An investigation into the diastereoselective palladation of oxazoline appended cobalt metallocenes

The diastereoselective reactions of palladium acetate with (η⁵-(S)-2-(4-methylethyl)oxzazolinylcyclopentadienyl)(η⁴-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt, which gives a planar chiral palladacycle with (_pR) configuration, and (η⁵-(S)-2-(4-dimethylethyl)oxzazolinylcyclopentadienyl)(η⁴-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt, which results in the opposite (_pS) configuration, are shown to be a consequence of these reactions displaying thermodynamic and kinetic control, respectively.     

Synthesis, reactivity and structural studies of (η-methylcyclopentadienyl)(η-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt and its derivatives

(η⁵-methylcyclopentadienyl)(η⁴-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt (1) and its derivatives, [(1-acetyl-2-methyl)η⁵-cyclopentadienyl](η⁴-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt (2) [(1-acetyl-3-methyl)η⁵-cyclopentadienyl](η⁴-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt (3) [(1-carbomethoxy-2-methyl)η⁵-cyclopentadienyl](η⁴-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt (4) and [(1-carbomethoxy-3-methyl)η⁵-cyclopentadienyl](η⁴-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene) cobalt (5) have been prepared in yields varying from 11% to 28% by introducing the substituents on the cyclopentadienyl ring of methylcyclopentadienyl sodium and then reacting with diphenylacetylene and CoCl(PPh₃)₃. The carboxylic acids [(1-carboxy-2-methyl)η⁵-cyclopentadienyl](η⁴-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt (6), [(1-carboxy-3-methyl)η⁵-cyclopentadienyl](η⁴-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt (7) have been prepared after ester hydrolysis of compounds 4 and 5 using KOH/ethanol. [(1-dimethylaminomethyl-3-methyl)η⁵-cyclopentadienyl](η⁴-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene) cobalt (8), was prepared selectively by direct substitution on the cyclopentadienyl ring of (η⁵-methylcyclopentadienyl)(η⁴-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt in 65% yield. The 1,2-isomer was formed only in traces in this reaction. Reactivity of (η⁵-methylcyclopentadienyl)(η⁴-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt and its carbomethoxy derivative have been compared with (η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)(η⁴-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt. All new compounds were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, FT-IR, mass spectra and CHN analysis. Compounds 2, 4, 6 and 8 have also been structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray structural analysis.     

New thioether–dithiolate complexes of Cp1Ir and some reactivity features

The reaction of [Cp1IrCl₂]₂ (Cp* = η⁵ ? C₅Me₅) with the tridentate 3-thiapentane-1,5-dithiolate ligand, S(CH₂CH₂S^?)₂ (tpdt), led to the formation of [Cp1Ir(η³ ? tpdt)] (1) in 81% isolated yield. Subsequent reactions of 1 with [Cp1IrCl₂]₂ in 2:1 and 1:1 molar equiv ratios resulted in the formation of [Cp1Ir(μ ? η²:η³ ? tpdt)Cp1IrCl][PF₆] (2) and [Cp1Irμ ? η²:η³ ? tpdt)Cp1IrCl][Cp1IrCl₃] (3) in 86 and 79% yields, respectively, based on 1, whereas the reactions of 1 with [(COD)IrCl]₂ (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) in 2:1 and 1:1 molar equiv ratios resulted in the formation of the homo-bimetallic derivatives Cp1Ir(μ ? η¹:η³ ? tpdt)(COD)IrCl (4) (92% yield) and [Cp1Ir(μ ? η²:η³ ? tpdt)(COD)Ir] [(COD)IrCl₂] (5) (82% yield). Reactions between 1 and [(COD)RhCl]₂, yielded the hetero-bimetallic derivatives Cp1Ir(μ ? η¹:η³ ? tpdt)(COD)RhCl (6) and [Cp1Ir(μ ? η²:η³ ? tpdt)(COD)Rh][(COD)RhCl₂] (7), in 92 and 93% yields, respectively. The reaction of 1 with methyl iodide gave mono-methylated derivative [Cp1Ir(η³-C₄H₈S₃Me)]I (8) (93% yield). All these compounds have been comprehensively characterized.     

New thioether–dithiolate complexes of Cp1Ir and some reactivity features

The reaction of [Cp1IrCl₂]₂ (Cp* = η⁵ − C₅Me₅) with the tridentate 3-thiapentane-1,5-dithiolate ligand, S(CH₂CH₂S⁻)₂ (tpdt), led to the formation of [Cp1Ir(η³ − tpdt)] (1) in 81% isolated yield. Subsequent reactions of 1 with [Cp1IrCl₂]₂ in 2:1 and 1:1 molar equiv ratios resulted in the formation of [Cp1Ir(μ − η²:η³ − tpdt)Cp1IrCl][PF₆] (2) and [Cp1Irμ − η²:η³ − tpdt)Cp1IrCl][Cp1IrCl₃] (3) in 86 and 79% yields, respectively, based on 1, whereas the reactions of 1 with [(COD)IrCl]₂ (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) in 2:1 and 1:1 molar equiv ratios resulted in the formation of the homo-bimetallic derivatives Cp1Ir(μ − η¹:η³ − tpdt)(COD)IrCl (4) (92% yield) and [Cp1Ir(μ − η²:η³ − tpdt)(COD)Ir] [(COD)IrCl₂] (5) (82% yield). Reactions between 1 and [(COD)RhCl]₂, yielded the hetero-bimetallic derivatives Cp1Ir(μ − η¹:η³ − tpdt)(COD)RhCl (6) and [Cp1Ir(μ − η²:η³ − tpdt)(COD)Rh][(COD)RhCl₂] (7), in 92 and 93% yields, respectively. The reaction of 1 with methyl iodide gave mono-methylated derivative [Cp1Ir(η³-C₄H₈S₃Me)]I (8) (93% yield). All these compounds have been comprehensively characterized.     

Synthesis and H NMR spectroscopic properties of substituted (η-tetraarylcyclobutadiene)(η-cyclopentadienyl)cobalt metallocenes

The reaction of diarylacetylenes with CoCl(PPh₃)₃ and sodium cyclopentadienylide or sodium carbomethoxycyclopentadienylide gave (η⁴-tetra-arylcyclobutadiene)(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)cobalt and (η⁴-tetra-arylcyclobutadiene)(η⁵-carbomethoxycyclopentadienyl)cobalt, respectively, where aryl = para-XC₆H₄ (X = CF₃, F, MeO). The reaction was unsuccessful for the synthesis of (η⁴-tetra(para-methoxyphenyl)cyclobutadiene)(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)cobalt, which was synthesised instead from dicarbonyl(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)cobalt. In all of the examples starting with CoCl(PPh₃)₃ an intermediate (η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)- or (η⁵-carbomethoxycyclopentadienyl)(triphenylphosphine)-2,3,4,5-tetraarylcobaltacyclopentadiene complex was isolated, and two examples were characterised by X-ray crystallography. Heating the (η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)- or (η⁵-carbomethoxycyclopentadienyl)(triphenylphosphine)-2,3,4,5-tetraarylcobaltacyclopentadiene complexes resulted in clean conversion to the corresponding metallocenes. The influence of the para-aryl substituents on the ¹H NMR of the cyclopentadienyl moiety is tabulated, together with the influence of a range of R substituents in (η⁴-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)(η⁵-RC₅H₄)cobalt (R = CO₂Me, CH₂OH, Me, CHO, CCH, CO₂H, CN, CONHR¹, 2-oxazolinyl, NH₂, NHAc, HgCl, Br, I, SiMe₃, SnMe₃, Ph).     

Construction of Cd(II)–ferrocenesuccinate coordination complexes via changing adjuvant ligands and anions

Seven Cd(II)–ferrocenesuccinate coordination complexes with the formulas [Cd(η²-FcCOC₂H₄COO)₂(pbbbm)]₂ (1), [Cd(η²-FcCOC₂H₄COO)(pbbbm)Cl]₂ (2), [Cd(η²-FcCOC₂H₄COO)(pbbbm)I]₂ (3), {[Cd(η²-FcCOC₂H₄COO)₂(btx)₂]₂(CH₃OH)_0.5} (4), [Cd(η²-FcCOC₂H₄COO)₂(bix)]₂(H₂O) (5), {[Cd(η²-FcCOC₂H₄COO)(bbbm)_1.5Cl] · (CH₃OH)_0.5}_n (6), and {[Cd(η²-FcCOC₂H₄COO)(mbbbm)Cl] · (H₂O)_2.75}_n (7) [pbbbm = 1,4-Bis(benzimidazole-1-ylmethyl)benzene), btx = 1,4-bis(triazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene), mbbbm = 1,3-bis(benzimidazole-1-ylmethyl)benzene), bix = 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, bbbm = 1,1-(1,4-Butanediyl)bis-1H-benzimidazole)] have been synthesized and characterized. Single-crystal X-ray analysis reveals that complexes 1–5 are all dimers and bridged by pbbbm, btx and bix, respectively. But the five complexes present some differences in their dimeric conformations, which can be ascribed to the impacts of adjuvant ligands and counter anions. In contrast to complexes 1–5, both 6 and 7 are of 1-D structures (with the same counter anions), and the former is double ladder-like structure only bridged by bbbm, while the latter is chain-like structure bridged by chlorine anions and adjuvant ligand mbbbm. Notably, various π–π interactions are found in complexes 1–7, and they have significant contributions to molecular self-assembly processes. The electrochemical studies of complexes 1–7 in DMF solution display irreversible redox waves and indicate that the half-wave potentials of the ferrocenyl moieties in these complexes are all shifted to positive potential compared with that of ferrocenesuccinate.     

Trifluoromethanesulfonate (triflate) as a moderately coordinating anion: Studies from chemistry of the cationic coordinatively unsaturated mono- and diruthenium amidinates

Triflate complexes of mono- and diruthenium amidinates, (η⁶-C₆R₆)Ru(κ¹-OTf){η²-R′NC(R′′)NR′} (1: R = Me; 2: R = H) and (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ru(μ-η²-ⁱPrNC(Me)NⁱPr)Ru(κ¹-OTf)(η⁵-C₅R₅) (3: R = Me; 4: R = H), are synthesized, and coordination behavior of the triflate anion to the coordinatively unsaturated ruthenium species is investigated by crystallography and variable temperature (VT) NMR spectroscopy (¹⁹F, ¹H). The monoruthenium amidinate complexes have three-legged piano-stool structures in single crystals, which include a κ¹-OTf ligand with the Ru–O bond of 2.15–2.20 Å. In contrast, reversible dissociation of OTf is observed in variable temperature ¹H NMR spectroscopy in liquid states; the activation energy for the dissociation and recombination of the OTf ligand is varied with the substituents on the arene and amidinate ligand in the corresponding ruthenium cation and the solvent used. A typical example of moderately coordinating ability of the OTf ligand is seen in ¹⁹F NMR spectra of (η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(κ¹-OTf){η²-ⁱPrNC(Me)NⁱPr} (1a) and (η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(κ¹-OTf){η²-ⁱPrNC(Me)NⁱPr} (2a) in CD₂Cl₂ at the temperature range from −90 to 20 °C, in which the OTf anion is dissociated in 1a, whereas 2a has a relatively robust Ru–OTf bond. Combination of crystallography and VT NMR contributes to understanding the difference in coordination behavior of the OTf ligand between two diruthenium amidinates, (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ru(μ-η²-ⁱPrNC(Me)NⁱPr)Ru(κ¹-OTf)(η⁵-C₅Me₅) (3) and (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ru(μ-η²-ⁱPrNC(Me)NⁱPr)Ru(κ¹-OTf)(η⁵-C₅H₅) (4); the results suggest that the electron-donating and sterically demanding η⁵-C₅Me₅ helps for dissociation of the triflate ligand. Moderate coordinating ability of the triflate anion sometimes provides characteristic reactions of mono- and diruthenium amidinates which differ from the corresponding neutral halogeno-compounds or cationic coordinatively unsaturated homologues bearing fluorinated tetraarylborates; a typical example is given by inhibition of coordination of ethylene to the [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru{η²-^tBuNC(Ph)N^tBu}]⁺ species by the OTf ligand.     

A general route for the stereoselective synthesis of (E)-(1-propenyl)phenyl esters by catalytic CC bond isomerization

A general and efficient procedure for the stereoselective synthesis of (E)-(1-propenyl)phenyl esters from readily accessible allylphenols has been developed. The process involves a two-step sequence consisting of the initial acylation of the allylphenols with an acid chloride, followed by catalytic CC bond isomerization in the resulting allylphenyl esters. The latter step was performed in methanol at 80 °C using catalytic amounts (0.5 mol %) of the commercially available bis(allyl)-ruthenium(IV) dimer [{RuCl(μ-Cl)(η³:η³-C₁₀H₁₆)}₂] (C₁₀H₁₆=2,7-dimethylocta-2,6-diene-1,8-diyl). Reactions proceeded in high yields (68–93%) and short times (4–9 h) with complete E-selectivity.     

Coordination chemistry of [Cp*Fe(η5-P3C2tBu2)] (Cp* = η5-C5Me5) with copper(I) halides – Formation of oligomeric and polymeric compounds

The reaction of the 1,2,4-triphosphaferrocene [Cp*Fe(η⁵-P₃C₂tBu₂)] (1) with CuX (X = Cl, Br, I) in a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio leads to the formation of the oligomeric compounds [{Cu(μ-X)}₆(μ₆-X)Cu(MeCN)₃{μ,η²-(Cp*Fe(η⁵-P₃C₂tBu₂))}₂{μ₃,η³-(Cp*Fe(η⁵-P₃C₂tBu₂))}] (X = Cl (2), Br (3)) and [{Cu(μ-I)}₃{Cu(μ₃-I)}₃Cu(μ₆-I){μ,η²-(Cp*Fe(η⁵-P₃C₂tBu₂))}₃{η¹-(Cp*Fe(η⁵-P₃C₂tBu₂))}] (4) revealing Cu(I) halide cages surrounded by 1,2,4-triphosphaferrocene moieties. The reaction of [Cp*Fe(η⁵-P₃C₂tBu₂)] with CuI in a 1:4 stoichiometry leads to the formation of the two-dimensional polymer [{Cu(μ-I)}₄{Cu(μ₃-I)(MeCN)}₂{μ₃,η³-(Cp*Fe(P₃C₂tBu₂))}]_n (5). The oligomeric compounds show dynamic behavior in solution monitored by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. All compounds are additionally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Ruthenium carbonyl clusters derived from pyrazolyl substituted diphosphazanes: Crystal and molecular structure of a triruthenium cluster featuring a triply bridging μ3-η1:η1:η1 coordination mode of pyrazolate moiety

The radical initiated reactions of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with pyrazolyl substituted diphosphazanes Ph₂PN(R)PPh(N₂C₃HMe₂-3,5) [R = (S)-*CHMePh (1) or CHMe₂ (2)] proceed via P–N(pyrazole) bond rupture resulting in the formation of phosphido clusters, [Ru₃(CO)₅(μ_sb-CO)₂(μ₃-N,N′-η¹:η¹:η¹-N₂C₃HMe₂-3,5){μ-P,P′-Ph₂PN(R)PPh}] [R = (S)-*CHMePh (3) or CHMe₂ (4)]. The pyrazolate moiety adopts an unusual triply bridging μ₃-η¹:η¹:η¹-mode of coordination in these clusters.     

Adduct formation of [(η7-C7H7)Hf(η5-C5H5)] with isocyanides,phosphines and N-heterocyclic carbenes: An experimental and theoretical study

The reactions of [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Hf(η⁵-C₅H₅)] (1b) with the two-electron donor ligands tert-butyl isocyanide (tBuNC), 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide (XyNC), 1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazolin-2-ylidene (IMe) and trimethylphosphine (PMe₃) are reported. The 1:1 complexes [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Hf(η⁵-C₅H₅)L] (2b, L = tBuNC; 3b, L = XyNC; 4b, L = IMe, 5b, L = PMe₃) have been isolated in crystalline form, and their molecular structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction analyses. The stabilities of these hafnium complexes were probed via spectroscopic and theoretical methods, and the results were compared to those previously reported for the corresponding zirconium complexes derived from [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Zr(η⁵-C₅H₅)] (1a). The X-ray crystal structure of the PMe₃ adduct [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Zr(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PMe₃)] (5a) was also established.     

Enthalpies of ligand substitution for [Mo(η5C5H5)(CO)2(NO)] – The role of π-bonding effects in metal–ligand bond strengths

Enthalpies of ligand substitution for [Mo(η⁵-C₅H₅)(CO)₂(NO)] producing [Mo(η⁵-C₅H₅)Mo(CO)(L)(NO)] have been measured by solution calorimetry at 30 °C in THF for L = P(OMe)₃ < PMePh₂ < SIPr < PMe₂Ph < IPr < PMe < PnBu₃ (SIPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-bis(diisopropylphenyl)imidazolinylidene; IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-bis(diisopropylphenyl)-imidazol-2-ylidene)). The accepting metal fragment [Mo(η⁵-C₅H₅)(CO)(NO)] has a vacant site containing strongly π-accepting carbonyl and nitrosyl ligands and this is shown to influence the stability of the product complex. Infrared studies of both ν_CO and ν_NO show that metal-to-ligand backbonding increases in the order P(OMe)₃ < PMe₃ < SIPr < IPr implying that both steric and electronic factors play a role in determining complex stability. The crystal structures of [Mo(η⁵-C₅H₅)(CO)(IPr)(NO)] and [Mo(η⁵-C₅H₅)(CO)(SIPr)(NO)] are reported.     

Water-soluble arene ruthenium complexes containing pyridinethiolato ligands: Synthesis,molecular structure,redox properties and anticancer activity of the cations [(η6-arene)Ru(p-SC5H4NH)3]2+

The cationic complexes [(η⁶-arene)Ru(SC₅H₄NH)₃]²⁺, arene being C₆H₆ (1), MeC₆H₅ (2), p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me (3) or C₆Me₆ (4), have been synthesised from the reaction of 4-pyridinethiol with the corresponding precursor (η⁶-arene)₂Ru₂(μ₂-Cl)₂Cl₂ and isolated as the chloride salts. The single-crystal X-ray structure of [4](PF₆)₂ reveals three 4-pyridinethiol moieties coordinated to the ruthenium centre through the sulphur atom, with the hydrogen atom transferred from the sulphur to the nitrogen atom. The electrochemical study of 1–4 shows a clear correlation between the Ru(II)/Ru(III) redox potentials and the number of alkyl substituents at the arene ligand (E°′ (Ru^II/III): 1 > 2 > 3 > 4), whereas the cytotoxicity towards A2780 ovarian cancer cells follows the series 4 > 1 > 3 > 2, the hexamethylbenzene derivative 4 being the most cytotoxic one. The corresponding reaction of the ortho-isomer, 2-pyridinethiol, with (η⁶-C₆Me₆)₂Ru₂(μ₂-Cl)₂Cl₂ does not lead to the expected 2-pyridinethiolato analogue, but yields the neutral complex (η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(η²-SC₅H₄N)(η¹-SC₅H₄N) (5). The analogous complex (η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(η²-SC₉H₆N)-(η¹-SC₉H₆N) (6) is obtained from the similar reaction with 2-quinolinethiol.     

Synthesis and structure of mono- and dinuclear cyclopentadienyl–indenyl complexes of iron(II) and further reactions to mixed tri- and tetranuclear iron–cobalt complexes

The reaction of a mixture of sodium cyclopentadienide and the monolithium salt or dilithium salt of 2,2-bis(indenyl)propane with FeCl₂ leads to the mononuclear complex [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-ind-C(CH₃)₂-ind)] (ind = 1-indenyl) (1) and the dinuclear complex [{(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-ind)}₂C(CH₃)₂] (2), respectively. [(η⁵-Me₅C₅)Fe(tmeda)Cl] reacts with dilithium 1,1′-biindenyl under formation of [{(η⁵-Me₅C₅)Fe}₂(μ-η⁵:η⁵-1,1′-biind)] (4). Due to the annelated arene rings of the η⁵-indenyl ligands, 2 and 4 may act as 4-electron donor ligands, as exemplified by the reaction with the triple-decker complex [{(η⁵-Me₅C₅)Co}₂(μ-η⁶:η⁶-toluene)], which afforded the tetranuclear dimer of triple-decker complexes [{(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-Me₅C₅)Co(μ-η⁵:η⁴-1-ind)}₂C(CH₃)₂] (3) and the trinuclear complex [{(η⁵-Me₅C₅)Fe}₂(η⁵-Me₅C₅)Co(μ₃-η⁵:η⁴:η⁵-1,1′-biind)] · Et₂O (5 · Et₂O) by replacement of the central toluene deck, respectively. The [(η⁵-Me₅C₅)Co] fragments of 3 and 5 are bonded via the six-membered rings of the indenyl ligands in a η⁴-fashion. Caused by the coordination to the Co atoms the six-membered rings lose their planarity and adopt a butterfly structure. The coordination geometry of the Fe atoms is similar in all five complexes. Each Fe atom is coordinated by the C atoms of one of the five-membered rings of the indenyl ligands in a slightly distorted η⁵ manner (η³ + η²-coordination) and by a cyclopentadienyl ligand in a regular η⁵-fashion. The structures of 3 and 5 represent the first examples of slipped triple-decker complexes which comprise indenyl ligands in a μ-η⁵:η⁴ coordination mode.     

Synthesis,structure, and property of a triruthenium cluster having a μ-alkyl ligand: Transformation of a μ3(⊥)-alkyne ligand into a μ-alkyl ligand via a μ3-vinylidene complex

A triruthenium μ-alkyl complex, (Cp¹Ru)₃(μ-η²-HCHCH₂R)(μ-CO)₂(μ₃- CO) (2a, R = Ph; 2b, R = ^tBu, Cp¹ = η⁵-C₅Me₅), which contains a two-electron and three-center interaction among Ru, C, and H atoms, has been synthesized by the reaction of a perpendicularly coordinated 1-alkyne complex, {Cp¹Ru(μ-H)}₃(μ₃-η²:η²(⊥)-RCCH) (1a; R = Ph, 1b; R = ^tBu), with carbon monoxide. A diffraction study for 2b clearly represented the bridging neohexyl group on one Ru–Ru edge. This μ-alkyl group exhibited dynamic behavior resulting in site-exchange of the α-hydrogen atoms between the terminal and bridging positions, which was synchronized with the migration of the μ-alkyl groups between the two ruthenium atoms. The agostic C–H bond was readily cleaved upon pyrolysis. Whereas the μ-phenethylidene intermediate resulting from the σ-C–H bond cleavage has never been observed, a μ₃-phenethylidyne complex, {Cp¹Ru(μ-CO)}₃(μ₃-CCH₂Ph) (7a), and a μ₃-methylidyne complex, {Cp¹Ru(μ-CO)}₃(μ₃-CH) (8), were obtained by the successive C–H/C–H and C–H/C–C bond cleavages at the μ-alkyl moiety, respectively.     

Long-distance electronic interaction in a molecular wire consisting of a ferrocenyl–ethynyl unit bridging two [(η5-C5H5)(dppe)M] metal centers

Several multinuclear ferrocenyl–ethynyl complexes of formula [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(dppe)M^II?CC–(fc)_n–CC–M^II(dppe)(η⁵-C₅H₅)] (fc = ferrocenyl; dppe = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂; 1: M^II = Ru²⁺, n = 1; 2: M^II = Ru²⁺, n = 2; 3: M^II = Ru²⁺, n = 3; 4: M^II = Fe²⁺, n = 2; 5: M^II = Fe²⁺, n = 3) were studied. Structural determinations of 2 and 4 confirm the ferrocenyl group directly linked to the ethynyl linkage which is linked to the pseudo-octahedral [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(dppe)M] metal center. Complexes of 1–5 undergo sequential reversible oxidation events from 0.0 V to 1.0 V referred to the Ag/AgCl electrode in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ solution and the low-potential waves have been assigned to the end-capped metallic centers. The solid-state and solution-state electronic configurations in the resulting oxidation products of [1]⁺ and [2]²⁺ were characterized by IR, X-band EPR spectroscopy, and UV–Vis at room temperature and 77 K. In [1]⁺ and [2]²⁺, broad intervalence transition band near 1600 nm is assigned to the intervalence transition involving photo-induced electron transfer between the Ru³⁺ and Fe²⁺ metal centers, indicating the existence of strong metal-to-metal interaction. Application of Hush’s theoretical analysis of intervalence transition band to determine the nature and magnitude of the electronic coupling between the metal sites in complexes [1]⁺ and [2]²⁺ is also reported. Computational calculations reveal that the ferrocenyl–ethynyl-based orbitals do mix significantly with the (η⁵-C₅H₅)(dppe)Ru metallic orbitals. It clearly appears from this work that the ferrocenyl–ethynyl spacers strongly contribute in propagating electron delocalization.     

Reaction of isocyanides with iminophosphorane-based carbene ligands: Synthesis of unprecedented ketenimine–ruthenium complexes

The RuC bond of the bis(iminophosphorano)methandiide-based ruthenium(II) carbene complexes [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(κ²-C,N-C[P{NP(O)(OR)₂}Ph₂]₂)] (R = Et (1), Ph (2)) undergoes a C–C coupling process with isocyanides to afford ketenimine derivatives [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(κ³-C,C,N-C(CNR′)[P{NP(O)(OR)₂}Ph₂]₂)] (R = Et, R′ = Bz (3a), 2,6-C₆H₃Me₂ (3b), Cy (3c); R = Ph, R′ = Bz (4a), 2,6-C₆H₃Me₂ (4b), Cy (4c)). Compounds 3–4a–c represent the first examples of ketenimine–ruthenium complexes reported to date. Protonation of 3–4a with HBF₄ · Et₂O takes place selectively at the ketenimine nitrogen atom yielding the cationic derivatives [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(κ³-C,C,N-C(CNHBz)[P{NP(O)(OR)₂}Ph₂]₂)][BF₄] (R = Et (5a), Ph (6a)).     

Activation process of 3-alkyl-substituted ansa-bis(indenyl) zirconocenes by MAO

The ansa-indene compound {1-Me₂Si(3-C₉H₆Et)₂} (1) was prepared by alkylation of the unsubstituted ansa-indene. This compound was converted, by reaction with nBuLi, to the dilithium compound [Li₂{1-Me₂Si(3-C₉H₅Et)₂}] (2). ansa-Zirconocene [Zr{1-Me₂Si(3-η⁵-C₉H₅Et)₂}Cl₂] (3) was prepared by the reaction of ZrCl₄ with 2 in ether/toluene at −78 °C. The molecular structure of meso-3 was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The ansa-zirconocene 3 exhibits a greater activity in ethylene polymerization than reference complexes such as [Zr{1-Me₂Si(η⁵-C₉H₆)₂}Cl₂] and [Zr{1-C₂H₄(η⁵-C₉H₅)₂}Cl₂] and, in addition, it maintained a reasonable level of activity after 12 h of contact with MAO solution. Furthermore, the different elementary steps in the activation process of ethylene polymerization for substituted complexes [Zr{1-Me₂Si(3-η⁵-C₉H₅R)₂}Cl₂] (R = Et 3, Me 4, nPr 5 and nBu 6) by commercial methylaluminoxane (MAO) have been studied by UV–vis spectroscopy. Addition of MAO in large excess ([Al]/[Zr] = 2000) at −78 °C yields a previously unreported intermediate in the activation process of metallocenes; this intermediate has an absorption band centered at λ = 639 nm. We report here the influence of the type of catalyst, ring substitution, type of cocatalyst and addition of THF on the activation process of these metallocenes.     

[2 + 2] Photodimerization of the acenaphthylene ruthenium complex [(C5Me4CH2OMe)Ru(η6-C12H8)]+

The [2 + 2] photodimerization of the complex [(C₅Me₄CH₂OMe)Ru(η⁶-C₁₂H₈)]⁺ under visible-light irradiation leads to a mixture of the head-to-head heptacyclene products [(μ-η⁶: η⁶-C₂₄H₁₆)Ru₂(C₅Me₄CH₂OMe)₂]²⁺ (syn- and anti-) with the predominant formation of the syn-isomer; the structures of both isomers were established by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Reactions of trans-[RuCl2(CO)2(PEt3)2] with 1,1-dithiolates: Stepwise formation of cis-[Ru(CO)(PEt3)(S2X)] (X = CNMe2, CNEt2, COEt,P(OEt)2, PPh2)

Trans-[RuCl₂(CO)₂(PEt₃)₂] reacts with two equivalents of a series of 1,1-dithiolate ligands to form the bis(dithiolate) complexes, cis-[Ru(CO)(PEt₃)(S₂X)₂] (X = CNMe₂, CNEt₂, COEt, P(OEt)₂, PPh₂). Two intermediates have been isolated; trans-[Ru(PEt₃)₂Cl(CO){S₂P(OEt)₂}] and trans-[Ru(PEt₃)₂(CO)(η¹-S₂COEt)(η²-S₂COEt)], allowing a simple reaction scheme to be postulated involving three steps; (i) initial replacement of cis carbonyl and chloride ligands, (ii) substitution of the second chloride, (iii) loss of a phosphine. Thermolysis of cis-[Ru(CO)(PEt₃)(S₂CNMe₂)₂] with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ in xylene affords trinuclear [Ru₃(μ₃-S)₂(PEt₃)(CO)₈] as a result of dithiocarbamate degradation. Crystal structures of cis-[Ru(CO)(PEt₃)(S₂X)₂] (X = NMe₂, COEt), trans-[Ru(PEt₃)₂Cl(CO){S₂P(OEt)₂}], trans-[Ru(PEt₃)₂(CO)(η¹-S₂COEt)(η²-S₂COEt)] and [Ru₃(μ₃-S)₂(PEt₃)(CO)₈] are reported.