Ligand‐Centred Reactivity of Bis(picolyl)amine Iridium: Sequential Deprotonation,Oxidation and Oxygenation of a “Non‐Innocent” Ligand

Treatment of [Ir(bpa)(cod)]⁺ complex [ 1 ]⁺ with a strong base (e.g., tBuO^?) led to unexpected double deprotonation to form the anionic [Ir(bpa?2H)(cod)]^? species [ 3 ]^?, via the mono‐deprotonated neutral amido complex [Ir(bpa?H)(cod)] as an isolable intermediate. A certain degree of aromaticity of the obtained metal–chelate ring may explain the favourable double deprotonation. The rhodium analogue [ 4 ]^? was prepared in situ. The new species [M(bpa?2H)(cod)]^? (M=Rh, Ir) are best described as two‐electron reduced analogues of the cationic imine complexes [M^I(cod)(Py‐CH₂‐N?CH‐Py)]⁺. One‐electron oxidation of [ 3 ]^? and [ 4 ]^? produced the ligand radical complexes [ 3 ]^. and [ 4 ]^.. Oxygenation of [ 3 ]^? with O₂ gave the neutral carboxamido complex [Ir(cod)(py‐CH₂‐N‐CO‐py)] via the ligand radical complex [ 3 ]^. as a detectable intermediate.     

A Terminal Osmium(IV) Nitride: Ammonia Formation and Ambiphilic Reactivity

Low‐valent osmium nitrides are discussed as intermediates in nitrogen fixation schemes. However, rational synthetic routes that lead to isolable examples are currently unknown. Here, the synthesis of the square‐planar osmium(IV) nitride [OsN(PNP)] (PNP=N(CH₂CH₂P(tBu)₂)₂) is reported upon reversible deprotonation of osmium(VI) hydride [Os(N)H(PNP)]⁺. The Os^IV complex shows ambiphilic nitride reactivity with SiMe₃Br and PMe₃, respectively. Importantly, the hydrogenolysis with H₂ gives ammonia and the polyhydride complex [OsH₄(HPNP)] in 80 % yield. Hence, our results directly demonstrate the role of low‐valent osmium nitrides and of heterolytic H₂ activation for ammonia synthesis with H₂ under basic conditions.     

Protonation and Hydrogenation Experiments with Iridium(0) and Iridium(−1) tropp Complexes: Formation of Hydrides

The reactions of three different tetracoordinated Ir complexes, [Ir(tropp^ph)₂]ⁿ (n=+1, 0, −1), which differ in the formal oxidation state of the metal from +1 to −1, with proton sources and dihydrogen were investigated (tropp=5‐(diphenylphosphanyl)dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene). It was found that the cationic 16‐electron complex [Ir(tropp^ph)₂]⁺ ( 2 ) cannot be protonated but reacts with NaBH₄ to the very stable 18‐electron Ir^I hydride [IrH(tropp^ph)₂] ( 5 ), which is further protonated with medium strong acids to give the 18‐electron Ir^III dihydride [IrH₂(tropp^ph)₂]⁺ ( 6 ; pK_s in CH₂Cl₂/THF/H₂O 1 : 1 : 2 ca. 2.2). Both, the neutral 17‐electron Ir⁰ complex [Ir(tropp^ph)₂] ( 3 ) and the anionic 18‐electron complex [Ir(tropp^ph)₂]⁻ ( 4 ) react rapidly with H₂O to give the monohydride 5 . In reactions of 3 with H₂O, the terminal Ir^I hydroxide [Ir(OH)(tropp^ph)₂] ( 8 ) is formed in equal amounts. All these complexes, apart from 5 , which is inert, do react rapidly with dihydrogen. The complex 2 gives the dihydride 6 in an oxidative addition reaction, while 3 , 4 , and 8 give the monohydride 5 . Interestingly, a salt‐type hydride (i.e., LiH) is formed as further product in the unexpected reaction with [Li(thf)_x]⁺[Ir(tropp^ph)₂]⁻ ( 4 ). Because 3 undergoes disproportionation into 2 and 4 according to 2 3 ⇄ 2 + 4 (K_disp=2.7⋅10⁻⁵), it is likely that actually the diamagnetic species and not the odd‐electron complex 3 is involved in the reactions studied here, and possible mechanisms for these are discussed.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Reactivity of Hydridoiridium Complexes Bearing a Pincer‐Type PSiP Ligand

A series of iridium tetrahydride complexes [Ir(H)₄(PSiP‐R)] bearing a tridentate pincer‐type bis(phosphino)silyl ligand ([{2‐(R₂P)C₆H₄}₂MeSi]⁻, PSiP‐R, R=Cy, iPr, or tBu) were synthesized by the reduction of [IrCl(H)(PSiP‐R)] with Me₄N ⋅ BH₄ under argon. The same reaction under a nitrogen atmosphere afforded a rare example of thermally stable iridium(III)–dinitrogen complexes, [Ir(H)₂(N₂)(PSiP‐R)]. Two isomeric dinitrogen complexes were produced, in which the PSiP ligand coordinated to the iridium center in meridional and facial orientations, respectively. Attempted substitution of the dinitrogen ligand in [Ir(H)₂(N₂)(PSiP‐Cy)] with PMe₃ required heating at 150 °C to give the expected [Ir(H)₂(PMe₃)(PSiP‐Cy)] and a trigonal bipyramidal iridium(I)–dinitrogen complex, [Ir(N₂)(PMe₃)(PSiP‐Cy)]. The reaction of [Ir(H)₄(PSiP‐Cy)] with three equivalents of 2‐norbornene (nbe) in benzene afforded [Ir^I(nbe)(PSiP‐Cy)] in a high yield, while a similar reaction of [Ir(H)₄(PSiP‐R)] with an excess of 3,3‐dimethylbutene (tbe) in benzene gave the C H bond activation product, [Ir^III(H)(Ph)(PSiP‐R)], in high yield. The oxidative addition of benzene is reversible; heating [Ir^III(H)(Ph)(PSiP‐Cy)] in the presence of PPh₃ in benzene resulted in reductive elimination of benzene, coordination of PPh₃, and activation of the C H bond of one aromatic ring in PPh₃. [Ir^III(H)(Ph)(PSiP‐R)] catalyzed a direct borylation reaction of the benzene C H bond with bis(pinacolato)diboron. Molecular structures of most of the new complexes in this study were determined by a single‐crystal X‐ray analysis.     

Versatile reactivity of half-sandwich Ir and Rh complexes toward carboranylamidinates and their derivatives: synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity for norbornene polymerization

Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of carboranylamidinate‐based half‐sandwich iridium and rhodium complexes are reported for the first time. Treatment of dimeric metal complexes [{Cp*M(μ‐Cl)Cl}₂] (M=Ir, Rh; Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅) with a solution of one equivalent of nBuLi and a carboranylamidine produces 18‐electron complexes [Cp*IrCl(Cab^N‐DIC)] ( 1 a ; Cab^N‐DIC=[iPrN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NHiPr)]), [Cp*RhCl(Cab^N‐DIC)] ( 1 b ), and [Cp*RhCl(Cab^N‐DCC)] ( 1 c ; Cab^N‐DCC=[CyN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NHCy)]). A series of 16‐electron half‐sandwich Ir and Rh complexes [Cp*Ir(Cab^N′‐DIC)] ( 2 a ; Cab^N′‐DIC=[iPrN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NiPr)]), [Cp*Ir(Cab^N′‐DCC)] ( 2 b , Cab^N′‐DCC=[CyN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NCy)]), and [Cp*Rh(Cab^N′‐DIC)] ( 2 c ) is also obtained when an excess of nBuLi is used. The unexpected products [Cp*M(Cab^N,S‐DIC)], [Cp*M(Cab^N,S‐DCC)] (M=Ir 3 a , 3 b ; Rh 3 c , 3 d ), formed through BH activation, are obtained by reaction of [{Cp*MCl₂}₂] with carboranylamidinate sulfides [RN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NHR)]S^? (R=iPr, Cy), which can be prepared by inserting sulfur into the C? Li bond of lithium carboranylamidinates. Iridium complex 1 a shows catalytic activities of up to 2.69×10⁶ g_PNB ${{\rm{mol}}_{{\rm{Ir}}}^{ - {\rm{1}}} }Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of carboranylamidinate-based half-sandwich iridium and rhodium complexes are reported for the first time. Treatment of dimeric metal complexes [{Cp*M(μ-Cl)Cl}(2)] (M = Ir, Rh; Cp* = η(5)-C(5)Me(5)) with a solution of one equivalent of nBuLi and a carboranylamidine produces 18-electron complexes [Cp*IrCl(Cab(N)-DIC)] (1?a; Cab(N)-DIC = [iPrN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NHiPr)]), [Cp*RhCl(Cab(N)-DIC)] (1?b), and [Cp*RhCl(Cab(N)-DCC)] (1?c; Cab(N)-DCC = [CyN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NHCy)]). A series of 16-electron half-sandwich Ir and Rh complexes [Cp*Ir(Cab(N')-DIC)] (2?a; Cab(N')-DIC = [iPrN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NiPr)]), [Cp*Ir(Cab(N')-DCC)] (2?b, Cab(N')-DCC = [CyN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10)(NCy)]), and [Cp*Rh(Cab(N')-DIC)] (2?c) is also obtained when an excess of nBuLi is used. The unexpected products [Cp*M(Cab(N,S)-DIC)], [Cp*M(Cab(N,S)-DCC)] (M = Ir 3?a, 3?b; Rh 3?c, 3?d), formed through BH activation, are obtained by reaction of [{Cp*MCl(2)}(2)] with carboranylamidinate sulfides [RN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NHR)]S(-) (R = iPr, Cy), which can be prepared by inserting sulfur into the C-Li bond of lithium carboranylamidinates. Iridium complex 1?a shows catalytic activities of up to 2.69×10(6) g(PNB) mol(Ir)(-1) h(-1) for the polymerization of norbornene in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) as cocatalyst. Catalytic activities and the molecular weight of polynorbornene (PNB) were investigated under various reaction conditions. All complexes were fully characterized by elemental analysis and IR and NMR spectroscopy; the structures of 1?a-c, 2?a, b; and 3?a, b, d were further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Water‐Promoted Generation of a Diazairida Homobarrelene by CC Coupling Between an Iridacyclic Alkylidene and Acetonitrile

The stable cationic iridacyclopentenylidene [Tp^Me2Ir(?CHC(Me)?C(Me)C H₂(NCMe)]PF₆ ( A ; Tp^Me2=hydrotris(3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) has been obtained by α‐hydride abstraction from the iridacyclopent‐2‐ene [Tp^Me2Ir(CH₂C(Me)?C(Me)C H₂)(NCMe)]. Complex A exhibits Brønsted–Lowry acidity at the Ir? CH₂ and proximal (relative to Ir? CH₂) methyl sites. The coordination of an extra molecule of acetonitrile to the iridium center initiates the reversible isomerization of the chelating carbon chain of A to the monodentate butadienyl ligand of complex [Tp^Me2Ir(CH?C(Me)C(Me)?CH₂)(NCMe)₂]PF₆, which is capable to engage in a water‐promoted C? C coupling with the MeCN co‐ligands. The product is an aesthetically appealing bicyclic structure that resembles the hydrocarbon barrelene.     

Water‐Promoted Generation of a Diazairida Homobarrelene by C?C Coupling Between an Iridacyclic Alkylidene and Acetonitrile

The stable cationic iridacyclopentenylidene [Tp^Me2Ir(CHC(Me)C(Me)C H₂(NCMe)]PF₆ ( A ; Tp^Me2=hydrotris(3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) has been obtained by α‐hydride abstraction from the iridacyclopent‐2‐ene [Tp^Me2Ir(CH₂C(Me)C(Me)C H₂)(NCMe)]. Complex A exhibits Brønsted–Lowry acidity at the Ir CH₂ and proximal (relative to Ir CH₂) methyl sites. The coordination of an extra molecule of acetonitrile to the iridium center initiates the reversible isomerization of the chelating carbon chain of A to the monodentate butadienyl ligand of complex [Tp^Me2Ir(CHC(Me)C(Me)CH₂)(NCMe)₂]PF₆, which is capable to engage in a water‐promoted C C coupling with the MeCN co‐ligands. The product is an aesthetically appealing bicyclic structure that resembles the hydrocarbon barrelene.     

Mononuclear and Terminal Zirconium and Hafnium Methylidenes

The dimethyl aryloxide complexes [(PNP)M(CH₃)₂(OAr)] (M=Zr or Hf; PNP^?=N[2‐P(CHMe₂)₂‐4‐methylphenyl]₂); Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃), which were readily prepared from [(PNP)M(CH₃)₃] by alcoholysis with HOAr, undergo photolytically induced α‐hydrogen abstraction to cleanly produce complexes [(PNP)M=CH₂(OAr)] with terminal methylidene ligands. These unique systems have been fully characterized, including the determination of a solid‐state structure in the case of M=Zr.     

Reactivity Studies of Iridium Pyridylidenes [TpMe2Ir(C6H5)2(C(CH)3C(R)NH] (R=H,Me, Ph)

The reactivity of a series of iridium? pyridylidene complexes with the formula [Tp^Me2Ir(C₆H₅)₂(C(CH)₃C(R)N H] ( 1 a – 1 c ) towards a variety of substrates, from small molecules, such as H₂, O₂, carbon oxides, and formaldehyde, to alkenes and alkynes, is described. Most of the observed reactivity is best explained by invoking 16 e^? unsaturated [Tp^Me2Ir(phenyl)(pyridyl)] intermediates, which behave as internal frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs). H₂ is heterolytically split to give hydride? pyridylidene complexes, whilst CO, CO₂, and H₂C?O provide carbonyl, carbonate, and alkoxide species, respectively. Ethylene and propene form five‐membered metallacycles with an IrCH₂CH(R)N (R=H, Me) motif, whereas, in contrast, acetylene affords four‐membered iridacycles with the IrC(?CH₂)N moiety. C₆H₅(C?O)H and C₆H₅C?CH react with formation of Ir? C₆H₅ and Ir? C?CPh bonds and the concomitant elimination of a molecule of pyridine and benzene, respectively. Finally the reactivity of compounds 1 a – 1 c against O₂ is described. Density functional theory calculations that provide theoretical support for these experimental observations are also reported.     

Insertion of Molecular Oxygen in Transition‐Metal Hydride Bonds,Oxygen‐Bond Activation,and Unimolecular Dissociation of Metal Hydroperoxide Intermediates. Short Communication

Thermal activation of molecular oxygen is observed for the late‐transition‐metal cationic complexes [M(H)(OH)]⁺ with M=Fe, Co, and Ni. Most of the reactions proceed via insertion in a metal? hydride bond followed by the dissociation of the resulting metal hydroperoxide intermediate(s) upon losses of O, OH, and H₂O. As indicated by labeling studies, the processes for the Ni complex are very specific such that the O‐atoms of the neutrals expelled originate almost exclusively from the substrate O₂. In comparison to the [M(H)(OH)]⁺ cations, the ion? molecule reactions of the metal hydride systems [MH]⁺ (M=Fe, Co, Ni, Pd, and Pt) with dioxygen are rather inefficient, if they occur at all. However, for the solvated complexes [M(H)(H₂O)]⁺ (M=Fe, Co, Ni), the reaction with O₂ involving O? O bond activation show higher reactivity depending on the transition metal: 60% for the Ni, 16% for the Co, and only 4% for the Fe complex relative to the [Ni(H)(OH)]⁺/O₂ couple.     

Novel quasi‐scorpionate ligand structures based on a bis‐N‐heterocyclic carbene chelate core: synthesis,complexation and catalysis

A series of novel quasi‐scorpionate CNC donor ligands, MeC(2‐C₅H₄N){CH₂(imidazole‐R)} (R = methyl, n‐butyl, n‐propenyl), in which a chelating bis(NHC) core is supplemented by a hemi‐labile pyridyl donor, were prepared. The coordination chemistry of these ligands was investigated with silver, palladium, rhodium and iridium. The single crystal X‐ray structures of [Rh(NC₂^Me)(COD)]Cl 8a and [Ir(NC₂^Pr)(COD)]Br 9b were determined. The catalytic potential of the rhodium and iridium complexes was assessed in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones; the iridium complexes, which show superior performance, form very effective and stable catalysts. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthese,Struktur und Photochemie von Olefiniridium(I)‐Komplexen mit Acetylacetonatoliganden

Synthesis, Structure, and Photochemical Behavior of Olefine Iridium(I) Complexes with Acetylacetonato Ligands The bis(ethene) complex [Ir(κ²‐acac)(C₂H₄)₂] ( 1 ) reacts with tertiary phosphanes to give the monosubstitution products [Ir(κ²‐acac)(C₂H₄)(PR₃)] ( 2 – 5 ). While 2 (R = iPr) is inert toward PiPr₃, the reaction of 2 with diphenylacetylene affords the π‐alkyne complex [Ir(κ²‐acac)(C₂Ph₂)(PiPr₃)] ( 6 ). Treatment of [IrCl(C₂H₄)₄] with C‐functionalized acetylacetonates yields the compounds [Ir(κ²‐acacR^1,2)(C₂H₄)₂] ( 8 , 9 ), which react with PiPr₃ to give [Ir(κ²‐acacR^1,2)(C₂H₄)(PiPr₃)] ( 10 , 11 ) by displacement of one ethene ligand. UV irradiation of 5 (PR₃ = iPr₂PCH₂CO₂Me) and 11 (R² = (CH₂)₃CO₂Me) leads, after addition of PiPr₃, to the formation of the hydrido(vinyl)iridium(III) complexes 7 and 12 . The reaction of 2 with the ethene derivatives CH₂=CHR (R = CN, OC(O)Me, C(O)Me) affords the compounds [Ir(κ²‐acac)(CH₂=CHR)(PiPr₃)] ( 13 – 15 ), which on photolysis in the presence of PiPr₃ also undergo an intramolecular C–H activation. In contrast, the analogous complexes [Ir(κ²‐acac)(olefin)(PiPr₃)] (olefin = (E)‐C₂H₂(CO₂Me)₂ 16 , (Z)‐C₂H₂(CO₂Me)₂ 17 ) are photochemically inert.     

“Roll‐over” Cyclometalation of 2,2′‐Bipyridine Platinum(II) Complexes in the Gas Phase: A Combined Experimental and Computational Study

In a combined experimental/computational investigation, the gas‐phase behavior of cationic [Pt(bipy)(CH₃)((CH₃)₂S)]⁺ ( 1 ) (bipy=2,2′‐bipyridine) has been explored. Losses of CH₄ and (CH₃)₂S from 1 result in the formation of a cyclometalated 2,2′‐bipyrid‐3‐yl species [Pt(bipy?H)]⁺ ( 2 ). As to the mechanisms of ligand evaporation, detailed labeling experiments complemented by DFT‐based computations reveal that the reaction follows the mechanistically intriguing “roll‐over” cyclometalation path in the course of which a hydrogen atom from the C(3)‐position is combined with the Pt‐bound methyl group to produce CH₄. Activation of a C? H‐bond of the (CH₃)₂S ligand occurs as well, but is less favored (35 % versus 65 %) as compared to the C(3)? H bond activation of bipy. In addition, the thermal ion/molecule reactions of [Pt(bipy?H)]⁺ with (CH₃)₂S have been examined, and for the major pathway, that is, the dehydrogenative coupling of the two methyl groups to form C₂H₄, a mechanism is suggested that is compatible with the experimental and computational findings. A hallmark of the gas‐phase chemistry of [Pt(bipy?H)]⁺ with the incoming (CH₃)₂S ligand is the exchange of one (and only one) hydrogen atom of the bipy fragment with the C? H bonds of dimethylsulfide in a reversible “roll‐over” cyclometalation reaction. The Pt^II‐mediated conversion of (CH₃)₂S to C₂H₄ may serve as a model to obtain mechanistic insight in the dehydrosulfurization of sulfur‐containing hydrocarbons.     

Asymmetric Hydrogenation with Iridium C,N and N,P Ligand Complexes: Characterization of Dihydride Intermediates with a Coordinated Alkene

Previously elusive iridium dihydride alkene complexes have been identified and characterized by NMR spectroscopy in solution. Reactivity studies demonstrated that these complexes are catalytically competent intermediates. Additional H₂ is required to convert the catalyst‐bound alkene into the hydrogenation product, supporting an Ir^III/Ir^V cycle via an [Ir^III(H)₂(alkene)(H₂)(L)]⁺ intermediate, as originally proposed based on DFT calculations. NMR analyses indicate a reaction pathway proceeding through rapidly equilibrating isomeric dihydride alkene intermediates with a subsequent slow enantioselectivity‐determining step. As in the classical example of asymmetric hydrogenation with rhodium diphosphine catalysts, it is a minor, less stable intermediate that is converted into the major product enantiomer.     

Mass spectrometric monitoring of oxidation of aliphatic C6–C8 hydrocarbons and ethanol in low pressure oxygen and air plasmas

Experimental and theoretical studies on the oxidation of saturated hydrocarbons (n‐hexane, cyclohexane, n‐heptane, n‐octane and isooctane) and ethanol in 28 Torr O₂ or air plasma generated by a hollow cathode discharge ion source were made. Ions corresponding to [M + 15]⁺ and [M + 13]⁺ in addition to [M ? H]⁺ and [M ? 3H]⁺ were detected as major ions where M is the sample molecule. The ions [M + 15]⁺ and [M + 13]⁺ were assigned as oxidation products, [M ? H + O]⁺ and [M ? 3H + O]⁺, respectively. By the tandem mass spectrometry analysis of [M ? H + O]⁺ and [M ? 3H + O]⁺, H₂O, olefins (and/or cycloalkanes) and oxygen‐containing compounds were eliminated from these ions. Ozone as one of the terminal products in the O₂ plasma was postulated as the oxidizing reagent. As an example, the reactions of C₆H₁₄^+? with O₂ and of C₆H₁₃⁺ (CH₃CH₂CH⁺CH₂CH₂CH₃) with ozone were examined by density functional theory calculations. Nucleophilic interaction of ozone with C₆H₁₃⁺ leads to the formation of protonated ketone, CH₃CH₂C(=OH⁺)CH₂CH₂CH₃. In air plasma, [M ? H + O]⁺ became predominant over carbocations, [M ? H]⁺ and [M ? 3H]⁺. For ethanol, the protonated acetic acid CH₃C(OH)₂⁺ (m/z 61.03) was formed as the oxidation product. The peaks at m/z 75.04 and 75.08 are assigned as protonated ethyl formate and protonated diethyl ether, respectively, and that at m/z 89.06 as protonated ethyl acetate. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ligand metalation in an iridiumtris(diisopropylphosphinomethyl)borato complex: Synthesis, molecular structure and reactivity

The reaction of [IrCl(dmso)₃] with trisphosphinomethylborato ligand Li(THF){PhB(CH₂PⁱPr₂)₃} at room temperature results in intramolecular C-H activation of one of the ⁱPr substituents affording two diastereomers of cyclometalated iridium(III) complex [Ir(H)(dmso){PhB(CH₂PⁱPr₂)₂(CH₂PⁱPrCHMeCH₂)}] (1) in high yield in approximately equimolar ratio. NMR spectroscopic characterization indicates that only the diastereomers with the hydride ligand in cis position with respect to the metalacyclic phosphorous atom are formed as confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Facile ring opening with H₂ at room temperature gives dihydride [Ir(H)₂(dmso){PhB(CH₂PⁱPr₂)₃}] (2). However, C-H activation of benzene was not observed.     

Iridium Complexes of 2,2′‐Bidipyrrins

The reaction of [{Ir(cod)(μ‐Cl)}₂] and K₂CO₃ or of [{Ir(cod)(μ‐OMe)}₂] alone with the non‐natural tetrapyrrole 2,2′‐bidipyrrin (H₂BDP) yields, depending on the stoichiometry, the mononuclear complex [Ir(cod)(HBDP)] or the homodinuclear complex [{Ir(cod)}₂(BDP)]. Both complexes react readily with carbon monoxide to yield the species [Ir(CO)₂(HBDP)] and [{Ir(CO)₂}₂(BDP)], respectively. The results from NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction reveal different conformations for the tetrapyrrolic ligand in both complexes. The reaction of [{Ir(coe)₂(μ‐Cl)}₂] with H₂BDP proceeds differently and yields the macrocyclic [4e^?,2H⁺]‐oxidized product [IrCl₂(9‐Meic)] (9‐Meic = monoanion of 9‐methyl‐9,10‐isocorrole), which can be addressed as an iridium analog of cobalamin.     

Highly Active,Low‐Valence Molybdenum‐ and Tungsten‐Amide Catalysts for Bifunctional Imine‐Hydrogenation Reactions

The reactions of [M(NO)(CO)₄(ClAlCl₃)] (M=Mo, W) with (iPr₂PCH₂CH₂)₂NH, (PN^HP) at 90 °C afforded [M(NO)(CO)(PN^HP)Cl] complexes (M=Mo, 1a ; W, 1b ). The treatment of compound 1a with KOtBu as a base at room temperature yielded the alkoxide complex [Mo(NO)(CO)(PN^HP)(OtBu)] ( 2a ). In contrast, with the amide base Na[N(SiMe₃)₂], the PN^HP ligand moieties in compounds 1a and 1b could be deprotonated at room temperature, thereby inducing dehydrochlorination into amido complexes [M(NO)(CO)(PNP)] (M=Mo, 3a ; W, 3b ; PNP=(iPr₂PCH₂CH₂)₂N)). Compounds 3a and 3b have pseudo‐trigonal‐bipyramidal geometries, in which the amido nitrogen atom is in the equatorial plane. At room temperature, compounds 3a and 3b were capable of adding dihydrogen, with heterolytic splitting, thereby forming pairs of isomeric amine‐hydride complexes [Mo(NO)(CO)H(PN^HP)] ( 4a(cis) and 4a(trans) ) and [W(NO)(CO)H(PN^HP)] ( 4b(cis) and 4b(trans) ; cis and trans correspond to the position of the H and NO groups). H₂ approaches the Mo/W?N bond in compounds 3a , 3b from either the CO‐ligand side or from the NO‐ligand side. Compounds 4a(cis) and 4a(trans) were only found to be stable under a H₂ atmosphere and could not be isolated. At 140 °C and 60 bar H₂, compounds 3a and 3b catalyzed the hydrogenation of imines, thereby showing maximum turnover frequencies (TOFs) of 2912 and 1120 h^?1, respectively, for the hydrogenation of N‐(4 ‐ methoxybenzylidene)aniline. A Hammett plot for various para‐substituted imines revealed linear correlations with a negative slope of ?3.69 for para substitution on the benzylidene side and a positive slope of 0.68 for para substitution on the aniline side. Kinetics analysis revealed the initial rate of the hydrogenation reactions to be first order in c(cat.) and zeroth order in c(imine). Deuterium kinetic isotope effect (DKIE) experiments furnished a low k_H/k_D value (1.28), which supported a Noyori‐type metal–ligand bifunctional mechanism with H₂ addition as the rate‐limiting step.     

Formation,Dynamic Behavior,and Chemical Transformation of Pt Complexes with a Rotaxane‐like Structure

The reaction of [Pt(CH₂COMe)(Ph)(cod)] (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) with (ArCH₂NH₂CH₂‐C₆H₄COOH)⁺(PF₆)^? (Ar=4‐tBuC₆H₄ or 9‐anthryl) in the presence of cyclic oligoethers such as dibenzo[24]crown‐8 (DB24C8) and dicyclohexano[24]crown‐8 (DC24C8) produces {(ce)[ArCH₂NH₂CH₂C₆H₄COOPt(Ph)(cod)]}⁺(PF₆)^? (ce=DB24C8 or DC24C8, Ar=4‐tBuC₆H₄ or 9‐anthryl) with interlocked structures. FABMS and NMR spectra of a solution of these compounds indicate that the Pt complexes with a secondary ammonium group and DB24C8 (or DC24C8) make up the axis and cyclic components, respectively. Temperature‐dependent ¹H NMR spectra of a solution of {(DB24C8)[4‐tBuC₆H₄CH₂NH₂CH₂‐C₆H₄COOPt(Ph)(cod)]}⁺(PF₆)^? ({(DB24C8)[ 4 ‐H]}⁺(PF₆)^?) show equilibration with free DB24C8 and the axis component. The addition of DB24C8 to a solution of {(DC24C8)[ 4 ‐H]}⁺(PF₆)^? causes partial exchange of the macrocyclic component of the interlocked molecules, giving a mixture of {(DC24C8)[ 4 ‐H]}⁺(PF₆)^?, {(DB24C8)[ 4 ‐H]}⁺(PF₆)^?, and free macrocyclic compounds. The reaction of 3,5‐Me₂C₆H₃COCl with {(DB24C8)[ 4 ‐H]}⁺(PF₆)^? affords the organic rotaxane {(DB24C8)(4‐tBuC₆H₄CH₂NH₂CH₂‐C₆H₄COOCOC₆H₃Me₂‐3,5)}⁺(PF₆)^? through C? O bond formation between the aroyl group and the carboxylate ligand of the axis component. The addition of 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy) to a solution of {(DB24C8)[ 4 ‐H]}⁺(PF₆)^? induces the degradation of the interlocked structure to form a complex with trigonal bipyramidal coordination, [Pt(Ph)(bpy)(cod)]⁺(PF₆)^?, whereas the reaction of bpy with [Pt(OCOC₆H₄Me‐4)(Ph)(cod)] produces the square‐planar complex [Pt(OCOC₆H₄Me‐4)(Ph)(bpy)].     

Inactivity of iridium–triphenylphosphine complexes for catalytic imine hydrogenation: formation of neutral, dihydrido-ortho-metallated species

Reactions of cis,trans,cis-[Ir(H)₂(PPh₃)₂(MeOH)₂]PF₆ in MeOH with the imines Ph(R′)C=NR under 1 atm H₂ precipitate the neutral, Ir(III)-dihydrido complexes [Ir(H)₂{RN=C(R′)(o-C ₆H₄)}(PPh₃)₂], where R = alkyl or benzyl, and R′ = Ph, H, or Me; the dihydrides are well characterized through elemental analysis, NMR and IR data and, in one case, with the imine Ph₂C=NCH₂Ph, an X-ray structure. These products are formed via intermediate ortho-metallated species, exemplified by [Ir(H){PhCH₂N=CPh(o-C ₆H₄)}(PPh₃)₂(MeOH)]PF₆ in the case of the Ph₂C=NCH₂Ph reaction; the intermediate then reacts with H₂ (via net heterolytic cleavage: H₂ → H⁻ + H⁺) to give the neutral dihydride and HPF₆ as co-product. The ‘unique’ imine PhCH=NPh, under the same conditions, does not form a dihydride and instead is readily catalytically hydrogenated to PhCH₂N(H)Ph; remarkably, we have shown previously that this imine is ‘unique’ within the corresponding Rh system in that no catalytic hydrogenation occurs because the amine product ‘poisons’ the Rh centre by coordination through the N-phenyl ring.