Elektrochemische synthesen: XXII. Die kathodische reduktion von pentacarbonyl-chrom-halogenphosphanen

The cathodic reduction of the trihalophosphane complexes (CO)₅CrPX₃ (1a, X = Cl; 1b, X = Br) leads to the binuclear complexes (CO)₅ Cr(X₂PPX₂)Cr(CO)₅, (2a, X = Cl; 2b, X = Br). Reductive dehalogenation of coordinated organodihalophosphanes, (CO)₅CrPRX₂ (3a, R = Me, X = Cl; 3b, R = Ph, X = Cl; 3c, R = Me, X = Br; 3d, R = Ph, X = Br), in the presence of dimethyldisulfane yields bis(methylthio)organophosphane complexes, (CO)₅CrPR(SCH₃)₂ (5a, R = Me; 5b, R = Ph). The phosphinidene complexes (CO)₅ CrPR are discussed as the reactive intermediates.The organodibromophosphane complexes 3c and 3d can also be partially reduced in the presence of dimethyldisulfane, and (CO)₅CrPBrR(SCH₃) (7a, R = Me; 7b, R = Ph) is obtained. Radical intermediates are probable.     

Reactivity of [trans-R2MoO(NNPhR′)(o-phen)] toward R′PhNNH2 and R′PhNNH3+Cl−, R=Me,Ph and R′=Me,Ph. X-ray structure of [trans-MeClMoO(NNPh2)(o-phen)]

The reactivities of [trans-R₂MoO(NNPhR′)(o-phen)], R=R′=Me (1); R=Me, R′=Ph (2); R=Ph, R′=Me (3); R=R′=Ph (4), toward (i) neutral 1,1-disubstituted hydrazines, R′PhNNH₂ and (ii) 1,1-disubstituted hydrazine hydrochlorides, R′PhNNH₂·HCl, R′=Me, Ph, were studied in acetonitrile. In the first case, no condensation reaction of the free oxo group was observed under different experimental conditions. In the second case, using a 1:1 precursor/hydrazine hydrochloride molar ratio, the oxo group was also unreactive, instead one methyl or phenyl group bonded to molybdenum was displaced as methane or benzene and was subsequently substituted by one chloride ligand affording complexes formulated as [trans-RClMoO(NNPhR′)(o-phen)], R=R′=Me (5); R=Me, R′=Ph (6); R=Ph, R′=Me, (7)·MeCN; R=R′=Ph, (8)·MeCN. Finally, when a 1:2 precursor/hydrazine hydrochloride molar ratio was used, both methyl and phenyl groups were substituted affording complexes formulated as [trans-Cl₂MoO(NNPhR′)(o-phen)], R′=Me (9), R=Ph (10). The new organometallic compounds were characterised by IR, UV–Vis and ¹H NMR spectroscopy while the crystal and molecular structure of 6 was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Two‐Coordinate Magnesium(I) Dimers Stabilized by Super Bulky Amido Ligands

A variety of very bulky amido magnesium iodide complexes, LMgI(solvent)_0/1 and [LMg(μ‐I)(solvent)_0/1]₂ (L=‐N(Ar)(SiR₃); Ar=C₆H₂{C(H)Ph₂}₂R′‐2,6,4; R=Me, Prⁱ, Ph, or OBu^t; R′=Prⁱ or Me) have been prepared by three synthetic routes. Structurally characterized examples of these materials include the first unsolvated amido magnesium halide complexes, such as [LMg(μ‐I)]₂ (R=Me, R′=Prⁱ). Reductions of several such complexes with KC₈ in the absence of coordinating solvents have afforded the first two‐coordinate magnesium(I) dimers, LMg?MgL (R=Me, Prⁱ or Ph; R′=Prⁱ, or Me), in low to good yields. Reductions of two of the precursor complexes in the presence of THF have given the related THF adduct complexes, L(THF)Mg?Mg(THF)L (R=Me; R′=Prⁱ) and LMg?Mg(THF)L (R=Prⁱ; R′=Me) in trace yields. The X‐ray crystal structures of all magnesium(I) complexes were obtained. DFT calculations on the unsolvated examples reveal their Mg?Mg bonds to be covalent and of high s‐character, while Ph???Mg bonding interactions in the compounds were found to be weak at best.     

Synthesis and characterization of aluminum(III) and tin(II) complexes supported by diiminophosphinate ligands and their application in ring‐opening polymerization catalysis of ε‐caprolactone

A series of Al(III) and Sn(II) diiminophosphinate complexes have been synthesized. Reaction of Ph(ArCH₂)P(?NBu^t)NHBu^t (Ar = Ph, 3 ; Ar = 8‐quinolyl, 4 ) with AlR₃ (R = Me, Et) gave aluminum complexes [R₂Al{(NBu^t)₂P(Ph)(CH₂Ar)}] (R = Me, Ar = Ph, 5 ; R = Me, Ar = 8‐quinolyl, 6 ; R = Et, Ar = Ph, 7 ; R = Et, Ar = quinolyl, 8 ). Lithiated 3 and 4 were treated with SnCl₂ to afford tin(II) complexes [ClSn{(NBu^t)₂P(Ph)(CH₂Ar)}] (Ar = Ph, 9 ; Ar = 8‐quinolyl, 10 ). Complex 9 was converted to [(Me₃Si)₂NSn{(NBu^t)₂P(Ph)(CH₂Ph)}] ( 11 ) by treatment with LiN(SiMe₃)₂. Complex 11 was also obtained by reaction of 3 with [Sn{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂]. Complex 9 reacted with [LiOC₆H₄Bu^t‐4] to yield [4‐Bu^tC₆H₄OSn{(NBu^t)₂P(Ph)(CH₂Ph)}] ( 12 ). Compounds 3–12 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The structures of complexes 6 , 10 , and 11 were further characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction techniques. The catalytic activity of complexes 5–8 , 11 , and 12 toward the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone (CL) was studied. In the presence of BzOH, the complexes catalyzed the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐CL in the activity order of 5 > 7 ≈ 8 > 6 ? 11 > 12 , giving polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions. The kinetic studies showed a first‐order dependency on the monomer concentration in each case. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4621–4631, 2006     

Syntheses,Characterizations, Crystal structures,and Antitumor Activities of Arenetelluronic Triorganotin Esters

Six new arenetelluronic triorganotin esters, namely (R₃Sn)₄[ArTe(μ‐O)(OH)O₂)]₂ (Ar = Ph, R = Me: 1 , R = Ph: 2 ; Ar = 3‐Me‐Ph, R = Me: 3 , R = Ph: 4 , Ar = 3‐Cl‐Ph, R = Me: 5 , R = Ph: 6 ), were prepared by treating arenetelluronic acids with the corresponding R₃SnCl (R = Me, Ph) with potassium hydroxide in methanol. All complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn) spectroscopy, and X‐ray crystallography. The structural analyses indicate that these complexes are isostructural as Sn₄Te₂ moiety, in which the Te₂(μ₂‐O)₂ units are situated in the center and each Te atom is coordinated with two OSnR₃ groups on the side. Complexes 1 , 3 , and 5 show one‐dimensional chain and two‐dimensional network supramolecular structures by intermolecular C H···O or C H···Cl interactions. The antitumor activities of these complexes reveal that most arenetelluronic triorganotin esters have powerful antitumor activities with certain regularity.     

Vinyl polymerization of norbornene by mono‐ and trinuclear nickel complexes with indanimine ligands

A series of new indanimine ligands [ArN?CC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)OH] (Ar = Ph, R = Me ( 1 ), R = H ( 2 ), and R = Cl ( 3 ); Ar = 2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃, R = Me ( 4 ), R = H ( 5 ), and R = Cl ( 6 )) were synthesized and characterized. Reaction of indanimines with Ni(OAc)₂·4H₂O results in the formation of the trinuclear hexa(indaniminato)tri (nickel(II)) complexes Ni₃[ArN = CC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)O]₆ (Ar = Ph, R = Me ( 7 ), R = H ( 8 ), and R = Cl ( 9 )) and the mononuclear bis(indaniminato)nickel (II) complexes Ni[ArN?CC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)O]₂ (Ar = 2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃, R = Me ( 10 ), R = H ( 11 ), and R = Cl ( 12 )). All nickel complexes were characterized by their IR, NMR spectra, and elemental analyses. In addition, X‐ray structure analyses were performed for complexes 7 , 10 , 11 , and 12 . After being activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO), these nickel(II) complexes can polymerize norbornene to produce addition‐type polynorbornene (PNB) with high molecular weight M_v (10⁶ g mol^?1), highly catalytic activities up to 2.18 × 10⁷ gPNB mol^?1 Ni h^?1. Catalytic activities and the molecular weight of PNB have been investigated for various reaction conditions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 489–500, 2008     

Front Cover: Non-conventional Behavior of a 2,1-Benzazaphosphole: Heterodiene or Hidden Phosphinidene? (Chem. Eur. J. 52/2021)

The titled 2,1-benzazaphosphole ( 1 ) (i. e. ArP, where Ar=2-(DippN=CH)C₆H₄, Dipp=2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃) showed a spectacular reactivity behaving both as a reactive heterodiene in hetero-Diels-Alder (DA) reactions or as a hidden phosphinidene in the coordination toward selected transition metals (TMs). Thus, 1 reacts with electron-deficient alkynes RC≡CR (R=CO₂Me, C₅F₄N) giving 1-phospha-1,4-dihydro-iminonaphthalenes 2 and 3 , that undergo hydrogen migration producing 1-phosphanaphthalenes 4 and 5 . Compound 1 is also able to activate the C=C double bond in selected N-alkyl/aryl-maleimides RN(C(O)CH)₂ (R=Me, tBu, Ph) resulting in the addition products 7–9 with bridged bicyclic [2.2.1] structures. The binding of the maleimides to 1 is semi-reversible upon heating. By contrast, when 1 was treated with selected TM complexes, it serves as a 4e donor bridging two TMs thus producing complexes [μ-ArP(AuCl)₂] ( 10 ), [(μ-ArP)₄Ag₄][X]₄ (X=BF₄ ( 11 ), OTf ( 12 )) and [μ-ArP(Co₂(CO)₆)] ( 13 ). The structure and electron distribution of the starting material 1 as well as of other compounds were also studied from the theoretical point of view.     

Chelate complexes of some NNO tridentate Schiff bases with iron(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II)

Summary The Schiff bases a-(C₅H₄N)CMe=NNHCOR (R = Ph, 2-thienyl or Me), prepared by condensation of 2-acetylpyridine with the acylhydrazines RCONHNH₂, coordinate in the deprotonated iminol form to yield the octahedral complexes, M[NNO]₂ M = Co or Ni; [NNOH] = Schiff base and the square-planar complexes, Pd[NNO]Cl. The Schiff bases also coordinate in the neutral keto form yielding the octahedral complexes (M[NNOH]2)Z2 (M = Ni, Co or Fe; Z = C104, BF₄ or N03) and complexes of the type M[NNOH]X2 (M = Ni, Co, Fe or Cu; X = Cl, Br or NCS). Spectral and x-ray diffraction data indicate that the complexes M[NNOH]X2 (M = Ni or Fe) are polymeric octahedral, as are the corresponding cobalt complexes having R = 2-thienyl. However, the cobalt complexes Co[NNOH]X2 (X = CI or Br; R = Ph or Me) and the copper complexes Cu[NNOH]CI₂ (R = Ph, 2-thienyl or Me) are five-coordinate, while the thiocyanato complex Co[NNOH](NCS)₂ (R = 2-thienyl) is tetrahedral.     

Syntheses and Structures of trans-bis(Alkenylacetylide) Ruthenium Complexes

A series of ruthenium alkenylacetylide complexes trans-[Ru{C≡CC(=CH₂)R}Cl(dppe)₂] (R=Ph ( 1 a ), ^cC₄H₃S ( 1 b ), 4-MeS-C₆H₄ ( 1 c ), 3,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]thiophene (DMBT) ( 1 d )) or trans-[Ru{C≡C-^cC₆H₉}Cl(dppe)₂] ( 1 e ) were allowed to react with the corresponding propargylic alcohol HC≡CC(Me)R(OH) (R=Ph ( A ), ^cC₄H₃S ( B ), 4-MeS-C₆H₄ ( C ), DMBT ( D ) or HC≡C-^cC₆H₁₀(OH) ( E ) in the presence of TlBF₄ and DBU to presumably give alkenylacetylide/allenylidene intermediates trans-[Ru{C≡CC(=CH₂)R}{C=C=C(Me)}(dppe)₂]PF₆ ([ 2 ]PF₆). These complexes were not isolated but deprotonated to give the isolable bis(alkenylacetylide) complexes trans-[Ru{C≡CC(=CH₂)R}₂(dppe)₂] (R=Ph ( 3 a ), ^cC₄H₃S ( 3 b ), 4-MeS-C₆H₄ ( 3 c ), DMBT ( 3 d )) and trans-[Ru{C≡C-^cC₆H₉}₂(dppe)₂] ( 3 e ). Analogous reactions of trans-[Ru(CH₃)₂(dmpe)₂], featuring the more electron-donating 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane (dmpe) ancillary ligands, with the propargylic alcohols A or C and NH₄PF₆ in methanol allowed isolation of the intermediate mixed alkenylacetylide/allenylidene complexes trans-[Ru{C≡CC(=CH₂)R}{C=C=C(Me)}(dmpe)₂]PF₆ (R=Ph ([ 4 a ]PF₆), 4-MeS-C₆H₄ ([ 4 c ]PF₆). Deprotonation of [ 4 a ]PF₆ or [ 4 c ]PF₆ gave the symmetric bis(alkenylacetylide) complexes trans-[Ru{C≡CC(=CH₂)R}₂(dmpe)₂] (R=Ph ( 5 a ), 4-MeS-C₆H₄ ( 5 c )), the first of their kind containing the dmpe ancillary ligand sphere. Attempts to isolate bis(allenylidene) complexes [Ru{C=C=C(Me)R}₂(PP)₂]²⁺ (PP=dppe, dmpe) from treatment of the bis(alkenylacetylide) species 3 or 5 with HBF₄ ⋅ Et₂O were ultimately unsuccessful.     

Coordination complexes of acetylenic phosphines and diphosphines : V. Acetylene bridged derivatives of dicobalt octacarbonyl

Reactions of the phosphinoacetylenes RR′PCCR″ (R  R′  Ph, R″  H, CF₃, Ph, Me, t-Bu; R  R′  C₆F₅, R″  Ph, Me; R  Ph, R′  Me, R″  Me) with Co₂(CO)₈ have been studied. Complexes of four types have been characterised: (A)(RR′PC₂R″)CO₂(CO)₆ (R  R′  C₆F₅, R″  Ph, Me; R  R′  Ph, R″  t-Bu), (B) (RR′PC₂R″)₂Co₄(CO)₁₀ (R  R′  Ph, R″  H, CF₃, Ph, Me; R  R′  C₆F₅, R″  Me; R  Ph, R′  Me, R″  Me), (C) (RR′PC₂R″)₂Co₂(CO)₆ (R  R′  Ph, R″  t-Bu), (D) (RR′P(O)C₂R″)Co₂(CO)₆ (R  R′  Ph, R″  t-Bu; R  R′  C₆F₅, R  Ph). The complexes were characterised by microanalysis, IR, NMR and where possible mass spectra. Substitution reactions of the complexes with tertiary phosphites are described. In complexes of type (A) only the alkyne function is utilised whereas the tetranuclear compounds (B) have structures in which both alkyne and phosphorus moieties are coordinated. Compounds of type (C) are simple disubstituted phosphine complexes of Co₂(CO)₈ and those of type (D) are μ-alkyne derivatives of acetylenic phosphine oxides. The mechanism of formation of complexes of type (B) is discussed in the light of IR data.     

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Some Novel Trialkylsilyl‐substituted Lithium Benzyl Complexes [Li(tmeda)][CHRSiMe2R′] (R = Ph, 3,5‐Me2C6H3; R′ = Me,tBu, Ph)

The reactions of PhCH₂SiMe₃ ( 1 ), PhCH₂SiMe₂^tBu ( 2 ), PhCH₂SiMe₂Ph ( 3 ), 3,5‐Me₂C₆H₃CH₂SiMe₃ ( 4 ), and 3,5‐Me₂C₆H₃CH₂SiMe₂^tBu ( 5 ) with ⁿBuLi in tetramethylethylenediamine (tmeda) afford the corresponding lithium complexes [Li(tmeda)][CHRSiMe₂R′] (R, R′ = Ph, Me ( 6 ), Ph, ^tBu ( 7 ), Ph, Ph ( 8 ), 3,5‐Me₂C₆H₃, Me ( 9 ), and 3,5‐Me₂C₆H₃, ^tBu ( 10 )), respectively. The new compounds 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 and 10 have been characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, compounds 7 , 8 and 9 also by X‐ray structure analysis.     

The preparation and characterisation of a series of cationic bimetallic linear triphos-bridged complexes of the type [Mo (CO) (L,L′ or L″–P) (η2-RC2R′)Cp] [BF4] {L,L′ or L″= [WI2 (CO){PhP(CH2CH2PPh2)2–P,P′} (η2-RC2R′)] (L,R=R′=Me; L′,R=R′=Ph; L″,R=Me,R′=Ph}

Equimolar quantities of [Mo (CO) (η²-RC₂R′)₂Cp] [BF₄] (R=R′=Me Ph R=Me R′=Ph) and L L′ or L″ {L L′ or L″= [WI₂ (CO){PhP(CH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂-PP′} (η²-RC₂R′)]} (L R=R′=Me L′ R=R′=Ph L″ R=Me R′=Ph) react in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature to give the new bimetallic complexes[Mo (CO) (L L′ or L″–P) (η²-RC₂R′)Cp] [BF₄] (1–9) via displacement of the alkyne ligand on the molybdenum centre The complexes have been characterised by elemental analysis IR and ¹ H NMR spectroscopy and in selected cases by ³¹ P NMR spectroscopy.     

Efficient dehydration of primary amides to nitriles catalyzed by phosphorus-chalcogen chelated iron hydrides

A series of phosphorus-chalcogen chelated hydrido iron (II) complexes 1–7 , (o-(R'₂P)-p-R-C₆H₄Y)FeH (PMe₃)₃ ( 1 : R = H, R' = Ph, Y = O; 2 : R = Me, R' = Ph, Y = O; 3 : R = H, R' = ⁱPr, Y = O; 4 : R = Me, R' = ⁱPr, Y = O; 5 : R = H, R' = Ph, Y = S; 6 : R = Me, R' = Ph, Y = S; 7 : R = H, R' = Ph, Y = Se), were synthesized. The catalytic performances of 1–7 for dehydration of amides to nitriles were explored by comparing three factors: (1) different chalcogen coordination atoms Y; (2) R' group of the phosphine moiety; (3) R substituent group at the phenyl ring. It is confirmed that 5 with S as coordination atom has the best catalytic activity and 7 with Se as coordination atom has the poorest catalytic activity among complexes 1 , 5 and 7 . Electron-rich complex 4 is the best catalyst among the seven complexes and the dehydration reaction was completed by using 2 mol% catalyst loading at 60 °C with 24 hr in the presence of (EtO)₃SiH in THF. Catalyst 4 has good tolerance to many functional groups. Among the seven iron complexes, new complexes 3 and 4 were obtained via the O-H bond activation of the preligands o-ⁱPr₂P(C₆H₄)OH and o-ⁱPr₂P-p-Me-(C₆H₄)OH by Fe(PMe₃)₄. Both 3 and 4 were characterized by spectroscopic methods and X-ray diffraction analysis. The catalytic mechanism was experimentally studied and also proposed.     

Methyl- and phenyl-bis(tertiary phosphine) N-bonded carboxamido complexes of platinum(II)

Methyl- or phenylN-carboxamido-complexes of platinum(II) Pt(NHCOR')RL₂ (L = PEt₃, R = Me, R′ = Me, CH = CH₂; L = PEt₃, R = Ph, R′ = Me; L = PMe₂Ph, R = Ph, R′ = Me, Ph; L = PMePh₂, R = Ph, R′ =₃, R = Ph, R′ = Me) have been prepared by the reaction of KOH with cationic nitrile complexes [PtR(NCR′)L₂]BF₄. Thermally unstable hydrido-N-carboxamido-complexes could be detected spectroscopically. IR and NMR (¹H, ³¹P) spectra of some of the complexes indicate the existence of a solvent- and temperature-dependent equilibrium between syn-and anti-isomers arising from restricted rotation about the NC bond of the carboxamido-group. The anti-isomer is favoured by nonpolar solvents and by increasing bulk of L. In the complex [PtH(NCCH CH₂)(PEt₃)₂]BF₄, IR and NMR spectra show acrlonitrile to be bound through nitrogen, not through the olefinic CC bond.     

Synthesis, characterization and cyclic voltammetric studies of β-ketooximato ruthenium(II) complexes

Summary -Ketooxime [RC(O)C(NOH)R] (R = Me or Ph) ligands (HL) react with [Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂] in refluxing EtOH to yield [Ru(PPh₃)₂(L)₂] complexes. For R = Me, one isomer was obtained, while two isomers were isolated when R = Ph, due to a bulk effect. The complexes are diamagnetic and absorb intensely in the vis. region due to MLCT transitions. In MeCN and CH₂Cl₂ solution, Ru^II-Ru^III oxidation occurs in the 0.69–0.92 V versus s.c.e. range. The oxidation potential depends on both the electronic nature of R and the stereochemistry of the complexes.     

3H-benzophosphepine complexes: versatile phosphinidene precursors

The synthesis of a variety of benzophosphepine complexes [R = Ph, t-Bu, Me; ML(n )()= W(CO)(5), Mo(CO)(5), Cr(CO)(5), Mn(CO)(2)Cp] by two successive hydrophosphinations of 1,2-diethynylbenzene is discussed in detail. The first hydrophosphination step proceeds at ambient temperature without additional promoters, and subsequent addition of base allows full conversion to benzophosphepines. Novel benzeno-1,4-diphosphinanes were isolated as side products. The benzophosphepine complexes themselves serve as convenient phosphinidene precursors at elevated, substituent-dependent temperatures (>55 degrees C). Kinetic and computational analyses support the proposal that the phosphepine-phosphanorcaradiene isomerization is the rate-determining step. In the absence of substrate, addition of the transient phosphinidene to another benzophosphepine molecule is observed, and addition to 1,2-diethynylbenzene furnishes a delicate bidentate diphosphirene complex.     

Soft Scorpionate Hydridotris(2-mercapto-1-methylimidazolyl) borate) Tungsten-Oxido and -Sulfido Complexes as Acetylene Hydratase Models

A series of W^IV alkyne complexes with the sulfur-rich ligand hydridotris(2-mercapto-1-methylimidazolyl) borate) (Tm^Me) are presented as bio-inspired models to elucidate the mechanism of the tungstoenzyme acetylene hydratase (AH). The mono- and/or bis-alkyne precursors were reacted with NaTm^Me and the resulting complexes [W(CO)(C₂R₂)(Tm^Me)Br] (R=H 1 , Me 2 ) oxidized to the target [WE(C₂R₂)(Tm^Me)Br] (E=O, R=H 4 , Me 5 ; E=S, R=H 6 , Me 7 ) using pyridine-N-oxide and methylthiirane. Halide abstraction with TlOTf in MeCN gave the cationic complexes [WE(C₂R₂)(MeCN)(Tm^Me)](OTf) (E=CO, R=H 10 , Me 11 ; E=O, R=H 12 , Me 13 ; E=S, R=H 14 , Me 15 ). Without MeCN, dinuclear complexes [W₂O(μ-O)(C₂Me₂)₂(Tm^Me)₂](OTf)₂ ( 8 ) and [W₂(μ-S)₂(C₂Me₂)(Tm^Me)₂](OTf)₂ ( 9 ) could be isolated showing distinct differences between the oxido and sulfido system with the latter exhibiting only one molecule of C₂Me₂. This provides evidence that a fine balance of the softness at W is important for acetylene coordination. Upon dissolving complex 8 in acetonitrile complex 13 is reconstituted in contrast to 9 . All complexes exhibit the desired stability toward water and the observed effective coordination of the scorpionate ligand avoids decomposition to disulfide, an often-occurring reaction in sulfur ligand chemistry. Hence, the data presented here point toward a mechanism with a direct coordination of acetylene in the active site and provide the basis for further model chemistry for acetylene hydratase.     

Amidoximes provide facile platinum(II)-mediated oxime-nitrile coupling

The nucleophilic addition of amidoximes R'C(NH(2))═NOH [R' = Me (2.Me), Ph (2.Ph)] to coordinated nitriles in the platinum(II) complexes trans-[PtCl(2)(RCN)(2)] [R = Et (1t.Et), Ph (1t.Ph), NMe(2) (1t.NMe(2))] and cis-[PtCl(2)(RCN)(2)] [R = Et (1c.Et), Ph (1c.Ph), NMe(2) (1c.NMe(2))] proceeds in a 1:1 molar ratio and leads to the monoaddition products trans-[PtCl(RCN){HN═C(R)ONC(R')NH(2)}]Cl [R = NMe(2); R' = Me ([3a]Cl), Ph ([3b]Cl)], cis-[PtCl(2){HN═C(R)ONC(R')NH(2)}] [R = NMe(2); R' = Me (4a), Ph (4b)], and trans/cis-[PtCl(2)(RCN){HN═C(R)ONC(R')NH(2)}] [R = Et; R' = Me (5a, 6a), Ph (5b, 6b); R = Ph; R' = Me (5c, 6c), Ph (5d, 6d), correspondingly]. If the nucleophilic addition proceeds in a 2:1 molar ratio, the reaction gives the bisaddition species trans/cis-[Pt{HN═C(R)ONC(R')NH(2)}(2)]Cl(2) [R = NMe(2); R' = Me ([7a]Cl(2), [8a]Cl(2)), Ph ([7b]Cl(2), [8b]Cl(2))] and trans/cis-[PtCl(2){HN═C(R)ONC(R')NH(2)}(2)] [R = Et; R' = Me (10a), Ph (9b, 10b); R = Ph; R' = Me (9c, 10c), Ph (9d, 10d), respectively]. The reaction of 1 equiv of the corresponding amidoxime and each of [3a]Cl, [3b]Cl, 5b-5d, and 6a-6d leads to [7a]Cl(2), [7b]Cl(2), 9b-9d, and 10a-10d. Open-chain bisaddition species 9b-9d and 10a-10d were transformed to corresponding chelated bisaddition complexes [7d](2+)-[7f](2+) and [8c](2+)-[8f](2+) by the addition of 2 equiv AgNO(3). All of the complexes synthesized bear nitrogen-bound O-iminoacylated amidoxime groups. The obtained complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, high-resolution ESI-MS, IR, and (1)H NMR techniques, while 4a, 4b, 5b, 6d, [7b](Cl)(2), [7d](SO(3)CF(3))(2), [8b](Cl)(2), [8f](NO(3))(2), 9b, and 10b were also characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

“Short-bite” ligands in cluster synthesis

The short-bite ligands CH₂(PR ₂)₂ or CH(PR ₂)₃ (R = Me, Ph),RN(PX ₂)₂ (R=H, Me, Et;X = F, OR (R= Me, Et, i-Pr, Ph), Ph),RE(CH₂ ER₂)₂ (E = P, As;R = Me, Ph ), Ph₂ P(2-C₅H₄N) and related species are particularly versatile for the synthesis of di- and polynuclear complexes which frequently possess metal-metal bonds. In addition to homometallic products, these ligands often permit the directed synthesis of heterometallic complexes. Selected aspects of the chemistry of these complexes are also reviewed.     

Zinc complexes of Ttz(R,Me) with O and S donors reveal differences between Tp and Ttz ligands: acid stability and binding to H or an additional metal (Ttz(R,Me) = tris(3-R-5-methyl-1,2,4-triazolyl)borate; R = Ph, tBu)

Alkylzinc complexes, (Ttz(R,Me))ZnR' (R = tBu, Ph; R' = Me, Et), show interesting reactivity with acids, bases and water. With acids (e.g. fluorinated alcohols, phenols, thiophenol, acetylacetone, acetic acid, HCl and triflic acid) zinc complexes of the conjugate base (CB), (Ttz(R,Me))ZnCB, are generated. Thus the B-N bonds in Ttz ligands are acid stable. (Ttz(R,Me))ZnCB complexes were characterized by (1)H, (13)C-NMR, IR, MS, elemental analysis, and, in most cases, single crystal X-ray diffraction. The four coordinate crystal structures included (Ttz(R,Me))Zn(CB) [where R = Ph, CB (conjugate base) = OCH(2)CF(3) (2), OPh (6), SPh (8), p-OC(6)H(4)(NO(2)) (10); R = tBu, CB = OCH(CF(3))(2) (3), OPh (5), SPh (7)*, p-OC(6)H(4)(NO(2)) (9) (* indicates a rearranged Ttz ligand)]. The use of bidentate ligands resulted in structures [(Ttz(Ph,Me))Zn(CB) (CB = acac (12), OAc (14))] in which the coordination geometries are five, and intermediate between four and five, respectively. Interestingly, three forms of (Ttz(Ph,Me))Zn(p-OC(6)H(4)(NO(2))) (10) were analyzed crystallographically including a Zn coordinated water molecule in 10(H(2)O), a coordination polymer in 10(CP), and a p-nitrophenol molecule hydrogen bonded to a triazole ring in 10(Nit). Ttz ligands are flexible since they are capable of providing κ(3) or κ(2) metal binding and intermolecular interactions with either a metal center or H through the four position nitrogen (e.g. in 10(CP) and HTtz(tBu,Me)·H(2)O, respectively). Preliminary kinetic studies on the protonolysis of LZnEt (L = Ttz(tBu,Me), Tp(tBu,Me)) with p-nitrophenol in toluene at 95 °C show that these reactions are zero order in acid and first order in the LZnEt.