Reaction of singlet oxygen with Ir(I) and Rh(I) thiolato complexes: oxidative addition vs. S-oxidation

Singlet oxygen reacts with Ir(I) and Rh(I) thiolato complexes to form the corresponding Ir(III) and Rh(III) peroxo thiolato complexes which do not undergo intramolecular oxidation of the thiolate moiety.     

Synthesis and characterization of Ru(III), Rh(III), Pt(IV) and Ir(III) thiosemicarbazone complexes

Ru(III), Rh(III), Pt(IV) and Ir(III) complexes of 2-furfural thiosemicarbazone as ligand have been synthesised. These complexes have the composition [M(ligand)₂X₂]X (M = Ru(III) Rh(III) and Ir(III) X = Cl and Br) and [Pt(ligand)₂ X₂] X₂ (X = Cl, Br and 1/2SO₄). The deprotonated ligand forms the complexes of the formulae M(ligand-H)₃ and Pt(ligand-H)₃Cl. All these complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic measurements, electronic and infrared spectral studies. All the complexes are six-coordinate octahedral.     

The formation, reactivity and interconversion of novel small eta(1)- and eta(3)-triazacyclononane complexes of rhodium(I) and rhodium(III)

We have successfully synthesised and characterised a number of eta(1)- and eta(3)-triazacyclononane Rh(I) and Rh(III) derivatives. By using different reaction conditions, we have been able to convert one of the eta(1)-triazacyclononane complexes to an eta(3)-derivative. Also, we have observed a rare example of an addition of an organic fragment to a metal bound ligand to form a quaternary carbon centre.     

Thermodynamics of the hydrogenation of olefins catalyzed by Rh(I) and Ir(I) complexes

The homogeneous hydrogenation of cyclohexene catalyzed by Rh(I) and Ir(I) complexes of the terdentate ligands (L) HN(CH₂CH₂Aφ₂)₂ (A = P, As) was investigated in the temperature range 20 - 50°C. Thermodynamic parameters corresponding to the formation of the dihydrido complexes ML(H)₂Cl (M = Ir(I), Rh(I)) and the olefin complexes MLCl(olefin) were computed. The activation parameters corresponding to the rate constant were also calculated. An inverse relationship is found between the enthalpy of formation ΔH⁰ of the dihydrido complexes and the enthalpy of activation ΔH^≠ of the hydrogenation step. This relationship establishes the involvement of the dihydrido complexes as the active intermediates in olefin coordination and hydrogen transfer. The stereochemistry of the terdentate complexes in dihydride formation is discussed. It is concluded that the enthalpy of formation ΔH⁰ of the dihydrido complexes of terdentate ligands is very favourable, as there is no change in the configuration of the ligand in oxidative addition reaction. The significance of the steric factors in the hydrogenation step is discussed.     

Fine-tuning the weak-link approach: effect of ligand electron density on the formation of rhodium(I) and iridium(I) metallomacrocycles

A novel bis(phosphinoalkyl-thioether)arene ligand with a fluorinated aryl group (1,4-(Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)S)(2)C(6)F(4)) has been synthesized. This ligand has been used to prepare symmetric bimetallic structures with Rh(I) and Ir(I) metal centers in high yield. Unlike their nonfluorinated counterparts, these complexes can be opened into large macrocyclic structures through straightforward ligand (i.e., carbon monoxide, nitriles, and isocyanides) substitution reactions at the metal-thioether linkage. In addition, the symmetric bimetallic structures have been shown to react with appropriately sized bifunctional aromatic molecules to form three-tiered host-guest structures.     

Synthesis and structures of homo- and heterobimetallic rhodium(I) and/or iridium(I) complexes of binucleating bis(1-pyrazolyl)methane ligands

The synthesis of a series of Rh(I) and Ir(I) homobimetallic complexes using three different linking scaffolds is described. The cyclooctadiene (COD) complexes [M(2)(COD)(2)(L(scaffold))][BAr(F)(4)](2) (2-7) where M = Rh(I) or Ir(I), and L(scaffold) = bis(1-pyrazolyl)methane ligands, p-C(6)H(4)[CH(pz)(2)](2) (1a), m-C(6)H(4)[CH(pz)(2)](2) (1b) and the anthracene-bridged 1,8-C(14)H(8)[CH(pz)(2)](2) (1c) were synthesized. The COD co-ligands of 2-7 were replaced with the carbonyl co-ligands to form the analogous homobimetallic complexes, [M(2)(CO)(4)(L(scaffold))][BAr(F)(4)](2) (8-13). The solid-state structures of the dicationic homobimetallic complexes 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, and 10, as well as cationic monometallic complexes 15 and 22 of ligands 1b and 1c respectively, were characterized using X-ray crystallography. The solid-state XRD structures of the resulting dirhodium and diiridium complexes with the para- and meta-phenylene and anthracene scaffolds show that there are distinct differences between structures of complexes 2-10 due to the variation in the scaffold structures, in particular the relative positions of the two metal centres. Heterobimetallic RhIr complexes of the m-C(6)H(4)[CH(pz)(2)](2) ligand were also synthesized using a stepwise approach, and the observed exchange of the metal centres in the heterobimetallic complexes was found to be dependent on the nature of the coligand.     

Steric and electronic effects on the reactivity of rh and ir complexes containing P-S,P-P,and P-O ligands. Implications for the effects of chelate ligands in catalysis

Kinetic studies of the reactions of [M(CO)(L-L)I] [M = Rh, Ir; L-L = Ph(2)PCH(2)P(S)Ph(2) (dppms), Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2) (dppe), and Ph(2)PCH(2)P(O)Ph(2) (dppmo)] with methyl iodide have been undertaken. All the chelate ligands promote oxidative addition of methyl iodide to the square planar M(I) centers, by factors of between 30 and 50 compared to the respective [M(CO)(2)I(2)](-) complexes, due to their good donor properties. Migratory CO insertion in [Rh(CO)(L-L)I(2)Me] leads to acetyl complexes [Rh(L-L)I(2)(COMe)] for which X-ray crystal structures were obtained for L-L = dppms (3a) and dppe (3b). Against the expectations of simple bonding arguments, methyl migration is faster by a factor of ca. 1500 for [Rh(CO)(dppms)I(2)Me] (2a) than for [Rh(CO)(dppe)I(2)Me] (2b). For M = Ir, alkyl iodide oxidative addition gives stable alkyl complexes [Ir(CO)(L-L)I(2)R]. Migratory insertion (induced at high temperature by CO pressure) was faster for [Ir(CO)(dppms)I(2)Me] (5a) than for its dppe analogue (5b). Reaction of methyl triflate with [Ir(CO)(dppms)I] (4a) yielded the dimer [[Ir(CO)(dppms)(mu-I)Me](2)](2+) (7), which was characterized crystallographically along with 5a and [Ir(CO)(dppms)I(2)Et] (6). Analysis of the X-ray crystal structures showed that the dppms ligand adopts a conformation which creates a sterically crowded pocket around the alkyl ligands of 5a, 6, and 7. It is proposed that this steric strain can be relieved by migratory insertion, to give a five-coordinate acetyl product in which the sterically crowded quadrants flank a vacant coordination site, exemplified by the crystal structure of 3a. Conformational analysis indicates similarity between M(dppms) and M(2)(mu-dppm) chelate structures, which have less flexibility than M(dppe) systems and therefore generate greater steric strain with the "axial" ligands in octahedral complexes. Ab initio calculations suggest an additional electronic contribution to the migratory insertion barrier, whereby a sulfur atom trans to CO stabilizes the transition state compared to systems with phosphorus trans to CO. The results represent a rare example of the quantification of ligand effects on individual steps from catalytic cycles, and are discussed in the context of catalytic methanol carbonylation. Implications for other catalytic reactions utilizing chelating diphosphines (e.g., CO/alkene copolymerization and alkene hydroformylation) are considered.     

Reactions of Singlet Oxygen with Organometallic Compounds. 4. Photooxidation of Cationic Iridium(I) and Rhodium(I) Complexes with Weakly Bonded Ligands

Cationic complexes of the type [M(CO)S(PPh(3))(2)](+) (M = Ir, Rh; S = CH(3)CN) react with singlet oxygen to form the corresponding peroxo complexes [M(CO)S(PPh(3))(2)(O(2))](+). The solvent molecule remains coordinated to the metal in the oxygen adducts. The novel cationic iridium-peroxo complex is stable at room temperature, while the rhodium-peroxo complex is only stable below 0 degrees C. Rate constants for physical and chemical interaction of the complexes with singlet oxygen are somewhat smaller than those for related neutral complexes. Upon addition of alkenes (tetramethylethylene or 1-octene) to the peroxo complexes, neither oxidation of the olefins nor substitution of the acetonitrile ligand was observed. 1-Octene was isomerized to give mostly 2- and 3-octene by the cationic rhodium(I) complex. A cationic iridium complex which already possesses a coordinated diene ligand ([Ir(COD)(PPh(3))(2)](+)) did not react with or quench singlet oxygen.     

Metal Complexes of a Boron‐Dipyrromethene (BODIPY)‐Tagged N‐Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) as Luminescent Carbon Monoxide Chemodosimeters

Several metal complexes with a boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY)‐functionalized N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand 4 were synthesized. The fluorescence in [( 4 )(SIMes)RuCl₂(ind)] complex is quenched (Φ=0.003), it is weak in [( 4 )PdI₂(Clpy)] (Φ=0.033), and strong in [( 4 )AuI] (Φ=0.70). The BODIPY‐tagged complexes can experience pronounced changes in the brightness of the fluorophore upon ligand‐exchange and ligand‐dissociation reactions. Complexes [( 4 )MX(1,5‐cyclooctadiene)] (M=Rh, Ir; X=Cl, I; Φ=0.008–0.016) are converted into strongly fluorescent complexes [( 4 )MX(CO)₂] (Φ=0.53–0.70) upon reaction with carbon monoxide. The unquenching of the Rh and Ir complexes appears to be a consequence of the decreased electron density at Rh or Ir in the carbonyl complexes. In contrast, the substitution of an iodo ligand in [( 4 )AuI] by an electron‐rich thiolate decreases the brightness of the BODIPY fluorophore, rendering the BODIPY as a highly sensitive probe for changes in the coordination sphere of the transition metal.     

Rhodium and iridium complexes of an asymmetric bicyclic NHC bearing secondary pyridyl donors

A tridentate N^C^N ligand, 1, containing a bicyclic central NHC ring and two flanking pyridyl groups has been coordinated to Rh(I) and Ir(I) to give complexes of the type [M(κ(3)-1)(1,5-COD)]PF(6) (2 M = Rh; 3 M = Ir). In contrast to our earlier study with this ligand, the complexes have been shown to approximate to a trigonal bipyramidal geometry in the solid state and exist as an isomeric mixture in solution as determined by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. Electrochemical studies revealed that both complexes undergo a 1-electron oxidation with the potential of the Rh complex 0.1 V less than that of the Ir complex in CH(2)Cl(2). Preliminary DFT studies confirm the lowest energy conformations as those seen in the solid state and show the location and energy of the HOMOs to be identical in 2 and 3. Partial charge analysis shows a greater positive charge on the Ir in 3 compared to the Rh in 2. Some preliminary studies of hydrogenation reactivity have shown the complexes to be efficient for both transfer and direct hydrogenation of prochiral ketones and alkenes at moderate temperatures but without any discernible enantioselectivity.     

Synthesis and properties of Rh(I) and Ir(I) distibine complexes with organometallic co-ligands

The first series of Rh(I) distibine complexes with organometallic co-ligands is described, including the five-coordinate [Rh(cod)(distibine)Cl], the 16-electron planar cations [Rh(cod)(distibine)]BF4 and [Rh{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]BF4 and the five-coordinate [Rh(CO)(distibine)2][Rh(CO)2Cl2] (distibine=R2Sb(CH2)3SbR2, R=Ph or Me, and o-C6H4(CH2SbMe2)2). The corresponding Ir(I) species [Ir(cod)(distibine)]BF4 and [Ir{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]BF4 have also been prepared. The complexes have been characterised by 1H and 13C{1H} NMR and IR spectroscopy, electrospray mass spectrometry and microanalysis. The crystal structure of the anion exchanged [Rh(CO){Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]PF(6).3/4CH2Cl2 is also described. The methyl-substituted distibine complexes are less stable than the complexes of Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2, with C-Sb fission occurring in some of the complexes of the former. The salts [Rh(CO){Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]PF6 and [Rh{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]BF4 undergo oxidative addition with Br2 to give the known [RhBr2{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]+, while using HCl gives the same hydride complex from both precursors, which is tentatively assigned as [RhHCl2{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}]. An unexpected further Rh(III) product from this reaction, trans-[RhCl2{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}{PhClSb(CH2)3SbClPh}]Cl, was identified by a crystal structure analysis and represents the first structurally characterised example of a chlorostibine coordinated to a metal. [Rh{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]BF4 reacts with CO to give [Rh(CO){Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]BF4 initially, and upon further exposure this species undergoes further reversible carbonylation to give a cis-dicarbonyl species thought to be [Rh(CO)2{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}{kappa1Sb-Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}]BF4 which converts back to the monocarbonyl complex when the CO atmosphere is replaced with N2.     

New chiral bis(oxazoline) Rh(I)-, Ir(I)- and Ru(II)-complexes for asymmetric transfer hydrogenations of ketones

Chiral bis(oxazoline)-based Rh(I)-, Ir(I)- and Ru(II)-complexes have been prepared and used for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of prochiral ketones. The presence of a free hydroxyl group on the ligand is necessary for high enantioselectivity. With acetophenone, up to 50% conversion and 89% ee were achieved.     

New Rh(I) and Rh(III) bisimidazol-2-ylidene complexes: synthesis,reactivity, and molecular structures

New chelate bis-heterocyclic-carbene complexes of Rh(I) and Rh(III) have been obtained and fully characterized. The molecular structures of the new species have been determined. The synthesis of the compounds starts from the bisimidazolium precursors, which are deprotonated with NEt(3) under mild reaction conditions, leading to coordination to the Rh complex. The Rh(III) compounds are generated from Rh(I) and [Rh(II)](2) species, although there is no apparent oxidizing agent in the reaction media.     

Evaluation of C4 diphosphine ligands in rhodium catalysed methanol carbonylation under a syngas atmosphere: synthesis, structure, stability and reactivity of rhodium(I) carbonyl and rhodium(III) acetyl intermediates

The carbonylation of methanol to acetic acid is a hugely important catalytic process, and there are considerable cost and environmental advantages if a process could be designed that was tolerant of hydrogen impurities in the CO feed gas, while eliminating by-products such as propionic acid and acetaldehyde altogether. This paper reports on an investigation into the application of rhodium complexes of several C(4) bridged diphosphines, namely BINAP, 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (dppb), bis(diphenylphosphino)xylene (dppx) and 1,4-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)butane (dcpb) as catalysts for hydrogen tolerant methanol carbonylation. An investigation into the structure, reactivity and stability of pre-catalysts and catalyst resting states of these complexes has also been carried out in order to understand the observations in catalysis. Rh(I) carbonyl halide complexes of each of the ligands have been prepared from both [Rh(2)(CO)(4)Cl(2)] and dimeric mu-Cl-[Rh(L)Cl](2) complexes. These Rh(I) carbonyl complexes are either dimeric with bridging phosphine ligands (dppb, dcpb, dppx) or monomeric chelate complexes. The reaction of the complexes with methyl iodide at 140 degrees C has been studied, which has revealed clear differences in the stability of the corresponding Rh(III) complexes. Surprisingly, the dimeric Rh(I) carbonyls react cleanly with MeI with rearrangement of the diphosphine to a chelate co-ordination mode to give stable Rh(III) acetyl complexes. The Rh acetyls for L=dppb and dppx have been fully characterised by X-ray crystallography. During the catalytic studies, the more rigid dppx and BINAP ligands were found to be nearly 5 times more hydrogen tolerant than [Rh(CO)(2)I(2)](-), as revealed by by-product analysis. The origin of this hydrogen tolerance is explained based on the differing reactivities of the Rh acetyls with hydrogen gas, and by considering the structure of the complexes.     

Bipyrimidine-Bridged Mixed-Metal Trimetallic Complexes of Ruthenium(II) with Rhodium(III) or Iridium(III), {[(bpy)(2)Ru(bpm)](2)MCl(2)}(5+)

Bipyrimidine-bridged trimetallic complexes of the form {[(bpy)(2)Ru(bpm)](2)MCl(2)}(5+), where M = Rh(III) or Ir(III), bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, and bpm = 2,2'-bipyrimidine, have been synthesized and characterized. These complexes are of interest in that they couple catalytically active rhodium(III) and iridium(III) metals with light-absorbing ruthenium(II) metals within a polymetallic framework. Their molecular composition is a light absorber-electron collector-light absorber core of a photochemical molecular device (PMD) for photoinitiated electron collection. The variation of the central metal has some profound effects on the observed properties of these complexes. The electrochemical data for the title trimetallics consist of a Ru(II/III) oxidation and sequential reductions assigned to the bipyrimidine ligands, Ir or Rh metal centers, and bipyridines. In both trimetallic complexes, the first oxidation is Ru based and the bridging ligand reductions occur prior to the central metal reduction. This illustrates that the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) is localized on the ruthenium metal center and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital resides on the bpm ligand. This bpm-based LUMO in {[(bpy)(2)Ru(bpm)](2)RhCl(2)}(5+) is in contrast with that observed for the monometallic [Rh(bpm)(2)Cl(2)](+) where the Rh(III)/Rh(I) reduction occurs prior to the bpm reduction. This orbital inversion is a result of bridge formation upon construction of the trimetallic complex. Both the Ir- and Rh-based trimetallic complexes exhibit a room temperature emission centered at 800 nm with tau = 10 ns. A detailed comparison of the spectroscopic, electrochemical, and spectroelectrochemical properties of these polymetallic complexes is described herein.     

Some transition metal complexes of new terdentate ligands: Bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]benzylamine and bis[2-(diphenylarsino)ethyl)benzylamine

Complexes of the terdentate ligands bis[2-diphenylphosphino)ethyl]benzylamine (DPBA) and bis[2-(diphenylarsino)ethyl]benzylamine (DABA) with Co(II), Ni(II), Pd(II), Pt(II), Rh(III), Ir(III), Rh(I) and Ir(I) are reported. The ligand DPBA reacts with Co(II) ion to form two types of complexes: a high-spin, paramagnetic, tetrahedral Co(II) complex of composition [CoCl(DPBA)]Cl and a low-spin, paramagnetic, square-planar complex of composition [CoBr(DPBA)]B(C₆H₅)₄. The reaction of DPBA with Ni(II) ion in methanol yields low-spin, diamagnetic, square-planar complexes of type [NiX(DPBA)]Y [X = Cl, Br or I; Y = Cl or B(C₆H₅)₄]. Four-coordinate, square-planar, cationic complexes of type [MY(L⁺[M = Pd(II), Pt(II), Rh(I) or Ir(I); Y = Cl or P(C₆H₅)₃; L = DPBA or DABA], were obtained on reaction of L with various starting materials containing these metal ions. Reaction of DPBA and DABA with rhodium and iridium trichlorides gave octahedral, neutral complexes of general formula [MCl₃(L)] (M = Rh or Ir, L = DPBA or DABA). All the complexes were characterized on the basis of their elemental analysis, molarconductance data, magnetic susceptibilities, electronic spectra, IR spectral measurements, and¹H and³¹P-{¹H} NMR spectral data.     

Synthesis of Rh(I) and Ir(I) complexes with chiral C2-multitopic ligands: Structural and catalytic properties

Four multitopic ligands, N,N′-bis[(S)-prolyl)phenylenediamine, N,N′-bis{[(S)-pyrrolidin-2-yl]methyl}phenylenediamine, N,N′-bis[(S)-N-benzylprolyl]phenylenediamine, N,N′-bis{[(S)-N-benzyl-pyrrolidin-2-yl]methyl}phenylenediamine, were synthesised and their co-ordination properties with Rh(I) and Ir(I) studied. The complexes were prepared by the reaction of [MCl(cod)]₂ with AgPF₆ and further treatment with the ligand. All ligands form one to one [ML] species with the above metal ions. The structures of these complexes were elucidated by analytical and spectroscopic data (elemental analysis, mass spectroscopy, IR, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR). Complexes show excellent activities and enantioselectivities up to 30% for the hydrogenation of prochiral olefins under mild reaction conditions.     

Cooperative double deprotonation of bis(2-picolyl)amine leading to unexpected bimetallic mixed valence (M(-I), M(I)) rhodium and iridium complexes

Cooperative reductive double deprotonation of the complex [Rh(I)(bpa)(cod)](+) ([4](+), bpa = PyCH(2)NHCH(2)Py) with one molar equivalent of base produces the bimetallic species [(cod)Rh(bpa-2H)Rh(cod)] (7), which displays a large Rh(-I),Rh(I) contribution to its electronic structure. The doubly deprotonated ligand in 7 hosts the two "Rh(cod)" fragments in two distinct compartments: a "square planar compartment" consisting of one of the Py donors and the central nitrogen donor and a "tetrahedral π-imine compartment" consisting of the other pyridine and an "imine C═N" donor. The formation of an "imine donor" in this process is the result of substantial electron transfer from the {bpa-2H}(2-) ligand to one of the rhodium centers to form the neutral imine ligand bpi (bpi = PyCH(2)N═CHPy). Hence, deprotonation of [Rh(I)(bpa)(cod)](+) represents a reductive process, effectively leading to a reduction of the metal oxidation state from Rh(I) to Rh(-I). The dinuclear iridium counterpart, complex 8, can also be prepared, but it is unstable in the presence of 1 mol equiv of the free bpa ligand, leading to quantitative formation of the neutral amido mononuclear compound [Ir(I)(bpa-H)(cod)] (2). All attempts to prepare the rhodium analog of 2 failed and led to the spontaneous formation of 7. The thermodynamic differences are readily explained by a lower stability of the M(-I) oxidation state for iridium as compared to rhodium. The observed reductive double deprotonation leads to the formation of unusual structures and unexpected reactivity, which underlines the general importance of "redox noninnocent ligands" and their substantial effect on the electronic structure of transition metals.     

Stepwise formation of quasi-octahedral macrocyclic complexes of rhodium(III) and iridium(III) bearing a pentamethylcyclopentadienyl group

Reactions of [[MCl2(Cp*)]2] (1: M=Ir, 2: M=Rh) with bidentate ligands (L) such as 1,4-diisocyano-2,5-dimethylbenzene (a), 1,4-diisocyano-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene (b), pyrazine (c) or 4,4'-dipyridyl (d) gave the corresponding dinuclear complexes [[MCl2(Cp*)]2(L)] (M=Ir: 3a, 3b, 5c, 5d; M=Rh: 4b, 6c, 6d), which were converted into tetranuclear complexes [[M2(mu-Cl)2(Cp*)2]2(L)2](OTf)4 (M=Ir: 7c, 7d, 9a, 9b; M=Rh: 8e, 8d, 10b) on treatment with Ag(OTf). X-ray analyses of 8c and 8d revealed that each of four pentamethylcyclopentadienyl metal moieties was connected by two mu-Cl-bridged atoms and a bidentate ligand to construct a rectangular cavity with the dimensions of 3.7 x 7.0 A for 8c and 3.7 x 11.5 A for 8d. Both the Rh2Cl2 and pyrazine (or 4,4'dipyridyl) ring planes are perpendicular to the Rh4 plane. Treatment of Cl-bridged complexes (7c, 7d, 8e, 8d, 9b, and 10b) with a different ligand (L') resulted in cleavage of the Cl bridges to produce two-dimensional complexes [[MCl(Cp*)]4[(L)-(L')]2](OTf)4 (11ac, 11bc, 11bd, 12bc, and 12bd) with two different ligand "edges". Complex 10b reacted readily with 1,4-diisocyano-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene (b) to give a tetranuclear rhodium(III) complex 12bb. The structure of tetranuclear complexes was confirmed by X-ray analysis of 11bc. Each [MCp*] moiety is surrounded by a Cl atom, isocyanide, and pyrazine (or 4,4'-dipyridyl) and the dimensions of its cavity are 7.0 x 11.6 A.     

Linear metal-metal-bonded tetranuclear M-Mo-Mo-M complexes (M = Ir and Rh): oxidative metal-metal bond formation in a tetrametallic system and 1,4-addition reaction of alkyl halides

Reaction of Mo2(pyphos)4 (1) with [MCl(CO)2]2 (M = Ir and Rh) afforded linear tetranuclear complexes of a formula Mo2M2(CO)2(Cl)2(pyphos)4 (2, M = Ir; 3, M = Rh). X-ray diffraction studies confirmed that two "MCl(CO)" fragments are introduced into both axial sites of the Mo2 core in 1 and coordinated by two PPh2 groups in a trans fashion, thereby forming a square-planar geometry around each M(I) metal. Treatment of 2 and 3 with an excess amount of tBuNC and XylNC induced dissociation of the carbonyl and chloride ligands to yield the corresponding dicationic complexes [Mo2M2(pyphos)4(tBuNC)4](Cl)2 (5a, M = Ir; 6a, M = Rh) and [Mo2M2(pyphos)4(XylNC)4](Cl)2 (7, M = Ir; 8, M = Rh). Their molecular structures were characterized by spectroscopic data as well as X-ray diffraction studies of BPh4 derivatives [Mo2M2(pyphos)4(tBuNC)4](BPh4)2 (5b, M = Ir; 6c, M = Rh), which confirmed that there is no direct sigma-bonding interaction between the M(I) atom and the Mo2 core. The M(I) atom in 5 and 6 can be oxidized by either 2 equiv of [Cp2Fe][PF6] or an equimolar amount of I2 to afford Mo(II)2M(II)2 complexes, [Mo2M2(X)2(tBuNC)4(pyphos)4]2+ in which two Mo-M(II) single bonds are formed and the bond order of the Mo-Mo moiety has been decreased to three. The Ir(I) complex 5a reacted not only with methyl iodide but also with dichloromethane to afford the 1,4-oxidative addition products [Mo2Ir2(CH3)(I)(tBuNC)4(pyphos)4](Cl)2 (13) and [Mo2Ir2(CH2Cl)(Cl)(tBuNC)4(pyphos)4](Cl)2 (15), respectively, although the corresponding reactions using the Rh(I) analogue 6 did not proceed. Kinetic analysis of the reaction with CH3I suggested that the 1,4-oxidative addition to the Ir(I) complex occurs in an SN2 reaction mechanism.