Anionic and neutral rhodium(I) complexes containing trichlorostannato ligands

The complexes Et₄N[Rh(SnCl₃)₂(diolefin)(PR₃)] (diolefin = COD or NBD) have been isolated and their reactions studied. Reaction with arylic tertiary phosphines led to SnCl₃⁻ displacement and isolation of neutral pentacoordinated Rh(SnCl₃)(diolefin)(PR₃)₂ complexes. Reaction with carbon monoxide involved diolefin displacement when the diolefin was COD, thus giving Et₄N[Rh(SnCl₃)₂(CO)₂(PR₃)] compounds, but SnCl₃⁻ displacement when it was NBD, thus yielding Rh(SnCl₃)(CO)(NBD)(PR₃) complexes. The complexes [Rh(diolefin)Cl]₂ were found to react with triarylphosphines in the presence of SnCl₂ and with CO bubbling through the solution to give Rh(SnCl₃)(CO)(NBD)(PR₃) when the diolefin was NBD but Rh(Cl)(CO)(PR₃)₂ when the diolefin was COD.     

Nickel Tetracarbonyl as Starting Material for the Synthesis of NHC-stabilized Nickel(II) Allyl Complexes

A novel, useful in situ synthesis for NHC nickel allyl halide complexes [Ni(NHC)(η³-allyl)(X)] starting from [Ni(CO)₄], NHC and allyl halides is presented. The reaction of [Ni(CO)₄] with (i) one equivalent of the corresponding NHC and (ii) with an excess of the corresponding allyl chloride at room temperature leads with elimination of carbon monoxide to complexes of the type [Ni(NHC)(η³-allyl)(X)]. This approach was used to synthesize the complexes [Ni(tBu₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 2 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 3 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 4 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (H)-C (Me)₂)(Br)] ( 5 ), [Ni(Me₂Im^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 6 ), and [Ni(EtiPrIm^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 7 ). The complexes 1 to 7 were characterized using NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, and the molecular structures are provided for 2 and 7 . The allyl nickel complexes 1 – 7 are stereochemically non-rigid in solution due to (i) NHC rotation about the nickel-carbon bond, (ii) allyl rotation about the Ni–η³-allyl axis and (iii) π–σ–π allyl isomerization processes. The allyl halide complexes can be methylated as was demonstrated by the methylation of a number of the complexes [Ni(NHC)(η³-allyl)(X)] with methylmagnesium chloride or methyllithium, which led to isolation of the complexes [Ni(Me₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 8 ), [Ni(tBu₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 9 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 10 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 11 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (H)-C (Me)₂)(Me)] ( 12 ), and [Ni(EtiPrIm^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 13 ). These complexes were fully characterized including X-ray molecular structures for 10 and 11 .     

Carbonyl-Monoolefin-Derivate des Chroms,Molybdäns und Wolframs. I. Tetracarbonyl-Phosphin-Olefin-Komplexe

Carbonyl Monoolefin Derivatives of the Group VI Transition Metals. I. Tetracarbonyl Phosphine Olefin Complexes Monoolefin complexes cis-M(CO)₄(PR₃)(olefin) (M ? Cr, Mo, W; R ? Et, Bu, Prⁱ, Ph; olefin ? maleic anhydride, dimethyl maleate, dimethyl fumarate, bis(trimethylsilyl) fumarate, ethylene) are obtained from the ionic compounds Et₄N[R₃PM(CO)₄Cl] either via ethanol or acetonitrile derivatives M(CO)₄(PR₃)L, or directly in a two phase system. The olefins are displaced by Lewis-bases such as amines or phosphines under mild conditions.     

Facile Carbon–Fluorine Bond Activation and Subsequent Functionalisation of 1,1‐Difluoroethylene and Tetrafluoroethylene Promoted by Adjacent Metal Centres

The bridging fluoroolefin ligands in the complexes [Ir₂(CH₃)(CO)₂(μ‐olefin)(dppm)₂][OTf] (olefin=tetrafluoroethylene, 1,1‐difluoroethylene; dppm=μ‐Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂; OTf^?=CF₃SO₃^?) are susceptible to facile fluoride ion abstraction. Both fluoroolefin complexes react with trimethylsilyltriflate (Me₃SiOTf) to give the corresponding fluorovinyl products by abstraction of a single fluoride ion. Although the trifluorovinyl ligand is bound to one metal, the monofluorovinyl group is bridging, bound to one metal through carbon and to the other metal through a dative bond from fluorine. Addition of two equivalents of Me₃SiOTf to the tetrafluoroethylene‐bridged species gives the difluorovinylidene‐bridged product [Ir₂(CH₃)(OTf)(CO)₂(μ‐OTf)(μ‐C?CF₂)(dppm)₂][OTf]. The 1,1‐difluoroethylene species is exceedingly reactive, reacting with water to give 2‐fluoropropene and [Ir₂(CO)₂(μ‐OH)(dppm)₂][OTf] and with carbon monoxide to give [Ir₂(CO)₃(μ‐κ¹:η²‐C?CCH₃)(dppm)₂][OTf] together with two equivalents of HF. The trifluorovinyl product [Ir₂(κ¹‐C₂F₃)(OTf)(CO)₂(μ‐H)(μ‐CH₂)(dppm)₂][OTf], obtained through single C? F bond activation of the tetrafluoroethylene‐bridged complex, reacts with H₂ to form trifluoroethylene, allowing the facile replacement of one fluorine in C₂F₄ with hydrogen.     

First use of methyl formate with no extra carbon monoxide in the hydroesterification of ethene catalysed by palladium complexes

The complex [PdH(Cl)(PBu₃)₂], generated in situ by addition of one equivalent of NaBH₄ to [PdCl₂(PBu₃)₂], is a good catalyst precursor for the addition of methyl formate to ethene. Extra carbon monoxide is not required, and methyl propanoate is produced with high selectivity.     

Iron‐Complex‐Catalyzed C?C Bond Cleavage of Organonitriles: Catalytic Metathesis Reaction between H?Si and R?CN Bonds to Afford R?H and Si?CN Bonds

The first example of the catalytic C? CN bond cleavage of acetonitrile as well as Si? CN bond formation have been achieved in the photoreaction of MeCN with Et₃SiH promoted by [Cp(CO)₂FeMe]. This catalytic system is applicable to other organonitriles. Several iron complexes [(η⁵‐C₅R₅)(CO)₂FeR′] (R₅=H₅, H₄Me, Me₅, H₄SiMe₃, H₄I, H₄P(O)(OMe)₂; R′=SiMe₃, CH₂Ph, Me, Cl, I) were examined as catalyst, and [Cp(CO)₂FeMe] was found to be the best precursor. A catalytic reaction cycle was proposed, which involves oxidative addition of Et₃SiH to [Cp(CO)FeMe], reductive elimination of CH₄ from [Cp(CO)FeMe(H)(SiEt₃)], coordination of RCN to [Cp(CO)Fe(SiEt₃)], silyl migration from Fe to N in the coordinated RCN, and dissociation of Et₃SiNC from Fe. The reaction with MeCN of [Cp(CO)Fe(py)(SiEt₃)], which was newly prepared and determined by X‐ray analysis, and the reaction of Et₃SiH with MeCN in the presence of a catalytic amount of [Cp(CO)Fe(py)(SiEt₃)] showed that the 16‐electron species [Cp(CO)Fe(SiEt₃)] is the active species in the catalytic cycle (TON up to 251).     

Übergangsmetall-Fulven-Komplexe: XXXI. Die Reaktivität des [η5-(C5H4CHO)M(CO)3]−-Anions (M  Mo,W) gegenüber Carbonsäurechloriden

The reactivity of the (η⁵-formylcyclopentadienyl)M(CO)₃ anions (M  Mo, W) towards acyl chlorides has been studied. Acetyl chloride reacts with the anions to give two different types of substituted cyclopentadienyl complexes: [M(Cl)(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂OC(O)CH₃)(CO)₃] and [M(η¹-CH₃CO)(η⁵-CH₃CO)(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂OC(O)CH₃)(CO)₃]. The reaction of the anions with benzoyl chloride only yields the chloro complexes [M(Cl)(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂OC(O)C₆H₅)(CO)₃]. The molecular structure of [W(Cl)(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂OC(O)CH₃)(CO)₃] has been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis of 5-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl-1,2,3-trimethylbenzene catalyzed by [Et<Subscript>3</Subscript>NH]Cl–AlCl<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Common Lewis acids and Lewis acidic ionic liquid catalysts were applied in the synthesis of 5-tert-butyl-1,2,3-trimethylbenzene from 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene and 2-chloro-2-methylpropane, where [Et₃NH]Cl–AlCl₃ demonstrated the most promising catalytic potential. The effects of reaction time, temperature, catalyst composition and dosage have been systematically studied in the presence of [Et3NH]Cl–AlCl3. The maximum selectivity of 90.32% was achieved upon heating at 10°C for 5 h with a mass fraction of [Et₃NH]Cl–AlCl₃ to 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene of 10%. Activity of the ionic liquid catalyst remained high after several cycles.     

Alkylaluminum activator effects on polyethylene branching using a N,N′‐nickel precatalyst appended with bulky 4,4′‐dimethoxybenzhydryl groups

Ten unsymmetrical N,N'‐bis (imino) acenaphthene‐nickel (II) halide complexes, [1‐[2,6‐{(4‐MeOC₆H₄)₂CH}₂–4‐MeC₆H₂N]‐2‐(ArN)C₂C₁₀H₆]NiX₂, each appended with one N‐2,6‐bis(4,4'‐dimethoxybenzhydryl)‐4‐methylphenyl group, have been synthesized and characterized. The molecular structures of Ni1 , Ni3 , Ni5 and Ni6 highlight the variation in steric protection afforded by the inequivalent N‐aryl groups; a distorted tetrahedral geometry is conferred about each nickel center. On activation with diethylaluminum chloride (Et₂AlCl) or methylaluminoxane (MAO), all complexes showed high activity at 30°C for the polymerization of ethylene with the least bulky bromide precatalysts ( Ni1 and Ni4 ), generally the most productive, forming polyethylenes with narrow dispersities [M_w/M_n: < 3.4 (Et₂AlCl), < 4.1 (MAO)] and various levels of branching. Significantly, this level of branching can be influenced by the type of co‐catalyst employed, with Et₂AlCl having a predilection towards polymers displaying significantly higher branching contents than with MAO [T_m: 33.0–82.5°C (Et₂AlCl) vs. 117.9–119.4°C (MAO)]. On the other hand, the molecular weights of the materials obtained with each co‐catalyst were high and, in some cases, entering the ultra‐high molecular weight range [M_w range: 6.8–12.2 × 10⁵ g mol^?1 (Et₂AlCl), 7.2–10.9 × 10⁵ g mol^?1 (MAO)]. Furthermore, good tensile strength (ε_b up to 553.5%) and elastic recovery (up to 84%) have been displayed by selected more branched polymers highlighting their elastomeric properties.     

Reactions of ethyl(acetylacetonato)- (triphenylphosphine)nickel(II)- a new hydride nickel complex, (Ph3P)3Ni(H)Br

The reactions of EtNi(PPh₃)(acac) with various reagents have been discussed; the reaction with NaFe(CO)₂Cp or Fe(CO)₅ occurs via nickel(II) reductive carbonylation while EtNi(PPh₃)(acac) and Et₂AlCl afford the unstable EtNi(PPh₃)₂-Cl. The cleavage of the NiC bond with evolution of ethylene and ethane is observed when EtNi(PPh₃)(acac) reacts with CS₂, HgCl₂ and Et₂AlBr. A new nickel hydride complex, (Ph₃P)₃Ni(H)Br, has been obtained from EtNi(PPh₃)-(acac) and Et₂AlBr and its properties have been studied. Another method of synthesis of this hydride complex directly from Ni(acac)₂ and Et₂AlBr has been proposed.     

The First Iminoamidophosphite Ligand: Synthesis and Complexation with Rhodium(I)

Optically active amidophosphite with the peripheral imino group (R)-(Et₂N)₂POCH₂CH(Et)N=CHPh is synthesized through one-stage phosphorylation of the corresponding imino alcohol. Its reaction with [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ (at P : Rh = 1) yields the mononuclear chelate [Rh(CO)(P^N)Cl]. Structures of the compounds are determined by IR, ³¹P, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and polarimetry.     

Synthesis and Application of Ruthenium(II) Alkenyl Complexes with Perylene Fluorophores for the Detection of Toxic Vapours and Gases

A series of new ruthenium(II) vinyl complexes has been prepared incorporating perylenemonoimide (PMI) units. This fluorogenic moiety was functionalised with terminal alkyne or pyridyl groups, allowing attachment to the metal either as a vinyl ligand or through the pyridyl nitrogen. The inherent low solubility of the perylene compounds was improved through the design of poly-PEGylated (PEG=polyethylene glycol) units bearing a terminal alkyne or a pyridyl group. By absorbing the compounds on silica, vapours and gases could be detected in the solid state. The reaction of the complexes [Ru(CH=CH-Per^Im)Cl(CO)(py-3PEG)(PPh₃)₂] and [Ru(CH=CH-3PEG)Cl(CO)(py-Per^Im)(PPh₃)₂] with carbon monoxide, isonitrile or cyanide was found to result in modulation of the fluorescence behaviour. The complexes were observed to display solvatochromic effects and the interaction of the complexes with a wide range of other species was also studied. The study suggests that such complexes have potential for the detection of gases or vapours that are toxic to humans.     

Synthesis and characterization of transition metal complexes of a new bidentate ligand {2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl}benzylamine

A new bidentate ligand {2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl}benzylamine(DPEBA) was synthesized and characterized based on the IR, mass and ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectra. Various complexes of platinum group metal ions and Ni(II) and Co(II) ions with the ligand were synthesized. Reaction of RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ or RuCl₂(Me₂SO)₄ with the ligand DPEBA, resulted in formation of a penta-coordinate, Ru(II) species of the composition [RuCl(DPEBA)₂]Cl. Carbonylation of [RuCl(DPEBA)₂]Cl gave an octahedral carbonyl complex of the type [RuCl(CO)(DPEBA)₂]Cl. The reaction of RuCl₃·3H₂O or RuCl₃(AsPh₃)₂MeOH with a twofold excess of the ligand gave an octahedral Ru(III) cationic species [Ru(DPEBA)₂Cl₂]Cl. Carbonylation of the Ru(III) complex gave rise to a carbonyl complex [RuCl(CO)(DPEBA)₂]Cl₂. The ligand DPEBA reacts with cobalt(II) chloride in methanol to give the 1 : 1 complex [Co(DPEBA)Cl₂]. A series of Rh(I) complexes [Rh(DPEBA)₂Cl], [ RhCl(CO)(DPEBA)] and [Rh(DPEBA)₂]Cl were synthesized by the reaction of DPEBA with RhCl(PPh₃)₃, RhCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ and [Rh(COD)Cl]₂, respectively. Reaction of [Ir(COD)Cl]₂ and IrCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ with the ligand DPEBA, gave the square-planar complexes [Ir(DPBA)₂]Cl and [Ir(DPEBA)(CO)Cl], respectively. Octahedral cationic complexes of the type [M(DPEBA)₂Cl₂]Cl (M = Rh(III), Ir(III)) were synthesized by the reaction of the ligand DPEBA and rhodium and iridium trichlorides. Reaction of NiCl₂·6H₂O with DPEBA in 1 : 2 molar equivalents, in boiling butanol gave an octahedral neutral complex [Ni(DPEBA)₂Cl₂] which readily rearranges to the square-planar complex [Ni(DPEBA)₂]Cl₂ in methanol. Reaction of Pd(II) and Pt(II) chlorides with DPEBA gave square-planar, cationic complexes of the type [M(DPEBA)₂Cl]Cl (M = Pd, Pt). All the complexes were characterized on the basis of their analytical and spectral data.     

Synthese und Struktur chiraler Heterometallatetrahedrane des Typs [Re2(M1PPh3)(M2PPh3)(μ‐PCy2)(CO)7C≡CPh] (M1 = Ag,Au; M2 = Cu,Ag, Au)

Syntheses and Structure of Chiral Metallatetrahedron Complexes of the Type [Re₂(M¹PPh₃)(M²PPh₃)(μ‐PCy₂)(CO)₇C≡CPh] (M¹ = Ag, Au; M² = Cu, Ag, Au) From the reaction of Li[Re₂(μ‐H)(μ‐PCy₂)(CO)₇(C(Ph)O)] ( 1 ) with Ph₃AuC≡CPh both benzaldehyde and the trinuclear complex Li[Re₂(AuPPh₃)(μ‐PCy₂)(CO)₇C≡CPh] ( 2a ) were obtained in high yield. The complex anion was isolated as its PPh₄‐salt 2b . The latter reacts with coinage metal complexes PPh₃M²Cl [M² = Cu, Ag, Au] to give chiral heterometallatetrahedranes of the general formula [Re₂(AuPPh₃)(M²PPh₃)(μ‐PCy₂)(CO)₇C≡CPh] (M² = Cu 3a , Ag 3b , Au 3c ). The corresponding complex [Re₂(AgPPh₃)₂(μ‐PCy₂)(CO)₇C≡CPh] ( 3d ) is obtained from the reaction of [Re₂(AgPPh₃)₂(μ‐PCy₂)(CO)₇Cl] ( 4 ) with LiC≡CPh. 3d undergoes a metathesis reaction in the presence of PPh₃CuCl giving [Re₂(AgPPh₃)(CuPPh₃)(μ‐PCy₂)(CO)₇C≡CPh] ( 3e ) and PPh₃AgCl. Analogous metathesis reactions are observed when 3c is reacted with PPh₃AgCl or PPh₃CuCl giving 3a or 3b , respectively. The reaction of 1 with PPh₃AuCl gives benzaldehyde and Li[Re₂(AuPPh₃)(μ‐PCy₂)(CO)₇Cl] ( 5a ) which upon reaction with PhLi forms the trinuclear complex Li[Re₂(AuPPh₃)(μ‐PCy₂)(CO)₇Ph] ( 6a ). Again this complex was isolated as its PPh₄‐salt 6b . In contrast to 2b , 6b reacts with one equivalent of Ph₃PAuCl by transmetalation to give Ph₃PAuPh and PPh₄[Re₂(AuPPh₃)(μ‐PCy₂)(CO)₇Cl] ( 5b ). The X‐ray structures of the compounds 3a , 3b , 3e and 4 are reported.     

Molecular weight control of polyethylene waxes using a constrained imino‐cyclopenta[b]pyridyl‐nickel catalyst

Five examples of nickel(II) bromide complexes bearing N,N‐imino‐cyclopenta[b ]pyridines, [7‐(ArN)‐6,6‐Me₂C₈H₅N]NiBr₂ (Ar = 2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃ ( Ni1 ), 2,6‐Et₂C₆H₃ ( Ni2 ), 2,6‐i‐ Pr₂C₆H₃ ( Ni3 ), 2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂ ( Ni4 ), 2,6‐Et₂‐4‐MeC₆H₂ ( Ni5 )), have been prepared by the reaction of the corresponding ligand, L1 – L5 , with NiBr₂(DME) (DME = 1,2‐dimethoxyethane). On crystallization from bench dichloromethane, Ni1 underwent adventitious reaction with water to give the aqua salt, [ L1 NiBr(OH₂)₃][Br] ( Ni1' ). The molecular structures of Ni1' and Ni3 have been structurally characterized, the latter revealing a bromide‐bridged dimer. On activation with either MMAO or Et₂AlCl, Ni1 , Ni2 , Ni4, and Ni5 , all exhibited high activities for ethylene polymerization (up to 3.88 × 10⁶ g(PE) mol^?1(Ni) h^?1); the most sterically bulky Ni3 gave only low activity. Polyethylene waxes are a feature of the materials obtained which typically display low molecular weights (M _ws), narrow M _w distributions and unsaturated vinyl and vinylene functionalities. Notably, the catalyst comprising Ni1 /Et₂AlCl produced polyethylene with the lowest M _w, 0.67 kg mol^?1, which is less than any previously reported data for any class of cycloalkyl‐fused pyridine–nickel catalyst. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55 , 3494–3505     

The synthesis of thionitrosodimethylamine (Me2NNS) complexes of ruthenium,osmium, and iridium

Neutral hydrido complexes [ML]ClH(PPh₃)₃ ([ML] = Ru(CO), Os(CO) and Ir(Cl)] react with thionitrosodimethylamine, Me₂NNS, to give [ML]ClH-(SNNMe₂)(PPh₃)₂ with H trans to Me₂NNS, while the hydrido cations cis,trans-[[ML]H(SNNMe₂)₂(PPh₃)₂]⁺ are obtained from Me₂NNS and [Ru(NCMe)₂(CO)-(PPh₃)₂]⁺, [OsH(OH₂)(CO)(PPh₃)₃]⁺ and [IrClH(NCMe)₂(PPh₃)₂]⁺, respectively. The coordinatively unsaturated aryl complexes [ML′]Cl(p-tolyl)(PPh₃)₂ ([ML′]Ru(CO), Os(CO) and Os(CS)) coordinate one molecule of Me₂NNS to give [ML′]Cl(p-tolyl)(SNNMe₂)(PPh₃)₂, the chloride ligands of which are labile. Spectroscopic data suggest that in all these complexes the Me₂NNS ligand adopts a η¹(S) coordination mode.     

Stereospecific synthesis and redox properties of ruthenium(II) carbonyl complexes bearing a redox-active 1,8-naphthyridine unit

Two stereoisomers of cis-[Ru(bpy)(pynp)(CO)Cl]PF₆ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, pynp = 2-(2-pyridyl)-1,8-naphthyridine) were selectively prepared. The pyridyl rings of the pynp ligand in [Ru(bpy)(pynp)(CO)Cl]⁺ are situated trans and cis, respectively, to the CO ligand. The corresponding CH₃CN complex ([Ru(bpy)(pynp)(CO)(CH₃CN)]²⁺) was also prepared by replacement reactions of the chlorido ligand in CH₃CN. Using these complexes, ligand-centered redox behavior was studied by electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical techniques. The molecular structures of pynp-containing complexes (two stereoisomers of [Ru(bpy)(pynp)(CO)Cl]PF₆ and [Ru(pynp)₂(CO)Cl]PF₆) were determined by X-ray structure analyses.     

Synthesis and characterisation of mono- and dinuclear diethyldithiocarbamatonickel(II) organochalcogenide complexes

The reaction of Ni(dtc)(PR₃)Cl (dtc=diethyldithiocarbamate, R=Ph or Bu) with HSC₆H₄Cl-4 or HSCH₂C₆H₄Cl-4 and Et₃N gave two types of complex. For PPh₃, the products were [Ni(dtc)(μ-SC₆H₄Cl-4)]₂ (1) and [Ni(dtc)(μ-SCH₂C₆H₄Cl-4)]₂ (2); whilst PBu₃ gave Ni(dtc)(PBu₃)(SC₆H₄Cl-4) (3). The structure of freshly prepared 3 was determined to be monomeric, as indicated by X-ray diffraction studies. However, at room temperature in solution, 3 was observed to slowly convert to 1. Structural identification of 1 and 2 and similar dimers, and structural identification of 3 and analogous monomers, were investigated by mass spectrometry. Electron impact mass spectrometry (EIMS) failed to confirm the proposed structures due to extensive decomposition in the mass spectrometer. In the electron impact (EI) mode, all complexes invariably decomposed to Ni(dtc)₂; on the other hand, fast atom bombardment (FAB) ionisation gave the expected molecular ions for all compounds.     

Propionyl complexes of ruthenium derived from the reaction of ethylene with RuHCl(CO)2(PPh3)2

RuHCl(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ reacts with ethylene under mild conditions (25 psi, 80°C) to yield a propionyl derivative RuCl(C[O]C₂H₅)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ which is believed to be coordinatively unsaturated. Unlike the acetyl analogue, RuCl[C[O]C₂H₅(CO)-(PPh₃)₂ does not isomerize to RuCl(C₂H₅)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ in solution. Under one atmosphere of carbon monoxide, RuCl(C[O]C₂H₅(CO)(PPh₃)₂ exists in equilibrium with two species believed to be RuCl(C[O]C₂H₅)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ and [Ru(C[O]C₂H₅)(CO)₃(PPh₃)₂]Cl. RuCl(C[O]C₂H₅)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ reacts with CO/ AgClO₄ to give mer-[Ru(C[O]C₂H₅)(CO)₃(PPh₃)₂]ClO₄, p-tolylisocyanide (RNC) and NaClO₄ to give cis-[Ru(C[O]C₂H₅)(CO)(CNR)₂(PPh₃)₂ClO₄, and hydrochloric acid to yield the hydroxycarbene complex, RuCl₂(CO)(C[OH]C₂H₅)(PPh₃)₂.     

Cyclometallation of a pyrrole ring of 2-(1-pyrrolyl)pyridine with palladium(II) and rhodium(III)

2-(1-Pyrrolyl)pyridine (Hplp) is cyclometallated with lithium tetrachloropalladate(II) and hexahalogenotetrakis(tri-n-butylphosphine)dirhodium(III) to give [PdCl(plp)]₂ and [RhX₂(plp(PBu₃)₂] (X = Cl, Br; PBu₃ = tri-n-butylphosphine), respectively, where deprotonated plp is coordinated via the pyridine-N and pyrrole-2C atoms forming a five-membered metallacycle. [PdCl(plp)]₂ reacts with pyridine (py) and with PBu₃ to form the adducts [PdCl(plp)L] (L = py, PBu₃) and with acetylacetone (Hacac) to afford the complex [Pd(plp)(acac)]. Metathesis of [RhCl₂(plp)(PBu₃)₂] with excess lithium iodide gives a mixed halogeno complex [RhClI(plp)(PBu₃)₂]. These complexes are characterized spectroscopically.