Some ruthenium complexes of fluorinated alkynylcyclopentenes

Reactions between 1,2-dichlorohexafluorocyclopentene and Ru(CCH)(dppe)Cp∗ or Ru(CCCCLi)(dppe)Cp∗ have given Ru(CC-c-C₅F₆Cl-2)(dppe)Cp∗ 4 and Ru(CCCC-c-C₅F₆Cl-2)(dppe)Cp∗ 7, respectively. Ready hydrolysis of 4 to the ketone Ru{CC[c-C₅F₄Cl(O)]}(dppe)Cp∗ 5 occurs, which can be converted to Ru{CC(c-C₅F₄Cl[C(CN)₂])}(dppe)Cp∗ 6 by treatment with CH₂(CN)₂/basic alumina. Spectroscopic, electrochemical and XRD structural studies for 4-7 are reported: for 6, these suggest that the cyanated fluorocarbon ligand is a very powerful electron-withdrawing group.     

Iodo-alkynyl- and iodo-butadiynyl-ruthenium complexes

Addition of [I(py)₂]BF₄ to Ru(CCH)(dppe)Cp∗ gave the iodovinylidene [Ru(CCHI)(dppe)Cp∗]BF₄1, which could be deprotonated to Ru(CCI)(dppe)Cp∗ 2. The attempted preparation of Ru(CCCCI)(dppe)Cp∗, followed by derivatisation with tcne, gave the dienynyl Ru{CCC[C(CN)₂]CIC(CN)₂}(dppe)Cp∗ 3. The Pd(0)/Cu(I)-catalysed reaction of 3 with Ru{CCCCAu(PPh₃)}(dppe)Cp∗ afforded Ru{CCCC(CN)₂CC(CN)₂Au(PPh₃)}(dppe)Cp∗ 4 by formal replacement of I⁺ by [Au(PPh₃)]⁺. XRD structures of 1-4 are reported.     

Synthesis, structures and some reactions of Ru(CCCCFc)(PP)Cp (PP = dppm, dppe) and related compounds

The compounds Ru(CCCCFc)(PP)Cp [PP = dppe (1), dppm (2)], have been obtained from reactions between RuCl(PP)Cp and FcCCCCSiMe₃ in the presence of KF (1) or HCCCCFc and K[PF₆] (2), both with added dbu. The dppe complex reacts with Co₂(CO)₆(L₂) [L₂ = (CO)₂, dppm] to give 3, 4 in which the Co₂(CO)₄(L₂) group is attached to the outer CC triple bond. The PPh₃ analogue of 3 (5) has also been characterised. In contrast, tetracyanoethene reacts to give two isomeric complexes 6 and 7, in which the cyano-olefin has added to either CC triple bond. The reaction of RuCl(dppe)Cp with HCCCCFc, carried out in a thf/NEt₃ mixture in the presence of Na[BPh₄], gave [Ru{CCC(NEt₃)CHFc}(dppe)Cp]BPh₄ (8), probably formed by addition of the amine to an (unobserved) intermediate butatrienylidene [Ru(CCCCHFc)(dppe)Cp]⁺. The reaction of I₂ with 8 proceeds via an unusual migration of the alkynyl group to the Cp ring to give [RuI(dppe){η-C₅H₄CCC(NEt₃)CHFc}]I₃ (9). Single-crystal X-ray structural determinations of 1, 2 and 4-9 are reported.     

Preparation, structure and some chemistry of FcCCCCCCRu(dppe)Cp

The synthesis of Fc(CC)₃Ru(dppe)Cp (2) from Fc(CC)₃SiMe₃ and RuCl(dppe)Cp is described, together with its reactions with tcne to give the tetracyano-dienyl FcCCCC{C[C(CN)₂]}₂Ru(dppe)Cp (3) and -cyclobutenyl FcCCCC{CCC(CN)₂C(CN)₂}Ru(dppe)Cp (4), with Co₂(μ-dppm)_n(CO)_8−2n (n = 0, 1) to give FcC₂{Co₂(CO)₆}C₂{Co₂(CO)₆}CCRu(dppe)Cp (5) and FcCCCCC₂{Co₂(μ-dppm)(CO)₄}Ru(dppe)Cp (6), respectively, and with Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ to give Os₃{μ₃-C₂CCCC[Ru(dppe)Cp]}(CO)₁₀ (7). On standing in solution, the latter isomerises to the cyclo-metallated derivative Os₃(μ-H){μ₃-C[Ru(dppe)Cp]CCC[(η-C₅H₃)FeCp]}(CO)₈ (8). X-ray structural determinations of 1, 2, 6 and 7 are reported.     

Some complexes containing carbon chains end-capped by M(CO)2Tp′ [M = Mo, W; Tp′ = HB(pz)3, HB(dmpz)3] groups

Complexes M(CCCSiMe₃)(CO)₂Tp′ (Tp′ = Tp [HB(pz)₃], M = Mo 2, W 4; Tp′ = Tp^∗ [HB(dmpz)₃], M = Mo 3) are obtained from M(CCCSiMe₃)(O₂CCF₃)(CO)₂(tmeda) (1) and K[Tp′].Reactions of 2 or 4 with AuCl(PPh₃)/K₂CO₃ in MeOH afforded M{CCCAu(PPh₃)}(CO)₂Tp′ (M = Mo 5, W 6) containing C₃ chains linking the Group 6 metal and gold centres.In turn, the gold complexes react with Co₃(μ₃-CBr)(μ-dppm)(CO)₇ to give the C₄-bridged {Tp(OC)₂M}CCCC{Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} (M = Mo 7, W 8), while Mo(CBr)(CO)₂Tp^∗ and Co₃{μ₃-C(CC)₂Au(PPh₃)}(μ-dppm)(CO)₇ give {Tp^∗(OC)₂Mo}C(CC)₂C{Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} (9) via a phosphine-gold(I) halide elimination reaction. The C₃ complexes Tp′(OC)₂MCCCRu(dppe)Cp^∗ (Tp′ = Tp, M = Mo 10, W 11; Tp′ = Tp^∗, M = Mo 12) were obtained from 2-4 and RuCl(dppe)Cp^∗ via KF-induced metalla-desilylation reactions. Reactions between Mo(CBr)(CO)₂Tp^∗ and Ru{(CC)_nAu(PPh₃)}(dppe)Cp^∗ (n = 2, 3) afforded {Tp^∗(OC)₂Mo}C(CC)_n{Ru(dppe)Cp^∗} (n = 2 13, 3 14), containing C₅ and C₇ chains, respectively. Single-crystal X-ray structure determinations of 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 and 12 are reported.     

Further reactions of some bis(vinylidene)diruthenium complexes

Whereas {Ru(dppm)Cp*}₂(μ-CCCC) (2) is the only product formed by deprotonation of [{Ru(dppm)Cp*}₂{μ(CCHCHC)}]⁺ with dbu, a mixture of 2 with Ru{CCCHCH(PPh₂)₂[RuCp*]}(dppm)Cp* (3) and {Cp*Ru(PPh₂CHCCH-)}₂ (4) is obtained with KOBu^t. A similar reaction with [{Ru(dppm)Cp*}₂{μ(CCMeCMeC)}]⁺ (5) gave Ru{CCCMeCH(PPh₂)₂[RuCp*]}(dppm)Cp* (6). X-ray structures of 4, 5 and 6 confirm the presence of the 1-ruthena-2,4-diphosphabicyclo[1.1.1]pentane moiety, which is likely formed by an intramolecular attack of the deprotonated dppm ligand on C(1) of the vinylidene ligand. Protonation of {Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂(μ-CCCC) (8-Ru) regenerates its precursor [{Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂{μ(CCHCHC)}]²⁺ (7-Ru). Ready oxidation of the bis(vinylidene) complex affords the cationic carbonyl [Ru(CO)(dppe)Cp*]PF₆ (9) (X-ray structure).     

Heterometallic complexes containing 1,1′-(CC)2Fc′ units linking two different metal centres

Proto-desilylation of 1-(Me₃SiCC)-1′-{Cp^∗(dppe)RuCC}Fc′ (1) afforded the corresponding ethynyl derivative 2, from which the green Co₂(μ-dppm)_n(CO)_8−2n (n = 0, 1) adducts 3 and 4 were obtained. Replacement of the ethynyl proton in reactions between 2 and AuCl(PPh₃), Hg(OAc)₂ or FeCl(dppe)Cp^∗ gave complexes 1-(RCC)-1′-{Cp^∗(dppe)RuCC}Fc′ [R = Au(PPh₃) 5, 1/2Hg 6, Fe(dppe)Cp^∗8]; the latter gave bis-vinylidene 9 with MeI, characterised (as was 2) by a single crystal X-ray study. Oxidative coupling of 2 (CuCl/tmeda/acetone, air) gave diyne 10, while coupling of 5 with Co₃(μ₃-CBr)(μ-dppm)(CO)₇ afforded 1-{Cp^∗(dppe)RuCC}-1′-{(OC)₇(μ-dppm)Co₃(μ₃-CCC)}Fc′ (11). Cyclic voltammetric measurements indicated that there was no significant electronic coupling between the end-groups through the ferrocene centre in any of these compounds.     

Dimerisation and reactivity of HCCCCFc at ruthenium centres

In contrast to the simple diynyl complexes formed in reactions between HCCCCFc and MCl(dppe)Cp∗; (M = Fe, Ru), an analogous reaction with RuCl(PPh₃)₂Cp∗; in the presence of KPF₆ and dbu resulted in dimerisation of the diyne at the Ru centre to afford a mixture of [Ru{η¹,η²-C(CCFc)C(L)CHCCCHFc}(PPh₃)Cp∗]PF₆ (L = dbu 1, PPh₃2). Similar reactions with RuCl(PR₃)₂L gave [Ru{η¹,η²-C(CCFc)C(dbu)CHCCCHFc}(PR₃)L]PF₆ (L = Cp, R = Ph 3, m-tol 4; L = η⁵-C₉H₇, R = Ph 5). The reaction between 3 and I₂, followed by crystallization of the paramagnetic product from MeOH, afforded the dicationic [Ru{C(CCFc)C(dbu)CHC(OMe)C(OMe)CHFc}(PPh₃)Cp](I₃)₂6. The molecular structures of 2·2CH₂Cl₂ and 6.S (S = 2CH₂Cl₂, C₆H₆) were determined by single-crystal XRD studies.     

Synthesis and structures of bimetallic silicon-containing imido alkylidene complexes of tungsten (R′O)2(ArN)WCH-SiR2-CHW(NAr)(OR′)2 (R = Me, Ph) and (R′O)2(ArN)WCH-SiMe2SiMe2-CHW(NAr)(OR′)2

Bimetallic alkylidene complexes of tungsten (R′O)₂(ArN)WCH-SiR₂-CHW(NAr)(OR′)₂ (R = Me (1), Ph (2)) and (R′O)₂(ArN)WCH-SiMe₂SiMe₂-CHW(NAr)(OR′)₂ (3) (Ar = ; R′ = CMe₂CF₃) have been prepared by the reactions of divinyl silicon reagents R₂Si(CHCH₂)₂ with known alkylidene compounds R′′-CHMo(NAr)(OR′)₂. (R′′ = Bu^t, PhMe₂C) Complexes 1-3 were structurally characterized. Ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclooctene using compounds 1-3 as initiators led to the formation of high molecular weight polyoctenamers with predominant trans-units content in the case of 1 and 3 and predominant cis-units content in the case of 2.     

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.     

Further chemistry of ruthenium butatrienylidene complexes

Several complexes have been obtained from reactions carried out in early attempts to prepare the diynyl complexes Ru(CCCCR)(dppe)Cp* (R = H, SiMe₃). These have been identified crystallographically as the acyl complex Ru{CCC(O)Me}(dppe)Cp* (3), the cationic imido complex [Ru{CCC(NH₂)Me}(dppe)Cp*]PF₆ (4), the binuclear butenynylallenylidene [{Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂{μ-CCC(OMe)CHCMeCC}]PF₆ (5), and the bis(ethynyl)cyclobutenylidene [{Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂{μ-CCC₄H₂(SiMe₃)CC}]PF₆ (6). NMR studies of 5 have revealed the existence of two isomers. Plausible routes for their formation from the putative butatrienylidene intermediate [Ru(CCCCH₂)(dppe)Cp*]⁺ (A) are discussed.     

Effect of ketimide ligand for ethylene polymerization and ethylene/norbornene copolymerization catalyzed by (cyclopentadienyl)(ketimide)titanium complexes-MAO catalyst systems: Structural analysis for CpTiCl2(NCPh2)

Ligand effects on the catalytic activity [and norbornene (NBE) incorporation] for both ethylene polymerization and ethylene/NBE copolymerization using half-titanocenes (titanium half-sandwich complexes) containing ketimide ligand of type Cp′TiCl₂[NC(R¹)R²] [Cp′ = Cp (1), C⁵Me⁵ (Cp^∗, 2); R¹,R² = ^tBu,^tBu (a), ^tBu,Ph (b), Ph,Ph (c)]-methylaluminoxane (MAO) catalyst systems have been investigated. CpTiCl₂[NC(^tBu)Ph] (1b) CpTiCl₂(NCPh₂) (1c), and Cp^∗TiCl₂(NCPh₂) (2c) were prepared and identified; the structure of Cp^∗TiCl₂(NCPh₂) (2c) was determined by X-ray crystallography. The catalytic activity for ethylene polymerization increased in the order: 1a > 1b > 1c, suggesting that an electronic nature of the ketimide ligand affects the activity. However, molecular weight distributions for resultant (co)polymers prepared by 1b,c and by 2c-MAO catalyst systems were bi- or multi-modal, suggesting that the ketimide substituent plays a key role in order for these (co)polymerizations to proceed with single catalytically-active species. CpTiCl₂(NC^tBu₂) (1a) exhibited both remarkable catalytic activity and efficient NBE incorporation for ethylene/NBE copolymerization.     

The CO and CS bond cleavage in carbon dioxide and tolyl isothiocyanate by reactions with the Mo(0) tetraphosphine complex [Mo{meso-o-C6H4(PPhCH2CH2PPh2)2}(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)]

A Mo(0) complex containing a new tetraphosphine ligand [Mo(P₄)(dppe)] (1; P₄ = meso-o-C₆H₄(PPhCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂, dppe = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂) reacted with CO₂ (1 atm) at 60 °C in benzene to give a Mo(0) carbonyl complex fac-[Mo(CO)(η³-P₄O)(dppe)] (2), where the O abstraction from CO₂ by one terminal P atom in P₄ takes place to give the dangling P(O)Ph₂ moiety together with the coordinated CO. On the other hand, reaction of 1 with TolNCS (Tol = m-MeC₆H₄) in benzene at 60 °C resulted in the incorporation of three TolNCS molecules to the Mo center, forming a Mo(0) isocyanide-isothiocyanate complex trans,mer-[Mo(TolNC)₂(η²-TolNCS)(η³-P₄S)] (4), where the S abstraction occurs from two TolNCS molecules by P₄ and dppe to give the η³-P₄S ligand and free dppeS, respectively, together with two coordinated TolNC molecules. The remaining site of the Mo center is occupied by the third TolNCS ligating at the CS bond in an η²-manner. The X-ray analysis has been undertaken to determine the detailed structures for 2 and 4.     

On the reactivity of [IrCl(N2)(PPh3)2] with alkynylsilanes - A new route to vinylidene iridium(I) complexes

The iridium dinitrogen complex [IrCl(N₂)(PPh₃)₂] (1) was found to react with alkynylsilanes to form the vinylidene iridium(I) complexes trans- (R/R′ = Ph/Me, 2; Me/Me, 3; Bn/Me, 4; SiMe₃/Me, 5; SiEt₃/Et, 6; ⁱPr/Me, 7) and with Me₃SiCCC(O)R to yield the iridium η²-alkyne complexes trans-[IrCl{η²-Me₃SiCCC(O)R}(PPh₃)₂] (R = OEt, 9; Me, 11). Complex 9 was found to isomerize upon heating or upon UV irradiation yielding the vinylidene complex trans-[IrCl{CC(SiMe₃)CO₂Et}(PPh₃)₂] (10). The reaction of 1 with Me₃SiCCCCSiMe₃ yielded the complex trans-[IrCl{CC(SiMe₃)CCSiMe₃}(PPh₃)₂] (8), whereas with MeO₂CCCCO₂Me the iridacyclopentadiene complex [Ir{C₄(CO₂Me)₄}Cl(PPh₃)₂] (13) was formed. The complexes were characterized by means of ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy as well as by IR spectroscopy and microanalysis.     

Silicon version of enamines: Amino-substituted disilenes by the reactions of the disilyne RSiSiR (R = SiPr[CH(SiMe3)2]2) with amines

The reaction of 1,1,4,4-tetrakis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]-1,4-diisopropyltetrasila-2-yne 1 with secondary or primary amines produced amino-substituted disilenes R(R₂′N)SiSiHR 2a-d (R = SiⁱPr[CH(SiMe₃)₂]₂, R₂′NEt₂N (2a), (CH₂CH₂)₂N (2b), ^tBu(H)N (2c), and Ph₂N (2d)). Spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic analyses of 2 showed that 2a-c have a nearly coplanar arrangement of the SiSi double bond and the amino group, giving π-conjugation between the SiSi double bond and the lone pair on the nitrogen atom, whereas 2d has a nearly perpendicular arrangement precluding such conjugation. Theoretical calculations indicate that π-conjugation between the π-orbital of the SiSi double bond and the lone pair on the nitrogen atom is markedly influenced by the torsional angle between the SiSi double-bond plane and the amino-group plane.     

Trimetallic complexes containing 1,1′-Rc′(CC)2 units [Rc′ = ruthenocene-1,1′-diyl, Ru(η-C5H4-)2]

Reactions between 1,1′-(Me₃SiCC)₂Rc′ [Rc′ = ruthenocen-1,1′-diyl, Ru(η-C₅H₄-)₂] and RuCl(PP)Cp′ in the presence of KF gave 1,1′-{Cp(PP)RuCC}₂Rc′ [Cp′ = Cp, PP = PPh₃1, P(m-tol)₃2, dppe 3, dppf 4; Cp′ = Cp^∗, PP = dppe 5]. Compounds 1 and 2 react with tcne to give two diastereomers a/b of the allylic (vinylcarbene) complexes 6 and 7, while methylation of 5 gave the bis-vinylidene [1,1′-{Cp^∗(dppe)RuCCMe}₂Rc′](BPh₄)₂ (8). The X-ray structures of 4, 6b and 8 have been determined. Cyclic voltammograms indicate that there is some electronic communication between the ruthenium end-groups through the Rc′ centre.     

Synthesis of ruthenium phenylindenylidene, carbyne, allenylidene and vinylmethylidene complexes from (PPh3)3−4RuCl2: A mechanistic and structural investigation

The reaction of (Ph₃P)₃RuCl₂ with 1,1-diphenyl-2-propyn-1-ol was investigated in various solvents. The reaction in thf under reflux is reported to produce the (PPh₃)₂Cl₂Ru(3-phenylindenylidene) complex (3) which has undergone rearrangement of the allenylidene C₃-spine. We have improved the reliability of the reported synthesis by adding acetyl chloride which converts the formed water of the reaction and thus increases the acidity of the reaction solution. Without the additive, we observed the exclusive formation of an intermediate of the transformation and identified it as dinuclear (PPh₃)₂ClRu(μ-Cl)₃(PPh₃)₂RuCCCPh₂ complex (5). The reaction of (Ph₃P)₃₋₄RuCl₂ with 1,1-diphenyl-2-propyn-1-ol in CH₂Cl₂ or C₂H₄Cl₂ under reflux in the presence of excess conc. aqueous HCl afforded the new, neutral (PPh₃)₂Cl₃RuC-CHCPh₂ carbyne complex (7), an HCl adduct of previously elusive (PPh₃)₂Cl₂RuCCCPh₂ complex 6 in high yields. In contrast to the formation of complex 3, the reaction in a non-coordinating solvent did not afford the rearrangement of the allenylidene C₃-spine. Complex 7 was converted into complex 3 in thf under reflux under loss of a molecule HCl. Complex 7 was converted with triethylamine under loss of HCl to complex 6. Pentacoordinate complex 6 was crystallized in the presence of O-donor ligands (EtOH, MeOH and H₂O) to give hexacoordinate (PPh₃)₂Cl₂(ROH)RuCCCPh₂ (R = H, CH₃, C₂H₅) complexes (9)-(11) with the O-donor coordinating in trans-position to the allenylidene moiety. The reaction of complex 7 with 2 equiv. of 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) gave hexacoordinate (PPh₃)₂Cl₂(DMAP)RuCCCPh₂complex (12) with one molecule DMAP also coordinating in trans-position to the allenylidene group. Methanol and acetic acid in the absence of strong bases afforded the Fischer-carbene complexes (PPh₃)₂Cl₂RuC(OCH₃)-CHCPh₂ (14) and (PPh₃)₂Cl₂RuC(OAc)-CHCPh₂ (15) where the nucleophile added to the α-carbon atom. The structures of complexes 5, 7, 9-11, 14, and 15 were solved via X-ray crystallography.     

Self-assembly directed by C-H activation: Synthesis and characterization of [(CpIr)2(R-NC-Ph-CNR)]2(4,4-bipyridine)2·(OTf)4 (R = Ph, Me)

Self-assembly of a novel class of bis-imine-cyclometalated macrocycles [(Cp^∗Ir)₂(Ph-NC-Ph-CN-Ph)]₂(4,4′-bipyridine)₂·(OTf)₄ (3a) and [(Cp^∗Ir)₂(Me-NC-Ph-CN-Me)]₂(4,4′-bipyridine)₂·(OTf)₄ (3b) was directed by double-site C-H activations of aromatic bis-imine substrates. Two synthetic routes were established, using either (i) binuclear cyclometalated complexes (Cp^∗Ir)₂L1Cl₂ (1a) and (Cp^∗Ir)₂L2Cl₂ (1b) or (ii)4,4′-bipyridine(bpy)-bridged complex (Cp^∗IrCl₂)₂(bpy) (2) as starting materials. All the products were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR and EA. Isomers were found in macrocyclic complexes, which were thermodynamically stable from reversible transformation in days. Highly robust structure of the cyclometalated macrocycles was indicated by the existence of stable isomer pairs. One isomer of 3b was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It was a rare case for half-sandwich metallosupramolecular macrocycles that weak interactions between macrocycles and OTf ions were fully captured in detail, and were demonstrated to be essential for the maintenance of tunnel structures of macrocycles in crystal packing.     

Solvent and phosphine dependency in the reaction of cis-RuCl2(P-P)2 (P-P = dppm or dppe) with terminal alkynes

Reaction of cis-[RuCl₂(dppm)₂] (dppm = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)methane) with PhCCH and NaPF₆ utilising methanol as solvent results in the formation of the η³-butenynyl complex [Ru(η³-PhCCCCHPh)(dppm)₂][PF₆] in good yield. Similar reactions with Bu^tCCH and PrⁿCCH resulted in the corresponding alkyl-substituted complexes and all three of these compounds have been characterised by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The mechanism of this reaction has been probed by employing labelling experiments with both PhCCD and PhC¹³CH allowing the identity of possible intermediates in the reaction to be determined. Furthermore, [Ru(η³-PhCCCCHPh)(dppm)₂][PF₆] has been shown to be an effective regio- and stereo-selective catalyst for the dimerisation of PhCCH to Z-PhCCCHCHPh in the absence of solvent. In contrast, no evidence for the formation of alkyne coupling was obtained from the reaction of cis-[RuCl₂(dppe)₂] (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) with PhCCH and NaPF₆.     

Photochemical reactions of 1-ferrocenyl-4-phenyl-1,3-butadiyne with Fe(CO)5 and CO

Photolysis of a hexane solution containing ironpentacarbonyl, 1-ferrocenyl-4-phenyl-1,3-butadiyne at low temperature yields six new products: [Fe(CO)₂{η²:η²-PhCCCC(Fc)C(CCPh)C(Fc)Fe(CO)₃}-μ-CO] (1), [Fe₂(CO)₆{μ-η¹:η¹:η²:η²-PhCCCC(Fc)-C(O)-C(Fc)CCCPh}] (2), [Fe₂(CO)₆{μ-η¹:η¹:η²:η²-FcCC(CC Ph)-C(O)-C(Fc)CCCPh}] (3), [Fe₂(CO)₆{μ-η¹:η¹:η²:η²-FcCCCC(Fc)-C(O)-C(Fc)CCCPh}] (4), [Fe(CO)₃{μ-η²: η²-[FcCC(CCPh)C(CCPh)C(Fc)}CO] (5) and [Fe(CO)₃{μ-η²: η²-[FcCC(CCPh)C(CCPh)C(Fc)}CO] (6) formed by coupling of acetylenic moieties with CO insertion on metal carbonyl support. In presence of CO, formation of another new product 2,5-bis(ferrocenyl)-3,6-bis(tetracarbonylphenylmaleoyliron)quinone (7) was observed which on further reaction with ferrocenylacetyene gave the quinone, 2,5-bis(ferrocenyl)-3,6-bis(ethynylphenyl)quinone (8). Structures of 1-5 and 8 were established crystallographically.