Conformational and structural analysis of N-N′-bis(4-methoxybenzylidene)ethylenediamine

The Schiff base compound, N-N′-bis(4-methoxybenzylidene)ethylenediamine (C₁₈H₂₀N₂O₂) has been synthesized and its crystal structure has been investigated by X-ray analysis and PM3 method. The compound crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a=10.190(1), b=7.954(1), c=10.636(1) Å, β=111.68(1)°, V=801.1(1) ų, Z=2 and D_cal=1.229 Mgm⁻³. The title structure was solved by direct methods and refined to R=0.056 for 2414 reflections [I>3.0σ(I)] by full-matrix anisotropic least-squares methods. The energy profile of the compound was calculated by PM3 method as a function of θ[N1′–C9′–C9–N1]. The most stable molecular structure of the title compound is the anti conformation, which is different in energy by 5.0 and 1.0 kcal mol⁻¹ from the eclipsed conformation I and gauche conformations, (III and V), respectively.     

Structure and conformational properties of carbonylbisimidosulfuryl fluoride, O=C(N=S(O)F2)2

The molecular structure and conformational properties of O=C(N=S(O)F₂)₂ (carbonylbisimidosulfuryl fluoride) were determined by gas electron diffraction (GED) and quantumchemical calculations (HF/3-21G* and B3LYP/6-31G*). The analysis of the GED intensities resulted in a mixture of 76(12)% syn–syn and 24(12)% syn–anti conformer (ΔH⁰=H⁰(syn–anti)−H⁰(syn–syn)=1.11(32) kcal mol⁻¹) which is in agreement with the interpretation of the IR spectra (68(5)% syn–syn and 32(5)% syn–anti, ΔH⁰=0.87(11) kcal mol⁻¹). syn and anti describe the orientation of the S=N bonds relative to the C=O bond. In both conformers the S=O bonds of the two N=S(O)F₂ groups are trans to the C–N bonds. According to the theoretical calculations, structures with cis orientation of an S=O bond with respect to a C–N bond do not correspond to minima on the energy hyperface. The HF/3-21G* approximation predicts preference of the syn–anti structure (ΔE=−0.11 kcal mol⁻¹) and the B3LYP/6-31G* method results in an energy difference (ΔE=1.85 kcal mol⁻¹) which is slightly larger than the experimental values. The following geometric parameters for the O=C(N=S)₂ skeleton were derived (r_a values with 3σ uncertainties): C=O 1.193 (9) Å, C–N 1.365 (9) Å, S=N 1.466 (5) Å, O=C–N 125.1 (6)° and C–N=S 125.3 (10)°. The geometric parameters are reproduced satisfactorily by the HF/3-21G* approximation, except for the C–N=S angle which is too large by ca. 6°. The B3LYP method predicts all bonds to be too long by 0.02–0.05 Å and the C–N=S angle to be too small by ca. 4°.     

Influence of electronic and steric effects on stability constants and electrochemical reversibility of divalent ion complexes with glycine and sarcosine. A glass electrode potentiometric, sampled direct current polarographic, virtual potentiometric, and molecular modelling study

Cd^II complexes with glycine (gly) and sarcosine (sar) were studied by glass electrode potentiometry, direct current polarography, virtual potentiometry, and molecular modelling. The electrochemically reversible Cd^II–glycine–OH labile system was best described by a model consisting of M(HL), ML, ML₂, ML₃, ML(OH) and ML₂(OH) (M = Cd^II, L = gly) with the overall stability constants, as log β, determined to be 10.30 ± 0.05, 4.21 ± 0.03, 7.30 ± 0.05, 9.84 ± 0.04, 8.9 ± 0.1, and 10.75 ± 0.10, respectively. In case of the electrochemically quasi-reversible Cd^II–sarcosine–OH labile system, only ML, ML₂ and ML₃ (M = Cd^II, L = sar) were found and their stability constants, as log β, were determined to be 3.80 ± 0.03, 6.91 ± 0.07, and 8.9 ± 0.4, respectively. Stability constants for the ML complexes, the prime focus of this work, were thus established with an uncertainty smaller than 0.05 log units. The observed departure from electrochemical reversibility for the Cd–sarcosine–OH system was attributed mainly to the decrease in the transfer coefficient . The MM2 force field, supplemented by additional parameters, reproduced the reported crystal structures of diaqua-bis(glycinato-O,N)nickel(II) and fac-tri(glycinato)-nickelate(II) very well. These parameters were used to predict structures of all possible isomers of (i) [Ni(H₂O)₄(gly)]⁺ and [Ni(H₂O)₄(sar)]⁺; and (ii) [Ni(H₂O)₃(IDA)] and [Ni(H₂O)₃(MIDA)] (IDA = iminodiacetic acid, MIDA = N-methyl iminodiacetic acid) by molecular mechanics/simulated annealing methods. The change in strain energy, ΔU_str, that accompanies the substitution of one ligand by another (ML + L′ → ML′ + L), was computed and a strain energy ΔU_str = +0.28 kcal mol⁻¹ for the reaction [Ni(H₂O)₄(gly)]⁺ + sar → [Ni(H₂O)₄(sar)]⁺ + gly was found. This predicts the monoglycine complex to be marginally more stable. By contrast, for the reaction [Ni(H₂O)₃IDA] + MIDA → [Ni(H₂O)₃MIDA] + IDA, ΔU_str = −0.64 kcal mol⁻¹, and the monoMIDA complex is predicted to be more stable. This correlates well with (i) stability constants for Cd–gly and Cd–sar reported here; and (ii) known stability constants of ML complex for glycine, sarcosine, IDA, and MIDA.     

A molecular mechanics study on novel Ln(0) π-arene compounds

To examine the steric effects on the stability of Ln(0) π-arene compounds, molecular mechanics (MMP2) calculations are performed on Gd(η-C₆H₆)₂ and Ln(η-Bu^t₃C₆H₃)₂ (where Ln is Gd, Yb and Y ). The small potential-well depth ( ≈ 2 kcal mol⁻¹) and the large Gd-C equilibrium distance ( > 3.3 Å) explains the instability of Gd(η-C₆H₆)₂, while the difference in the stability between Gd(η-Bu^t₃C₆H₃)₂ and Yb(η-Bu^t₃C₆H₃)₂ can be attributed to the difference in the van der Waalsradii of the two metals and the more contracted 5d orbitals on the Yb atom.     

Syntheses, spectroscopic characteristics and thermolytic rearrangements of bis-[(trimethylgermyl)methyl]platinum(II) and bis-[(trimethylstannyl)methyl]platinum(II) complexes

The preparations and spectroscopic characteristics are reported of a series of (trimethylgermyl)methyl- and (trimethylstannyl)methylplatinum(II) complexes with diene and P-donor ancillary ligands, cis-Pt(CH₂GeMe₃)₂L₂ (L = PPh₃ or PPh₂Me; L₂ = dppe or cod) and cis-Pt(CH₂SnMe₃)₂L₂ (L = PPh₃; L₂ =cod). Thermolysis of toluene solutions of cis-Pt(CH₂GeMe₃)₂(PPh₃)₂ leads to cis-Pt(Me)(CH₂GeMe₂CH₂GeMe₃)(PPh₃)₂ via β-alkyl migration, after (non-rate-limiting) phosphine dissociation. Estimated activation parameters (ΔH_{298 K}^‡ = 126 ± 3 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS^‡ = + 17 ± 7 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ and hence Δ_{298 K}^‡ = 121 ± 5 kJ mol⁻¹) suggest that this system is more migration labile than its silicon analogue, primarily as a result of a lower activation enthalpy. While cis-Pt(CH₂GeMe₃)₂(PPh₂Me)₂ reacts similarly but less readily, Pt(CH₂GeMe₃)₂(dppe)₂ is inert at operable temperatures. Thermolysis of Pt(CH₂GeMe₃)₂(cod) generates 1,1,3,3,-tetramethyldi-1,3-germacyclobutane as the major organogermanium product, while from cis-Pt(CH₂SnMe₃)₂(PPh₃)₂, 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldi-1,3-stannacyclobutane predominates. Mechanistic implications are discussed.     

Rhenium(I) methoxo carbonyl complexes containing tetraphosphine or triphosphine ligands; facile separation and X-ray crystallographic studies of d/l- and meso-[{Re2(μ-OMe)2(CO)6}2(μ,μ′-1,1,4,7,10,10-hexaphenyl-1,4,7,10-tetra-phosphadecane)]

Reaction of the activated mixture of Re₂(CO)_10, Me₃NO and MeOH with a 1:1 mixture of rac (d/l)- and meso-1,1,4,7,10,10-hexaphenyl-1,4,7,10-tetraphosphadecane (hptpd) yields a mixture of (d/l)- and meso-[{Re₂(μ-OMe)₂(CO)₆}₂(μ,μ′-hptpd)] 1. The diastereomers can be easily separated by selective dissolution of d/l-1 in benzene, and give clearly distinguishable ¹H- and ³¹P-NMR spectra. The fluxional behavior of d/l-1 in solution has been studied by variable-temperature ¹H- and ³¹P-{¹H}-NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of both d/l- and meso-1 have been determined. Both molecules consist of two {Re₂(μ-OMe)₂(CO)₆} moieties which are bridged by the two P---CH₂---CH₂---P moieties of the hptpd ligand. Whilst the molecules of meso-1 possess crystallographic i-symmetry, those of d/l-1 do not have any crystallographic symmetry. These diastereomers therefore give clearly distinguishable Raman spectra in the solid state. Reaction of tris[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]phosphine (tdppep) with the activated mixture affords the complex [{Re₂(μ-OMe)₂(CO)₆}(μ,η²-tdppep)] 2, and the analogous reaction involving bis[2-diphenylphospinoethyl)phenylphosphine (triphos) gives [{Re₂(μ-OMe)₂(CO)₆}(μ,μ′,η³-triphos){Re₂(CO)₉}] 3 and [{Re₂(μ-OMe)₂(CO)₆}(μ,η²-triphos)] 4.     

Reactions of Lewis bases with tetrakisdiphenylamide uranium(IV)

The coordinatively unsaturated uranium(IV) complex U[N(C₆H₅)₂]₄ has been prepared via the stoichiometric reaction of diphenylamine with [(Me₃Si)₂N]₂ H₂. U[N(C₆H₅)₂]₄ coordinates Lewis bases such as Et₂O, THF, pyridine or (EtO)₃PO, based on electronic absorption spectroscopy and ¹H NMR studies. Exchange between U[N(C₆H₅)₂]₄ and U[N(C₆H₅)₂]₄(L), where L is THF or pyridine, is rapid on the NMR time-scale between 307 and 323 K. Measurement of equilibrium constants for L = THF provides ΔH and ΔS values of −60 kJ mol⁻¹ and −1.8 × 10² J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. U[N(C₆H₅)₂]₄ coordinates and binds (EtO)₃PO much more tightly (K_eq = & > 10⁴ M⁻¹) than THF or pyridine with the exchange rate between U[N(C₆H₅)₂]₄ and U[N(C₆H₅)₂]₄[OP(OEt)₃] being close to the NMR time-scale.     

Kinetische und mechanistische untersuchungen von übergangsmetallkomplex-reaktionen : IX. Substitution von CO durch PPh3 in aminocarbinkomplexen: Präparative und kinetische untersuchungen

Pentacarbonyl(diethylaminocarbyne)chromium tetrafluoroborate, [(CO)₅₋ CrCNEt₂]BF₄ (I), reacts with PPh₃ with substitution of CO and formation of trans-tetracarbonyl(diethylaminocarbyne)triphenylphosphanechromium tetra-fluoroborate, trans-[PPh₃(CO)₄CrCNEt₂]BF₄ (III). Substitution of CO by PPh₃ in neutral trans-tetracarbonyl(halo)(diethylaminocarbyne)chromium complexes, trans-X(CO)₄CrCNEt₂ (IVa: X = Br, IVb: X = I), leads in a reversible reaction to the corresponding tricarbonyl complexes, mer-X(PPh₃)(CO)₃₋ CrNEt₂ (V), PPh₃ occupying the cis-position to the carbyne ligand. With PPh₃ in large excess both reactions follow a first-order rate law. This as well as the activation parameters (ΔH≠ = 104–113 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS≠ = 64–71 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹) indicate a dissociative mechanism.     

One-electron oxidation of mitomycin C and its corresponding peroxyl radicals. A steady-state and pulse radiolysis study

The one-electron oxidation of Mitomycin C (MMC) as well as the formation of the corresponding peroxyl radicals were investigated by both steady-state and pulse radiolysis. The steady-state MMC-radiolysis by OH-attack followed at both absorption bands showed different yields: at 218 nm G_i (-MMC) = 3.0 and at 364 nm G_i (-MMC) = 3.9, indicating the formation of various not yet identified products, among which ammonia was determined, G(NH₃) = 0.81. By means of pulse radiolysis it was established a total κ (OH + MMC) = (5.8 ± 0.2) × 10⁹ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. The transient absorption spectrum from the one-electron oxidized MMC showed absorption maxima at 295 nm (ε = 9950 dm³ mol⁻¹ cm^t-1), 410 nm (ε = 1450 dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹) and 505 nm ( ε = 5420 dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹). At 280–320 and 505 nm and above they exhibit in the first 150 μs a first order decay, κ₁ = (0.85 ± 0.1) × 10³ s⁻¹, and followed upto ms time range, by a second order decay, 2κ = (1.3 ± 0.3) × 10⁸ dm³ mol^-1 s⁻¹. Around 410 nm the kinetics are rather mixed and could not be resolved.

The steady-state MMC-radiolysis in the presence of oxygen featured a proportionality towards the absorbed dose for both MMC-absorption bands, resulting in a G_i (-MMC) = 1.5. Among several products ammonia-yield was determined G(NH₃) = 0.52. The formation of MMC-peroxyl radicals was studied by pulse radiolysis, likewise in neutral aqueous solution, but saturated with a gas mixture of 80% N₂O and 20% O₂. The maxima of the observed transient spectrum are slightly shifted compared to that of the one-electron oxidized MMC-species, namely: 290 nm (ε = 10100 dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹), 410 nm (ε = 2900 dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹) and 520 nm (ε = 5500 dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹). The O₂-addition to the MMC-one-electron oxidized transients was found to be at 290 to 410 nm gk(MMC·OH + O₂) = 5 × 10⁷ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹, around 480 nm κ = 1.6 × 10⁸ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ and at 510 nm and above, κ = 3 × 10⁸ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. The decay kinetics of the MMC-peroxyl radicals were also found to be different at the various absorption bands, but predominantly of first order; at 290–420 nm κ₁ = 1.5 × 10³ s⁻¹ and at 500 nm and above, κ = 7.0 × 10³ s⁻¹.

The presented results are of interest for the radiation behaviour of MMC as well as for its application as an antitumor drug in the combined radiation-chemotherapy of patients.     

Synthesis, structure and hydrogenation catalytic activity of [Ru3(μ3,η-ampy)(μ,η:η-PhC=CHPh)(CO)6(PPh3) (Hampy = 2-amino-6-methylpyridine)

The compound [RU₃(μ₃,η²- -ampy)(μ₃η¹:η²-PhC=CHPh)(CO)₆(PPh₃)₂] (1) (ampy = 2-amino-6-methylpyridinate) has been prepared by reaction of [RU₃(η-H)(μ₃,η²- ampy) (μ,η¹:η²-PhC=CHPh)(CO)₇(PPh₃)] with triphenylphosphine at room temperature. However, the reaction of [RU₃(μ-H)(μ₃, η² -ampy)(CO)₇(PPh₃)₂] with diphenylacetylene requires a higher temperature (110°C) and does not give complex 1 but the phenyl derivative [RU₃(μ₃,η²-ampy)(μ,η ¹:η² -PhC=CHPh)(μ,-PPh₂)(Ph)(CO)₅(PPh₃)] (2). The thermolysis of complex 1 (110°C) also gives complex 2 quantitatively. Both 1 and 2 have been characterized by0 X-ray diffraction methods. Complex 1 is a catalyst precursor for the homogeneous hydrogenation of diphenylacetylene to a mixture of cis- and trans -stilbene under mild conditions (80°C, 1 atm. of H₂), although progressive deactivation of the catalytic species is observed. The dihydride [RU₃(μ-H)₂(μ ₃,η²-ampy)(μ,η¹:η²- PhC=CHPh)(CO)₅(PPh₃)₂] (3), which has been characterized spectroscopically, is an intermediate in the catalytic hydrogenation reaction.     

Low-temperature heat capacity and thermodynamic properties of crystalline [Re2(Ala)4(H2O)8](ClO4)6 (Re = Eu, Er; Ala = alanine)

[Re₂(Ala)₄(H₂O)₈](ClO₄)₆ (Re=Eu, Er; Ala=alanine) were synthesized, and the low-temperature heat capacities of the two complexes were measured with a high-precision adiabatic calorimeter over the temperature range from 80 to 370 K. For [Eu₂(Ala)₄(H₂O)₈](ClO₄)₆, two solid–solid phase transitions were found, one in the temperature range from 234.403 to 249.960 K, with peak temperature 243.050 K, the other in the range from 249.960 to 278.881 K, with peak temperature 270.155 K. For [Er₂(Ala)₄(H₂O)₈](ClO₄)₆, one solid–solid phase transition was observed in the range from 270.696 to 282.156 K, with peak temperature 278.970 K. The molar enthalpy increments, ΔH_m, and entropy increments,ΔS_m, of these phase transitions, were determined to be 455.6 J mol⁻¹, 1.87 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ at 243.050 K; 2277 J mol⁻¹, 8.43 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ at 270.155 K for [Eu₂(Ala)₄(H₂O)₈](ClO₄)₆; and 4442 J mol⁻¹, 15.92 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ at 278.970 K for [Er₂(Ala)₄(H₂O)₈](ClO₄)₆. Thermal decompositions of the two complexes were investigated by use of the thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. A possible mechanism for the thermal decomposition is suggested.     

Reactions of tetrakis(trifluoromethyl) diphosphine and bis(trifluoromethyl) phosphine with ruthenium carbonyl clusters; X-ray structure of tetraruthenium carbonyl cluster derivatives

Reaction of [Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with (CF₃)₂P---P(CF₃)₂ in p-xylene at 140°C yielded the compounds [Ru₄(CO)₁₃{μ-P(CF₃)₂}₂] (1), [Ru₄(CO)₁₄{μ-P(CF₃)₂}₂] (2) and [Ru₄(CO)₁₁{μ-P(CF₃)₂}₄] (3). Reaction with [(μ-H)₄Ru₄(CO)₁₂] under similar conditions yielded [(μ-H)₃Ru₄(CO)₁₂{μ-P(CF₃)₂}] (4). All four compounds have been characterised by X-ray crystallography. The fluxional behaviour of the hydrides in 4 has also been studied by variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 1, 2 and 4 were also obtained from the reactions of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with (CF₃)₂PH in dichloromethane at 80°C.     

Nido-6-metalladecaborane chemistry: Molecular structure and fluxionality of [6,6,6,6-(CO)2(PPh3)2-nido-6-WB9H13]

The molecular and crystal structure of the nido-6-tungstadecaborane [6,6,6,6-(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂-nido-6-WB₉H₁₃] (1) has been determined showing that the tungsten atom is incorporated into the 6-position of a nido 10-vertex (WB₉) cage. The tungsten atom has a seven-coordinate capped trigonal prismatic environment and is bonded to two hydrogen and three boron atoms of the {B₉H₁₃} cage, in addition to two CO groups and two PPh₃ ligands. Variable-temperature (−90°C to +50°C) ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy of 1 reveals that the exo-polyhedral ligands about the tungsten atom are fluxional with respect to PPh₃ site exchange with an activation energy (ΔG‡), at the coalescence temperature (−73°C), of <38 kJ mol⁻¹.     

Reactions of the cationic diruthenium carbonyl complex [Ru2(μ-dppm)2(CO)4(μ,η-O2CMe)] with bidentate ligands; intramolecularly assisted stereospecific synthesis via the second-sphere face-to-face π–π stacking interactions

The reactions of the diruthenium carbonyl complexes [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(CO)₄(μ,η²-O₂CMe)]X (X=BF₄⁻ (1a) or PF₆⁻ (1b)) with neutral or anionic bidentate ligands (L,L) afford a series of the diruthenium bridging carbonyl complexes [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-(L,L))₂]X_n ((L,L)=acetate (O₂CMe), 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), acetylacetonate (acac), 8-quinolinolate (quin); n=0, 1, 2). Apparently with coordination of the bidentate ligands, the bound acetate ligand of [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(CO)₄(μ,η²-O₂CMe)]⁺ either migrates within the same complex or into a different one, or is simply replaced. The reaction of [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(CO)₄(μ,η²-O₂CMe)]⁺ (1) with 2,2′-bipyridine produces [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-O₂CMe)₂] (2), [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-O₂CMe)(η²-bpy)]⁺ (3), and [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-bpy)₂]²⁺ (4). Alternatively compound 2 can be prepared from the reaction of 1a with MeCO₂H–Et₃N, while compound 4 can be obtained from the reaction of 3 with bpy. The reaction of 1b with acetylacetone–Et₃N produces [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-O₂CMe)(η²-acac)] (5) and [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-acac)₂] (6). Compound 2 can also react with acetylacetone–Et₃N to produce 6. Surprisingly [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-quin)₂] (7) was obtained stereospecifically as the only one product from the reaction of 1b with 8-quinolinol–Et₃N. The structure of 7 has been established by X-ray crystallography and found to adopt a cis geometry. Further, the stereospecific reaction is probably caused by the second-sphere π–π face-to-face stacking interactions between the phenyl rings of dppm and the electron-deficient six-membered ring moiety of the bound quinolinate (i.e. the N-included six-membered ring) in 7. The presence of such interactions is indeed supported by an observed charge-transfer band in a UV–vis spectrum.     

Reactions of metalloalkynes VII. Protonation of ruthenium ethyne-1,2-diyl complexes

The acid–base chemistry of some ruthenium ethyne-1,2-diyl complexes, [{Ru(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄R)}₂(μ₂-CC)] (R=H, Me) has been investigated. Initial protonation of [{Ru(CO)₂{η-C₅H₄R}}₂(μ₂-CC)] gave the unexpected complex cation, crystallised as the BF₄ salt, [{Ru(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄R}}₃(μ₃-CC)][BF₄] (R=Me structurally characterised). This synthesis proved to be unreliable but subsequent, careful protonation experiments gave excellent yields of the protonated ethyne-1,2-diyl complexes, [{Ru(CO)₂{η-C₅H₄R)}₂(μ₂-η¹:η²-CCH)](BF₄) (R=Me structurally characterised) which could be deprotonated in high yield to return the starting ethyne-1,2-diyl complexes.     

Determination of the free activation energy for the breaking of the P---Ag bond in [(η-p-cymene)Ru(μ-pz)3Ag(PPh3)]

The Arrhenius equation corresponding to the process P---Ag+P*---Ag*→---P---Ag*+P*---Ag has been determined for [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(μ-pz)₃Ag(PPh₃)] (1) by complete line-shape analysis of the ³¹P NMR spectra between −40°C and +30°C. It has the form K = 10^11.8± e^{(−46±5 kJ mol−1/RT)}. The preexponential term, log A = 11.8 corresponds to a small activation entropy, whereas the activation energy, 46 kJ mol⁻¹ is comparable to those determined for other phosphorus—metal compounds.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of (μ-H)2RU3(CO)9(μ3-η-C8H12) and (μ-H)RU3(CO)9(μ3-η-C12H19)

The reaction between Ru₃(CO)₁₂ and a cyclic olefin (cis-cyclooctene or trans-cyclododecene) at 100 °C for several hours gives the title compounds (μ-H)₂RU₃(CO)₉(μ₃-η²-C₈H₁₂) (1), and (μ-H)RU₃(CO)₉(μ₃-η³-C₁₂H₁₉) (2), both of which have been characterized by X-ray diffraction studies, IR and NMR spectral measurements and elemental analysis. The prolonged reaction between Ru₃(CO)₁₂ and cis-cyclooctene gives compound HRu₃(CO)₉(C₈H₁₁) (3). Compound 3 has been characterized with IR and NMR spectral analyses. In 1 the cyclooctene ring is linked via a μ₃-η²-alkyne type of bonding to the face of the Ru₃ cluster. It is formally σ-bonded to two of the three Ru atoms and π-bonded to the third Ru. The two hydrides in 1 are bridging Ru---Ru bonds. In 2 the cyclododecene ring is bonded to the Ru₃ face via the μ₃-η³-CCHC linkage. There are two formal σ-bonds from the allyl part to the hydrido-bridged Ru atoms and the η³-allyl linkage to the third Ru atom.     

The lively chemistry of the di-μ-methylene-bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl-rhodium) complexes, analogues of surface reactions in heterogeneous catalysis

The chemistry of the di-μ-methylene-bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl-rhodium) complexes is reviewed. The complex [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl₂}₂] (1a) reacted with MeLi to give, after oxidative work-up, blood-red cis-[{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(Me)₂], 2. This has the two rhodiums in the +4 oxidation state (d⁵), and linked by a metal-metal bond (2.620 Å). Trans-2 was formed on isomerisation of cis-2 in the presence of Lewis acids, or by direct reaction of 1a with Al₂Me₆, followed by dehydrogenation with acetone. The Rh-methyls in [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(Me)₂] were readily replaced under acidic conditions (HX) to give [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(X)₂] (X = Cl, Br or I); these latter complexes reacted with a variety of RMgX to give [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(R)₂] (R = alkyl, Ph, vinyl, etc.). Trans-2 also reacted with HBF₄ in the presence of L to give first [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(Me)(L)]⁺ and then [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(L)₂]²⁺ (L = MeCN, CO, etc.). The {(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂ core is rather kinetically inert and also forms a variety of complexes with oxy-ligands, both cis-, e.g. [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(μ-OAc)]⁺ and trans-, such as [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(H₂O)₂]²⁺. The complexes [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(R)L]⁺ (R = Me or aryl) in the presence of CO, or [{(η⁵-C₄Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(R)₂] (R = Me, Ph or CO₂Me) in the presence of mild oxidants, readily yield the C---C---C coupled products RCH=CH₂. The mechanisms of these couplings have been elucidated by detailed labelling studies: they are more complex than expected, but allow direct analogies to be drawn to C---C couplints that occur during Fischer-Tropsch reactions on rhodium surfaces.     

A new approach to the synthesis of carbon chains capped by metal clusters

Reactions of Co₃(μ₃-CBr)(μ-dppm)(CO)₇ with {Au[P(tol)₃]}₂{μ-(CC)_n} (n=2–4) have given {Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇}{μ₃:μ₃-C(CC)_nC} [n=2 (1), 3 (2), 4 (3)] containing carbon chains capped by the cobalt clusters. Tetracyanoethene reacts with 2 to give {Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇}₂{μ₃:μ₃-C(CC)₂C[=C(CN)₂]C[=C(CN)₂]C} (4). X-ray structural characterisation of 1, 3 and 4 are reported, that for 3 being the first of a cluster-capped C₁₀ chain.     

Reactivity and electronic property of decaphenylmetallocenes of Mo and W atoms

The perphenylmetallocene complexes (η⁵-C₅Ph₅)₂W (1), [(η⁵-C₅Ph₅)₂W]⁺I₃⁻ (1⁺I₃), (η⁵-C₅Ph₅)₂Mo (2) and [(η⁵-C₅Ph₅)₂Mo]⁺I₃⁻ (2⁺I₃) have been prepared. Hydrogenation of 1 in THF produces (η⁵-C₅Ph₅)₂WH₂ (4), while (η⁵-C₅Ph₅)₂WHCl (3) is afforded in 1,2-dichloroethane solvent. Carbonylation of 1 produces (η⁵-C₅Ph₅)₂W(CO) (5). Treatment of 1 with the strong acid CF₃SO₃H leads to the dicationic species [(η⁵-C₅Ph₅)₂W]⁺²[CF₃SO₃]⁻₂ (1⁺²Tf₂) after crystallization. The structures of 2⁺I₃ and 1⁺²Tf₂ have been determined by an X-ray diffraction study. The magnetic susceptibility study indicates a ³E_2g ground-state for 1 and 2, and a ⁴A_2g ground-state for 1⁺ and 2⁺.