Insertion of tin(II) bromide into Pt–X (X = Cl,Br) bond of dimethylplatinum(IV) complexes: A novel polymorphic form of [PtBr2(bpy)]

The platinum(II) complex [PtMe₂(bpy)] (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) reacted with a large excess of dihaloalkanes X(CH₂)_nX (n = 1, X = Cl; n = 4, X = Br) to form the platinum(IV) complexes [PtMe₂X{(CH₂)_nX}(bpy)] (n = 1, X = Cl, 1a; n = 4, X = Br, 1b). The reaction of complexes 1a and 1b with SnBr₂ resulted in insertion of SnBr₂ into Pt–X (X = Cl, Br) bond to afford the trihalostannyl complexes [PtMe₂(SnBr₂X){(CH₂)_nX}(bpy)] (n = 1, X = Cl, 2a; n = 4, X = Br, 2b). The synthesis of such trihalostannylplatinum(IV) complexes is reported for the first time. The complex 2a was decomposed in CH₂Cl₂ solution and single crystals of [PtBr₂(bpy)] (3a) were obtained. The X-ray structure determination of 3a revealed a new polymorphic form of [PtBr₂(bpy)]. The molecules undergo a remarkable stacking along the b-axis to form a zigzag Pt?Pt?Pt chain containing both short (3.799 Å) and long (5.175 Å) Pt?Pt separations through the crystal. The crystal structure is compared to that of the yellow modification of [PtBr₂(bpy)].     

Synthesis and structural characterisation of five copper(I) and silver(I) complexes with 2-aminopyridine (2-APy), [Cu(μ-Cl)(2-Apy)(PPh3)]2, [Ag(μ-X)(2-Apy)(PPh3)]2 (X = Cl,Br), [Ag(μ-ONO2)(2-Apy)(EPh3)]2 (E = P,As)

Five new copper(I)/silver(I) complexes containing 2-aminopyridine, [Cu(μ-Cl)(2-Apy)(PPh₃)]₂(1), [Ag(μ-Cl)(2-Apy)(PPh₃)]₂(2), [Ag(μ-Br)(2-Apy)PPh₃)]₂(3), [Ag(μ-ONO₂)(2-Apy)(PPh₃)]₂(4), [Ag(μ-ONO₂)(2-Apy)(AsPh₃)]₂(5) have been synthesised for the first time. Complexes 1–5 are obtained by the reactions of MX (MX = CuCl for 1; M = Ag for 2–5; X = Cl, Br for 2–3; X = NO₃ for 4–5) with the monodentate ligands EPh₃ (E = P for 1–4; E = As for 5) and 2-Apy in the molar ratio of 1:1:2 in the mixed solvent of CH₂Cl₂ and MeOH. Complexes 1–5 are characterised by IR and X-ray diffraction. In 1–5, chloride, bromide and nitrate ions bridge two metal atoms to form dinuclear complexes containing the parallelogram cores M₂X₂ (M = Cu, Ag).     

Syntheses, structures, and dynamic properties of M(CO)2(η-C3H5)(en)(X) (M = Mo, W; X = Br, N3, CN) and [(en)(η-C3H5)(CO)2M(μ-CN)M(CO)2(η-C3H5)(en)]Br (M = Mo, W)

Mononuclear compounds M(CO)₂(η³-C₃H₅)(en)(X) (X = Br, M = Mo(1), W(2); X = N₃, M = Mo(3), W(4); X = CN, M = Mo(5), W(6)) and cyanide-bridged bimetallic compounds [(en)(η³-C₃H₅)(CO)₂M(μ-CN)M(CO)₂(η³-C₃H₅)(en)]Br (M = Mo (7), W(8)) were prepared and characterized. These compounds are fluxional and display broad unresolved proton NMR signals at room temperature. Compounds 1-6 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy at −60 °C, which revealed isomers in solution. The major isomers of 1-4 adopt an asymmetric endo-conformation, while those of 5 and 6 were both found to possess a symmetric endo-conformation. The single crystal X-ray structures of 1-6 are consistent with the structures of the major isomer in solution at low temperature. In contrast to mononuclear terminal cyanide compounds 5 and 6, cyanide-bridged compounds 7 and 8 were found to adopt the asymmetric endo-conformation in the solid state.     

Synthesis and characterization of mono and polymeric cyclopalladated compounds: Crystal and molecular structure of [{Pd(dmba)(ONO2)}2(μ-pz)] · H2O (pz = pyrazine)

In the treatment of cyclometallated dimer [Pd(dmba)(μ-Cl)]₂ (dmba = N,N-dimethylbenzylamine) with AgNO₃ and acetonitrile the result was the monomeric cationic precursor [Pd(dmba)(NCMe)₂](NO₃) (NCMe = acetonitrile) (1). Compound 1 reacted with m-nitroaniline (m-NAN) and pirazine (pz), originating [Pd(dmba)(ONO₂)(m-NAN)] (2) and [{Pd(dmba)(ONO₂)}₂(μ-pz)] · H₂O (3), respectively. These compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy. The IR spectra of (2–3) display typical bands of monodentade O-bonded nitrate groups, whereas the NMR data of 3 are consistent with the presence of bridging pyrazine ligands. The structure of compound 3 was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. This packing consists of a supramolecular chain formed by hydrogen bonding between the water molecule and nitrato ligands of two consecutive [Pd₂(dmba)₂(ONO₂)₂(μ-pz)] units.     

Electrophilic reactivity of the zwitterionic titanocene monohalides Cp[η-C5H4B(C6F5)3]TiX (X = Cl, Br): Reactions with water and methanol

The paper reports new data evidencing for a high electrophilicity of the positively charged titanium atom in the previously described zwitterionic titanocene monochloride Cp[η⁵-C₅H₄B(C₆F₅)₃]TiCl (1) and titanocene monobromide Cp[η⁵-C₅H₄B(C₆F₅)₃]TiBr (2), containing a B(C₆F₅)₃ group in one of the C₅ rings. It has been established that on a contact of a toluene solution of these zwitterions with water vapour at 20 °C under Ar, a rapid protolytic cleavage of the otherwise inert B-C₆F₅ bond in the tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane moiety occurs to afford pentafluorobenzene and the corresponding halogenide hydroxide complex of titanocene Cp[η⁵-C₅H₄B(C₆F₅)₂]TiX(μ-OH), where X = Cl (3), Br (4). An X-ray diffraction study of the complexes has shown that the hydroxide group in 3 and 4 is bonded via the oxygen atom both to the titanium and boron atoms. Under similar conditions, the interaction of zwitterion 1 with methanol gives rise to pentafluorobenzene and the chloride methoxide complex of titanocene Cp[η⁵-C₅H₄B(C₆F₅)₂]TiCl(μ-OCH₃). It has been suggested that the driving force of the protolysis of the B-C₆F₅ bond in 1 and 2 is a sharp increase in the acidity of water or methanol molecule as a result of their complexation with the positively charged titanium centre in the starting zwitterion.     

Are closed clusters expected from the (n + 1) skeletal electron pairs rule in alanes and gallanes? A DFT structural study of AnHn + 2 (A = Al, Ga, and n = 4-6)

It has been suggested recently that the alanes Al_nH_n + 2 can be treated by the polyhedral skeletal electron pair theory (PSEPT) of Wade and Mingos (W-M) as it was successful for their borane congeners such as B_nH_n + 2, well known as the deprotonated B_nH_n²⁻. To do so, the neutral Al_nH_n + 2 have been considered as Al_nH_n²⁻ + 2H⁺. The additional hydrogens donate their electrons to the Al_nH_n polyhedral framework and according to the n + 1 electron pairs rule; these clusters should have closo-polyhedral structures. In this work the homologous gallanes, the structures and stabilities of Ga_nH_n + 2 are studied at high levels of calculational theory and we investigated the applicability of the W-M rule to the alanes and gallanes A_nH_n + 2 (n = 4-6; A = Al, Ga). It will be shown that the presence of bridging hydrogen atoms reduces the compactness of the corresponding polyhedron and so these species do not have the closed structures. The computations were performed at B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p), BPW91/6-311G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p) levels of theory. Our interest in these compounds includes their potential use as hydrogen storage species and future clean sources of energy.     

Spin fluctuations and orbital ordering in quasi-one-dimensional α-Cu(dca)2(pyz) {dca = dicyanamide = N(CN)2; pyz = pyrazine}, a molecular analogue of KCuF3

The magnetic properties of α-Cu(dca)₂(pyz) were examined by magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, inelastic neutron scattering (INS), muon-spin relaxation (μSR) measurements and by first-principles density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations and quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) simulations. The χ versus T curve shows a broad maximum at 3.5 K, and the data between 2 and 300 K is well described by an S = 1/2 Heisenberg uniform chain model with g = 2.152(1) and J/k_B = −5.4(1) K. μSR measurements, conducted down to 0.02 K and as a function of longitudinal magnetic field, show no oscillations in the muon asymmetry function A(t). This evidence, together with the lack of spin wave formation as gleaned from INS data, suggests that no long-range magnetic order takes place in α-Cu(dca)₂(pyz) down to the lowest measured temperatures. Electronic structure calculations further show that the spin exchange is significant only along the Cu–pyz–Cu chains, such that α-Cu(dca)₂(pyz) can be described by a Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain model. Further support for this comes from the M versus B curve, which is strongly concave owing to the reduced spin dimensionality. α-Cu(dca)₂(pyz) is a molecular analogue of KCuF₃ owing to d_x2-y2${\text{d}}_{x^2-y^2}$ orbital ordering where nearest-neighbor magnetic orbital planes of the Cu²⁺ sites are orthogonal in the planes perpendicular to the Cu–pyz–Cu chains.     

Synthesis, X-ray crystal structure, and reactivity of Pd2(μ-dotpm)2 (dotpm = bis(di-ortho-tolylphosphino)methane)

Alkylation of PdCl₂(dotpm) (dotpm = bis(di-ortho-tolylphosphino)methane) with n-butyllithium produces the binuclear Pd(0) complex Pd₂(μ-dotpm)₂ and the elimination byproducts 1-butene, cis-2-butene, trans-2-butene, butane, and octane. The dibutyl complex, Pd(dotpm)(n-Bu)₂, is presumed to be the reaction intermediate. The crystal structure of Pd₂(μ-dotpm)₂ reveals that the methylene groups of the bridging dotpm ligands are located on opposite sides of the Pd₂P₄ unit, forming an 8-membered ring that is in an elongated chair conformation. The four phosphorus atoms are not coplanar, and the P1-P2-P3-P4 ring has a torsion angle of 13.8°, which minimizes the spatial interactions among the o-tolyl rings. The Pd-Pd bond distance is 2.8560(6) Å, which indicates that there is a weak “closed-shell” bonding interaction between the d¹⁰-d¹⁰ metal centers. Each palladium atom has a nearly linear geometry, and the eight methyl groups of the dotpm ligands shield the open coordination sites on the metal centers. Four methyl groups shield the metal atoms above and below the Pd₂P₄ ring cavity, and four methyl groups block the open metal sites outside of the Pd₂P₄ ring. The Pd₂(μ-dotpm)₂ complex readily undergoes oxidative addition of dichloromethane to form the rigid A-frame complex Pd₂Cl₂(μ-CH₂)(μ-dotpm)₂.     

Gas-sensing properties of Fe2−xTixO3+γ (x = 0–1.4)

As part of a systematic study of mechanisms of response of semiconducting oxides as trace gas sensors, we have explored the behaviour of iron–titanium oxide solid solutions Fe_2−xTi_xO₃ (x = 0.1–1.4). The materials were single-phase for x = 0.1 with increasing proportions of a pseudobrookite second phase at higher degree of substitution. Unmodified, pure iron oxide does not show sensitivity to CO. A significant signal was developed for x = 0.1, that then diminished with increasing x and was lost for x = 1.4. Three effects have been deduced important for the gas response: significant surface segregation of Ti at low Ti content; grain growth inhibition and agglomeration into more massive, non-porous lumps as Ti content increased; and the appearance of a band-gap state associated with Fe(II) at higher Ti content. The effects of microstructure change have been analyzed by fitting the data to a simple 2-resistor model of gas-insensitive ‘grains’ in series with gas-sensitive ‘grain boundaries’. A Mars–van Krevelen type model for the response is presented, based on reactions at surface-segregated defect clusters, to develop and remove electrically-active surface trap states.     

Germylene and stannylene (Me2NCH2CH2O)2E as strong σ-donor ligands for transition metal complexes [ML(CO)n] (E = Ge, Sn; M = Cr, Mo, W, n = 4 or 5; M = Fe, n = 4). Synthesis, spectroscopic and theoretical study

A series of germylene and stannylene (Me₂NCH₂CH₂O)₂E (E = Ge, 1; E = Sn, 2) complexes of group 6 metals and iron carbonyls L·M(CO)_n (M = Cr, Mo, W, n = 5 (3-8), n = 4 (9, 10); M = Fe, n = 4 (11, 12)) were prepared. These complexes were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, FTIR and elemental analysis. Ligand properties of 1 and 2 were compared to PPh₃ and dmiy (N,N′-dimethylimidazolin-2-ylidene) using theoretical calculations (PBE/TZ2P) and FTIR. Ligand dissociation energies increase in the order Ph₃P < 2∼1 < dmiy, while donor strength rise in the order PPh₃ < dmiy < 2 < 1.     

Syntheses, structures, and dynamic properties of M(CO)2(η-C3H5)(L-L)(NCBH3) (M = Mo, W; L-L = dppe, bipy, en)

Compounds M(CO)₂(η³-C₃H₅)(L-L)(NCBH₃) (L-L = dppe, M = Mo(1), W(2); L-L = bipy, M = Mo(3), W(4); L-L = en, M = Mo(5), W(6)) were prepared and characterized. The single crystal X-ray analyses of 2-6 revealed that the cyanotrihydroborate anion bonds to the metal through a nitrogen atom, the open face of the allyl group being pointed toward the two carbonyls (endo-isomer). In compounds 2, 5, and 6, the two donor atoms of the bidentate ligand occupy equatorial and axial positions, respectively. In the solid state structures of compounds 3 and 4 both nitrogen atoms of the bipy ligand occupy equatorial positions. The NMR spectroscopy reveals a fluxional behavior of compounds 1, 2, 5, and 6 in solution. Although the fluxional behavior of compounds 5 and 6 ceased at about −40 °C, that of compound 1 could not be stopped even at −90 °C. Their low temperature conformations are consistent with their solid state structures. Both the endo- and exo-isomers coexist in solution for compounds 3 and 4.     

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.     

Palladium nitrosyl carboxylate clusters: Synthesis and reactivity. X-ray structures of Pd4(μ-CO)2(μ-NO)(μ-RCO2)5 (R = Pr, Bu)

New palladium nitrosyl carboxylate complexes Pd₈(CO)_4−m(NO)_m(NO₂)₄(RCO₂)₈ (m = 2, 4) were obtained by the treatment of palladium carbonyl carboxylates clusters cyclo-Pd_n(μ-CO)_n(μ-RCO₂)_n (n = 6) (1) with gaseous nitrogen monoxide. These complexes are the products of CO substitution in early described Pd₈(CO)₄(NO₂)₄(RCO₂)₈ clusters. By adding an excess of corresponding acid to reaction mixture Pd₄(CO)₂(NO)(RCO₂)₅ complexes were obtained, their structures were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. These clusters are intermediate products of transformation of 6-nuclear initial clusters into various 8-nuclear complexes. This fact demonstrates that carboxylate ligands can be used as stabilizers for intermediate unstable polynuclear palladium compounds.     

Syntheses, structures and redox properties of {Os(PPh3)2Cp}2{μ-(CC)x} (x = 2, 3, 4): Comparisons with the Ru analogues

The syntheses of {Os(PPh₃)₂Cp}₂{μ-(CC)_x} (x = 2, 3, 4) from reactions between OsBr(PPh₃)₂Cp* and Me₃Si(CC)_xSiMe₃ in the presence of KF/NaBPh₄ are described. The molecular structure of x = 3 has been determined by a single-crystal XRD study. Comparison of the redox properties of {M(PPh₃)₂Cp}₂{μ-(CC)_x} (M = Ru, Os) shows that the oxidation potentials of the osmium complexes are invariably lower (by between 0.16 and 0.64 V) than those of the Ru analogues.     

Synthesis and molecular structure of new heterometal alkoxide clusters Ln2Na8(OCH2CF3)14(THF)6 (Ln = Sm, Y, Yb): Highly active catalysts for polymerization of ε-caprolactone and trimethylene carbonate

The new polynuclear heterometal alkoxide clusters Ln₂Na₈(OCH₂CF₃)₁₄(THF)₆ (Ln = Sm 1, Y 2, Yb 3) have been synthesized by the reaction of anhydrous LnCl₃ with 7 equiv. of NaOCH₂CF₃ in 68–75% yields. Crystal structural analysis revealed clusters 1–3 are isomorphous composed of two cubanes and a double open cubane, with one face of an Ln₁Na₂O₄ open cubane capped by an additional Ln₁O₂ layer. Clusters 1–3 show extremely high activity for the polymerization of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) and trimethylene carbonate (TMC). The reactivity is much higher than those found for the monometallic alkoxides lanthanide complexes previously reported. The dependence of catalytic activity on lanthanide metals is observed: Yb ≈ Y < Sm for ε-CL and Yb < Y < Sm for TMC. The polymers obtained with these clusters all show a unimodal molecular weight distribution with moderate molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n = 1.4–1.7), indicating that clusters 1–3 can really be used as single-component catalysts. The bimetallic cooperation and the coordination–insertion mechanism were proposed.     

Centrosymmetric [Mn2(CO)6(μ-thpymS)2] (thpymS = tetrahydropyrimidine-2-thionato) as a synthon to mixed-metal clusters

Reaction of [Mn₂(CO)₉(NCMe)] with tetrahydropyrimidine-2-thione (thpymSH) at 25 °C furnishes the mono- and dinuclear complexes [Mn(CO)₄(κ¹:η¹-SCNHC₃H₆NCO)] (2) and [Mn₂(CO)₆(μ-thpymS)₂] (1), respectively. Carbon-nitrogen coupling is observed in compound 2 resulting in the formation of κ¹:η¹-SCNHC₃H₆NCO ligand while compound 1 adopts a centrosymmetric structure. Reaction of 1 with [Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂] at 80 °C affords the mixed Mn-Os cluster [MnOs₃(CO)₁₃(μ₃-thpymS)] (3) which possesses a butterfly skeleton of four metal atoms whereas with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ at 110 °C gives the mixed Mn-Ru complex [MnRu₃(CO)₁₄(μ₄-S)(κ¹:η¹-thpym)] (4). In contrast, treatment of 1 with Fe₃(CO)₁₂ at 80 °C furnishes two triiron complexes [Fe₃(CO)₉(μ₃-S)(μ₃-κ¹:η¹-C₄H₆N₂)] (5) and [Fe₃(CO)₈(μ₃-S)₂(η¹-C₄H₈N₂)] (6). The former also results from the direct reaction of thpymSH with Fe₃(CO)₁₂ and reacts with H₂S to afford 6. The molecular structures of all these new complexes have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Thiolate-bridged heterometallic complexes of manganese and platinum: Synthesis and molecular structures of (CO)4Mn(μ-SPh)Pt(PPh3)2, (CO)3(PPh3)Mn(μ-SPh)Pt(PPh3)(CO), and (CO)3Mn(μ-SPh)Pt(PPh3)(Dppm)

A reaction of the dimer [Mn(CO)₄(SPh)]₂ with (PPh₃)₂Pt(C₂Ph₂) gave the heterometallic complex (CO)₄Mn(μ-SPh)Pt(PPh₃)₂ (I) and its isomer (CO)₃(PPh₃)Mn(μ-SPh)Pt(PPh₃)(CO) (II). A reaction of complex I with a diphosphine ligand (Dppm) yielded the heterometallic complex (CO)₃Mn(μ-SPh)Pt(PPh₃)(Dppm) (III). Complexes I–III were characterized by X-ray diffraction. In complex I, the single Mn-Pt bond (2.6946(3) ?) is supplemented with a thiolate bridge with the shortened Pt-S and Mn-S bonds (2.3129(5) and 2.2900(6) ?, respectively). Unlike complex I, in complex II, one phosphine group at the Pt atom is exchanged for one CO group at the Mn atom. The Mn-Pt bond (2.633(1) ?) and the thiolate bridge (Pt-S, 2.332(2) ?; Mn-S, 2.291(2) ?) are retained. In complex III, the Mn-Pt bond (2.623(1) ?) is supplemented with thiolate (Pt-S, 2.341(2) ?; Mn-S, 2.292(2) 0?) and Dppm bridges (Pt-P, 2.240(1)?; Mn-P, 2.245(2) ?). Apparently, the Pt atom in complexes I–III is attached to the formally double bond , as in Pt complexes with olefins.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of [Bu3SbCr(CO)5], [Bu3BiM(CO)5] (M = Cr, W), and [Bu3BiMnCp′(CO)2] (Cp′ = η-C5H4CH3)

Syntheses and crystal structures of [^tBu₃SbCr(CO)₅] (1), [^tBu₃BiM(CO)₅] [M = Cr (2), W (3)] and [^tBu₃BiMnCp′(CO)₂] (4) (Cp′ = η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃) are reported.     

Synthesis,structure and physical properties of trinuclear M3tdt3(PEt3)3 (M = Fe,Co) clusters containing metal–metal bonds

Trinuclear M₃tdt₃(PEt₃)₃ (M = Fe^II for I, Co^II for II) clusters have been synthesized from the reaction between M(PEt₃)₂Cl₂ and Na₂tdt (tdt = toluene-3,4-dithiolate) in MeCN. Both complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, UV–Vis, FAB-MS, ¹H NMR and cyclic voltammetry. Structures of Fe₃tdt₃(PEt₃)₃ (I) and Co₃tdt₃(PEt₃)₃ (II) were determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The Fe₃ triangular core of the 48-electron complex I, with an isosceles triangular geometry, showed very short Fe–Fe distances of 2.4014(13) and 2.4750(12) Å, which are comparable to the extensive M–M frameworks found in the FeMo-cofactor in nitrogenase. The isostructural Co₃tdt₃(PEt₃)₃ (II), with an analogous Co₃ coordination geometry, showed short Co–Co distances of 2.4442(9) and 2.5551(10) Å. The slightly longer M–M distances in complex II were explained by a total valence electron counting argument. Cyclic voltammetry of Fe₃tdt₃(PEt₃)₃ (I) showed robust reduction waves compared to Co₃tdt₃(PEt₃)₃ (II). Temperature-dependent effective magnetic moment measurements of I and II showed both clusters behave similarly and the magnetic property of the M₃ equilateral triangle core with extensive metal–metal interactions was characterized as degenerate frustration.     

Complexation and C-H bond activation of 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridyl molecules on triosmium carbonyl clusters: Synthesis and characterization of the double-cluster {Cp3Fe4(CO)4(C5H4-terpyridyl)Os3(μ-H)(CO)n} (n = 9, 10)

Cp₃Fe₄(CO)₄(4′-C₅H₄-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine) (abbreviated as Fe₄tpyH) reacts with Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ in hot methylcyclohexane to generate the double cluster (μ-H)Os₃(μ,η²-Fe₄tpy)(CO)₁₀ (1) and (μ-H)Os₃(μ,η³-Fe₄tpy)(CO)₉ (2). Similar reaction of 4′-(p-FC₆H₄)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (abbreviated as FtpyH) and Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ affords (μ-H)Os₃(μ,η²-Ftpy)(CO)₁₀ (3) and (μ-H)Os₃(μ,η³-Ftpy)(CO)₉ (4). On the other hand, treating the pristine molecule 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (abbreviated as TpyH) with Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ only isolates (μ-H)Os₃(μ,η²-Tpy)(CO)₁₀ (5). These compounds are generated by complexation and C-H bond activation of pyridyl groups on triosmium framework, and have been characterized by IR, NMR, and mass spectroscopies. The structure of 4 is determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study.