers of type [Ru(N)(CO)₃Cl₂], bridged complexes such as [Ru(CO)₃Cl₂]₂(N), and ion pairs of the type [Ru(CO)₃Cl₃]^? [Ru(N–N)(CO)₃Cl]⁺ (N–N = chelating aromatic nitrogen ligand, N = non‐chelating or bridging ligand). The reaction and the product distribution can be controlled by adjusting the reaction stoichiometry. The reactivity of the new ruthenium complexes was tested in 1‐hexene hydroformylation. The activity can be associated with the degree of stability of the complexes and the ruthenium–ligand interaction. Chelating or bridging nitrogen ligands suppresses the activity strongly compared with the bare ruthenium carbonyl chloride, while the decrease in activity is less pronounced with monodentate ligands. A plausible catalytic cycle is proposed and discussed in terms of ligand–ruthenium interactions. The reactivity of the ligands as well as the catalytic cycle was studied in detail using the computational DFT methods. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Substitution reactions of [Ru(dppe)(CO)(H(2)O)(3)][OTf](2)

The labile nature of the coordinated water ligands in the organometallic aqua complex [Ru(dppe)(CO)(H(2)O)(3)][OTf](2) (1) (dppe = Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2); OTf = OSO(2)CF(3)) has been investigated through substitution reactions with a range of incoming ligands. Dissolution of 1 in acetonitrile or dimethyl sulfoxide results in the facile displacement of all three waters to give [Ru(dppe)(CO)(CH(3)CN)(3)][OTf](2) (2) and [Ru(dppe)(CO)(DMSO)(3)][OTf](2) (3), respectively. Similarly, 1 reacts with Me(3)CNC to afford [Ru(dppe)(CO)(CNCMe(3))(3)][OTf](2) (4). Addition of 1 equiv of 2,2'-bipyridyl (bpy) or 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridyl (Me(2)bpy) to acetone/water solutions of 1 initially yields [Ru(dppe)(CO)(H(2)O)(bpy)][OTf](2) (5a) and [Ru(dppe)(CO)(H(2)O)(Me(2)bpy)][OTf](2) (6a), in which the coordinated water lies trans to CO. Compounds 5a and 6a rapidly rearrange to isomeric species (5b, 6b) in which the ligated water is trans to dppe. Further reactivity has been demonstrated for 6b, which, upon dissolution in CDCl(3), loses water and coordinates a triflate anion to afford [Ru(dppe)(CO)(OTf)(Me(2)bpy)][OTf] (7). Reaction of 1 with CH(3)CH(2)CH(2)SH gives the dinuclear bridging thiolate complex [[(dppe)Ru(CO)](2)(mu-SCH(2)CH(2)CH(3))(3)][OTf] (8). The reaction of 1 with CO in acetone/water is slow and yields the cationic hydride complex [Ru(dppe)(CO)(3)H][OTf] (9) via a water gas shift reaction. Moreover, the same mechanism can also be used to account for the previously reported synthesis of 1 upon reaction of Ru(dppe)(CO)(2)(OTf)(2) with water (Organometallics 1999, 18, 4068).     

Formation of Isomeric Tetrathiotungstate Clusters [{Cp*Ru(CO)}2(WS4){W(CO)4}] by the Reaction of [Cp*2Ru2S4] with [W(CO)3(MeCN)3]

Thermal and photochemical interconversion occurs between the isomeric pair of tetrathiotungstate [WS₄]²⁻ clusters 1 and 2 , which were formed by thermolysis of [Cp^*₂Ru₂S₄] and [W(CO)₃(MeCN)₃] [Eq. (1)] and then structurally characterized. During synthesis, a dramatic redistribution of ligands between the Ru and W atoms takes place without the loss of any CO and S ligands.     

Synthesis of nonanuclear heterometallic carbide clusters. Unexpected formation of the [Ru6(CO)16]2-[Pt2(CO)2(dppm)2]2+ ion pair on the way to [Ru6C(CO)16Pt3(dppm)2

A novel trimetallic cluster [Ru5CRh2Pt2(CO)16(dppm)2] was synthesized via coupling of two neutral clusters-[Ru5C(CO)15] and [Rh2Pt2(CO)6(dppm)2]. The structure of this mixed metal complex was established using X-ray crystallography and 31P NMR spectroscopy. It was found that the reaction between [Ru6C(CO)17] and [Pt2(CO)3(dppm)2] leads to spontaneous electron transfer between these polynuclear complexes and results in the formation of an unusually stable cluster "salt" {[Ru6(CO)16]2-[Pt2(CO)2(dppm)2]2+}, which was characterized by crystallographic and spectroscopic methods. Heating of the Ru6-Pt2 ion pair in an autoclave (145 degrees C, 15 atm N2) results in fusion of the metal frameworks to give a nonanuclear mixed metal [Ru6C(CO)16Pt3(dppm)2] cluster in a good yield. The latter complex was obtained earlier as a minor product of another thermal reaction and now has been additionally characterized by 31P NMR spectroscopy.     

Unsaturated Ru(0) species with a constrained bis-phosphine ligand: [Ru(CO)2(tBu2PCH2CH2PtBu2)]2. Comparison to [Ru(CO)2(PtBu2Me)2

The synthesis of Ru(C2H4)(CO)2(dtbpe) (dtbpe = tBu2PC2H4PtBu2), then green [Ru(CO)2(dtbpe)]n is described. In solution, n = 1, while in the solid state, n = 2; the dimer has two carbonyl bridges. DFTPW91, MP2, and CCSD(T) calculations show that the potential energy surface for bending one carbonyl out of the RuP2C(O) plane is essentially flat. Ru(CO)2(dtbpe) reacts rapidly in benzene solution to oxidatively add the H-E bond of H2, HCl, HCCR (R = H, Ph), [HOEt2]BF4, and HSiEt3. The H-C bond of C6HF5 oxidatively adds at 80 degrees C. CO adds, as does the C=C bond of H2C=CHX (X = H, F, Me). The following do not add: N2, THF, acetone, H3COH, and H2O.     

Synthesis and P-P cleavage reactions of [P(X)X']2; X-ray structures of [Co[P(X)X'](CO)3] and P4[P(X)X']2[X = N(SiMe3)2, X'= NPri2

Treatment of P(X)(X')Cl with KC8 gave the crystalline diphosphine [P(X)X']2 (1) which dissociated reversibly into the phosphinyl radical *P(X)X' (2), a plausible intermediate in the reaction of with [Cr(CO)6], [Co(NO)(CO)3] or P4, yielding [Cr[P(X)X']2(CO)3] (3), [Co[P(X)X'](CO)3] (4), or 1,4-P4[P(X)X']2 (5); the P(X)X' substituent is pyramidal at P in but planar in [X = N(SiMe3)2, X'= NPri2].     

Photodissociation of CO from [Ru3(mu3-O)(mu-OOCCH3)6(CO)L2] in acetonitrile, where L = pyridine, 4-cyanopyridine and methanol

Photodissociation of CO from oxo-centered trinuclear ruthenium clusters [Ru3(mu3-O)(mu-OOCCH3)6(CO)L2] (L = pyridine (py): 1; 4-cyanopyridine (cpy): 2; methanol: 3) dissolved in organic solvents has been examined. Upon photolysis (> or = 290 nm, a 450-W Xe lamp), an absorption peak at 585 nm observed for 1 in CH3CN decreases its intensity and a new absorption band appears and grows at 896 nm. This spectral change, presenting isosbestic points, corresponds to photosubstitution of CO in 1 to form [Ru3(mu3-O)(mu-OOCCH3)6(CH3CN)(py)2] 4. Photoexcitation of carbonyl complexes 2 and 3 in CH3CN also affords the corresponding CH3CN-coordinated complexes [Ru3(mu3-O)(mu-OOCCH3)6(CH3CN)(cpy)2] 6 and [Ru3(mu3-O)(mu-OOCCH3)6(CH3CN)3] 7, respectively. The photosubstitution reactions (excitation wavelength, > or = 290 nm) are well described by the first-order kinetics: k = 7.3 x 10(-4) s(-1) for 1, 4.9 x 10(-4) s(-1) for 2 and 5.1 x 10(-4) s(-1) for 3 (298 K). In the presence of a 100-fold excess of py, photolysis of 1 yields a tris(py) complex [Ru3(mu3-O)(mu-OOCCH3)6(py)3] 5 via photochemical loss of CO followed by coordination of py. The overall reaction (photochemical and thermal) is also confirmed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The dissociative character of the photosubstitution is supported by negligible effects of the concentration of the entering pyridine molecule, the nature of solvents and the type of terminal monodentate ligands (other than CO) attached to the cluster. Quantum yield measurements with varied excitation wavelengths have shown that absorption bands located in the UV region (< 400 nm) play a principal role in photosubstitution, whereas an absorption band in the visible region (centered at approximately 580 nm), ascribed to an "intracluster" charge transfer, is not at all responsible for photosubstitution.     

Efficient photoreduction process of [Ru3(mu3-O)(mu-CH3CO2)6L3]+ by electron-mediation via the viologen dication by excitation of a zinc porphyrin

Photoinduced electron-transfer and electron-mediation processes from the excited triplet state of zinc tetraphenylporphyrin (3ZnTPP) to the hexyl viologen dication (HV2+) in the presence of oxo-acetato-bridged triruthenium clusters, [Ru3(mu3-O)(mu-CH3CO2)6L3]+, have been revealed by the transient absorption spectra in the visible and near-IR regions. By the nanosecond laser-flash photolysis of ZnTPP in the presence of HV2+ and [Ru3(mu3-O)(mu-CH3CO2)6L3]+, the transient absorption bands of the radical cation of ZnTPP (ZnTPP*+) and the reduced viologen (HV*+) were initially observed with the concomitant decay of 3ZnTPP, after which an extra electron of HV*+ mediates to [Ru3(mu3-O)(mu-CH3CO2)6L3]+, efficiently generating [Ru3(mu3-O)(mu-CH3CO2)6L3]0 with high potential. Although back-electron transfer took place between ZnTPP*+ and [Ru3(mu3-O)(mu-CH3CO2)6L3]0 in the diffusion-controlled limit, [Ru3(mu3-O)(mu-CH3CO2)6L3]0 accumulates at a steady concentration upon further addition of 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide (BNAH) as a sacrificial donor to re-produce ZnTPP from ZnTPP*+. Therefore, we established a novel system to accumulate [Ru3(mu3-O)(mu-CH3CO2)6L3]0 as an electron pool by the excitation of ZnTPP as photosensitizing electron donor in the presence of HV2+ and BNAH as an electron-mediating reagent and sacrificial donor, respectively. With the increase in the electron-withdrawing abilities of the ligands, the final yields of [Ru3(mu3-O)(mu-CH3CO2)6L3]0 increased.     

Controlling substitution chemistry in ruthenium(II) systems. Synthesis of heteroleptic complexes incorporating the [Ru([9]aneS3)]2+ metal center

The complex [Ru(py)3([9]aneS3)][PF6]2, 1 (py = pyridine), has proved to be a suitable starting material for the synthesis of heteroleptic Ru(II) complexes. By exploiting unfavorable steric interactions between 2-H and 6-H hydrogens of coordinated pyridyl ligands, we have synthesized half-sandwich complexes incorporating the thiocrown [9]aneS3 and a variety of facially coordinated N-donor ligands. Such complexes are easily prepared: Stirring 1 at room temperature in the presence of a suitable nitrile ligand leads to the exclusive substitution of one py ligand to produce complexes such as [([9]aneS3)Ru(py)2(NCMe)][PF6]2, 2. However, if the same reaction is carried out at higher temperatures, two py ligands are substituted, leading to complexes such as [([9]aneS3)Ru(py)(NCMe)2][PF6]2, 3. An alternative approach to such heteroleptic species has also been developed which exploits the restricted ability of thioethers to neutralize positive charges through sigma-donation. This phenomenon allows the synthesis of heteroleptic complexes in a two-step procedure via monocationic species. By variation of the donor/acceptor properties of ligands incorporated into the [Ru([9]aneS3)]2+ metal center, it is possible to tune the Ru(III)/Ru(II) redox couple over a range of > 700 mV. The solid-state structures of 1-3 were confirmed by X-ray crystallography studies. Crystal data: C22H30F12N4O2P2RuS3 (1.CH3NO2), monoclinic, Cc, a = 23.267(5) A, b = 11.5457(18) A, c = 26.192(5) A, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 114.836(10) degrees, gamma = 90 degrees, Z = 8; C18H25F12N3P2RuS3 (2), triclinic, P1, a = 11.3958(19) A, b = 11.4280(19) A, c = 11.930(2) A, alpha = 100.518(3) degrees, beta = 100.542(3) degrees, gamma = 112,493(3) degrees, Z = 2; C15H23F12N3P2RuS3 (3), orthorhombic, Pna2(1)), a = 14.748(5) A, b = 18.037(18) A, c = 10.341(5) A, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 90 degrees, gamma = 90 degrees, Z = 4.     

Reactivity of triruthenium thiophyne and furyne clusters: competitive S-C and P-C bond cleavage reactions and the generation of highly unsymmetrical alkyne ligands

The synthesis and reactivity of the thiophyne and furyne clusters [Ru3(CO)7(mu-dppm)(mu3-eta2-C4H2E)(mu-P(C4H3E)2)(mu-H)] (E = S, O) is reported. Addition of P(C4H3E)3 to [Ru3(CO)10(mu-dppm)] (1) at room temperature in the presence of Me3NO gives simple substitution products [Ru3(CO)9(mu-dppm)(P(C4H3E)3)] (E = S, 2; E = O, 3). Mild thermolysis in the presence of further Me3NO affords the thiophyne and furyne complexes [Ru3(CO)7(mu-dppm)(mu3-eta2-C4H2E)(mu-P(C4H3E)2)(mu-H)] (E = S, 4; E = O, 6) resulting from both carbon-hydrogen and carbon-phosphorus bond activation. In each the C4H2E (E = S, O) ligand donates 4-electrons to the cluster and the rings are tilted with respect to the mu-dppm and the phosphido-bridged open triruthenium unit. Heating 4 at 80 degrees C leads to the formation of the ring-opened cluster [Ru3(CO)5(mu-CO)(mu-dppm)(mu3-eta3-SC4H3)(mu-P(C4H3S)2)] (5) resulting from carbon-sulfur bond scission and carbon-hydrogen bond formation and containing a ring-opened mu3-eta3-1-thia-1,3-butadiene ligand. In contrast, a similar thermolysis of 3 affords the phosphinidene cluster [Ru3(CO)7(mu-dppm)(mu3-eta2-C4H2O)(mu3-P(C4H3O))] (7) resulting from a second phosphorus-carbon bond cleavage and (presumably) elimination of furan. Treatment of 4 and 6 with PPh3 affords the simple phosphine-substituted products [Ru3(CO)6(PPh3)(mu-dppm)(mu3-eta2-C4H2E)(mu-P(C4H3E)2)(mu-H)] (E = S, 8; E = O, 9). Both thiophyne and furyne clusters 4 and 6 readily react with hydrogen bromide to give [Ru3(CO)6Br(mu-Br)(mu-dppm)(mu3-eta2-eta1-C4H2E)(mu-P(C4H3E)2)(mu-H)] (E = S, 10; E = O, 11) containing both terminal and bridging bromides. Here the alkynes bind in a highly unsymmetrical manner with one carbon acting as a bridging alkylidene and the second as a terminally bonded Fisher carbene. As far as we are aware, this binding mode has only previously been noted in ynamine complexes or those with metals in different oxidation states. The crystal structures of seven of these new triruthenium clusters have been carried out, allowing a detailed analysis of the relative orientations of coordinated ligands.     

Ten-electron coordination and reactivity of an arylphosphinidene ligand

Photochemical decarbonylation of [Mo2Cp2(mu-PR*)(CO)4] (Cp = eta5-C5H5; R* = 2,4,6-C6H2tBu3) gives [Mo2Cp2(mu-kappa1:kappa1,eta6-PR*)(CO)2], which shows the first example of a remarkable 10-electron donor arylphosphinidene ligand which bridges two Mo atoms through its phosphorus atom while being pi-bonded to one Mo center through the six carbon atoms of the aryl ring. This causes a severe pyramidal distortion of the P-bound C atom. The complex adds CO to give [Mo2Cp2(mu-kappa1:kappa1,eta4-PR*)(CO)3], which has an 8-electron donor PR* ligand, and then the parent complex [Mo2Cp2(mu-PR*)(CO)4]. Protonation of [Mo2Cp2(mu-kappa1:kappa1,eta6-PR*)(CO)2] gives the hydride [Mo2Cp2(H)(mu-kappa1:kappa1,eta6-PR*)(CO)2]+, which undergoes P-C bond cleavage and hydride migration, affording the phosphido cation [Mo2Cp2(mu-P)(eta6-R*H)(CO)2]+.     

The synthesis and structural characterisation of [Ru(eta-Cp)(dppf)SnBr3

The reaction of [Ru(eta-Cp)(dppf)N(3)] (1) with equimolar amount of SnBr(2) yielded an interesting heterotrimetallic compound [Ru(eta-Cp)(dppf)SnBr(3)] (2) (dppf: 1,1'-bis-diphenylphosphinoferrocene). Compounds 1 and 2 were characterised by IR, NMR (1H, 13C, 31P and 119Sn), and 2, additionally, by 57Fe and 119Sn M?ssbauer spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The latter results were as follows: monoclinic, C2/c, a = 32.8879(4)A, b = 11.9888(2)A, c = 20.8986(3)A, beta = 92.545(1)degrees, V = 8231.9(2)A(3), Z =8.     

X-ray Crystallographic Study of the Ruthenium Blue Complexes [Ru(2)Cl(3)(tacn)(2)](PF(6))(2).4H(2)O, [Ru(2)Br(3)(tacn)(2)](PF(6))(2).2H(2)O, and [Ru(2)I(3)(tacn)(2)](PF(6))(2): Steric Interactions and the Ru-Ru "Bond Length"

X-ray crystal structures are reported for the following complexes: [Ru(2)Cl(3)(tacn)(2)](PF(6))(2).4H(2)O (tacn = 1,4,7-triazacyclononane), monoclinic P2(1)/n, Z = 4, a = 14.418(8) ?, b = 11.577(3) ?, c = 18.471(1) ?, beta = 91.08(5) degrees, V = 3082 ?(3), R(R(w)) = 0.039 (0.043) using 4067 unique data with I > 2.5sigma(I) at 293 K; [Ru(2)Br(3)(tacn)(2)](PF(6))(2).2H(2)O, monoclinic P2(1)/a, Z = 4, a = 13.638(4) ?, b = 12.283(4) ?, c = 18.679(6) ?, beta = 109.19(2) degrees, V = 3069.5 ?(3), R(R(w)) = 0.052 (0.054) using 3668 unique data with I > 2.5sigma(I) at 293 K; [Ru(2)I(3)(tacn)(2)](PF(6))(2), cubic P2(1)/3, Z = 3, a = 14.03(4) ?, beta = 90.0 degrees, V = 2763.1(1) ?(3), R (R(w)) = 0.022 (0.025) using 896 unique data with I > 2.5sigma(I) at 293 K. All of the cations have cofacial bioctahedral geometries, although [Ru(2)Cl(3)(tacn)(2)](PF(6))(2).4H(2)O, [Ru(2)Br(3)(tacn)(2)](PF(6))(2).2H(2)O, and [Ru(2)I(3)(tacn)(2)](PF(6))(2) are not isomorphous. Average bond lengths and angles for the cofacial bioctahedral cores, [N(3)Ru(&mgr;-X)(3)RuN(3)](2+), are compared to those for the analogous ammine complexes [Ru(2)Cl(3)(NH(3))(6)](BPh(4))(2) and [Ru(2)Br(3)(NH(3))(6)](ZnBr(4)). The Ru-Ru distances in the tacn complexes are longer than those in the equivalent ammine complexes, probably as a result of steric interactions.     

Structure and magnetic ordering of KxH1-xNi(OH2)4[Ru2(CO3)4].zH2O

K(x)H(1-x)Ni(OH2)4[Ru2(CO3)4].zH2O is a ferrimagnet (Tc = 4.3 K) formed from the reaction of K3[Ru(II/III)2(CO3)4] and Ni(II) in water. It possesses a new 3-D network structural motif composed of linked chains and mu3-CO3 linkages to both Ru and Ni sites. Each Ni(II) bonds to four oxygens and to two [Ru2(CO3)4]3- moieties in a cis manner, and four mu3-CO3 groups from each [Ru2(CO3)4](3-) have two oxygens bonding to the Ru2 moiety, forming the typical paddle-wheel core, and trans pairs of the third CO32- oxygen axially bonded to either another Ru2 or Ni(II).     

Tuning the excited-state properties of [M(SnR3)2(CO)2(alpha-diimine)] (M = Ru, Os; R = Me, Ph)

The influences of R, the alpha-diimine, and the transition metal M on the excited-state properties of the complexes [M(SnR3)2(CO)2(alpha-diimine)] (M = Ru, Os; R = Ph, Me) have been investigated. Various synthetic routes were used to prepare the complexes, which all possess an intense sigma-bond-to-ligand charge-transfer transition in the visible region between a sigma(Sn-M-Sn) and a pi*(alpha-diimine) orbital. The resonance Raman spectra show that many bonds are only weakly affected by this transition. The room-temperature time-resolved absorption spectra of [M(SnR3)2(CO)2(dmb)] (M = Ru, Os; R = Me, Ph; dmb = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine) show the absorptions of the radical anion of dmb, in line with the SBLCT character of the lowest excited state. The excited-state lifetimes at room temperature vary between 0.5 and 3.6 microseconds and are mainly determined by the photolability of the complexes. All complexes are photostable in a glass at 80 K, under which conditions they emit with very long lifetimes. The extremely long emission lifetimes (e.g., tau = 1.1 ms for [Ru(SnPh3)2(CO)2(dmb)]) are about a thousand times longer than those of the 3MLCT states of the [Ru(Cl)(Me)(CO)2(alpha-diimine)] complexes. This is due to the weak distortion of the former complexes in their 3SBLCT states as seen from the very small Stokes shifts. Remarkably, replacement of Ru by Os hardly influences the absorption and emission energies of these complexes; yet the emission lifetime is shortened because of an increase of spin-orbit coupling. The quantum yield of emission at 80 K is 1-5% for these complexes, which is lower than might be expected on the basis of their slow nonradiative decay.