Diruthenium dithiolato cyanides: basic reactivity studies and a post hoc examination of nature's choice of Fe versus Ru for hydrogenogenesis

The reaction of Ru2(S2C3H6)(CO)6 (1) with 2 equiv of Et4NCN yielded (Et4N)2[Ru2(S2C3H6)(CN)2(CO)4], (Et4N)2[3], which was shown crystallographically to consist of a face-sharing bioctahedron with the cyanide ligands in the axial positions, trans to the Ru-Ru bond. Competition experiments showed that 1 underwent cyanation >100x more rapidly than the analogous Fe2(S2C3H6)(CO)6. Furthermore, Ru2(S2C3H6)(CO)6 underwent dicyanation faster than [Ru2(S2C3H6)(CN)(CO)5]-, implicating a highly electrophilic intermediate [Ru2(S2C3H6)(mu-CO)(CN)(CO)5]-. Ru2(S2C3H6)(CO)6 (1) is noticeably more basic than the diiron compound, as demonstrated by the generation of [Ru2(S2C3H6)(mu-H)(CO)6]+, [1H]+. In contrast to 1, the complex [1H]+ is unstable in MeCN solution and converts to [Ru2(S2C3H6)(mu-H)(CO)5(MeCN)]+. (Et4N)2[3] was shown to protonate with HOAc (pKa = 22.3, MeCN) and, slowly, with MeOH and H2O. Dicyanide [3]2- is stable toward excess acid, unlike the diiron complex; it slowly forms the coordination polymer [Ru2(S2C3H6)(mu-H)(CN)(CNH)(CO)4]n, which can be deprotonated with Et3N to regenerate [H3]-. Electrochemical experiments demonstrate that [3H]- catalyzes proton reduction at -1.8 V vs Ag/AgCl. In contrast to [3]2-, the CO ligands in [3H]- undergo displacement. For example, PMe3 and [3H]- react to produce [Ru2(S2C3H6)(mu-H)(CN)2(CO)3(PMe3)]-. Oxidation of (Et4N)2[3] with 1 equiv of Cp2Fe+ gave a mixture of [Ru2(S2C3H6)(mu-CO)(CN)3(CO)3]- and [Ru2(S2C3H6)(CN)(CO)5]-, via a proposed [Ru2]2(mu-CN) intermediate. Overall, the ruthenium analogues of the diiron dithiolates exhibit reactivity highly reminiscent of the diiron species, but the products are more robust and the catalytic properties appear to be less promising.     

High-nuclearity ruthenium carbonyl cluster complexes derived from 2-amino-6-methylpyridine: synthesis of nonanuclear derivatives containing mu4- and mu5-oxo ligands

Nonanuclear cluster complexes [Ru9(mu3-H)2(mu-H)(mu5-O)(mu4-ampy)(mu3-Hampy)(CO)21] (4) (H2ampy = 2-amino-6-methylpyridine), [Ru9(mu5-O)2(mu4-ampy)(mu3-Hampy)2(mu-CO)(CO)20] (5), [Ru9(mu5-O)2(mu4-ampy)(mu3-Hampy)2(mu-CO)2(CO)19] (6), and [Ru9(mu4-O)(mu5-O)(mu4-ampy)(mu3-Hampy)(mu-Hampy)(mu-CO)(CO)19] (7), together with the known hexanuclear [Ru6(mu3-H)2(mu5-ampy)(mu-CO)2(CO)14] (2) and the novel pentanuclear [Ru5(mu4-ampy)(2)(mu-CO)(CO)12] (3) complexes, are products of the thermolysis of [Ru3(mu-H)(mu3-Hampy)(CO)9] (1) in decane at 150 degrees C. Two different and very unusual quadruply bridging coordination modes have been observed for the ampy ligand. Compounds 4-7 also feature one (4) or two (5-7) bridging oxo ligands. With the exception of one of the oxo ligands of 7, which is in a distorted tetrahedral environment, the remaining oxo ligands of 4-7 are surrounded by five metal atoms. In carbonyl metal clusters, quadruply bridging oxo ligands are very unusual, whereas quintuply bridging oxo ligands are unprecedented. By using 18O-labeled water, we have unambiguously established that these oxo ligands arise from water.     

Substitution, cage functionalization, and oxidation of the charge-compensated triruthenium monocarbollide cluster complex [1-SMe2-2,2-(CO)2-7,11-(mu-H)2-2,7,11-{Ru2(CO)6}-closo-2,1-RuCB10H8

The compound [1-SMe2-2,2-(CO)2-7,11-(mu-H)2-2,7,11-{Ru2(CO)6}-closo-2,1-RuCB10H8] 1a reacts with PMe3 or PCy3(Cy = cyclo-C6H11) to give the structurally different species [1-SMe2-2,2-(CO)2-7,11-(mu-H)2-2,7,11-{Ru2(CO)5(PMe3)}-closo-2,1-RuCB10H8] 4 and [1-SMe2-2,2-(CO)2-11-(mu-H)-2,7,11-{Ru2(mu-H)(CO)5(PCy3)}-closo-2,1-RuCB10H8]5, respectively. A symmetrically disubstituted product [1-SMe2-2,2-(CO)2-7,11-(mu-H)2-2,7,11-{Ru2(CO)4(PMe3)2}-closo-2,1-RuCB10H8] 6 is obtained using an excess of PMe3. In contrast, the chelating diphosphines 1,1'-(PPh2)2-Fe(eta-C5H4)2 and 1,2-(PPh2)2-closo-1,2-C2B10H10 react with 1a to yield oxidative-insertion species [1-SMe2-2,2-(CO)2-11-(mu-H)-2,7,11-{Ru2(mu-H)(micro-[1',1'-(PPh2)2-Fe(eta-C5H4)2])(CO)4}-closo-2,1-RuCB10H8] 7 and [1-SMe2-2,2-(CO)2-11-(mu-H)-2,7,11-{Ru2(mu-H)(CO)4(1',2'-(PPh2)2-closo-1',2'-C2B10H10)}-closo-2,1-RuCB10H8] 8, respectively. In toluene at reflux temperatures, 1a with Bu(t)SSBu(t) gives [1-SMe2-2,2-(CO)2-7-(mu-SBu(t))-11-(mu-H)-2,7,11-{Ru2(mu-H)(mu-SBu(t))(CO)4}-closo-2,1-RuCB10H8] 9, and with Bu(t)C [triple bond] CH gives [1-SMe2-2,2-(CO)2-7-{mu:eta2-(E)-CH=C(H)Bu(t)}-11-{mu:eta2-(E)-CH=C(H)Bu(t)}-2,7,11-{Ru2(CO)5}-closo-2,1-RuCB10H8] 10. In the latter, two alkyne groups have inserted into cage B-H groups, with one of the resulting B-vinyl moieties involved in a C-H...Ru agostic bond. Oxidation of 1a with I2 or HgCl2 affords the mononuclear ruthenium complex [1-SMe2-2,2,2-(CO)3-closo-2,1-RuCB10H10] 11.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of a series of high-hydride content osmium-rhodium carbonyl complexes by the hydrogenation of arene-coordinated clusters

The reaction of [Os3Rh(mu-H)3(CO)12] with an excess amount of 4-vinylphenol (as hydride acceptor) in refluxing m-xylene, chlorobenzene or benzene yielded the three new clusters [Os5Rh2(mu-CO){eta6-C6H4(CH3)2}(CO)16] 1, [Os5Rh2(mu-CO)(eta6-C6H5Cl)(CO)16] 2 and [Os5Rh2(mu-CO)(eta6-C6H6)(CO)16] 3. The treatment of [Os3Rh(mu-H)3(CO)12] 4 in refluxing toluene with an excess amount of 4-vinylphenol afforded a new complex, [Os4Rh(mu-H)(eta6-C6H5CH3)(CO)12], which was isolated as a brown complex in 20% yield together with two known compounds, [Os5Rh2(eta6-C6H5CH3)(mu-CO)(CO)16] in 10% yield and [Os3Rh4(mu3-eta1:eta1:eta1-C6H5CH3)(CO)13] in 5% yield. Complexes 1-4 were fully characterized by IR, 1H NMR spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, elemental analysis and X-ray crystallography. The molecular structures of compounds 1-3 are isomorphous, and only differ in the arene-derivatives that attach to the same metal core. Their metal cores can be viewed as a monocapped octahedral, in which an osmium atom caps one of the Os-Os-Os triangular faces of the Os4Rh2 metal framework. Complex 4 has a trigonal-bipyramidal metal core with a C6H5Me ligand that is terminally bound to the Rh atom that lies in the trigonal plane of the metal core. The hydrogenation of [Os5Rh2(eta6-C6H5CH3)(mu-CO)(CO)16] with [Os3(mu-H)2(CO)10] in chloroform under reflux resulted in two hydrogen-rich compounds: [Os7Rh3(mu-H)11(CO)23] 5 and [Os5Rh3Cl(mu-H)8(CO)18] 6, both in moderate yields. The reaction of [Os5Rh2(eta6-C6H5CH3)(mu-CO)(CO)16] with hydrogen in refluxing chloroform yielded a new cluster compound, [Os5Rh(mu-H)5(CO)18] 7, in 20% yield, together with a known osmium-rhodium cluster, [Os6Rh(mu-H)7(mu-CO)(CO)18], as a major compound. Clusters 5, 6, and 7 have been fully characterized by both spectroscopic and crystallographic methods. Additionally, a deuterium-exchange experiment was performed on [Os7Rh3(mu-H)11(CO)23] 5 and [Os5Rh3Cl(mu-H)8(CO)18] 6. Both the compounds proved to be able to exchange the H atom with D in the presence of D2SO4, and the absence of the hydride signal in the 1H NMR spectrum is consistent with this. Therefore, clusters 5 and 6 may serve as appropriate new hydrogen storage models.     

Dihydrogen activation by a diruthenium analogue of the Fe-only hydrogenase active site

The photochemical reaction of Ru2(S2C3H6)(CO)4(PCy3)2 (1) and H2 gives the dihydride Ru2(S2C3H6)(mu-H)(H)(CO)3(PCy3)2 (2). NMR and crystallographic studies reveal mutually trans basal phosphine ligands and both bridging and terminal hydrides. Ru2(S2C2H4)(CO)4(PCy3)2 behaves similarly. Other HX substrates undergo photoaddition to 1, affording Ru2(S2C3H6)(mu-H)(X)(CO)3(PCy3)2 for X = OTs (3a), Cl (3b), and SPh (3c). Treatment of Ru2(S2C3H6)(mu-H)(H)(CO)3(PCy3)2 with [H(OEt2)]BArF4 (ArF = B(C6H3-3,5-(CF3)2) in CD2Cl2 gives [Ru2(S2C3H6)(mu-H)(CO)3(PCy3)2(H2)]+ (4), which catalyzes H2-D2 exchange. The reaction of 2 with [D(OEt2)]BArF4 gave [Ru2(S2C3H6)(mu-H)(CO)3(PCy3)2(HD)]+ (JH-D = 31 Hz). These studies provide the first models for the Fe-only hydrogenases that bear dihydrogen and terminal hydrido ligands.     

Ruthenium-cluster-mediated activation of all bonds of a methyl group of 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine and 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline: transformation of the latter into a 2-alkenyl-9-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline ligand

The treatment of [Ru3(CO)12] with 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (Me2bipy) or 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Me2phen) in THF at reflux temperature gives the trinuclear dihydride complexes [Ru3(mu-H)2(mu3-L1)(CO)8] (L1 = HCbipyMe 1 a, HCphenMe 1 b), which result from the activation of two C-H bonds of a methyl group. The hexa-, hepta-, and pentanuclear derivatives [Ru6(mu3-H)(mu5-L2)(mu-CO)3(CO)13] (L2 = CbipyMe 2 a, CphenMe 2 b), [Ru7(mu3-H)(mu5-L2)(mu-CO)2(CO)16] (L2 = CbipyMe 3 a, CphenMe 3 b), and [Ru5(mu-H)(mu5-C)(mu-L3)(CO)13] (L3 = bipyMe 4 a, phenMe 4 b) can also be obtained by treating 1 a and 1 b with [Ru3(CO)12]. Compounds 2 a and 2 b have a basal edge-bridged square-pyramidal metallic skeleton with a carbyne-type C atom capping the four Ru atoms of the pyramid base. The structures of 3 a and 3 b are similar to those of 2 a and 2 b, respectively, but an additional Ru atom now caps a triangular face of the square-pyramidal fragment of the metallic skeleton. The most interesting feature of 2 a, 2 b, 3 a, and 3 b is that their carbyne-type C atoms were originally bound to three hydrogen atoms in Me2bipy or Me2phen and, therefore, they arise from the unprecedented activation of all three C-H bonds of C-bound methyl groups. The pentanuclear compounds 4 a and 4 b contain a carbide ligand surrounded by five Ru atoms in a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal environment. They are the products of a series of processes that includes the activation of all bonds (three C-H and one C-C) of organic methyl groups, and are the first examples of complexes having carbide ligands that arise from C-bonded methyl groups. The alkenyl derivatives [Ru5(mu5-C)(mu-p-MeC6H4CHCHphenMe)(CO)13] (5 b), [Ru5(mu-H)(mu5-C)(mu-p-MeC6H4CHCHphenMe)(p-tolC2)(CO)12] (6 b), and [Ru5(mu-H)(mu5-C)(mu-PhCHCHphenMe)(PhC2)(CO)12] (7 b) have been obtained by treating 4 b with p-tolyl- and phenylacetylene, respectively. Their heterocyclic ligands contain an alkenyl fragment in the position that was originally occupied by a methyl group. Therefore, these complexes are the result of the formal substitution of an alkenyl group for a methyl group of 2,9-dimethyl-1,10- phenanthroline.     

Synthesis, characterisation, crystal structures, reactivity, and electrochemistry of ruthenium-nitrido, ruthenium-cobalt-imido and ruthenapyrrolidone carbonyl clusters containing alkyne ligands

Thermolysis of [Ru3(CO)9(mu3-NOMe)(mu3-eta2-PhC2Ph)] (1) with two equivalents of [Cp*Co(CO)2] in THF afforded four new clusters, brown [Ru5(CO)8(mu-CO)3(eta5-C5Me5)(mu5-N)(mu4-eta2-PhC2Ph)] (2), green [Ru3Co2(CO)7(mu3-CO)(eta5-C5Me5)2(mu3-NH)[mu4-eta8-C6H4-C(H)C(Ph)]] (3), orange [Ru3(CO)7(mu-eta6-C5Me4CH2)[mu-eta3-PhC2(Ph)C(O)N(OMe)]] (4) and pale yellow [Ru2(CO)6[mu-eta3-PhC2(Ph)C(O)N(OMe)]] (5). Cluster 2 is a pentaruthenium mu5-nitrido complex, in which the five metal atoms are arranged in a novel "spiked" square-planar metal skeleton with a quadruply bridging alkyne ligand. The mu5-nitrido N atom exhibits an unusually low frequency chemical shift in its 15N NMR spectrum. Cluster 3 contains a triangular Ru2Co-imido moiety linked to a ruthenium-cobaltocene through the mu4-eta8-C6H4C(H)C(Ph) ligand. Clusters 4 and 5 are both metallapyrrolidone complexes, in which interaction of diphenylacetylene with CO and the NOMe nitrene moiety were observed. In 4, one methyl group of the Cp* ring is activated and interacts with a ruthenium atom. The "distorted" Ru3Co butterfly nitrido complex [Ru3Co(CO)5(eta5-C5Me5)(mu4-N)(mu3-eta2-PhC2Ph)(mu-I)2I] (6) was isolated from the reaction of 1 with [Cp*Co(CO)I2] heated under reflux in THF, in which a Ru-Ru wing edge is missing. Two bridging and one terminal iodides were found to be placed along the two Ru-Ru wing edges and at a hinge Ru atom, respectively. The redox properties of the selected compounds in this study were investigated by using cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential coulometry. 15N magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies were also performed on these clusters.     

pH-Dependent isotope exchange and hydrogenation catalysed by water-soluble NiRu complexes as functional models for [NiFe]hydrogenases

The pH-dependent hydrogen isotope exchange reaction between gaseous isotopes and medium isotopes and hydrogenation of the carbonyl compounds have been investigated with water-soluble bis(mu-thiolate)(mu-hydride)NiRu complexes, Ni(II)(mu-SR)(2)(mu-H)Ru(II) {(mu-SR)(2) = N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-1,3-propanediamine}, as functional models for [NiFe]hydrogenases. In acidic media (at pH 4-6), the mu-H ligand of the Ni(II)(mu-SR)(2)(mu-H)Ru(II) complexes has H(+) properties, and the complexes catalyse the hydrogen isotope exchange reaction between gaseous isotopes and medium isotopes. A mechanism of the hydrogen isotope exchange reaction between gaseous isotopes and medium isotopes through a low-valent Ni(I)(mu-SR)(2)Ru(I) complex is proposed. In contrast, in neutral-basic media (at pH 7-10), the mu-H ligand of the Ni(II)(mu-SR)(2)(mu-H)Ru(II) complexes acts as H(-), and the complexes catalyse the hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds.     

Proton induced P-H and Mo-H bond activation at the phosphide bridged dimolybdenum complexes [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PHR)(CO)4](R = Cy, 2,4,6-C6H2R'3; R'= H, Me, tBu)

The new hydride complexes [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PHR)(CO)4] having bulky substituents (R = 2,4,6-C(6)H2tBu3= Mes*, R = 2,4,6-C6H2Me3= Mes) have been prepared in good yield by addition of Li[PHR] to the triply bonded [Mo2Cp2(CO)4] and further protonation of the resulting anionic phosphide complex [Mo2Cp2(mu-PHR)(CO)4]-. Protonation of the Mes* compound with either [H(OEt2)2][B{3,5-C6H3(CF3)2}4] or HBF4.OEt2 gives the cationic phosphinidene complex [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PMes*)(CO)4]+ in high yield. In contrast, protonation of the analogous hydride compounds with Mes or Cy substituents on phosphorus give the corresponding unsaturated tetracarbonyls [Mo2Cp2(mu-PHR)(CO)4]+, which are unstable at room temperature and display a cis geometry. Decomposition of the latter give the electron-precise pentacarbonyls [Mo2Cp2(mu-PHR)(mu-CO)(CO)4]+, also displaying a cis arrangement of the metal fragments. In the presence of BF4- as external anion, fluoride abstraction competes with carbonylation to yield the neutral fluorophosphide hydrides [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PFR)(CO)4]. Similar results were obtained in the protonation reactions of the hydride compounds having a Ph substituent on phosphorus. In that case, using HCl as protonation reagent gave the chloro-complex [Mo2ClCp2(mu-PHPh)(CO)4] in good yield. The structures and dynamic behaviour of the new compounds are analyzed on the basis of solution IR and 1H, 31P, 19F and 13C NMR data as well as the X-ray studies carried out on [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PHMes)(CO)4](cis isomer), [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PFMes)(CO)4](trans isomer), [Mo2Cp2(mu-PHCy)(mu-CO)(CO)4](BF4) and [Mo2ClCp2(mu-PHPh)(CO)4].     

Triruthenium and triosmium carbonyl clusters containing chiral bidentate NHC-thiolate ligands derived from levamisole

The trinuclear complexes [M3(mu-Cl)(mu-S approximately CH)(CO)9] (M=Ru, Os; S approximately CH=1-ethylenethiolate-3-H-4-(S)-phenylimidazolin-2-ylidene) and [M3(mu-H)(mu-S approximately CMe)(CO)9] (M=Ru, Os; S approximately CMe=1-ethylenethiolate-3-methyl-4-(S)-phenylimidazolin-2-ylidene) have been prepared by treating [Ru3(CO)12] and [Os3(CO)10(MeCN)2] with levamisolium chloride or [M3(mu-H)(CO)11]- with methyl levamisolium triflate, respectively. The chiral N-heterocyclic carbene-thiolate ligands S approximately CH and S approximately CMe arise from the oxidative addition of the C-S bond of levamisolium or methyl levamisolium cations to anionic trinuclear clusters.     

High nuclearity ruthenium-tin clusters from the reactions of triphenylstannane with pentaruthenium carbonyl carbido cluster complexes

The reaction of Ru(5)(CO)(15)(mu(5)-C), 1, with Ph(3)SnH in the presence of UV irradiation has yielded the Ph(3)SnH adduct Ru(5)(CO)(15)(SnPh(3))(mu(5)-C)(mu-H), 3, by SnH bond activation and cleavage of one Ru-Ru bond in the cluster of 1. The reaction of 1 with Ph(3)SnH at 127 degrees C yielded the high nuclearity cluster compound Ru(5)(CO)(10)(SnPh(3))(mu-SnPh(2))(4)(&mu(5)-C)(mu-H), 4, that contains five tin ligands. Four of these are SnPh(2) groups that bridge each edge of the base of the Ru(5) square pyramidal cluster. The reaction of Ph(3)SnH with the benzene-substituted cluster Ru(5)(CO)(12)(C(6)H(6))(mu(5)-C), 2, at 68 degrees C yielded two products: Ru(5)(CO)(11)(SnPh(3))(C(6)H(6))(mu(5)-C)(mu-H), 5, and Ru(5)(CO)(10)(SnPh(3))(2)(C(6)H(6))(mu(5)-C)(mu-H)(2), 6. Both contain square pyramidal Ru(5) clusters with one and two SnPh(3) groups, respectively. At 127 degrees C, the reaction of 2 with an excess of Ph(3)SnH has led to the formation of two new high-nuclearity cluster complexes: Ru(5)(CO)(8)(mu-SnPh(2))(4)(C(6)H(6))(mu(5)-C), 7, and Ru(5)(CO)(7)(mu-SnPh(2))(4)(SnPh(3))(C(6)H(6))(mu-H), 8. Both compounds contain square pyramidal Ru(5) clusters with SnPh(2) groups bridging each edge of the square base. Compound 8 contains a SnPh(3) group analogous to that of compound 4. When treated with CO, compound 8 is converted to 4. When heated to 68 degrees C, compound 5 was converted to the new compound Ru(5)(CO)(11)(C(6)H(6))(mu(4)-SnPh)(mu(3)-CPh), 9, by loss of benzene and the shift of a phenyl group from the tin ligand to the carbido carbon atom to form a triply bridging benzylidyne ligand and a novel quadruply bridging stannylyne ligand.     

Reactivity of alkynes containing alpha-hydrogen atoms with a triruthenium hydrido carbonyl cluster: alkenyl versus allyl cluster derivatives

The reactions of the hydrido-triruthenium cluster complex [Ru3(mu-H)(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(CO)9] (1; H2NNMe2 = 1,1-dimethylhydrazine) with alkynes that have alpha-hydrogen atoms give trinuclear derivatives containing edge-bridging allyl or face-capping alkenyl ligands. Under mild conditions (THF, 70 degrees C) the isolated products are as follows: [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu-kappa(3)-1-syn-Me-3-anti-EtC3H3)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (2) and [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu-kappa(3)-1-syn-Me-3-syn-EtC3H3)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (3) from 3-hexyne; [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu-kappa(3)-3-anti-PhC3H4)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (4), [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu-kappa(2)-MeCCHPh)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (5) and [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu3-kappa(2)-PhCCHMe)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (6) from 1-phenyl-1-propyne; [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu-kappa(2)-3-anti-PrC3H4)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (7), [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu3-kappa(2)-BuCCH2)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (8), and [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu3-kappa(2)-HCCHBu)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (9) from 1-hexyne; [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu3-kappa(2)-HOH2CCCH2)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (10) from propargyl alcohol; and [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu3-kappa(2)-MeOCH2CCH2)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (11) from 3-methoxy-1-propyne. The regioselectivity of these reactions depends upon the nature of the alkyne reagent, which affects considerably the kinetic barriers of important reaction steps and the stability of the final products. It has been established that the face-capped alkenyl derivatives are not precursors to the allyl products, which are formed via edge-bridged alkenyl intermediates. At higher temperature (toluene, 110 degrees C), the complexes that have allyl ligands with an anti substituent are isomerized into allyl derivatives with that substituent in the syn position, for example, 4 into [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu-kappa(3)-3-syn-PhC3H4)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (14). The diene complex [Ru3(mu-H)(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu-kappa(4)-trans-EtC4H5)(CO)7] (13) has been obtained from the thermolysis of compounds 2 and 7 at 110 degrees C (3 and [Ru3(mu3-kappa(2)-HNNMe2)(mu-kappa(2)-3-syn-PrC3H4)(mu-CO)2(CO)6] (12) are also formed in these reactions). A DFT theoretical study has allowed a comparison of the thermodynamic stabilities of isomeric compounds and has helped rationalize the experimental results. Mechanistic proposals for the synthesis of the allyl complexes and their isomerization processes are also provided.     

Iridium-iron-monocarborane clusters from oxidative insertion reactions of [IrCl(CO)(PPh3)2] with ferracarborane anions

The nine-vertex ferracarborane salt [N(PPh3)2][7,7,7-(CO)3-closo-7,1-FeCB7H8] (1) reacts with an excess of [IrCl(CO)(PPh3)2] in the presence of Tl[PF6] to form, successively, the bimetallic species [7,7,9,9,9-(CO)5-7-PPh3-closo-7,9,1-IrFeCB6H7] (3), in which one {BH}- vertex has formally been subrogated by an {Ir(CO)2(PPh3)} unit, and the trimetallic complex [6,7,9-{Ir(CO)(PPh3)2}-7,9-(mu-H)2-7,9,9-(CO)3-7-PPh3-closo-7,9,1-IrFeCB6H6] (5), which contains an {FeIr2} triangle. The {FeIrCB6} core in 5 resembles that in 3 with, in addition, the Fe...Ir connectivity being spanned by an {Ir(CO)(PPh3)2} fragment and the consequent Fe-Ir and Ir-Ir bonds bridged by hydrido ligands. In contrast to the above, treatment of the 10-vertex diferracarborane salt [N(PPh3)2][6,6,6,10,10,10-(CO)6-closo-6,10, 1-Fe2CB7H8] (2) with the same reagents yields two very different, trimetallic complexes, namely [8,10-{Ir(mu-PPh2)(Ph)(CO)(PPh3)}-8-(mu-H)-6,6,6,10,10-( CO)5-closo-6,10,1-Fe2CB7H7] (6) and [6,7,10-{Fe(CO)3}-6-(mu-H)-6,10,10,10-(CO)4-6-PPh3-closo-6,10,1-IrFeCB7H7] (7). In 6, an exo-polyhedral {IrPh(CO)(PPh3)} moiety is attached to a {closo-6,10,1-Fe2CB7} framework via a PPh2-bridged Fe-Ir bond and a B-HIr agostic-type linkage, the iridium center formally having inserted into one P-Ph bond of a PPh3 unit. Complex 7 contains an {IrFeCB7} cluster core, with an exo-polyhedral {Fe(CO)3} moiety bridging a {BIrFe} triangular face and with an additional Ir-H-Fe bridge. However, this metal atom arrangement reveals that iridium and iron moieties have exchanged exo- and endo-polyhedral sites with respect to the 10-vertex metallacarborane. X-ray diffraction studies upon 3, 5, 6, and 7 confirmed their novel structural features; some preliminary reactivity studies upon these compounds are also reported.     

Catalytic hydrogenation by triruthenium clusters: a mechanistic study with parahydrogen-induced polarization

The reactivity of the cluster family [Ru(3)(CO)(12-x)(L)(x)] (in which L=PMe(3), PMe(2)Ph, PPh(3) and PCy(3), x=1-3) towards hydrogen is described. When x=2, three isomers of [Ru(3)(H)(mu-H)(CO)(9)(L)(2)] are formed, which differ in the arrangement of their equatorial phosphines. Kinetic studies reveal the presence of intra- and inter-isomer exchange processes with activation parameters and solvent effects indicating the involvement of ruthenium-ruthenium bond heterolysis and CO loss, respectively. When x=3, reaction with H(2) proceeds to form identical products to those found with x=2, while when x=1 a single isomer of [Ru(3)(H)(mu-H)(CO)(10)(L)] is formed. Species [Ru(3)(H)(mu-H)(CO)(9)(L)(2)] have been shown to play a kinetically significant role in the hydrogenation of an alkyne substrate through initial CO loss, with rates of H(2) transfer being explicitly determined for each isomer. A less significant secondary reaction involving loss of L yields a detectable product that contains both a pendant vinyl unit and a bridging hydride ligand. Competing pathways that involve fragmentation to form [Ru(H)(2)(CO)(2)(L)(alkyne)] are also observed and shown to be favoured by nonpolar solvents. Kinetic data reveal that catalysis based on [Ru(3)(CO)(10)(PPh(3))(2)] is the most efficient although [Ru(3)(H)(mu-H)(CO)(9)(PMe(3))(2)] corresponds to the most active of the detected intermediates.     

Molecular wheels of ruthenium and osmium with bridging chalcogenolate ligands: edge-shared-octahedron structures and metal-ion binding

Inventing new wheels: reaction of [M(3)(CO)(12) ] (M=Ru, Os) with 4-RC(6)H(4)SH afforded [{M(S-4-RC(6)H(4))(2)(CO)(2)}(8)] (R=H; I) or [{M(S-4-RC(6)H(4))(2)(CO)(2)}(6)] (R=Me, iPr; II; see scheme), all of which have been structurally characterized. The octamers I are unique metal molecular wheels featuring skew-edge-shared octahedra with a central planar M(8) octagon. [{Ru(S-4-iPrC(6)H(4))(2)(CO)(2)}(6)] selectively binds a Cu(+) or Ag(+) ion to form [M'{Ru(S(4-iPr-C(6)H(4)))(2)(CO)(2)}(6)](+) (III).     

Metal-metal charge transfer and solvatochromism in cyanomanganese carbonyl complexes of ruthenium and osmium

The complexes [(H3N)5Ru(II)(mu-NC)Mn(I)Lx]2+, prepared from [Ru(OH2)(NH3)5]2+ and [Mn(CN)L(x)] {L(x) = trans-(CO)2{P(OPh)3}(dppm); cis-(CO)2(PR3)(dppm), R = OEt or OPh; (PR3)(NO)(eta-C5H4Me), R = Ph or OPh}, undergo two sequential one-electron oxidations, the first at the ruthenium centre to give [(H3N)5Ru(III)(mu-NC)Mn(I)Lx]3+; the osmium(III) analogues [(H3N)5Os(III)(mu-NC)Mn(I)Lx]3+ were prepared directly from [Os(NH3)5(O3SCF3)]2+ and [Mn(CN)Lx]. Cyclic voltammetry and electronic spectroscopy show that the strong solvatochromism of the trications depends on the hydrogen-bond accepting properties of the solvent. Extensive hydrogen bonding is also observed in the crystal structures of [(H3N)5Ru(III)(mu-NC)Mn(I)(PPh3)(NO)(eta-C5H4Me)][PF6]3.2Me2CO.1.5Et2O, [(H3N)5Ru(III)(mu-NC)Mn(I)(CO)(dppm)2-trans][PF6]3.5Me2CO and [(H3N)5Ru(III)(mu-NC)Mn(I)(CO)2{P(OEt)3}(dppm)-trans][PF6]3.4Me2CO, between the amine groups (the H-bond donors) at the Ru(III) site and the oxygen atoms of solvent molecules or the fluorine atoms of the [PF6]- counterions (the H-bond acceptors).     

Ruthenium mediated C-H activation of 2-(arylazo)phenols: characterization of an intermediate and the final organoruthenium complex

Reaction of 2-(arylazo)phenols with [Ru(PPh(3))(2)(CO)(2)Cl(2)] affords a family of organometallic complexes of ruthenium(II) of type [Ru(PPh(3))(2)(CO)(CNO-R)], where the 2-(arylazo)phenolate ligand (CNO-R; R = OCH(3), CH(3), H, Cl, and NO(2)) is coordinated to the metal center as tridentate C,N,O-donor. Another group of intermediate complexes of type [Ru(PPh(3))(2)(CO)(NO-R)(H)] has also been isolated, where the 2-(arylazo)phenolate ligand (NO-R) is coordinated to the metal center as bidentate N,O-donor. Structures of the [Ru(PPh(3))(2)(CO)(NO-OCH(3))(H)] and [Ru(PPh(3))(2)(CO)(CNO-OCH(3))] complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography. All the complexes are diamagnetic and show characteristic (1)H NMR signals and intense MLCT transitions in the visible region. Both the [Ru(PPh(3))(2)(CO)(NO-R)(H)] and [Ru(PPh(3))(2)(CO)(CNO-R)] complexes show two oxidative responses on the positive side of SCE.     

Chemical control on the coordination mode of benzaldehyde semicarbazone ligands. synthesis, structure, and redox properties of ruthenium complexes

Reaction of benzaldehyde semicarbazone (HL-R, where H is a dissociable proton and R is a substituent (R = OMe, Me, H, Cl, NO(2)) at the para position of the phenyl ring) with [Ru(PPh(3))(3)Cl(2)] and [Ru(PPh(3))(2)(CO2)Cl2] has afforded complexes of different types. When HL-NO(2) and [Ru(PPh(3))(3)Cl2] react in solution at ambient temperature, trans-[Ru(PPh(3))(2)(L-NO2Cl] is obtained. Its structure determination by X-ray crystallography shows that L-NO2 is coordinated as a tridentate C,N,O-donor ligand. When reaction between HL-NO2 and [Ru(PPh(3))(3)Cl2] is carried out in refluxing ethanol, a more stable cis isomer of [Ru(PPh(3))(2)(L-NO2)Cl] is obtained. The trans isomer can be converted to the cis isomer simply by providing appropriate thermal energy. Slow reaction of HL-R with [Ru(PPh(3))(2)(CO2)Cl2] in solution at ambient temperature yields 5-[Ru(PPh(3))(2)(L-R)(CO)Cl] complexes. A structure determination of 5-[Ru(PPh(3))(2)(L-NO2)(CO)Cl] shows that the semicarbazone ligand is coordinated as a bidentate N,O-donor, forming a five-membered chelate ring. When reaction between HL-R and [Ru(PPh(3))(2)(CO2Cl2] is carried out in refluxing ethanol, the 4-[Ru(PPh(3))(2)(L-R)(CO)Cl] complexes are obtained. A structure determination of 4-[Ru(PPh(3))(2)(L-NO2)(CO)Cl] shows that a semicarbazone ligand is bound to ruthenium as a bidentate N,O-donor, forming a four-membered chelate ring. All the complexes are diamagnetic (low-spin d(6), S = 0). The trans- and cis-[Ru(PPh(3))(2)(L-NO2)Cl] complexes undergo chemical transformation in solution. The 5- and 4-[Ru(PPh(3))(2)(L-R)(CO)Cl] complexes show sharp NMR signals and intense MLCT transitions in the visible region. Cyclic voltammetry of the 5-[Ru(PPh(3))(2)(L-R)(CO)Cl] and 4-[Ru(PPh(3))(2)(L-R)(CO)Cl] complexes show the Ru(II)-Ru(III) oxidation to be within 0.66-1.07 V. This oxidation potential is found to linearly correlate with the Hammett constant of the substituent R.     

Reactions of 2-indolylphosphines with Ru3(CO)12: cluster capping with mu 3,eta 2-indolylphosphine as an anionic six-electron P,N-donor ligand

Stepwise bidentate coordination of the novel indolylphosphine ligands HL (1, HL = P(C(6)H(5))(2)(C(9)H(8)N)(diphenyl-2-(3-methylindolyl)phosphine); 2, HL = P(C(6)H(5))(C(9)H(8)N)(2)(phenyldi-2-(3-methylindolyl)phosphine); and 3, HL = P(C(6)H(5))(C(17)H(12)N(2))(di(1H-3-indolyl)methane-(2,12)-phenylphosphine)) to the ruthenium cluster Ru(3)(CO)(12) is demonstrated. Reactions of 1-3 with Ru(3)(CO)(12) led to the formation of Ru(3)(CO)(11)(HL) (4-6), in which HL is mono-coordinated through the phosphorus atom. The X-ray structures of 4-6 show that the phosphorus atom is equatorially coordinated to the triruthenium core. In all cases, gentle heating of Ru(3)(CO)(11)(HL) resulted in the formation of Ru(3)(CO)(9)(mu-H)(mu(3),eta(2)-L)(7-9) in which the NH proton of the indolyl substituent had migrated to the ruthenium core to form a bridging hydride ligand. The X-ray structure of Ru(3)(CO)(9)(mu-H)[mu(3),eta(2)-P(C(6)H(5))(2)(C(9)H(7)N)] (7) shows the deprotonated nitrogen atom of the indolyl moiety bridging over the face of the triruthenium core, bonding to the two ruthenium metal centers to which the phosphorus atom is not bound. The phosphorus atom is forced to adopt an axial bonding mode due to the geometry of the indolylphosphine ligand. Cluster electron counting and X-ray data suggest that the indolylphosphine behaves as a six-electron ligand in this mode of coordination. Compounds 4-9 have been characterized by IR, (1)H, (13)C and (31)P NMR spectroscopy.     

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

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