Thermolysis of titanocene methyl compounds bearing t-butyl- and benzyltetramethylcyclopentadienyl ligands

Elimination of methane during thermolysis of title compounds results in the formation of σ-Ti-C bond to t-butyl or benzyl group. The t-butyl-containing titanocene methyl compound [Ti(III)Me(η⁵-C₅Me₄t-Bu)₂] (5) eliminates methane at 110 °C to give cleanly [Ti(III)(η⁵:η¹-C₅Me₄CMe₂CH₂)(η⁵-C₅Me₄t-Bu)] (6). The methyl derivative of analogous benzyl-containing titanocene [Ti(III)Me(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂Ph)₂] was not isolated because it eliminated methane at ambient temperature to give [Ti(III)(η⁵:η¹-C₅Me₄CH₂-o-C₆H₄)(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂Ph)] (7) with one phenyl ring linked to titanium atom in ortho-position. The corresponding titanocene dimethyl compound [TiMe₂{η⁵-C₅Me₄t-Bu)}₂] (9) eliminates two methane molecules at 110 °C to give the singly tucked-in 1,1-dimethylethane-1,2-diyl-tethered titanocene [Ti{η⁵:η¹:η¹-C₅Me₃(CH₂)(CMe₂CH₂)}(η⁵-C₅Me₄t-Bu)] (11). In distinction, the analogous benzyl derivative [TiMe₂(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂Ph)₂] (10) eliminates at 110 °C only one methane molecule to afford [TiMe(η⁵:η¹-C₅Me₄CH₂-o-C₆H₄)(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂Ph)] (12) containing one phenyl group attached to titanium in o-position and one methyl group persisting on the titanium atom. This compound is stable at 150 °C for at least 3 h. The crystal structures of 5, 6, 7, and 10 were determined.     

Synthesis of new chloro methyl niobium and tantalum complexes with silyl-cyclopentadienyl ligands: X-ray crystal structure of [Ta{η-C5H3(SiMe3)2}Cl2Me2]

Trichloro methyl [Nb{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₃Me] (X = Cl, 2; Me, 3), dichloro dimethyl [Nb{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₂Me₂] (X = Cl, 4; Me, 5) and tetramethyl [Nb{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Me₄] (X = Me, 6; Cl, 7) niobium complexes were synthesized by treatment of starting tetrachloro derivatives [Nb{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₄] (X = Cl, 1a; Me, 1b) with dimethyl zinc or chloro methyl magnesium in different proportions and conditions. A mixture of trichloro methyl and dichloro dimethyl tantalum complexes [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiClMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl_4−xMe_x] (x = 1, 8; 2, 9) in a 2:1 molar ratio was obtained in the reaction of [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiClMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₄] (1c) with 0.5 equivalents of ZnMe₂ in toluene at low temperature. 8 could be isolated as single compound when 1 equivalent of 1c was added to the mixtures of 8 and 9, while the reaction of 1c with 1.5 equivalents of dimethyl zinc gave 9 as unitary product. However, [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Cl₄] (1d) reacts with 0.5 equivalents of alkylating reagent giving the trichloro methyl compound [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Cl₃Me] (10) in good yield. On the other hand, [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Cl₄] (1d) reacts with 2 equivalents of MgClMe in hexane at room temperature giving a mixture of dichloro dimethyl and chloro trimethyl complexes[Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Cl_4−xMe_x] (x = 2, 11; 3, 12), while the use of 4 equivalents of MgClMe converts 1c into the tetramethyl derivative [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiClMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Me₄] (13). Finally, a tetramethyl tantalum complex [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Me₄] (14) was prepared by reaction of [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₄] (X = Cl, 1c; Me, 1d) with 5 (X = Cl) or 4 (X = Me) equivalents of MgClMe in diethyl ether (X = Cl) or hexane (X = Me), respectively, as solvent. All the complexes were studied by IR and NMR spectroscopy and the molecular structure of the complex 11 was determined by X-ray diffraction methods.     

Reactivity studies of (η-arene)ruthenium dimeric complexes towards pyrazoles: isolation of amidines, bis pyrazoles and chloro bridged pyrazole complexes

The complex [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂1 reacts with pyrazole ligands (3a-g) in acetonitrile to afford the amidine derivatives of the type [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(L)(3,5-HRR′pz)](BF4)₂ (4a-f), where L = {HNC(Me)3,5-RR′pz}; R, R′ = H (4a); H, CH₃ (4b); C₆H₅ (4c); CH₃, C₆H₅ (4d) OCH₃ (4e); and OC₂H₅ (4f), respectively. The ligand L is generated in situ through the condensation of 3,5-HRR′pz with acetonitrile under the influence of [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂. The complex [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂2 reacts with pyrazole ligands in acetonitrile to yield bis-pyrazole derivatives such as [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru (3,5-HRR′pz)₂Cl](BF₄) (5a-b), where R, R′ = H (5a); H, CH₃ (5b), as well as dimeric complexes of pyrazole substituted chloro bridged derivatives [{(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(μ-Cl) (3,5-HRR′pz)}₂](BF₄)₂ (5c-g), where R, R′ = CH₃ (5c); C₆H₅ (5d); CH₃, C₆H₅ (5e); OCH₃ (5f); and OC₂H₅ (5g), respectively. These complexes were characterized by FT-IR and FT-NMR spectroscopy as well as analytical data. The molecular structures¹ of representative complexes [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru{3(5)-Hmpz}₂Cl]⁺5b, [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(μ-Cl)(3,5-Hdmpz)]₂²⁺5c and [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(μ-Cl){3(5)Me,5(3)Ph-Hpz}]₂²⁺5e were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Complexes of titanium and zirconium based on [C5Me4CH2-(2-C5H4N)] ligand

Half-sandwich [η⁵:η¹-κN-C₅Me₄CH₂-(2-C₅H₄N)]MCl₃ (M = Ti (4), Zr (5)) and sandwich [η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂-(2-C₅H₄N)][η⁵-C₅Me₅]ZrCl₂ (6) ring-peralkylated complexes have been prepared and characterized. Evidence of the intramolecular coordination of the side-chain pyridyl group both in 4 and 5 in solutions is provided by NMR spectroscopy data. Crystal structure of an adduct 5-py with one molecule of pyridine has been established by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Insertion of alkynes into the heterocycle of (η-pentaalkyl-2,3-dihydro-1,3-diborolyl)(η-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)ruthenium: Formation and characterization of 4-borataborepine ruthenium complexes

The violet ruthenium complex [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ru(η⁵-C₃B₂Me₄R¹)] (2a, R¹ = Me) reacts with terminal alkynes R²CCH to give yellow 4-borataborepine compounds [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ru{η⁷-(MeC)₃(R¹B)₂(R²C₂H)}] (4c, R¹ = Me, R² = Ph; 4d, R¹ = Me, R² = SiMe₃; 4e, R¹ = Me, R² = H). The insertion of alkynes into the folded C₃B₂ heterocycle of 2a causes some steric hindrance, which yields with elimination of the distant boranediyl group the corresponding boratabenzene complexes 5 as byproducts. The analogous reactions with internal alkynes R²CCR² proceed slowly and afford predominantly the boratabenzene complexes [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ru{η⁶-(MeC)₃(MeB)(R²C)₂}] (5f, R² = Et, 5g, R² = p-tolyl), respectively. In the latter case, three byproducts are formed: methylboronic acid and 1,2,3,4-tetra-p-tolyl-1,3-butadiene (9) due to hydrolysis of the postulated 2,3,4,5-tetra-p-tolyl-1-methylborole (10) and unexpectedly, the cationic triple-decker complex [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ru}₂{μ,η⁷-(MeC)₃(MeB)₂(CH)₂}]Cl (11) having two separated CH groups. The new compounds were characterized by NMR, MS, and single-crystal X-ray studies of 4c, 5f, 9 and 11.     

New alkenyl-substituted group 4 C-ansa-metallocene complexes. Reactivity of the substituent at the carbon ansa bridge

The allyl-substituted group 4 metal complexes [M{(R)CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] [M = Ti, R = CH₂CHCH₂, (2); R = CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂ (3); M = Zr, R = CH₂CHCH₂ (4), R = CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂ (5)] have been synthesized by the reaction of allyl ansa-magnesocene derivatives and the tetrachloride salts of the corresponding transition metal. The dialkyl complexes ] [M = Ti, R = CH₂=CHCH₂, R′ = Me (6), R′ = CH₂Ph (7); R = CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂, R′ = Me (8), R′ = CH₂Ph (9); M = Zr, R = CH₂CHCH₂, R′ = Me (10), R′ = CH₂Ph (11); R = CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂, R′ = Me (12), R′ = CH₂Ph (13)] have been synthesized by the reaction of the corresponding ansa-metallocene dichloride complexes 2-5 and two molar equivalents of the alkyl Grignard reagent. Compounds 2-5 reacted with H₂ under catalytic conditions (Wilkinson’s catalyst or Pd/C) to give the hydrogenation products [M{(R)CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] [M = Ti and R = CH₂CH₂CH₃ (14) or R = CH₂CH(CH₃)₂ (15); M = Zr and R = CH₂CH₂CH₃ (16) or R = CH₂CH(CH₃)₂ (17)]. The reactivity of 2-5 has also been tested in hydroboration and hydrosilylation reactions. The hydroboration reactions of 3, 4 and 5 with 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9-BBN) yielded the complexes [M{(9-BBN)CH₂CH(R)CH₂CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] [M = Ti and R = H (18); M = Zr and R = H (19) or R = CH₃ (20)]. The reaction with the silane reagents HSiMe₂Cl gave the corresponding [M{ClMe₂SiCH₂CHRCH₂CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] [M = Ti and R = H (21); M = Zr and R = H (22) or R = CH₃ (23)]. The reaction of 22 with t-BuMe₂SiOH produced a new complex [Zr{t-BuMe₂SiOSi(Me₂)CH₂CH₂CH₂CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] (24) through the formation of Si-O-Si bonds. On the other hand, reactivity studies of some zirconocene complexes were carried out, with the insertion reaction of phenyl isocyanate (PhNCO) into the zirconium-carbon σ-bond of [Zr{(n-Bu)CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}₂Me₂] (25) giving [{(n-Bu)CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)]}Zr{Me{κ²-O,N-OC(Me)NPh}] as a mixture of two isomers 26a-b. The reaction of [Zr{(n-Bu)(H)C(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}(CH₂Ph)₂] (27) with CO also provided a mixture of two isomers [{(n-Bu)CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)]}Zr(CH₂Ph){κ²-O,C-COCH₂Ph}] 28a-b. The molecular structures of 4, 11, 16 and 17 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic behaviour of ansa-zirconocene complexes containing tetraphenylcyclopentadienyl rings: X-ray crystal structures of [Zr{Me2Si(η-C5Ph4)(η-C5H3R)}Cl2] (R = H, Bu)

The ansa-bis(cyclopentadiene) compounds, Me₂Si(C₅HPh₄)(C₅H₄R) (R = H (2); Bu^t (3)), have been prepared by the reaction of C₅HPh₄(SiMe₂Cl) (1) with Na(C₅H₅) or Li(C₅H₄Bu^t), respectively, and transformed to the di-lithium derivatives, Li₂{Me₂Si(C₅Ph₄)(C₅H₃R)} (R = H (4); Bu^t (5)), by the action of n-butyllithium. The ansa-zirconocene complexes, [Zr{Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₃R)}Cl₂] (R = H (6); Bu^t (7)), were synthesized from the reaction of ZrCl₄ with 4 or 5, respectively. Compounds 6 and 7 have been tested in the polymerization of ethylene and compared with their methyl-substituted analogues, [Zr{Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₃R)}Cl₂] (R = H (8); Bu^t (9)). Whilst 8 and 9 are catalytically active, the tetraphenyl-substituted complexes 6 and 7 proved to be inactive in the polymerization of ethylene. This phenomenon has been explained by DFT calculations based on the reaction intermediates in the polymerization processes involving 6 and 7, which showed that the extraction of a methyl group from the zirconocene complex to form the cationic active specie is endothermic and therefore unfavourable.     

Syntheses and characterization of mono and dinuclear complexes of platinum group metals bearing benzene-linked bis(pyrazolyl)methane ligands

Reaction of the benzene-linked bis(pyrazolyl)methane ligands, 1,4-bis{bis(pyrazolyl)-methyl}benzene (L1) and 1,4-bis{bis(3-methylpyrazolyl)methyl}benzene (L2), with pentamethylcyclopentadienyl rhodium and iridium complexes [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)M(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (M = Rh and Ir) in the presence of NH₄PF₆ results under stoichiometric control in both, mono and dinuclear complexes, [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl(L)]⁺ {L = L1 (1); L2 (2)}, [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl(L)]⁺ {L = L1 (3); L2 (4)} and [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl}₂(μ-L)]²⁺ {L = L1 (5); L2 (6)}, [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl}₂(μ-L)]²⁺ {L = L1 (7); L2 (8)}. In contrast, reaction of arene ruthenium complexes [(η⁶­arene)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (arene = C₆H₆, p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me and C₆Me₆) with the same ligands (L1 or L2) gives only the dinuclear complexes [{(η⁶-C₆H₆)RuCl}₂(μ-L)]²⁺ {L = L1 (9); L2 (10)}, [{(η⁶-p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me)RuCl}₂(μ-L)]²⁺ {L = L1 (11); L2 (12)} and [{(η⁶-C₆Me₆)RuCl}₂(μ-L)]²⁺ {L = L1 (13); L2 (14)}. All complexes were isolated as their hexafluorophosphate salts. The single-crystal X-ray crystal structure analyses of [7](PF₆)₂, [9](PF₆)₂ and [11](PF₆)₂ reveal a typical piano-stool geometry around the metal centers with six-membered metallo-cycle in which the 1,4-bis{bis(pyrazolyl)-methyl}benzene acts as a bis-bidentate chelating ligand.     

Novel sandwich complexes of zirconium [C9H5(SiMe3)2](C5Me4R)ZrCl2 (R = CH3, CH2CH2NMe2): Synthesis and reduction behavior

Novel half-sandwich [C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂]ZrCl₃ (3) and sandwich [C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂](C₅Me₄R)ZrCl₂ (R = CH₃ (1), CH₂CH₂NMe₂ (2)) complexes were prepared and characterized. The reduction of 2 by Mg in THF lead to (η⁵-C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂)[η⁵:η²(C,N)-C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂]ZrH (7). The structure of 7 was proved by NMR spectroscopy data. Hydrolysis of 2 resulted in the binuclear complex ([C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂NMe₂]ZrCl₂)₂O (6). The crystal structures of 1 and 6 were established by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis and reactivity of asymmetrically substituted ansa-bridged zirconocene complexes: X-ray crystal structures of [Zr{R(H)C(η-C5Me4)(η-C5H4)}Cl2] (R = Bu, Bu) and [Zr{Bu(H)C(η-C5Me4)(η-C5H4)}(CH2Ph)2]

The dialkyl complexes, (R = Prⁱ, R′ = Me (2a), CH₂Ph (3a); R = Buⁿ, R′ = Me (2b), CH₂Ph (3b); R = Bu^t, R′ = Me (2c), CH₂Ph (3c); R = Ph, R′ = Me (2d), CH₂Ph (3d)), have been synthesized by the reaction of the ansa-metallocene dichloride complex, [Zr{R(H)C(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] (R = Prⁱ (1a), Buⁿ (1b), Bu^t (1c), Ph (1d)), and two molar equivalents of the alkyl Gringard reagent. The insertion reaction of the isocyanide reagent, CNC₆H₃Me₂-2,6, into the zirconium-carbon σ-bond of 2 gave the corresponding η²-iminoacyl derivatives, [Zr{R(H)C(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}{η²-MeCNC₆H₃Me₂-2,6}Me] (R = Prⁱ (4a), Buⁿ (4b), Bu^t (4c), Ph (4d)). The molecular structures of 1b, 1c and 3b have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Insertion vs. site epimerization with singly-bridged and doubly-bridged metallocene polymerization catalysts

A statistical model has been employed to determine the unidirectional site epimerization probability, ε, during propylene polymerization with the following C₁-symmetric metallocene precatalysts activated with MAO (MAO = methylaluminoxane): doubly-bridged rac-(1,2-SiMe₂)₂{η⁵-C₅H₂-4-(CHMe(CMe₃))}{η⁵-C₅H-3,5-(CHMe₂)₂}ZrCl₂ (1) and (1,2-SiMe₂)₂{η⁵-C₅H₂-4-(1R,2S,5R-menthyl)}{η⁵-C₅H-3,5-(CHMe₂)₂}ZrCl₂ (2); and singly-bridged Me₂C(3-(2-adamantyl)-C₅H₃)(C₁₃H₈)ZrCl₂ (3) and Me₂Si(3-(2-adamantyl)-C₅H₃)(C₁₃H₈)ZrCl₂ (4). For 1/MAO a steep tacticity dependence on monomer concentration was found, as ε increased from 0.114 to 0.909 as [C₃H₆] decreased from 12.5 M to 0.5 M; similarly, ε increased for 2/MAO from 0.177 to 0.709. For 3/MAO, ε was moderately responsive to an increase in polymerization temperature, as ε increased from 0.000 to 0.485 from T_p = 0-90 °C ([C₃H₆] = 1.1 M). Similarly, ε increased for 4/MAO from 0.709 to 0.913 from T_p = 0-40 °C; at higher temperatures, bidirectional site epimerization was implicated.     

Syntheses and characterization of [(η-C6Me6)Ru(μ-N3)(X)]2 (X = N3 and Cl) complexes and their reactions towards mono- and bidentate ligands

The reaction of the complex [{(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl}₂] 1 with sodium azide ligand gave two new dimers of the composition [{(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(μ-N₃)(N₃)}₂] 2 and [{(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(μ-N₃)Cl}₂] 3, depending upon the reaction conditions. Complex 3 with excess of sodium azide in ethanol yielded complex 2. These complexes undergo substitution reactions with monodentate ligands to yield monomeric complexes of the type [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(X)(N₃)(L)] {X = N₃, Cl, L = PPh₃ (4a, 9a); PMe₂Ph (4b, 9b); AsPh₃ (4c, 9c); X = N₃, L = pyrazole (Hpz) (5a); 3-methylpyrazole (3-Hmpz) (5b) and 3,5-dimethyl-pyrazole (3,5-Hdmpz) (5c)}. Complexes 2 and 3 also react with bidentate ligands to give bridging complexes of the type [{(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(N₃)(X)]₂(μ-L)} {X = N₃, Cl, L = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) (6, 10); 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) (7, 11); 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (dppp) (8, 12); X = Cl, L = 4,4-bipyridine (4,4′-bipy) (13)}. These complexes were characterized by FT-IR and FT-NMR spectroscopy as well as by analytical data.The molecular structures of the representative complexes [{(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(μ-N₃)(N₃)}₂] 2, [{(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(μ-N₃)Cl}₂] 3,[(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(N₃)₂(PPh₃)] 4a and [{(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(N₃)₂}₂ (μ-dppm)] 6 were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Dinuclear titanium complexes with methylphenylsilylene bridge between cyclopentadienyl rings. Synthesis, characterization and reactivity towards ethylene

The new ansa-titanocene dichloride [{(SiMePh)(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂}TiCl₂] (1) was prepared by one pot reaction, whereas synthesis of its methylated analogue [{(SiMePh)(η⁵-C₅Me₄)₂}TiCl₂] (3) was performed in two steps with isolation of corresponding silane intermediate SiMePh(HC₅Me₄)₂ (2). The reaction of 1 and 3 with TiCl₄ afforded the dinuclear complexes [(SiMePh){(η⁵-C₅R₄)TiCl₃}₂] (R = H (4) and R = Me (5)). The catalysts formed from 4 and 5 after their activation with excess MAO exhibited a modest activity in ethylene polymerization. The polymer products consisted of high molar mass linear polyethylenes with a broad molar mass distribution. The presence of three paramagnetic titanium species in the mixture 4/MAO was revealed by EPR spectroscopy. All new prepared compounds 1-5 were characterized by multinuclear NMR, EI-MS, IR, and solid-state structures of 1, 3 and 5 were determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction.     

Cationic half-sandwich complexes (Rh, Ir, Ru) containing 2-substituted-1,8-naphthyridine chelating ligands: Syntheses, X-ray structure analyses and spectroscopic studies

Reactions of the dinuclear complexes [(η⁶-arene)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (arene = C₆H₆, p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me) and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)M(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (M = Rh, Ir) with 2-substituted-1,8-naphthyridine ligands, 2-(2-pyridyl)-1,8-naphthyridine (pyNp), 2-(2-thiazolyl)-1,8-naphthyridine (tzNp) and 2-(2-furyl)-1,8-naphthyridine (fuNp), lead to the formation of the mononuclear cationic complexes [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(L)Cl]⁺ {L = pyNp (1); tzNp (2); fuNp (3)}, [(η⁶-p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me)Ru(L)Cl]⁺ {L = pyNp (4); tzNp (5); fuNp (6)}, [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(L)Cl]⁺ {L = pyNp (7); tzNp (8); fuNp (9)} and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ir(L)Cl]⁺ {L = pyNp (10); tzNp (11); fuNp (12)}. All these complexes are isolated as chloro or hexafluorophosphate salts and characterized by IR, NMR, mass spectrometry and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The molecular structures of [1]Cl, [2]PF₆, [4]PF₆, [5]PF₆ and [10]PF₆ have been established by single crystal X-ray structure analysis.     

Mono and dinuclear rhodium, iridium and ruthenium complexes containing chelating 2,2′-bipyrimidine ligands: Synthesis, molecular structure, electrochemistry and catalytic properties

The mononuclear cations [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl(bpym)]⁺ (1), [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl(bpym)]⁺ (2), [(η⁶-p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)RuCl(bpym)]⁺ (3) and [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)RuCl(bpym)]⁺ (4) as well as the dinuclear dications [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl}₂(bpym)]²⁺ (5), [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl}₂(bpym)]²⁺ (6), [{(η⁶-p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)RuCl}₂(bpym)]²⁺ (7) and [{(η⁶-C₆Me₆)RuCl}₂(bpym)]²⁺ (8) have been synthesised from 2,2′-bipyrimidine (bpym) and the corresponding chloro complexes [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl₂]₂, [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl₂]₂, [(η⁶-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)RuCl₂]₂ and [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)RuCl₂]₂, respectively. The X-ray crystal structure analyses of [3][PF₆], [5][PF₆]₂, [6][CF₃SO₃]₂ and [7][PF₆]₂ reveal a typical piano-stool geometry around the metal centres; in the dinuclear complexes the chloro ligands attached to the two metal centres are found to be, with respect to each other, cis oriented for 5 and 6 but trans for 7. The electrochemical behaviour of 1-8 has been studied by voltammetric methods. In addition, the catalytic potential of 1-8 for transfer hydrogenation reactions in aqueous solution has been evaluated: All complexes catalyse the reaction of acetophenone with formic acid to give phenylethanol and carbon dioxide. For both the mononuclear and dinuclear series the best results were obtained (50 °C, pH 4) with rhodium complexes, giving turnover frequencies of 10.5 h⁻¹ for 1 and 19 h⁻¹ for 5.     

A synthetic, structural and reactivity study of [(η-C4R4)Co(η-C5H4X)] complexes, R = Me or Et; X = CHO, CHCHFc, CHCH(η-C5H4)Co(η-C4Ph4), CHC(CN)2: Unexpected formation of [(η-cyclopentadienyl)(η-3,4,5,6-tetraethyl-α-pyrone)cobalt]

The tetraethyl- and tetramethyl-cyclobutadiene complexes [(η⁴-C₄R₄)Co(η⁵-C₅H₄CHO)] R = Et, 5, R = Me, 7, and [(η⁴-C₄R₄)Co(η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂Me)] R = Et, 6, R = Me, 8, are conveniently prepared by photolysis of the corresponding isocobaltocenium cations [(η⁴-C₄R₄)Co(η⁶-C₆H₅Me)]⁺ in acetonitrile, and subsequent treatment with Na[C₅H₄CHO] or Na[C₅H₄CO₂Me]. The aldehydes 5 and 7 undergo Wittig and Knoevenagel reactions with [FcCH₂PPh₃]I and CH₂(CN)₂, to form [(η⁴-C₄R₄)Co(η⁵-C₅H₄CH=CHFc)] and [(η⁴-C₄R₄)Co(η⁵-C₅H₄CH=C(CN)₂], 11 and 15, respectively. The Horner-Wittig reaction of [(η⁴-C₄R₄)Co(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂P(O)(OEt)₂] with [(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)Co(η⁵-C₅H₄CHO)] yields [(η⁴-C₄R₄)Co(η⁵:η⁵-C₅H₄CHCH-C₅H₄)Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)], 12 and 13. [(η⁴-C₄Me₄)Co(η⁵-C₅H₄CHO)] also reacts with t-BuLi and FcLi to furnish the corresponding secondary alcohols, 16 and 17, respectively. Surprisingly, the attempted direct synthesis of 5 by reaction of Na[C₅H₅] and ethyl formate with [(η⁴-C₄Et₄)Co(CO)₂I], 1, instead yielded [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Co(η⁴-3,4,5,6-tetraethyl-α-pyrone)], 18, and a mechanistic proposal is advanced. The X-ray crystal structures of 1, 7, 8, 11(Z), 15 and 18, and also the isocobaltocenium salts [(η⁴-C₄Et₄)Co(η⁶-C₆H₅Me)][PF₆], 2, and [(η⁴-C₄Et₄)Co(η⁶-1,3,5-C₆H₃Me₃)][PF₆], 4, are reported.     

Steric and electronic effects in stabilizing allyl-palladium complexes of “P-N-P” ligands, X2PN(Me)PX2 (X = OC6H5 or OC6H3Me2-2,6)

The chemistry of η³-allyl palladium complexes of the diphosphazane ligands, X₂PN(Me)PX₂ [X = OC₆H₅ (1) or OC₆H₃Me₂-2,6 (2)] has been investigated.The reactions of the phenoxy derivative, (PhO)₂PN(Me)P(OPh)₂ with [Pd(η³-1,3-R′,R″-C₃H₃)(μ-Cl)]₂ (R′ = R″ = H or Me; R′ = H, R″ = Me) give exclusively the palladium dimer, [Pd₂{μ-(PhO)₂PN(Me)P(OPh)₂}₂Cl₂] (3); however, the analogous reaction with [Pd(η³-1,3-R′,R″-C₃H₃)(μ-Cl)]₂ (R′ = R″ = Ph) gives the palladium dimer and the allyl palladium complex [Pd(η³-1,3-R′,R″-C₃H₃)(1)](PF₆) (R′ = R″ = Ph) (4). On the other hand, the 2,6-dimethylphenoxy substituted derivative 2 reacts with (allyl) palladium chloro dimers to give stable allyl palladium complexes, [Pd(η³-1,3-R′,R″-C₃H₃)(2)](PF₆) [R′ = R″ = H (5), Me (7) or Ph (8); R′ = H, R″ = Me (6)].Detailed NMR studies reveal that the complexes 6 and 7 exist as a mixture of isomers in solution; the relatively less favourable isomer, anti-[Pd(η³-1-Me-C₃H₄)(2)](PF₆) (6b) and syn/anti-[Pd(η³-1,3-Me₂-C₃H₃)(2)](PF₆) (7b) are present to the extent of 25% and 40%, respectively. This result can be explained on the basis of the steric congestion around the donor phosphorus atoms in 2. The structures of four complexes (4, 5, 7a and 8) have been determined by X-ray crystallography; only one isomer is observed in the solid state in each case.     

Palladium (II) complexes with mono-oxide 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)metallocene ligands [Fe(η-C5Me4PPh2)(η-C5Me4P{O}Ph2)] and [Os(η-C5H4PPh2)(η-C5H4P{O}Ph2)]

The monoxides [Fe(η⁵-C₅Me₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅Me₄P{O}Ph₂)] (1) and [Os(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅H₄P{O}Ph₂)] (2) have been prepared by treatment of the corresponding diphosphines with CCl₄ and methanol.These ligands react with [Pd(PhCN)₂Cl₂] to give dichloride complexes of different structure.The dimeric complex [{Os(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅H₄P{O}Ph₂)}PdCl(μ-Cl)]₂ (4) contains the monodentate P-coordinated osmocene ligand with the free P{O}Ph₂ group, while the octamethylferrocene ligand gives the chelate k²-P,O complex [{Fe(η⁵-C₅Me₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅Me₄P{O}Ph₂)}PdCl₂] (3).The structures of 3 and 4 have been determined crystallographically.Treatment of 3 and 4 with silver salts in CH₂Cl₂ or acetonitrile leads to the corresponding dicationic complexes[{M(η⁵-C₅R₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅R₄P{O}Ph₂)}Pd(MeCN)_x]²⁺ (5, M = Fe, R = Me; 6, M = Os, R = H). Complex 5 decomposes upon isolation, in contrast 6 is rather stable, probably due to Os-Pd bonding. The dichlorides 3 and 4 catalyze catalytic amination of p-bromotoluene with N-(4-tolyl)morpholine with lower activity than (dppf)PdCl₂, however they perform comparable to (dppf)PdCl₂ activity in coupling of p-bromotoluene with p-methoxyphenyl boronic acid.     

Mono- and bis-[2-(P,P-dimethylphosphanyl)ethyl]tetramethylcyclopentadienyl zirconium(IV) complexes: Synthesis and structural studies in crystalline state and in solutions

Synthetic routines for a new ligand C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂PMe₂ (2b) in forms of its Li- (2b-Li), Na- (2b-Na) salts and in the CH-form (2b-H), as well as for silanes Me₃Si-C₅H₄CH₂CH₂PMe₂ (3a) and Me₃Si-C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂PMe₂ (3b) have been developed. On the basis of it, new half-sandwich [η⁵:η¹-κP-C₅H₄CH₂CH₂PMe₂]ZrCl₃ (4a), [η⁵:η¹-κP-C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂PMe₂]ZrCl₃ (4b) and sandwich [η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂PMe₂]₂ZrCl₂ (5), [η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂PMe₂][η⁵-C₅Me₅]ZrCl₃ (6) complexes of Zr(IV) have been prepared and characterized. Along with them, the first example of X-ray structurally characterized dinuclear Zr(IV) complex incorporating both sandwich (6) and half-sandwich (4b) moieties linked one to another by means of Zr ← P coordination bond 7, has been described. Formation of an analogously organized trinuclear complex 8, built from one sandwich fragment of 5 and two half-sandwich fragments of 4b was proved by NMR spectroscopy methods. Molecular structures of half-sandwich complexes in their solvent-free dimeric forms (4a and 4b) and as 1:1 adducts with THF (4a-THF and 4b-THF) along with those of dinuclear complex 7 have been established by X-ray diffraction analyses. The dynamic behavior for di- and trinuclear complexes 7 and 8, due to the intermolecular dissociation-coordination of the Me₂P-groups in THF-d₈ solutions has been studied by variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy.     

Part 1: 1,3-Dipolar addition of activated alkyne towards coordinated azido group in ruthenium(II) complexes containing η-cyclichydrocarbons

The indenyl and pentamethylcyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II) complexes [(η⁵-L₃)Ru(L₂)Cl] (L₃ = C₉H₇, L₂ = dppe (1a), L₂ = dppm (1b); L₃ = C₅Me₅, L₂ = dppe (2a); L₂ = dppm (2b) (where, dppe = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂ and dppm = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) reacts with NaN₃ to yield the azido complexes [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(L₂)N₃], L₂ = dppe (3a), dppm (3b) and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ru(L₂)N₃], L₂ = dppe (4a), dppm (4b), respectively. The azido complexes undergo [3 + 2] dipolar cycloaddition reaction with dimethylacetylenedicarboxylate to yield triazole complexes [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(L₂)(N₃C₂(CO₂Me)₂)], L₂ = dppe (5a), dppm (5b) and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ru(L₂)(N₃C₂(CO₂Me)₂)], L₂ = dppe (6a), dppm (6b), respectively. The complexes were fully characterized on the basis of microanalyses, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of the starting complex (1a) and representative complexes 5a, 5b and 6a have been established by single X-ray study.