Reductive elimination reaction of rhenium complexes trans-(η-C5Me5)Re(CO)2(chloroaryl)Cl

Thermal reaction of the chloroaryl-chloride complexes trans-(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Re(CO)₂(Ar^Cl)Cl (Ar^Cl = 3-ClC₆H₄, 3-ClC₆H₃(4-Me) and 3,5-Cl₂C₆H₃) in acetonitrile did not interconvert to the cis isomer, instead the complex ReCl(CO)₂(NCMe)₃ and the corresponding 5-Ar^Cl-1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadiene were formed. Similar reductive elimination products were obtained when the starting rhenium complexes were reacted with trimethylphosphite in toluene.     

Reaction of trans-[Pt(H)2(PCy3)2] with C60 reductive elimination of H2 and formation of [Pt(PCy3)2(η-C60)]

Reaction of trans-[Pt(H)₂(PCy₃)₂], 1, with [60]fullerene at room temperature affords [Pt(PCy₃)₂(η²-C₆₀)], 2, in nearly quantitative yield. The most probable reaction pattern is the insertion of a fullerene 6,6 junction onto a Pt-H bond yielding an η¹ alkyl derivative which, after hydrogen extrusion, gives 2. On the other hand, addition of 1 to different electron-deficient olefins, such as dimethyl maleate and fumarate, furnishes mixtures of both η¹ metal—alkyl and η² metal—olefin derivatives. If tetrachloroethylene is used as 2π component, trans-[PtCl(H)(PCy₃)₂] forms exclusively.     

In-depth insight into the electronic and steric effects of phosphine ligands on the mechanism of the R-R reductive elimination from (PR3)2PdR2

The aim of this study was to investigate both the electronic and steric effects of the ancillary phosphine ligand L on the reductive elimination of Me-Me from a series of L₂PdMe₂ and LPdMe₂ complexes. Density functional theory was used to study these processes with the model ligands L = PMe₃, PH₃, PCl₃ and with the experimentally reported ligands L = PPh₃, PPh₂Me, PPhMe₂. For the model ligands we confirm that electron donation from L affects the barrier for reductive elimination from L₂PdMe₂ but not from LPdMe₂. In the former case the greater the electron donation or basicity of L, the greater the barrier and the later the transition state. This is because electron donation increases the σ^∗ antibonding between Pd and L in the transition structure. On the other hand, if L is a good π acceptor this stabilizes the occupied d_π orbital of Pd in the transition structure and lowers the barrier to reductive elimination. In the case of the reactions involving LPdMe₂ as the intermediate, it is the loss of the first L (L₂PdMe₂ → LPdMe₂ + L) which determines the differences in the barrier height. Greater electron donation leads to greater L-to-Pd σ donation and a stronger Pd-L bond, and thus a greater overall barrier. A comparison of these results with the reductive elimination of 1,3-butadiene from divinyl palladium complexes L₂PdR₂ shows that the barriers are lower in the vinyl case because of a mix of orbital factors. Our results show that there is a significant stabilizing interaction between the Pd d_π orbital and the vinyl-vinyl hybrid σ^∗/π^∗ orbitals in the reductive elimination transition structure. At the same time this Pd-R₂ orbital stabilization alleviates the potential antibonding interactions between Pd and L and makes the vinyl elimination much less susceptible to ancillary ligand effects. Energy-decomposition analyses have been used to elucidate the contributing factors to the activation energies for the reductive eliminations with the model phosphine ligands. These analyses have also been used to disentangle the electronic and steric effects involved in the larger ligand systems. The electronic effects of the experimentally reported ligands are found to be very similar to each other. On the other hand, steric effects lead to a destabilization of the reactant L₂PdMe₂ complexes but not the transition structures, which results in a decrease in the barriers to reductive elimination compared to the smaller phosphine ligands. These steric effects do not play a role in reductive elimination from LPdMe₂. These detailed analyses of the electronic and steric factors may be used to assist the design of systems which enhance or retard reductive elimination behaviour.     

Pentynol to furan conversion - Search for the best trans-[MX2(YNC10H14O)2] catalyst

Conversion of 4-pentyn-1-ol (A) into 2-methyl-2-pent-4-ynyloxy-tetrahydrofuran (B) is catalysed by camphorimine complexes trans-[PdCl₂(YNC₁₀H₁₄O)₂] (Y = NMe₂, NHMe, NH₂, OH, OMe, Prⁱ, Ph), trans-[PdBr₂(YNC₁₀H₁₄O)₂] (Y = NMe₂, NH₂, OH, Ph), trans-[PtCl₂(YNC₁₀H₁₄O)₂] (Y = NMe₂, NHMe, NH₂). In the presence of H₂O those catalysts further promote the conversion of 2-methyl-2-pent-4-ynyloxy-tetrahydrofuran (B) into 5-(2-methyl-tetrahydrofuran-2-yloxy)-pentan-2-one (C). The efficiency of each process highly depends on the characteristics of the Y group (at the camphor ligand), the halide (co-ligand) and the transition metal. To ascertain on the relevance of each parameter into the properties of the catalysts, the rate constants for A → B and B → C processes, TON, TOF and catalysts Activities (A_i) for A → B conversion were calculated. From the three sets of complexes studied the most efficient catalyst is trans-[PdCl₂(H₂NNC₁₀H₁₄O)₂] while trans-[PdCl₂(PhNC₁₀H₁₄O)₂] is the less efficient. Palladium chloride are considerably better catalysts than palladium bromide complexes except in the case of trans-[PdBr₂(HONC₁₀H₁₄O)₂] that resembles chloride complexes efficiency. Compared to palladium, platinum complexes are considerably less efficient catalysts.     

EPR on trichloro-nitrosyl-bis(dimethylphenylphosphine)technetium(II) TcCl3(NO)(PMe2Ph)2

The d⁵ low-spin Tc(II) complex trichloro-nitrosyl-bis(dimethylphenyl-phosphine)technetium(II) was studied by EPR at 295 ≥ T ≥ 27.2 K. In the room-temperature spectrum well-resolved ⁹⁹Tc hyperfine splitting is observed indicating a ground state for the unpaired electron which is well separated from other orbital states. At low temperatures the spectrum can be fitted by an axial spin Hamiltonian. The analysis of the ⁹⁹Tc hyperfine splitting shows remarkable covalent interactions with the “in-plane” ligands. The ³¹P superhyperfine splitting observed was used to get information about the overall spin density distribution in the molecular orbital of the unpaired electron.     

Density functional studies of influences of Ni triad metals and solvents on oxidative addition of MeI to [M(CH3)2(NH3)2] complexes and C-C reductive elimination from [M(CH3)3(NH3)2I] complexes

Three metal square planar complexes of the type [M(CH₃)₂(NH₃)₂] (M = Ni, Pd, Pt), with a systematic variation in the metals, are chosen to investigating their S_N2-type oxidative addition reactions with methyl iodide by using the B3LYP levels of theory. The oxidative addition was found to take place via a transition state with a nearly linear arrangement of the I-CH₃-M moiety. Solvation effects in these oxidative addition reactions were also investigated. Considering the nature of the metal centre and solvation effects, the following conclusions emerge: (i) addition of MeI is exothermic for all three metals, and Pt is predicted to react with a much lower barrier than either Pd or Ni. The results describe that the MeI addition would be expected to be more favourable with the complex bearing the third-row metal (platinum) as compared to the other triad metals, nickel or palladium, in which case a more strongly bound MeI adduct is formed with a lower activation barriers and the reaction being more exothermic; (ii) the reaction is very difficult to occur in low polar solvents, such as benzene, due to the high barrier which is induced by dissociation of iodide anion from methyl group, but the reaction easily occurs in polar solvents, such as acetonitrile; this is attributed to the ability of polar solvents to solvate and therefore stabilize the related polar intermediate ion pair. Ethane reductive elimination from the M(VI) complexes fac-[M(CH₃)₃(NH₃)₂I] were also studied, indicating that the Ni(IV) and Pd(IV) complexes are very prone to undergo the reductive elimination while the Pt(IV) analogous is less reactive towards the reductive elimination. The results indicate that in contrast to the Me-Me reductive elimination, the S_N2 oxidative addition reaction of MeI to M(II) is much less sensitive to the nature of the metal centre, suggesting that the nucleophilicity of M(II) in [M(CH₃)₂(NH₃)₂] does not change significantly as one moves from M = Ni to Pt.     

Reductively induced homolytic carbon-carbon bond cleavage in Co(CO)3(PPh3)(COCF3)

The chemical or electrochemical reduction of the trifluoroacetyl complex Co(CO)₃(PPh₃)(COCF₃) involves a single electron transfer yielding trifluoromethyl radical and an anionic cobalt carbonyl complex. The mechanism is proposed to involve electron transfer followed by initial dissociation of either a carbonyl or phosphine ligand from the 19-electron [Co(CO)₃(PPh₃)(COCF₃)]⁻ anion. The resulting 17-electron intermediate undergoes subsequent one-electron reductive elimination of trifluoromethyl radical by homolytic cleavage of the carbon-carbon bond of the trifluoroacetyl group. The radical can be trapped by either benzophenone anion, forming the anion of α-(trifluoromethyl)benzhydrol, or Bu₃SnH, yielding CF₃H. The ultimate organometallic product is an 18-electron anion, either [Co(CO)₄]⁻ or [Co(CO)₃(PPh₃)]⁻, depending upon which ligand is initially lost. Fluorine-containing products were identified and quantitated by ¹⁹F NMR while cobalt-containing products were determined by IR.     

Protonolysis of the PtC bond in trans-[PtH(CH2CN)(PPh3)2]

The protonolysis of the PtC bond in trans-[PtH(CH₂CN)(PPh₃₂] in methanol/1,2- dichloroethane is shown to take place by a two step mechanism involving oxidative addition to the metal center followed by reductive elimination of CH₃CN to give trans-[PtHCl(PPh₃)₂].     

Synthesis and characterization of new sulfide aggregates of the type [{Pt2(μ3-S)2(P-P)2}M(C6F5)2] (M=Ni, Pd, Pt; P-P=2PPh3, 2PMe2Ph, dppf)

The reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(P-P)₂] (P-P=2PPh₃, 2PMe₂Ph, dppf) [dppf=1,1^′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene] with cis-[M(C₆F₅)₂(PhCN)₂] (M=Ni, Pd) or cis-[Pt(C₆F₅)₂(THF)₂] (THF=tetrahydrofuran) afforded sulfide aggregates of the type [{Pt₂(μ₃-S)₂(P-P)₂}M(C₆F₅)₂] (M=Ni, Pd, Pt). X-ray crystal analysis revealed that [{Pt₂(μ₃-S)₂(dppf)₂}Pd(C₆F₅)₂], [{Pt₂(μ₃-S)₂(PPh₃)₂}Ni(C₆F₅)₂], [{Pt₂(μ₃-S)₂(PPh₃)₂}Pd(C₆F₅)₂] and [{Pt₂(μ₃-S)₂(PMe₂Ph)₂}Pt(C₆F₅)₂] have triangular M₃S₂ core structures capped on both sides by μ₃-sulfido ligands. The structural features of these polymetallic complexes are described. Some of them display short metal-metal contacts.     

Structural and energetic aspects of hydrogen bonding and proton transfer to ReH2(CO)(NO)(PR3)2 and ReHCl(CO)(NO)(PMe3)2 by IR and X-ray studies

The interaction of rhenium hydrides ReHX(CO)(NO)(PR₃)₂ 1 (X=H, R=Me (a), Et (b), iPr (c); X=Cl, R=Me (d)) with a series of proton donors (indole, phenols, fluorinated alcohols, trifluoroacetic acid) was studied by variable temperature IR spectroscopy. The conditions governing the hydrogen bonding ReHHX in solution and in the solid state (IR, X-ray) were elucidated. Spectroscopic and thermodynamic characteristics (−ΔH=2.3–6.1 kcal mol⁻¹) of these hydrogen bonded complexes were obtained. IR spectral evidence that hydrogen bonding with hydride atom precedes proton transfer and the dihydrogen complex formation was found. Hydrogen bonded complex of ReH₂(CO)(NO)(PMe₃)₂ with indole (2a–indole) and organyloxy-complex ReH(OC₆H₄NO₂)(CO)(NO)(PMe₃)₂ (5a) were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A short NHHRe (1.79(5) Å) distance was found in the 2a–indole complex, where the indole molecule lies in the plane of the Re(NO)(CO) fragment (with dihedral angle between the planes 0.01°).     

Crystal structure of a methyl(methoxy)carbene complex of nickel(II), trans-[Ni(C6Cl5)(PMe2Ph)2{C(OMe)Me}]BF4

The structure of a nickel(II) complex, trans-[Ni(C₆Cl₅)(PMe₂Ph)₂{C(OMe)Me}]BF₄, containing the simplest alkyl(alkoxy)carbene ligand has been determined by X-ray crystallography (R = 0.091). The geometry around the nickel atom is square-planar. The comparatively short NiC(1) bond length of 1.843(10) Å showed the presence of π-bonding in the nickel-carbene bond.     

Ligand assisted homolytic cleavage of the Ru-Ru single bond in [Ru2(CO)4] core and the chemical consequence

The Ru-Ru single bond in [Ru₂(CO)₄(MeCN)₆][BF₄]₂ remains intact in the reaction with 2-i-propyl-1,8-naphthyridine (ⁱPrNP) and the isolated product is the cis-[Ru₂(ⁱPrNP)₂(CO)₄(OTf)₂] (1) obtained via crystallization in the presence of [n-Bu₄N][OTf]. The 2-t-butyl-1,8-naphthyridine (^tBuNP), on the contrary, leads to the oxidative cleavage of the Ru-Ru single bond resulting in the trans-[Ru(^tBuNP)₂(MeCN)₂][BF₄]₂[NC(Me)C(Me)N] (2). The anti-[NC(Me)C(Me)N]²⁻ is the product of the two-electron reductive coupling of two acetonitrile molecules. The phenoxo appendage in 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,8-naphthyridine (hpNP) brings the identical effect of the scission of the Ru-Ru bond but the process is non-oxidative and the product obtained is the cis-[Ru(hpNP)₂(CO)₂][BF₄] (3). The bis-(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) in dichloromethane oxidatively cleave the Ru-Ru bond leading to chloro bridged [Ru(μ-Cl)(dppm)(CO)(MeCN)]₂[BF₄]₂ (4). All the complexes have been characterized by the spectroscopic and electrochemical measurements and their structures have been established by X-ray diffraction study.     

Formation and structural characterization of novel polynuclear palladium selenolato complexes [Pd3Se(SePh)3(PPh3)3]Cl and [Pd6Cl2Se4(SePh)2(PPh3)6]

In addition to well-known dinuclear phenylselenolato palladium complexes, the reaction of [PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂] and NaSePh affords small amounts of novel trinuclear and hexanuclear complexes [Pd₃Se(SePh)₃(PPh₃)₃]Cl (1) and [Pd₆Cl₂Se₄(SePh)₂(PPh₃)₆] (2). Complex 1 is triclinic, P1?, a=13.6310(2), b=16.2596(2), c=16.9899(3) Å, α=83.1738(5), β=78.9882(5), γ=78.7635(5)°. Complex 2 is monoclinic, C2/c, a=25.7165(9), b=17.6426(8), c=27.9151(14) Å, β=110.513(2)°. There are no structural forerunners for 1, but the hexanuclear complex 2 is isostructural with [Pd₆Cl₂Te₄(TeR)₂(PPh₃)₆] (R=Ph, C₄H₃S) that have been observed as one of the products in the oxidative addition of R₂Te₂ to [Pd(PPh₃)₄]. Mononuclear palladium complexes may play a significant role as building blocks in the formation of the polynuclear complexes.     

Unusual stabilization of cationic “M(η-allyl) (M = Pt, Pd) units by a dianionic cis-{Pt(C6F5)2(CCSiMe3)2} fragment

Chloride abstraction from [{M(η³ --- C₃H₅)Cl}_n] (M = Pt, n = 4 or M = Pd, n = 2) by (NBu₄)₂[cis-Pt(C₆F₅)₂(CCSiMe₃)₂] (1) gives rise to novel homo- and hetero-dinuclear zwitterionic derivatives (NBu₄) [{cis-Pt(C₆F₅)₂(CCSiMe₃)₂}M(η³-C₃H₅)] (M = Pt 2; M = Pd 3) which are formed by a M(η³-allyl)⁺ unit attached to both alkynyl ligands of the {cis-Pt(C₆F₅)₂(CCSiMe₃)₂}²⁻ fragment. The structure of 3 has been established by X-ray diffraction.     

Cleavage of the sulfur-sulfur bond in 2,4-dinitrophenyl 4-substituted phenyl disulfides by trans-[IrX(CO)(PPh3)2]

A series of 2,4-dinitrophenyl 4-Y-phenyl disulfides (Y=NO₂, Br, F, H, CH₃, or CH₃O) have been shown to react with trans-IrX(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (X=Cl, Br, or I) in refluxing benzene to form “oxidative-elimination” products of the type, [IrX(SC₆h₄Y)(SC₆H₃(NO₂)₂)(CO)(PPh₃)]₂. The physical properties of these complexes are discussed in relation to their structure in the solid state and in solution. In particular, available infrared spectral data indicate that these complexes contain 2,4-dinitrobenzenethiolato bridging groups and that the substituted arenethiolato ligand is trans to carbon monoxide.     

An investigation into the mechanism of conversion of fac-[Mn(CO)3{P(OMe)2Ph}2X] (X = Cl Br) into mer-cis-[MnCO2{P(OMe)2Ph}3X] in the presence of P(OMe)2Ph

The complex mer-trans-[Mn(CO)₃{P(OMe)₂Ph}₂X] (X = Cl, Br) is an intermediate in the conversion of fac-[Mn(CO)3{P(OMe)₂,Ph}₂,X] into mer- cis-[Mn(CO)₂{P(OMe)₂Ph}₃X] in the presence of P(OMe)₂Ph in benzene. No direct route between the latter two complexes could be detected kinetically. The results imply a trans carbonyl disposition as a prerequisite for higher carbonyl substitution in octahedral Mn¹ carbonyl complexes.     

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)].     

Mononuclear Pt(II) and Pd(II) 1,4-dithiolato complexes. Crystal structures of [Pt((−) DIOS) (PPh3)2] and [Pd(S(CH2) 4S)(Ph2P(CH2) 3PPh2)]. Application in styrene hydroformylation

Addition of 1,4-dithiols to dichloromethane solutions of [PtCl₂(P-P)] (P-P = (PPh₃)₂, Ph₂P(CH₂)₃PPh₂, Phd₂P(CH₂)₄PPh₂; 1,4-dithiols = HS(CH₂)₄SH, (−)DIOSH₂ (2,3-O-isopropylidene-1,4-dithiol-l-threitol), BINASH₂ (1,1′-dinaphthalene-2,2′-dithiol)) in the presence of NEt₃ yielded the mononuclear complexes [Pt(1,4-dithiolato)(P-P)]. Related palladium(II) complexes [Pd(dithiolato)(P-P)] (P-P=Ph₂P(CH₂)₃PPh₂, Ph₂P(CH₂)₄PPh₂; dithiolato = ⁻S(CH₂)₄S⁻, (−)-DIOS) were prepared by the same method. The structure of [Pt((−)DIOS)(PPh₃)₂] and [Pd(S(CH₂)₄S)(Ph₂P(CH₂)₃PPh₂)] complexes was determined by X-ray diffraction methods. Pt—dithiolato—SnC1₂ systems are active in the hydroformylation of styrene. At 100 atm and 125°C [Pt(dithiolate)(P-P)]/SnCl₂ (Pt:Sn = 20) systems provided aldehyde conversion up to 80%.     

Further studies on organonickel compounds: the synthesis of some new alkyl-, acyl- and cyclopentadienyl-derivatives and the crystal structure of trans-[Ni(CH2SiMe3)2(PMe3)2]

The complex [NiCl₂(PMe₃)₂] reacts with one equivalent of mg(CH₂CMe₃)Cl to yield the monoalkyl derivative trans-[Ni(CH₂CMe₃)Cl(PMe₃)₂], which can be carbonylated at room temperature and pressure to afford the acyl [Ni(COCH₂CMe₃)Cl(PMe₃)₂]. Other related alkyl and acyl complexes of composition [Ni(R)(NCS)(PMe₃)₂] (R = CH₂CMe₃, COCH₂CMe₃) and [Ni(R)(η-C₅H₅)L] (L = PMe₃, R = CH₂CMe₃, COCH₂CMe₃; L = PPh₃, R = CH₂CMe₂Ph) have been similarly prepared. Dialkyl derivatives [NiR₂(dmpe)] (R = CH₂SiMe₃, CH₂CMe₂Ph; dmpe = 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphine)ethane, Me₂PCH₂ CH₂PMe₂) have been obtained by phosphine replacement of the labile pyridine and NNN′N′-tetramethylethylenediamine ligands in the corresponding [Ni(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(py)₂] and [Ni(CH₂CMe₂Ph)₂(tmen)] complexes. A single-crystal X-ray determination carried out on the previously reported trimethylphosphine derivative [Ni(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(PMe₃)₂] shows the complex belongs to the orthorhombic space group Pbcn, with a = 14.345(4), b = 12.656(3), c = 12.815(3) Å, Z = 4 and R 0.077 for 535 independent observed reflections. The phosphine ligands occupy mutually trans positions P-Ni-P 146.9(3)° in a distorted square-planar arrangement.