The mer-[RuCl3(dppb)(H2O)] complex: A versatile tool for synthesis of Ru compounds

The complex mer-[RuCl₃(dppb)(H₂O)] [dppb = 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane] was used as a precursor in the synthesis of the complexes tc-[RuCl₂(CO)₂(dppb)], ct-[RuCl₂(CO)₂(dppb)], cis-[RuCl₂(dppb)(Cl-bipy)], [RuCl(2Ac4mT)(dppb)] (2Ac4mT = N(4)-meta-tolyl-2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazone ion) and trans-[RuCl₂(dppb)(mang)] (mang = mangiferin or 1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone-C2-β-D-glucoside) complexes. For the synthesis of Ru^II complexes, the Ru^III atom in mer-[RuCl₃(dppb)(H₂O)] may be reduced by H₂(g), forming the intermediate [Ru₂Cl₄(dppb)₂], or by a ligand (such as H2Ac4mT or mangiferin). The X-ray structures of the cis-[RuCl₂(dppb)(Cl-bipy)], tc-[RuCl₂(CO)₂(dppb)] and [RuCl(2Ac4mT)(dppb)] complexes were determined.     

Electrochemistry as a correlation tool with the catalytic activities in [RuCl2(p-cymene)(PAr3)]-catalysed Kharasch additions

[RuCl₂(p-cymene)] complexes containing triarylphosphine ligands with various substituents at the para position were used to catalyse the atom transfer radical addition of carbon tetrachloride to various olefins, and their catalytic activities were nicely correlated with their electrochemical parameters.     

Degradation of the ruthenium-based metathesis catalyst [RuCl2(CHPh)(H2IPr)(PCy3)] with primary alcohols

A new ruthenium hydride species, showing high catalytic isomerization and hydrogenation properties, was isolated via a ligand exchange reaction. The same species was also present in the mixture of degradation products of the monophosphinic complex RuCl(CO)(PCy)₃(IPr)CH(Ph), 3, after reaction with alcohols under basic conditions.     

Facile synthesis of [(NHC)(NHCewg)RuCl2(CHPh)] complexes

The utility of [(NHC)(PPh₃)RuCl₂(CHPh)] for the facile and efficient synthesis of ten complexes of the type [(NHC)(NHC_ewg)RuCl₂(CHR)] with saturated and unsaturated NHC ligands in 85-94% isolated yield via a simple one step synthesis utilizing [AgI(NHC_ewg)] as NHC_ewg transfer reagents was demonstrated.     

Mechanism of formation of carbene complexes by reaction of cis-[PdCl2(PPh3)(CNR)] with secondary amines

A kinetic study is reported for the reactions of secondary aromatic amines p-YC₆H₄NHR (Y = MeO, Me, H; R = Me, Et) with the isocyanide complexes cis-[PdCl₂(p-XC₆H₄NC)(PPh₃)] (X = Me, H, Cl) leading to the carbene derivatives cis-[PdCl₂ {C(NH-p-C₆H₄X)NR-p-C₆H₄Y} (PPh₃)] in 1,2-dichloroethane at 25°C. A stepwise mechanism is proposed which involves a direct nucleophilic attack of the entering amine on the isocyanide carbon followed by proton transfers to the final carbene complexes. These take place both intramolecularly in a four-membered cyclic transition state and by the agency of one further amine molecule serving as a proton acceptor-donor in a six-membered transition state. Competition experiments with primary amines and trends in rate parameters are discussed to support the mechanism.     

Synthesis of mer-[RuCl3(DMSO)(bpy)], reactivity and electrochemistry of mer-[RuCl3(DMSO)(bpy)] and mer-[RuCl3(TMSO)(bpy)] complexes

[H(DMSO)₂][trans-RuCl₄(DMSO)₂] (1) reacts with 2,2′-bipyridine in ethanol at room temperature resulting in the formation of a major compound, mer-[RuCl₃(DMSO)(bpy)] (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) 3 and a known minor compound, cis-[RuCl₂(DMSO)₄] (4). The compounds 3 and 4 are formed via an anticipated intermediate mer-[RuCl₃(DMSO)₃] (2). The reaction of 3 and mer-[RuCl₃(TMSO)(bpy)] (5) with small molecules like imidazole, carbon monoxide and KSCN yield, mer-[RuCl₃(bpy)(im)] · 2DMSO (im = imidazole) (6) and cis-[RuCl₂(TMSO)(CO)(bpy)] (7), cis-[RuCl₂(DMSO)(CO)(bpy)] (8) and K[RuCl₃(bpy)(SCN)] (9), respectively. The formations of 3, 6 and 7 have been authenticated by single crystal structure determinations. Compound 6 is formed by the substitution of DMSO or TMSO from 3 and 5, respectively, whereas 7 and 8 are formed by unprecedented one-electron reductions of 5 and 3. The reactions of 3 and 5 with KSCN resulted in the same compound, K[RuCl₃(NCS)(bpy)] (9). DFT calculations were performed to distinguish whether the thiocyanate ligand is bound to ruthenium through S or N. In the ruthenium bipyridine systems, the HOMO contains ruthenium d-orbitals and the LUMO is typically π^*-orbitals of the bipyridine ring. Complexes 3, 6 and 7 are redox active in acetone and DMSO solvent showing prominent a reduction peak and corresponding oxidation peak.     

Influence de la nature du solvant sur le comportement photochimique de complexes trans- ET cis-[PtCl2(éthylène)(amine)]

Nature of the solvent plays a major role in the photochemical behaviour of cis- and trans-[PtCl₂(ethylene)(amine)] complexes. Dimeric compounds [Pt₂Cl₄-(amine)₂] are obtained on irradiation of these complexes in chloroform or diethyl ether. A non-stereospecific reaction of photosubstitution is observed in nitrile solvents. When methanol, dimethoxyethane or dimethylformamide are used as solvents, cis and trans complexes have a quite different photochemical behaviour, but in all of the cases, a photodegradation leading to ionic species [PtCl₃(ethylene)]^? H⁺ amine and [PtCl₃(amine)]^? H⁺ amine is the main reaction.     

Cyclometalated N,N-dimethylbenzylamine ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(C6HRRR-o-CH2NMe2)(bpy)(RCN)2]PF6 for bioapplications: synthesis, characterization, crystal structures, redox properties, and reactivity toward PQQ-dependent glucose dehydrogenase

Cyclometalated derivatives of ring-substituted N,N-dimethylbenzylamines with controlled redox potentials as potent mediators of bioelectrochemical electron transport are reported. The cycloruthenation of R¹R²R³C₆H₂CH₂NMe₂ (R¹, R², R³ = H, Me, ^tBuO, MeO, NMe₂, F, CF₃, CN, NO₂) by [(η⁶-C₆H₆)RuCl(μ-Cl)]₂ in the presence of NaOH/KPF₆ in acetonitrile or pivalonitrile affords cyclometalated complexes [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(C₆HR¹R²R³-o-CH₂NMe₂)(RCN)]PF₆ [R = Me (1) and R = CMe₃ (2)] in good yields. Reactions of complexes 1 and 2 with 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) in acetonitrile or pivalonitrile result in dissociation of η⁶-bound benzene and the formation of [Ru(C₆HR¹R²R³-o-CH₂NMe₂)(bpy)(RCN)₂]PF₆ [R = Me (3) and R = CMe₃ (4)]. All new compounds have been fully characterized by mass spectrometry, ¹H/¹³C NMR, and IR spectroscopy. An X-ray crystal structural investigation of complex 1 (R¹/R²/R³ = H/H/H) and two complexes of type 3 (R¹/R²/R³ = MeO/H/H, MeO/MeO/H) has been performed. Acetonitrile ligands of 3 are mutually cis and the σ-bound carbon is trans to one of the bpy nitrogens. Measured by the cyclic voltammetry in MeOH as solvent, the redox potentials of complexes 3 for the Ru^II/III feature cover the range 320-720 mV (versus Ag/AgCl) and correlate linearly with the Hammett constants. Complexes 3 mediate efficiently the electron transport between the active site of PQQ-dependent glucose dehydrogenase (PQQ = pyrroloquinoline quinone) and a glassy carbon electrode. Determined by cyclic voltammetry the second order rate constant for the oxidation of the reduced (by d-glucose) enzyme active site by Ru^III derivative of 3 (R¹/R²/R³ = H) (generated electrochemically) is as high as 4.8 × 10⁷ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 25 °C and pH 7.     

Selective formation of trans and cis(CH3CN) isomers of [Ru(bpy)(CO)2(CH3CN)2] (bpy=2,2-bipyridine) from [Ru(CO)2(CH3CN)3]2(PF6)2 using an electrochemical oxidation step

The selective in situ synthesis of trans and cis(CH₃CN)-[Ru(bpy)(CO)₂ (CH₃CN)₂]²⁺ isomers from the same [Ru(CO)₂ (CH₃CN)₃]₂²⁺ dimer precursor but using either an electrochemical-chemical or chemical-electrochemical process is described.     

Chemistry of mixed ligand complexes of platinum: crystal and molecular structure of trans-[PtCl(CH3)(PEt3)(AsPh3)]

The dimethyl platinum(II) complex containing mixed ligands, cis-[Pt(CH₃)₂(PEt₃)(AsPh₃)] reacted with one equivalent of hydrogen chloride yielding trans-[PtCl(CH₃)(PEt₃)(AsPh₃)]. The X-ray crystal structure of the molecule shows the trans orientation of the PEt₃ and AsPh₃ ligands.     

A simple synthesis of trans-RuCl(CCR)(dppe)2 complexes and representative molecular structures

The five-coordinate complex [RuCl(dppe)₂]OTf ([2]OTf) is obtained in high yield by the sequential reduction of RuCl₃ · nH₂O to RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃, subsequent phosphine substitution to give trans-RuCl₂(dppe)₂ (trans-1) and finally chloride abstraction (AgOTf, CH₂Cl₂). The use of [2]OTf as an entry point to mono-acetylide complexes trans-RuCl(CCC₆H₄R-4)(dppe)₂ (3) is described, and represents an alternative route to the long-standing methods based on cis-RuCl₂(dppe)₂ (cis-1), which is always prepared as a mixture with the more thermodynamically stable trans isomer when prepared by phosphine substitution reactions of RuCl₂(dmso)₄. The molecular structures of [2]OTf, trans-RuCl(CCC₆H₄OMe-4)(dppe)₂ (3b), trans-RuCl(CCC₆H₄Me-4)(dppe)₂ (3c) and trans-RuCl(CCC₆H₄CO₂Me-4)(dppe)₂ (3e) are described. A facile and reproducible synthesis of cis-1 is also reported.     

The reaction of manganese carbonyl with tert-butylisocyanide: Synthesis and characterization of cis- and trans-[Mn(BuNC)4(CN)(CO)]

The reaction of Mn₂(CO)₁₀ with tert-butyl isocyanide in the presence of 10 bar of carbon monoxide leads to the formation of cis- and trans-[Mn(^tBuNC)₄(CN)(CO)], 1a and 1b, in good yields together with [Mn(^tBuNC)₆]CN (2), as a minor product. Nevertheless, the reaction pathway highly depends on the reaction conditions. An interesting side-product is obtained, if chloroform is used during the workup procedure. Compound 3 is composed of cationic [Mn(^tBuNC)₅(CO)] units as well as dinuclear anionic [Mn(^tBuNC)₄(CO)(μ-CN)MnCl₃] moieties. If no additional CO pressure is applied to the system, the organic product N,N′-di-tert-butyl-3,5-bis-tert-butylimino-4-phenyl-cyclopent-1-ene-1,2-diamine (4), is formed in considerable amount. Compound 4 most probably is produced via a double benzylic C-H activation of the solvent toluene and the oligomerization of four isocyanide moieties. The reaction of 1b with Co(NO₃)₂ leads to the isolation of the trinuclear cyanide bridged coordination compound {[Mn(^tBuNC)₄) (CO) (μ-CN)]₂Co(NO₃)₂}, 5, in which the cobalt atoms are tetrahedrally surrounded by the two cyanide ligands and the η¹-coordinated nitro groups. In contrast to the reaction of 1b, treatment of the dicyano complexes cis- or trans-[Ru(^tBuNC)₄(CN)₂] with Co(NO₃)₂ results in the formation of the coordination polymers {[Ru(^tBuNC)₄(CN)₂]Co(NO₃)₂}_n, 7 (trans) and 9 (cis). All new compounds are characterized by X-ray diffraction experiments.     

Crystal structures of [Ru(terpy)(HPB)(H2O)](PF6)2 and [Ru(terpy)(HPB)(2-picoline)](PF6) and the kinetics studies of the aqua ligand substitution by pyridine and substituted pyridines

The crystal structures of [Ru(terpy)(HPB)(H₂O)](PF₆)₂, 1, and [Ru(terpy)(HPB)(2-picoline)](PF₆), 2, (where terpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine and HPB = 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-benzoxazole) have been determined. Both structures show slightly distorted octahedral coordination around the ruthenium center. In complex 1, the imine nitrogen of the HPB ligand occupies an axial position and is trans to the aqua ligand whereas in complex 2, the imine nitrogen is trans to the nitrogen of the 2-picoline ligand. The Ru-N(2-picoline) bond distance is much longer than the other Ru-N bonds in the complex due to steric effects from the methyl group of 2-picoline. In both complexes, the phenolate oxygen of the HPB ligand is in the equatorial position and trans to the center nitrogen of the terpyridine. The reaction of [Ru(terpy)(HPB)(H₂O)](PF₆)2 with pyridine and its analogs, 2-picoline and 4-picoline in dichloromethane was monitored spectrophotometrically. There is an initial reduction of the [Ru(III)-H₂O] complex to [Ru(II)-H₂O] complex prior to the substitution of the aqua ligand. The values of the activation parameters indicate that the substitution of the aqua ligand by pyridine, 2-picoline and 4-picoline follow an associative mechanism.     

The interaction of vinyl acetate and allyl acetate with chloro-bridged platinum(II) complexes [Pt2Cl4(PR3)2]: Crystal structure of cis-[PtCl2(PMe2Ph2)(CH2=CHOCOCH3)]

Five complexes of type cis-[PtCl₂(PR₃)Q] (PR₃ =PMe₃, PMe₂Ph, PEt₃; Q = CH₂ CHOCOCH₃ or CH₂=CHCH₂OCOCH₃) have been prepared. The crystal structure of cis-[PtCl₂[PME₂Ph)(CH₂=CHOCOCH₃)] is described. Crystals of cis-[PtCl₂(PME₂Ph)(CH₂-CHOCOCH₃)] are triclinic, with a 8.441(4), b 13.660(5), c 7.697(3) Å, a 101.61(3)°, β 111.85(3)° γ 95.22(3)°, pP1, Z = 2. The structure was determined from 2011 reflections I σ 3σ (I) and refined to R = 0.037. The CH₃COO grouping is syn to the cis-PMe₂Ph ligand, with bond lengths of PtCl (trans to P) 2.367(3), PtCl (trans to olefin) 2.314(3), PtP 2.264(2), and PtC of 2.147(12) and 2.168(11) Å. The complexes cis-[PtCl₂- (PR₃)Q] were studied by variable temperature ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. Spectra of the vinyl acetate complexes were temperature dependent as a result of rotation about the platinum—olefin bond. The rotation was “frozen out” at ca. 240 K; for cis-[PtCl₂(PME₂Ph)(CH₂=CHOCOCH₃] ΔG≠ (rotation) 15.0 ± 0.2 kcal mol^-1. NMR parameters for the rotamers are reported. NMR studies of the interaction between chloro-bridged complexes of type [Pt₂Cl₂(PR₃)₂] (PR₃ = P-N-Pr₃ or PMe₂Ph) and vinyl acetate shows that even at low temperatures (213 K) equilibrium favours the bridged complex and the proportion of trans-[PtCl₂(PR₃)CH₂=CHOCOCH₃)] is very small e.g. 2%. The allyl acetate complexes cis-[PtCl₂(PR₃)(CH₂₌CHCH₂OCOCH₃)] showed only one rotamer over the range 333–213 K. Reversible dissociation of cis-[PtCl₂(PMe₂Ph)- (CH₂=CHCH₂OCOCH₃)] to [Pt₂Cl₄(PMe₂Ph)₂] + allyl acetate was studied at ambient temperature. At low temperatures e.g. 213–190 K addition of allyl acetate to a CDCl₃ solution of [Pt₂Cl₂(P-n-Pr₃)₂] reversibly gave some olefin complex trans-[PtCl₂(P-n-Pr₃)(CH₂=CHCH₂OCOCH₃)] and some O-bonded complex trans-[PtCl₂(P-n-Pr₃)(CH₂=CHCH₂OCOCH₃)].     

Chelate structures of 5-(H/Br)-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde-4-allyl-thiosemicarbazones (H2L): Synthesis and structural characterizations of [Ni(L)(PPh3)] and [Ru(HL)2(PPh3)2]

The reactions of 5-R-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde-4-allyl-thiosemicarbazone {R: H (L¹); Br (L²)} with [M^II(PPh₃)nCl₂] (M = Ni, n = 2 and M = Ru, n = 3) in a 1:1 molar ratio have given stable solid complexes corresponding to the general formula [Ni(L)(PPh₃)] and [Ru(HL)₂(PPh₃)₂]. While the 1:1 nickel complexes are formed from an ONS donor set of the thiosemicarbazone and the P atom of triphenylphosphine in a square planar structure, the 1:2 ruthenium complexes consist of a couple from each of N, S and P donor atoms in a distorted octahedral geometry. These mixed-ligand complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV–Vis, APCI-MS, ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectroscopies. The structures of [Ni(L²)(PPh₃)] (II) and [Ru(L¹H)₂(PPh₃)₂] (III) were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Complete investigation on the synthesis of [Ru(bpydip)Cl2]: the nonformation of cis isomer

Complexation between the Schiff base N₄-tetradentate N,N′-bis(7-methyl-2-pyridylmethylene)-1,3-diiminopropane (bpydip) and ion Ru(II) occurs only in trans geometry. However, it is known that the most complex of these ligands with ruthenium present predominantly cis geometry. In order to clarify the effects that drive the formation of the complex [Ru(bpydip)Cl₂], we performed a new experimental study of the reaction and a complete theoretical investigation of their transition states. The results showed that nonformation of the cis isomer could be explained by the difference in relative stability of the reaction products and the transition states proposed.     

Ruthenium complexes of the general formula [RuCl2(PHOX)2] and their catalytic activity in the Mukaiyama aldol reaction

New ruthenium phosphinooxazoline (PHOX) complexes were synthesized and applied in the Mukaiyama aldol reaction. Four ruthenium complexes of the general formula [RuCl₂(PHOX)₂] were synthesized from [RuCl₂(dmso)₄] and the corresponding PHOX ligands through thermal ligand exchange. Two of the complexes were characterized structurally. Achiral PHOX ligands gave the ruthenium complexes as single isomers, whereas chiral PHOX ligands gave a mixture of isomers and also some incomplete substitution. After activation by chloride abstraction, one of the new ruthenium complexes was applied as catalyst in the Mukaiyama aldol reaction to give silyl-protected β-hydroxyl alcohols in 74–92% isolated yields (room temperature, 18–24 h reaction time, 1 mol % catalyst loading).     

Synthesis,characterization, X-ray structure and preliminary in vitro antitumor activity of the nitrosyl complex fac-[RuCl3(NO)(dppf)], dppf = 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphine)ferrocene

The reaction of RuCl₃NO · 2H₂O with stoichiometric amount of dppf, 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene, afforded the new neutral nitrosyl complex fac-[RuCl₃(NO)(dppf)] which was characterized by spectroscopical, electrochemical and X-ray crystallography techniques as well as elemental analysis. The ν_NO band in the IR spectrum is at 1860 cm⁻¹ (CH₂Cl₂ solution) and in the cyclic voltammogram an irreversible wave was observed at −1.35 V, both are characteristics of a nitrosonium (NO⁺) character for the coordinated NO. Additionally, preliminary in vitro antitumor activity against the MDA-MB-231 breast tumor cell line was carried out for the new complex. The initial results indicated an important activity for fac-[RuCl₃(NO)(dppf)] (IC₅₀ = 10 ± 3 μM ). The complex has a higher cytotoxicity than the precursor complex RuCl₃NO · 2H₂O, the free dppf ligand as well as the reference metallodrug cisplatin.     

Synthesis of [Ru(CO)2(PPh3)(SP)] and [Ru(CO)(PPh3)2(SP)] and their catalytic activities for the hydroamination of phenylacetylene

The reaction of [Ru(CO)₂(PPh₃)₃] (1) with o-styryldiphenylphophine (SP) (2) gave [Ru(CO)₂(PPh₃)(SP)] (3) in 83% yield. This styrylphosphine ruthenium complex 3 can also be synthesized by the reaction of [Ru(p-MeOC₆H₄NN)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂]BF₄ (4) with NaBH₄ and 2 in 50% yield. When “Ru(CO)(PPh₃)₃” generated by the reaction of [RuH₂(CO)(PPh₃)₃] (8) with trimethylvinylsilane reacted with 2, [Ru(CO)(PPh₃)₂(SP)] (10) was produced in moderate yield as an air sensitive solid. The spectral and X-ray data of these complexes revealed that the coordination geometries around the ruthenium center of both complexes corresponded to a distorted trigonal bipyramid with the olefin occupying the equatorial position and the C-C bonding in the olefin moiety in 3 and 10 contained a significant contribution from a ruthenacyclopropane limiting structure. Complexes 3 and 10 showed catalytic activity for the hydroamination of phenylacetylene 11 with aniline 12. Ruthenium complex 3 in the co-presence of NH₄PF₆ or H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ proves to be a superior catalyst system for this hydroamination reaction. In the case of the reaction using H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ as an additive, ketimines (13) was obtained in 99% yield at a ruthenium-catalyst loading of 0.1 mol%. Some aniline derivatives such as 4-methoxy, 4-trifluoromethyl-, and 4-bromoanilines can also be used in this hydroamination reaction.