The molybdenum-molybdenum triple bond—XVII. Syntheses,spectroscopic and structural characterizations of Mo4F4(O—t-Bu)8 and Mo2F2(O—t-Bu)4(PMe3)2 (MoMo)

Hydrocarbon solutions of Mo₂(O—t-Bu)₆ and PF₃ (2 equiv) yield Mo₄F₄(O—t-Bu)₈, I, and PF₂(O—t-Bu). Compound I contains a bisphenoid of molybdenum atoms with two short MoMo distances, 2.26 Å, and four long MoMo distances, 3.75 Å, corresponding to localized MoMo triple bonding and non-bonding distances, respectively. The tetranuclear compound may be viewed as a dimer, [Mo₂(μ₂-F)₂(O-t-Bu)₄]₂, and addition of PMe₃ to hydrocarbon solutions of I yields Mo₂F₂(O—t-Bu)₄(PMe₃)₂, II, which contains an unbridged MoMo triple bond of distance 2.27 Å. Each molybdenum atom is coordinated to two oxygen atoms, one fluorine atom and the phosphorus atom of the PMe₃ ligand in a roughly square planar manner. The overall central Mo₂O₄F₂P₂ skeleton has C₂ symmetry and NMR studies (¹H, ¹⁹F and ³¹P) are consistent with the maintenance of this type of structure in solution. Infrared and electronic absorption spectral data are reported. These are the first compounds containing fluorine ligands attached to the (MoMo)⁶⁺ unit.     

The preparation and molecular structure oftrans-[MoCl2(PMe2Ph)4]

Summary The compoundtrans-[MoCl₂(PMe₂Ph)₄] has been prepared by the reduction of MoCl₅ (by Mg) or of [MoCl₃(PMe₂Ph)₃] (by LiBuⁿ) in the presence of PMe₂Ph in tetrahydrofuran (THF). It has _eff=2.84 B.M. and crystallises in space group P1 witha=11.591(3),b=12.931(3),c=12.703(3) Å, = 95.28(2), =105.97(2), =103.54(2)°. Refinement of the structure gave R=0.036. The Mo-Cl and Mo-P distances average 2.443(6) and 2.534(8) Å, respectively.Low-valent phosphine complexes of the Group VI metals continue to attract much attention because of their involvement in studies of the catalytic activation of dinitrogen⁽¹⁾, dihydrogen(^{2, 3}), alkenes and alkynes(⁴). As a by-product during our studies of dinitrogen(¹) and hydride(²) complexes of molybdenum and tungsten, we obtainedtrans-[MoCl_2- (PMe₂Ph)₄] as yellow, paramagnetic crystals (_eff= 2.84 B.M.). We first obtained the compound during the attempted synthesis ofcis-[Mo(N₂)₂(PMe₂Ph)₄] by reduction of MoCl₅ with Mg in the presence of PMe₂Ph (see Experimental). Upon identification of the compound we found that it could be readily synthesised by treatment of [MoCl₃(PMe₂Ph)₃]⁽⁵⁾ with LiBuⁿ in THF in the presence of PMe₂Ph (experimental).The complex was shown to have thetrans structure by x-ray analysis (Figure). Analogues oftrans-[MoCl₂(PMe₂Ph)₄] have been prepared, namely [CrCl₂(Me₂PCH₂CH₂PMe₂)₂]⁽⁶⁾,trans- [MoCl₂(PMe₃)₄]⁽⁷⁾, [WCl₂(PMe₂Ph)₄]⁽⁸⁾ and [WCl₂(PMe₃)₄]⁽⁴⁾, of which onlytrans-[MoCl₂(PMe₃)₄] has been examined by X-rays⁽⁷⁾. Its principal structural parametersi.e. d(Mo-Cl)= 2.420(6), d(Mo-P)_av=2.496(3) Å⁽⁶⁾ are close to those found here fortrans-[MoCl₂(PMe₂Ph)₄].     

Synthesis, spectroscopy and structures of palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes containing mercapto-o-carborane

The reactions of [M₂Cl₂(μ-Cl)₂(PMe₂Ph)₂] with mercapto-o-carboranes in the presence of pyridine afforded mono-nuclear complexes of composition, [MCl(SCb°R)(py)(PMe₂Ph)] (M = Pd or Pt; Cb° = o-C₂B₁₀H₁₀; R = H or Ph). The treatment of [PdCl₂(PEt₃)₂] with PhCb°SH yielded trans-[Pd(SCb°Ph)₂(PEt₃)₂] (4) which when left in solution in the presence of pyridine gave another substitution product, [Pd(SCb°Ph)₂(py)(PEt₃)] (5). The structures of [PdCl(SCb°Ph)(py)(PMe₂Ph)] (1), [Pd(SCb°Ph)₂(PEt₃)₂] (4) and [Pd(SCb^oPh)₂(py)(PEt₃)] (5) were established unambiguously by X-ray crystallography. The palladium atom in these complexes adopts a distorted square-planar configuration with neutral donor atoms occupying the trans positions. Thermolysis of [PdCl(SCb°)(py)(PMe₂Ph)] (2) in TOPO (trioctylphosphine oxide) at 200 °C gave nanocrystals of TOPO capped Pd₄S which were characterized by XRD pattern and SEM.     

Synthesis, characterization and reactivity of the molybdenum(VI) complex [MoCl(NAr)2(CH2CMe2Ph)] (Ar=2,6-Pr2C6H3)

The compounds [MoCl(NAr)₂R] (R=CH₂CMe₂Ph (1) or CH₂CMe₃(2); Ar=2,6-Prⁱ₂C₆H₃) have been prepared from [MoCl₂(NAr)₂(dme)] (dme=1,2-dimethoxyethane) and one equivalent of the respective Grignard reagent RMgCl in diethyl ether. Similarly, the mixed-imido complex [MoCl₂(NAr)(NBu^t)(dme)] affords [MoCl(NAr)(NBu^t)(CH₂CMe₂Ph)] (3). Chloride substitution reactions of 1 with the appropriate lithium reagents afford the compounds [MoCp(NAr)₂(CH₂CMe₂Ph)] (4) (Cp=cyclopentadienyl), [MoInd(NAr)₂(CH₂CMe₂Ph)] (5) (Ind=Indenyl), [Mo(OBu^t)(NAr)₂(CH₂CMe ₂Ph)] (6), [MoMe(NAr)₂(CH₂CMe₂Ph)] (7), [MoMe(PMe₃)(NAr)₂(CH₂CMe ₂Ph)] (8) (formed in the presence of PMe₃) and [Mo(NHAr)(NAr)₂(CH₂CMe₂P h)](9). In the latter case, a by-product {[Mo(NAr)₂(CH₂CMe₂Ph) ]₂(μ-O)}(10) has also been isolated. The crystal structures of 1, 4, 5 and 10 have been determined. All possess distorted tetrahedral metal centres with cis near-linear arylimido ligands; in each case (except 5, for which the evidence is unclear) there are α-agostic interactions present.     

Isomerism in tetrahedral rhenium cluster complexes [Re4Q4(PMe2Ph)4X8]·nCH2Cl2 (Q = Se, X = Br; Q = Te, X = Cl, Br)

Three new tetrahedral rhenium cluster compounds [Re₄Se₄(PMe₂Ph)₄Br₈]·1.5CH₂Cl₂ (1), [Re₄Te₄(PMe₂Ph)₄Br₈]·CH₂Cl₂ (2), and [Re₄Te₄(PMe₂Ph)₄Cl₈]·CH₂Cl₂ (3) have been synthesized by the reaction of the corresponding precursor chalcohalide complexes [Re₄Q₄(TeX₂)₄X₈] (X = Br, Q = Se (for 1), Te (for 2); X = Cl, Q = Te (for 3)) with dimethylphenylphosphine in CH₂Cl₂. All compounds have been characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction and elemental analyses, IR and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. ³¹P NMR spectroscopy indicates the formation of isomers in solution, confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of the Novel Tetrameric Nitrido Complexes [{cyclo-ReN}4(S2CNEt2)6(MeOH)2(PPh3)2][BPh4]2 · CH2Cl2 · 2 H2O and [{cyclo-ReN}4(S2CNEt2)4Cl4(PMe2Ph)4] · 2 acetone

Novel tetrameric rhenium(V) complexes have been prepared from [ReNCl₂(PPh₃)₂] and [ReN(PMe₂Ph)(S₂CNEt)₂], respectively. [ReNCl₂(PPh₃)₂] reacts with 1.5 equivalents of KS₂CNEt₂ in methanol to yield the unusual dark red species [{cyclo-ReN}₄(S₂CNEt₂)₆(MeOH)₂(PPh₃)₂][BPh₄]₂ · CH₂Cl₂ · 2 H₂O ( 1 ). The crystal structure of the tetramer (triclinic, space group P1, a = 13.842(2), b = 15.213(2), c = 16.796(3) Å, α = 67.88(1), β = 70.90(1), γ = 88.05(1)°, U = 3080.2(8) ų, Z = 1) shows four rhenium atoms in a square configuration which are bridged via linear asymmetric Re≡N–Re groups with bond lengths of about 169 and 203 pm. The molecule contains a centre of symmetry with two distinct octahedral rhenium environments. The first rhenium environment contains two bidentate dithiocarbamate ligands which complete the octahedral geometry and the second contains a bidentate dithiocarbamate ligand, coordinated methanol and has retained a single phosphine coligand. A symmetric compound containing the {cyclo-ReN}₄ core is obtained from the reaction of [ReN(PMe₂Ph)(S₂CNEt₂)₂] with Al₂Cl₆ in acetone. [{cyclo-ReN}₄(S₂CNEt₂)₄Cl₄(PMe₂Ph)₄] · 2 acetone ( 2 ) forms red crystals (monoclinic, space group C2/c, a = 21.432(6), b = 13.700(3), c = 28.060(9) Å, β = 102.37(1)°, U = 8048(4) Å3, Z = 4) with each rhenium atom coordinated by a bidentate dithiocarbamato, a phosphine and a chloro ligand. The non-planar 8-membered {ReN}₄ ring contains asymmetric Re≡N–Re bridges (mean values: 1.69 Å and 2.029 Å, respectively). In contrast, reaction of [ReNCl(S₂CNEt₂)(PMe₂Ph)₂] with one equivalent of K[S₂CN(Me)CH₂CH₂NMe₃]I gave the mixed dithiocarbamato-cation [ReN(S₂CNEt₂)(S₂CN(Me)CH₂CH₂NMe₃)(PMe₂Ph)]⁺ ( 3 ) which was isolated as a tetraphenylborate salt.     

1-Selenolato-2-phenyl-o-carborane complexes of palladium(II) and platinum(II): Synthesis, spectroscopy and structures

The reactions of PhCb^oSeNa (Cb^o = o-C₂B₁₀H₁₀), prepared by reductive cleavage of Se-Se bond in (PhCb^oSe)₂ by NaBH₄ in methanol, with Na₂PdCl₄, MCl₂(PR₃)₂ and [M₂Cl₂(μ-Cl)₂(PR₃)₂] afforded a variety of complexes, viz., [Pd(SeCb^oPh)Cl] (1), [M(SeCb^oPh)₂(PR₃)₂], [M₂Cl₂(μ-SeCb^oPh)(μ-Cl)(PR₃)₂] (M = Pd, Pt) and [Pd₂Cl(SeCb⁰Ph)(μ-Cl)(μ-SeCb^oPh)(PEt₃)₂] (7) have been isolated. These complexes were characterized by elemental analyses and NMR (¹H, ³¹P, ⁷⁷Se, ¹⁹⁵Pt) spectroscopy. The structures of [Pd(SeCb^oPh)₂(PEt₃)₂] (2), [Pt(SeCb^oPh)₂(PMe₂Ph)₂] (3), [Pd₂Cl₂(μ-SeCb^oPh)(μ-Cl)(PMe₂Ph)₂] (5) and [Pd₂Cl(SeCb^oPh)(μ-Cl)(μ-SeCb^oPh)(PEt₃)₂] (7) were established by X-ray crystallography. The latter represents the first example of asymmetric coordination of selenolate ligands in binuclear bis chalcogenolate complexes of palladium and platinum. Thermolysis of [Pd(SeCb^oPh)₂(PEt₃)₂] (2) in HDA (hexadecylamine) at 330 °C gave nano-crystals of Pd₁₇Se₁₅.     

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)].     

Redox and oxo-abstraction Reactions of Silylamine with MoOCl4

Trimethylsilyldiethylamine Me₃SiNEt₂ and MoOCl₄ (1:1) undergo a free radical redox reaction in CH₂Cl₂ or Et₂O to form MoCl₃O(HNEt₂). Reduction occurs even in aprotic media like CCl₄ and CS₂ to give Mo^V complexes Mo₂Cl₆O₂(N₂Et₄) and Mo₂Cl₆O₂[(SCNEt₂)₂S₂], respectively. A 2:1 reaction in nonionizing protic solvents undergoes redox cum cleavage to provide MoCl₂O(NEt₂) (HNEt₂) but a reaction at reflux temperature in 1,2-dichloroethane leads to diethylammonium salt, [Et₂NH₂][MoCl₄O(HNEt₂)]. Higher molar reactions (3:1, 4:1) in CH₂Cl₂ or Et₂O are associated with redox reaction as well as oxygen atom abstraction to form de-oxo Mo^IV complex MoCl₃(NEt₂)(HNEt₂)₂, whereas, a 3:1 reaction in CS₂ forms Mo₂Cl₄O(S₂CNEt₂)₄. Compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses, redox titration, magnetic moment, conductance, infrared, electronic absorption and ¹H-NMR measurements.     

Comparative reactivity studies of dppf-containing CpRu and (C6Me6)Ru complexes towards different donor ligands (dppf=1,1-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene)

[CpRu(dppf)Cl] (Cp=η⁵-C₅H₅) (1) and [(HMB)Ru(dppf)Cl]PF₆ ((HMB)=η⁶-C₆Me₆) (3) react with different donor ligands to give rise to N-, P- and S-bonded complexes. The stoichiometric reactions of 1 and 3 with NaNCS give the mononuclear complexes [CpRu(dppf)(NCS)] (2) and [(HMB)Ru(dppf)(NCS)]PF₆ (4), respectively, in yields above 80%, while 3 also gives a dppf-bridged diruthenium complex [(HMB)Ru(NCS)₂]₂(μ-dppf) (5) in 67% yield from reaction with four molar equivalents of NaNCS. Compound 5 is also obtained in 70% yield from the reaction of 4 with excess NaNCS. With CH₃CN in the presence of salts, both 1 and 3 give their analogous solvento derivatives [CpRu(dppf)(CH₃CN)]BPh₄ (6) and [(HMB)Ru(dppf)(CH₃CN)] (PF₆)₂ (7). With phosphines, the reaction of 1 gives chloro-displaced complexes [(CpRu(dppf)L]PF₆ (L =PMe₃ (8), PMe₂Ph(9)), whereas the reaction of 3 with PMe₂Ph leads to substitution of dppf, giving [(HMB)Ru(PMe₂Ph)₂Cl] PF₆ (10). The reaction of 1 with NaS₂CNEt₂ gives a dinuclear dppf-bridged complex [{CpRu(S₂CNEt₂)}₂(μ-dppf)] (11), whereas that of 3 results in loss of the HMB ligand giving a mononuclear complex [Ru(dppf)(S₂CNEt₂)₂] (12). With elemental sulfur S₈, 1 is oxidized to give a dinuclear CpRu^III dppf-chelated complex [{CpRu(dppf)}₂(μ-S₂)](BPh₄)Cl (13), whereas 3 undergoes oxidation at the ligand, giving a dppf-displaced complex [(HMB)Ru(CH₃CN)₂Cl]PF₆ (14) and free dppfS₂. The structures of 1, 2, 5-9, 11, 13 and 14 were established by X-ray single crystal diffraction analyses. Of these, 5 and 11 both contain a dppf-bridge between Ru^II centers, while 13 is a dinuclear CpRu^III disulfide-bridged complex; all the others are mononuclear. All complexes obtained were also spectroscopically characterized.     

Preparation and molecular structure of a dinuclear rhodium complex having an unbalanced (15 + 17)-electron count

The reaction of [Rh₂(acac)₂{μ-C(p-tol)₂}₂(μ-SbiPr₃)] (1) with PMe₃ led to the displacement of the stibine by phosphine and afforded the highly labile intermediate [Rh₂(acac)₂(PMe₃){μ-C(p-tol)₂}₂] (2) in which the PMe₃ ligand possibly occupies a terminal position. Treatment of 2 with CO at low temperatures gave the unsymmetrical dinuclear complex [Rh₂(acac)₂(PMe₃){μ-C(p-tol)₂}₂(μ-CO)] (3), the molecular structure of which was determined crystallographically.     

Atom transfer radical polymerisation of styrene controlled by phosphine-containing coordination compounds of Mo(III)/Mo(IV)

A controlled polymerisation of styrene has been achieved under ATRP conditions by using a phosphine-containing Mo^III/Mo^IV system. Linearity of the M_n vs conversion plot and low PDI’s are observed in bulk, in a 30% (v/v) PhCl solution, and in a chain extension experiment when using MoCl₃(PMe₃)₃/BIB. Controlled polymerisation is also observed for a reverse ATRP experiment starting from MoCl₄(PMe₃)₃/AIBN. The absence of chain transfer and termination is confirmed by NMR and MALDI–TOF analyses of polymers obtained by employing BEB and BIB as initiators. To cite this article: F. Stoffelbach et al., C. R. Chimie 5 (2002) 37–42     

Synthesis and structure of hexabenzyl-dimolybdenum (MoMo)

The homoleptic benzyl Mo₂(CH₂Ph)₆ has been obtained by reaction of either MoCl₄(thf)₂ or Mo₂(OPrⁱ)₆ with Mg(CH₂Ph)₂. The dark-red, sparingly soluble complex has been characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR as well as by a solid-state structure analysis. Pertinent bond distances (Å) and angles (°) for the unbridged, ethane-like molecule which contains crystallographic S₆-symmetry are: MoMo = 2.175(1), MoC = 2.162(2), MoMoC = 97.61(6), and MoCC(Ph) = 98.9(1).     

Neue phosphidoverbrückte Mehrkernkomplexe des Ag und Zn. Die Kristallstrukturen von [Ag3(PPh2)3(PnBu2tBu)3], [Ag4(PPh2)4(PR3)4] (PR3 = PMenPr2, PnPr3), [Ag4(PPh2)4(PEt3)4]n, [Zn4(PPh2)4Cl4(PRR2)2] (PRR′2 = PMenPr2, PnBu3, PEt2Ph), [Zn4(PhPSiMe3)4Cl4(C4H8O)2] und [Zn4(PtBu2)4Cl4]

New Phosphido-bridged Multinuclear Complexes of Ag and Zn. The Crystal Structures of [Ag₃(PPh₂)₃(PⁿBu₂^tBu)₃], [Ag₄(PPh₂)₄(PR₃)₄] (PR₃ = PMeⁿPr₂, PⁿPr₃), [Ag₄(PPh₂)₄(PEt₃)₄]_n, [Zn₄(PPh₂)₄Cl₄(PRR′₂)₂] (PRR′₂ = PMeⁿPr₂, PⁿBu₃, PEt₂Ph), [Zn₄(PhPSiMe₃)₄Cl₄(C₄H₈O)₂] and [Zn₄(P^tBu₂)₄Cl₄] AgCl reacts with Ph₂PSiMe₃ in the presence of tertiary Phosphines (PⁿBu₂^tBu, PMeⁿPr₂, PⁿPr₃ and PEt₃) to form the multinuclear complexes [Ag₃(PPh₂)₃(PⁿBu₂^tBu)₃] 1 , [Ag₄(PPh₂)₄(PR₃)₄] (PR₃ = PMeⁿPr₂ 2 , PⁿPr₃ 3 ) and [Ag₄(PPh₂)₄(PEt₃)₄]_n 4 . In analogy to that ZnCl₂ reacts with Ph₂PSiMe₃ and PRR′₂ to form the multinuclear complexes [Zn₄(PPh₂)₄Cl₄(PRR′₂)₂] (PRR′₂ = PMeⁿPr₂ 5 , PⁿBu₃ 6 , PEt₂Ph 7 ). Further it was possible to obtain the compounds [Zn₄(PhPSiMe₃)₄Cl₄(C₄H₈O)₂] 8 and [Zn₄(P^tBu₂)₄Cl₄] 9 by reaction of ZnCl₂ with PhP(SiMe₃)₂ and ^tBu₂PSiMe₃, respectively. The structures were characterized by X-ray single crystal structure analysis. Crystallographic data see “Inhaltsübersicht”.     

Carbomolybdate clusters formed by carbonyl insertion into molybdenum-oxygen bonds. Structural investigation of the [RMo4O15X] core (R = ---C9H4O, X = OCH3; R = ---C14H10, X = ---C7H5O2; R = C14H8, X = ---OH)

[C₄H₉)₄N]₂[Mo₂O₇] reacts with a variety of organic species containing α-diketone groups to give tetranuclear complexes of general composition [RMo₄O₁₅X]³⁻. The complexes [(C₄H₉)₄N]₃[(C₉H₄O)Mo₄O₁₅(OCH₃)] (I), [(C₄H₉)₄N]₃[(C₁₄H₁₀)Mo₄O₁₅(C₆H₅CO₂)] (11) and [(C₄H₉)₄N]₃[(C₁₄H₈)Mo₄O₁₅(OH)] (III) were synthesized from the reactions of dimolybdate with ninhydrin, benzil and phenanthraquinone, respectively. Complex II may also be prepared from dimolybdate and benzoin in acetonitrile-methanol solution, from which it co-crystallizes with the binuclear species [(C₄H₉)₄N]₂[Mo₂O₅(C₆H₅C(O)C(O)C₆H₅)₂] · CH₃CN · CH₃OH (IV). Complexes I–III exhibit the tetranuclear core, previously described for the α-glyoxal derivatives [(C₄H₉)₄N]₃[(HCCH)Mo₄O₁₅X], where X = F⁻ or HCO₂⁻. The ligands may be formally described as diketals, formed by insertion of ligand carbonyl subunits into molybdenum-oxygen bonds. The structures I–III differ most dramatically in the identity and coordination mode of the anionic ligand X⁻ which occupies a position opposite the diketal moiety relative to the [Mo₄O₁₁]²⁺ central cage. Thus, I exhibits a doubly bridging methoxy group in this position, while II possesses a benzoate ligand with an unusual μ₃-O,O′coordination mode. Complex III presents a hydroxy-group unsymmetrically bonded to three of the molybdenum centres. The stereochemical consequences of the various coordination modes are discussed. Crystal data: Compound I, monoclinic space group Pc, a = 24.888(2), b = 12.897(3), c = 24.900(3) Å, β = 101.94(2)°, D_calc = 1.28 g cm⁻¹ for Z = 4. Structure solution and refinement based on 8695 reflections with F_o 6σ(F_o) (Mo-K_α, λ = 0.71073 Å) converged at a conventional discrepancy factor of 0.060. Compound II, orthorhombic space group Pbca, a = 20.426(6), b = 26.916(6), c = 32.147(7) Å, V = 17673.2(20) ų, D_calc = 1.33 g cm⁻³ for Z = 8; 5224 reflections, R = 0.076. Compound III, tetragonal space group I4₁/a, a = b = 48.129(6), c = 13.057(2) Å, V = 30246.2(12) ų, D_calc = 1.35 g cm⁻³ for Z = 16; 5554 reflections, R = 0.053. Compound IV, orthorhombic space group Pnca, a = 16.097(4), b = 16.755(4), c = 25.986(7) Å, V = 7008.1(13) ų, Z = 4, D_calc = 1.18 g cm⁻³ ; 2944 reflections, R = 0.061.     

Activation of Aryl and Heteroaryl Halides by an Iron(I) Complex Generated in the Reduction of [Fe(acac)3] by PhMgBr: Electron Transfer versus Oxidative Addition

The mechanism of the reactions of aryl/heteroaryl halides with aryl Grignard reagents catalyzed by [Fe^III(acac)₃] (acac=acetylacetonate) has been investigated. It is shown that in the presence of excess PhMgBr, [Fe^III(acac)₃] affords two reduced complexes: [PhFe^II(acac)(thf)_n] (n=1 or 2) (characterized by ¹H NMR and cyclic voltammetry) and [PhFe^I(acac)(thf)]^? (characterized by cyclic voltammetry, ¹H NMR, EPR and DFT). Whereas [PhFe^II(acac)(thf)_n] does not react with any of the investigated aryl or heteroaryl halides, the Fe^I complex [PhFe^I(acac)(thf)]^? reacts with ArX (Ar=Ph, 4‐tolyl; X=I, Br) through an inner‐sphere monoelectronic reduction (promoted by halogen bonding) to afford the corresponding arene ArH together with the Grignard homocoupling product PhPh. In contrast, [PhFe^I(acac)(thf)]^? reacts with a heteroaryl chloride (2‐chloropyridine) to afford the cross‐coupling product (2‐phenylpyridine) through an oxidative addition/reductive elimination sequence. The mechanism of the reaction of [PhFe^I(acac)(thf)]^? with the aryl and heteroaryl halides has been explored on the basis of DFT calculations.     

Synthesis and properties of pyrazine-pillared Ag3Mo2O4F7 and AgReO4 layered phases

The new pyrazine-pillared solids, AgReO₄(C₄H₄N₂) (I) and Ag₃Mo₂O₄F₇(C₄H₄N₂)₃ (C₄H₄N₂=pyrazine, pyz) (II), were synthesized by hydrothermal methods at 150 °C and characterized using single crystal X-ray diffraction (I—P2₁/c, No. 14, Z=4, a=7.2238(6) Å, b=7.4940(7) Å, c=15.451(1) Å, β=92.296(4)°; II—P2/n, No. 13, Z=2, a=7.6465(9) Å, b=7.1888(5) Å, c=19.142(2) Å, β=100.284(8)°), thermogravimetric analysis, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance, and photoluminescence measurements. Individual Ag(pyz) chains in I are bonded to three perrhenate ReO₄^- tetrahedra per layer, while each layer in II contains sets of three edge-shared Ag(pyz) chains (π-π stacked) that are edge-shared to four Mo₂O₄F₇^3- dimers. A relatively small interlayer spacing results from the short length of the pyrazine pillars, and which can be removed at just slightly above their preparation temperature, at >150-175 °C, to produce crystalline AgReO₄ for I, and Ag₂MoO₄ and an unidentified product for II. Both pillared solids exhibit strong orange-yellow photoemission, at 575 nm for I and 560 nm for II, arising from electronic excitations across (charge transfer) band gaps of 2.91 and 2.76 eV in each, respectively. Their structures and properties are analyzed with respect to parent ‘organic free’ silver perrhenate and molybdate solids which manifest similar photoemissions, as well as to the calculated electronic band structures.     

Further studies of phosphine adducts of niobium(IV) and tantalum(IV) chlorides: New seven- and eight-coordinate compounds with trimethylphosphine: NbCl4(PMe3)3 and Ta2Cl8(PMe3)4

The reaction of NbCl₄(THF)₂ with an excess of PMe₃ in toluene solution afforded a 70% isolated yield of green NbCl₄(PMe₃)₃. When a slurry of TaCl₅ in toluene containing a slight excess of PMe₃ was reduced with sodium amalgam overnight, a 60% yield of orange to red (depending on crystal size) Ta₂Cl₈(PMe₃)₄ was obtained. Both compounds have been fully characterized by X-ray crystallography. NbCl₄(PMe₃)₃ forms monoclinic crystals (P2₁/c) with unit cell dimensions a = 15.061(3) Å, b = 11.677(4) Å, c = 11.583(4) Å, β = 91.71(3)°, V = 2036(2) ų, and Z = 4. It is isomorphous with its TaCl₄(PMe₃)₃ homolog, and the bond lengths and angles are very similar. Ta₂Cl₈(PMe₃)₄ forms cubic crystals (Im3) with a = 16.377(2), V = 4392(2) ų and Z = 6. It is thus isomorphous with its niobium homolog, and the internal dimensions are quite comparable. The Ta-Ta distance is 2.830(1) Å, consistent with the existence of a single bond.     

Mass spectrometry of metal compounds. III. Electron-impact-induced mass spectrometric studies of bis(acetylacetonato)dioxomolybdenum(VI), MoO2(C5H7O2)2, and tetrakis(acetylacetonato)dioxo-μ-oxodimolybdenum(V), Mo2O3(C5H7O2)4

Electron-impact-induced mass spectra of MoO₂(C₅H₇O₂)₂, 1, and Mo₂O₃(C₅H₇O₂)₄, 2, recorded at an ion-source temperature of 100°C show the molecular ion signals at m/z 328 and at m/z 636, respectively, indicating that they do not undergo association in the vapour state. The parent ion of 1, unlike bis(acetylacetonato)metalates of the first-row transition metals, loses (CH₂CO followed by C₃H₅O to produce [MoO₂(C₅H₇O₂)]⁺ at m/z 229, the base peak, which ultimately fragments to [MoO₂]⁺. The molecular ion of 2, [Mo₂O₃(C₅H₇O₂)₄]⁺, undergoes fragmentation following two different, but equally probable, pathways with one involving the loss of C₅H₇O₂ and C₅H₇O groups producing the ion [Mo₂O₄(C₅H₇O₂)₂]⁺, and the other involving the formation of the ion [MoO(acac)₂]⁺ directly from the parent ion. The signal at m/z 312 owing to the ion [MoO(C₅H₇O₂)₂]⁺ constitutes the base peak in the spectrum of 2. Metastable transitions were studied, and the most probable fragmentation schemes for the compounds 1 and 2 are suggested. There is evidence for CH₃ shift from the ligand to the oxygen atoms bound to the metal centres or to form metal-carbon bonds.     

Preparation and properties of dinitrogen trimethylphosphine complexes of molybdenum and tungsten—II: Synthesis and crystal structures of [MCl(N2)(PMe3)4] (M = Mo,W) and trans-[MoCl2(PMe3)4]

Sodium amalgam reduction of the complexes [MCl₃(PMe₃)₃] (M = Mo, W) in tetrahydrofuran, under dinitrogen, yields dark red-brown suspensions from which red-orange crystals of composition trans-[MCl(N₂)· (PMe₃)₄] can be collected. Spectroscopic and chemical evidence indicate the compounds are best formulated as mixtures of trans-[M(N₂)₂(PMe₃)₄] and trans-[MCl₂(PMe₃)₄] species, but attempts to isolate the pure bis(dinitro derivatives have proved unsuccessful. Single crystals of analytical composition [MCl(N₂)(PMe₃)₄] have been studied by X-ray crystallography, and the structure of trans-[MoCl₂(PMe₃)₄] has been determined for comparison. trans-[MCl(N₂)(PMe₃)₄] (M = Mo, W) and trans-[MoCl₂(PMe₃)₄] are all isostructural, crystallizing in the tetragonal space group I$\text{4}$2 trans-[MoCl(N₂)(PMe₃)₄] has a = 9.597(5), b = 12.294(6) Å, D_c = 1.36g cm^?3 Z = 2 and was refined to a final R value of 0.021 based on 319 independent observed reflections. The tungsten analogue has a = 9.573(4), b = 12.278(5) Å, D_c = 1.63g cm^?3 for Z = 2 and was refined to R = 0.19 with 322 independent observed reflections. trans-[MoCl₂(PMe₃)₄] has cell parameters a = 9.675(5), b = 12.311(6) Å D_c = 1.36 g cm^?3 for Z = 2 and was refined to R = 0.043 with 316 independent observed reflections. In each case the metal atom resides on a crystallographic $\text{4}$2m position. For trans-[MoCl(N₂)(PMe₃)₄] (M = Mo, W) the chlorine and dinitrogen ligands are disordered. M-N distances of 2.08(1) ? (M = Mo) and 2.04(2) ? (M = W) and M-Cl bond lengths of 2.415(8) Å (M = Mo) and 2.46(1) Å (M = W) are observed. In trans-[MoCl₂(PMe₃)₄], where there is no disorder, the Mo-Cl distance is 2.420(6) Å.