Heterobimetallic complexes as oxygen donor bidentate ligands: synthesis of early-late trinuclear complexes

The early-late heterometallic complexes [TiCp^∗((OCH₂)₂Py)(μ-O)M(COD)] (M = Rh, Ir) behave as four-electron donor ligands yielding the polynuclear cationic complexes [TiCp^∗(OCH₂)₂ Py(μ-O){M(COD)}₂]OTf (M = Rh (1), Ir (2)). The molecular structure of complex 1 has been established through an X-ray diffraction study.     

Density functional investigation and bonding analysis of pentacoordinated iron complexes with mixed cyano and carbonyl ligands

The equilibrium structures and vibrational frequencies of the iron complexes [Fe⁰(CN)_n(CO)_5?n]^n? and [Fe^II(CN)_n(CO)_5?n]^2?n (n = 0–5) have been calculated at the BP86 level of theory. The Fe⁰ complexes adopt trigonal bipyramidal structures with the cyano ligands occupying the axial positions, whereas corresponding Fe²⁺ complexes adopt square pyramidal structures with the cyano ligands in the equatorial positions. The calculated geometries and vibrational frequencies of the mixed iron Fe⁰ carbonyl cyanide complexes are in a very good agreement with the available experimental data. The nature of the Fe? CN and Fe? CO bonds has been analyzed with both charge decomposition and energy partitioning analysis. The results of energy partitioning analysis of the Fe? CO bonds shows that the binding interactions in Fe⁰ complexes have 50–55% electrostatic and 45–50% covalent character, whereas in Fe²⁺ 45–50% electrostatic and 50–55% covalent character. There is a significant contribution of the π‐ orbital interaction to the Fe? CO covalent bonding which increases as the number of the cyano groups increases, and the complexes become more negatively charged. This contribution decreases in going from Fe⁰ to Fe²⁺ complexes. Also, this contribution correlates very well with the C? O stretching frequencies. The Fe? CN bonds have much less π‐character (12–30%) than the Fe? CO bonds. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010     

Tetrathiafulvalene hydrazone: efficient synthon for the synthesis of novel bidentate redox active ligands

The synthesis and the ability of TTF-hydrazone to act as a versatile precursor for the design of electroactive ligands are reported together with the chelating ability of these ligands through their M(CO)₄ complexes, (M = Mo, W).     

Rhodium(I) carbonyl complexes of quinoline carboxaldehyde ligands and their catalytic carbonylation reaction

The dimeric rhodium precursor [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ reacts with quinoline (a) and its three isomeric carboxaldehyde ligands [quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde (b), quinoline-3-carboxaldehyde (c), and quinoline-4-carboxaldehyde (d)] in 1:2 mole ratio to afford complexes of the type cis-[Rh(CO)₂Cl(L)] (1a-1d), where L = a-d. The complexes 1a-1d have been characterised by elemental analyses, mass spectrometry, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C) spectroscopy together with a single crystal X-ray structure determination of 1c. The X-ray crystal structure of 1c reveals square planar geometry with a weak intermolecular pseudo dimeric structure (Rh?Rh = 3.573 Å). 1a-1d undergo oxidative addition (OA) with different electrophiles such as CH₃I, C₂H₅I and I₂ to give Rh(III) complexes of the type [Rh(CO)(COR)Cl(L)I] {R = -CH₃ (2a-2d), R = -C₂H₅ (3a-3d)} and [Rh(CO)Cl(L)I₂] (4a-4d) respectively. 1b exhibits facile reactivity with different electrophiles at room temperature (25 °C), while 1a, 1c and 1d show very slow reactivity under similar condition, however, significant reactivity was observed at a temperature ∼40 °C. The complexes 1a-1d show higher catalytic activity for carbonylation of methanol to acetic acid and methyl acetate [Turn Over Frequency (TOF) = 1551-1735 h⁻¹] compared to that of the well known Monsanto’s species [Rh(CO)₂I₂]⁻ (TOF = 1000 h⁻¹) under the reaction conditions: temperature 130 ± 2 °C, pressure 33 ± 2 bar, 450 rpm and time 1 h. The organometallic residue of 1a-1d was also isolated after the catalytic reaction and found to be active for further run without significant loss of activity.     

Rhodium(I) carbonyl complexes of mono selenium functionalized bis(diphenylphosphino)methane and bis(diphenylphosphino)amine chelating ligands and their catalytic carbonylation activity

The chelate complexes of the types (1) and (2) have been synthesized and characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy. The lower shift of the ν(P-Se) bands and downfield shift of the ³¹P-{¹H}NMR signals for both P(III) and P(V) atoms in 1 and 2 compared to the corresponding free ligands indicate chelate formation through selenium donor. 1 and 2 show terminal ν(CO) bands at 1977 and 1981 cm⁻¹, respectively, suggesting high electron density at the metal center. The molecular structure of 2 has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The rhodium atom is at the center of a square planar geometry having the phosphorus and selenium atoms of the chelating ligand at cis-position, one carbonyl group trans- to selenium and one chlorine atom trans- to phosphorus atom. 1 and 2 undergo oxidative addition (OA) reaction with CH₃I to produce acyl complexes (3) and (4), respectively. The kinetics of the OA reactions reveal that 1 undergoes faster reaction by about 4.5 times than 2. The catalytic activity of 1 and 2 in carbonylation of methanol was higher than that of the well known species [Rh(CO)₂I₂]⁻ and 2 shows higher catalytic activity compared to 1.     

Synthesis,characterization and antimicrobial activity of zinc(II) ibuprofen complexes with nitrogen-based ligands

Metal carboxylate complexes possess different carboxylate coordination modes, e.g. monodentate, bidentate, and bridging bidentate. Five Zn(II) complexes were prepared and characterized in order to examine their coordination modes in addition to their biological activity. The syntheses were started by preparation of [Zn(ibup)₂(H₂O)₂] (1). Then, different nitrogen-donor ligands reacted with 1 to produce [Zn(ibup)₂(2-ampy)₂] (2), [Zn(ibup)(2-ammethylpy)] (3), [Zn(ibup)(2,2′-bipy)] (4), and [Zn₂(ibup)₄(2-methylampy)₂] (5) (ibup = ibuprofen, 2-ampy = 2-aminopyridine, 2-ammethylpy = 2-aminomethylpyridine, 2,2′-bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine, 2-methylampy = 2-(methylamino)pyridine). IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C{¹H}-NMR and UV–vis spectroscopies were used for characterization. The crystal structures of 2 and 5 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Investigation of in vitro antibacterial activities for the complexes against Gram-positive (Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis) bacteria were done using agar well-diffusion method. Complex 1 showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Complexes 2 and 3 did not exhibit antibacterial activity. Complex 4 showed antibacterial activity and was chosen for further studies to determine the inhibition zone diameter for different concentrations and to set the minimum inhibitory concentration. The antibacterial activity against most of the bacteria was minimized as a result of the complexation of zinc ibuprofen with 2,2′-bipy in 4.     

Mono and dinuclear iridium, rhodium and ruthenium complexes containing chelating carboxylato pyrazine ligands: Synthesis, molecular structure and electrochemistry

The mononuclear complexes [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl(L¹)] (1), [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl(L¹)] (2), [(η⁶-p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)RuCl(L¹)] (3) and [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)RuCl(L¹)] (4) have been synthesised from pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (HL¹) and the corresponding complexes [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl₂}₂], [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl₂}₂], [{(η⁶-p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)RuCl₂}₂], and [{(η⁶-C₆Me₆)RuCl₂}₂], respectively. The related dinuclear complexes [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl}₂(μ-L²)] (5), [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl}₂(μ-L²)] (6), [{(η⁶-p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)RuCl}₂(μ-L²)] (7) and [{(η⁶-C₆Me₆)RuCl}₂(μ-L²)] (8) have been obtained in a similar manner from pyrazine-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (H₂L²). Compounds isomeric to the latter series, [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl}₂(μ-L³)] (9), [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl}₂(μ-L³)] (10), [{(p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)RuCl}₂(μ-L³)] (11) and [{(η⁶-C₆Me₆)RuCl}₂(μ-L³)] (12), have been prepared by using pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (H₂L³) instead of H₂L². The molecular structures of 2 and 3, determined by X-ray diffraction analysis, show the pyrazine-2-carboxylato moiety to act as an N,O-chelating ligand, while the structure analyses of 5-7, confirm that the pyrazine-2,5-dicarboxylato unit bridges two metal centres. The electrochemical behaviour of selected representatives has been studied by voltammetric techniques.     

Rhodium(I) carbonyl complexes of ether‐phosphine ligands and their reactivity

The reactions of dimeric complex [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ with hemilabile ether‐phosphine ligands Ph₂P(CH₂) _nOR [n = 1, R = CH₃ (a); n = 2, R = C₂H₅ (b)] yield cis‐[Rh(CO)₂Cl(P ～ O)] (1) [P ～ O = η ¹‐(P) coordinated]. Halide abstraction reactions of 1 with AgClO₄ produce cis‐[Rh(CO)₂(P ∩ O)]ClO₄ (2) [P ∩ O = η ²‐(P,O)chelated]. Oxidative addition reactions of 1 with CH₃I and I₂ give rhodium(III) complexes [Rh(CO)(COCH₃)ClI(P ∩ O)] (3) and [Rh(CO)ClI₂(P ∩ O)] (4) respectively. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of 1 for carbonylation of methanol is higher than that of the well‐known [Rh(CO)₂I₂]^? species. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and structural characterisation of aluminium imino-amide and pyridyl-amide complexes: bulky monoanionic N,N chelate ligands via methyl group transfer

Treatment of the imines [ArN=CH-CH=NAr] and [ArN=CH-2-py] (Ar=2,6-Pr₂ⁱC₆H₃) with AlMe₃ in toluene affords the highly crystalline complexes [AlMe₂{ArN-CH₂-C(Me)=NAr}] (1) and [AlMe₂{ArN-CH(Me)-2-py}] (2); the molecular structures of 1 and 2 show that the aluminiums are bonded to imino-amide and pyridyl-amide ligands respectively arising from methyl group transfer from the aluminium centre to the backbone carbon of the imine ligand.     

New N-pyrazole, P-phosphinite hybrid ligands and corresponding Rh(I) complexes: X-ray crystal structures of complexes with [Rh, N, P-phosphinite, Cl, (CO)] core

Two new N-pyrazole, P-phosphinite hybrid ligands 3-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)propyldiphenylphosphinite (L³) and 2-(3,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethyldiphenylphosphinite (L⁴) are presented. The reactivity of these ligands and two other ligands reported in the literature (3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyldiphenylphosphinite (L¹) and 2-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethyldiphenylphosphinite (L²) towards [RhCl(CO)₂]₂ (1) have been studied and complexes [RhCl(CO)L] (L = L² (2), L³ (3) and L⁴ (4)) have been obtained. For L¹ only decomposition products have been achieved. All complexes were fully characterised by analytical and spectroscopic methods and the resolution of the crystalline structure of complexes 2 and 3 by single-crystal X-ray diffraction are also presented. In these complexes, the ligands are coordinated via κ²(N,P) to Rh(I), forming metallocycles of seven (2 and 4) or eight (3) members and finish its coordination with a carbonyl monoxide and a trans-chlorine to phosphorus atom. In both complexes, weak intermolecular interactions are present. NMR studies of complexes 2-4 show the chain N-(CH₂)_x-O becomes rigid and the protons diastereotopic.     

Functional ligands and complexes for new structures, homogeneous catalysts and nanomaterials

In this account, we focus on results from our laboratory to illustrate recent developments in various fields of organometallic chemistry. Studies on hemilabile P,N donor ligands and on the ion-pair behaviour of cationic Pd(II) complexes have led to the full characterization of complexes with η¹-allyl ligands. This still rare bonding mode for the allyl ligand in palladium chemistry allows facile insertion of CO into the Pd-C σ-bond, in contrast to the situation in related η³-allyl Pd(II) complexes. In order to develop new homogeneous catalysts for the selective dimerization and oligomerization of ethylene, a range of Ni(II) complexes have been prepared with new chelating P,N ligands where P represents a phosphine, phosphinite or phosphonite donor group and N a pyridine or oxazoline moiety. Finally, we shall examine bottom-up approaches to the formation of new nanomaterials of magnetic or catalytic interest by covalent anchoring of metal complexes and clusters into mesoporous materials using functional phosphine or alkyne ligands containing an alkoxysilyl group.     

α-Fluorinated cyclic amidophosphite ligands. Their synthesis, Rh complexes and catalytic activity in the hydroformylation of styrene

The synthetic approaches to cyclic phosphite and amido(diamido)phosphite ligands bearing the residues of electron withdrawing perfluorinated tails at the β-position to the phosphorus atom have been elaborated. Catalytic systems based on rhodium complexes of these ligands formed in situ using Rh(CO)₂(acac) as a catalytic precursor demonstrate high activity in the hydroformylation of styrene along with good selectivity in respect to branched aldehyde. Quantum-chemical calculations proved that both the rate of the formation of branched alkyl complex, as well as its reactivity are influenced by the steric and electronic parameters in the same manner.     

Synthesis and structural characterisation of rhodium hydride complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

Addition of excesses of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) IEt₂Me₂, IⁱPr₂Me₂ or ICy (IEt₂Me₂ = 1,3-diethyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene; IⁱPr₂Me₂ = 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene; ICy = 1,3-dicyclohexylimidazol-2-ylidene) to [HRh(PPh₃)₄] (1) affords an isomeric mixture of [HRh(NHC)(PPh₃)₂] (NHC = IEt₂Me₂ (cis-/trans-2), IⁱPr₂Me₂ (cis-/trans-3), ICy (cis-/trans-4) and [HRh(NHC)₂(PPh₃)] (IEt₂Me₂(cis-/trans-5), IⁱPr₂Me₂ (cis-/trans-6), ICy (cis-/trans-7)). Thermolysis of 1 with the aryl substituted NHC, 1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene (IMesH₂), affords the bridging hydrido phosphido dimer, [{(PPh₃)₂Rh}₂(μ-H)(μ-PPh₂)] (8), which is also the reaction product formed in the absence of carbene. When the rhodium precursor was changed from 1 to [HRh(CO)(PPh₃)₃] (9) and treated with either IMes (=1,3-dimesitylimidazol-2-ylidene) or ICy, the bis-NHC complexes trans-[HRh(CO)(IMes)₂] (10) and trans-[HRh(CO)(ICy)₂] (11) were formed. In contrast, the reaction of 9 with IⁱPr₂Me₂ gave [HRh(CO)(IⁱPr₂Me₂)₂] (cis-/trans-12) and the unusual unsymmetrical dimer, [(PPh₃)₂Rh(μ-CO)₂Rh(IⁱPr₂Me₂)₂] (13). The complexes trans-3, 8, 10 and 13 have been structurally characterised.     

Carbonyl rhodium(I) complexes containing (H)PNX (X = O or N) ligands deriving from natural aminoacid–amides. Synthesis, X-ray structure and spectroscopic characterization

The polyfunctional (H)PNX (X = O or N) ligands 1 and 2 react with [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ to give the corresponding chloro carbonyl complexes {Rh[κ²-(H)PN](CO)Cl} (1a and 2a), where the neutral ligands coordinate in a κ²-PN bidentate fashion, the square planar coordination being completed by the CO trans to N and the chloride trans to P. In chloroform solution 1a maintains its original structure, while 2a partially transforms into the cationic species {Rh[κ³-(H)PNO](CO)}Cl. The chloroform solutions of 1a and 2a react with AgPF₆ to give the purely cationic species {Rh[κ³-(H)PNO](CO)}PF₆ ([1a]⁺ and [2a]⁺), while addition of Et₃N originates the neutral species {Rh[κ³-PNN′](CO)} (1b and 2b). All the complexes have been characterized by microanalysis, IR, ¹H NMR as well as ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray structures of ligand 1 and complex 1b are also reported.     

Cycloheptatrienyl zirconium sandwich complexes with lewis basic phospholyl ligands (phosphatrozircenes): synthesis, structure, bonding and coordination chemistry

The transmetalation reaction between [(η(7) -C(7) H(7) )ZrCl(tmeda)] (1; tmeda=N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine) and various phospholide anions leads to a new class of mixed sandwich complexes: [(η(7)-C(7)H(7))Zr(η(5)-C(4)PMe(4))] (2), [(η(7)-C(7)H(7))Zr(η(5)-C(4)PH(2)Me(2))] (3) and [(η(7)-C(7)H(7))Zr(η(5)-C(4)PPhHMe(2))] (4). The presence of Lewis basic phosphorus atoms and Lewis acidic zirconium atoms allows ambiphilic behaviour to be observed, and X-ray diffraction analysis reveals dimeric arrangements for 2 and 3 with long intermolecular Zr-P bonds, whereas 4 remains monomeric in the solid state. DFT calculations indicate that the metal-phosphorus interaction is weak, and accordingly, complexes 2-4 act as monodentate ligands upon reaction with [W(CO)(5)(thf)]. The resulting complexes [W(CO)(5)(L)] 5-7 (L=2-4) were studied by IR spectroscopy and compared with the [W(CO)(5) ] complex 9, containing the phosphane-functionalised trozircene [(η(7)-C(7)H(7))Zr(η(5)-C(5)H(4)PPh(2))] (8). They all show a close resemblance to simple phosphanes, such as PMe(3) , although molecular orbital analysis of 2 reveals that the free electron pair in the phosphatrozircenes is not the HOMO. Four equivalents of 2 can replace 1,4-cyclooctadiene (COD) in [Ni(cod)(2)] to form the homoleptic, distorted tetrahedral complex [Ni{2}(4)] (10).     

Chlorocarbonyl ruthenium(II) complexes of tripodal triphos {MeC(CH2PPh2)3}: Synthesis, characterization and catalytic applications in transfer hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds

The complex [Ru(CO)₂(triphos-κ²P)Cl₂] (1) underwent decarbonylation in dichloromethane solution under air over a period of about two weeks to afford the chelated monocarbonyl complex [Ru(CO)(triphos-κ³P)Cl₂] (2). The Single Crystal X-ray structure of 2 showed a slightly distorted metal centred complex. The catalytic activity of one of the complexes [Ru(CO)(triphos-κ³P)Cl₂] (2) was examined in the transfer hydrogenation of aromatic carbonyl compounds and was found to be efficient with conversion up to 100% in the presence of isopropanol/NaOH.     

Ferrocene bridged and substituted tetramethylcyclopentadienyl (or indenyl) carbonyl complexes of iron, ruthenium, and molybdenum

Reactions of ferrocene bridged and substituted tetramethylcyclopentadiene ligands 1,1′-Fc(C₅Me₄H)₂ (1) (Fc = 1,1′-ferrocenediyl) and (C₅H₅FeC₅H₄)C₅Me₄H (5) with Ru₃(CO)₁₂, Fe(CO)₅, and Mo(CO)₃(CH₃CN)₃ in refluxing xylene gave the corresponding trinuclear and tetranuclear complexes Fc[(C₅Me₄)M(CO)]₂(μ-CO)]₂ [M = Ru (2), Fe (3)], Fc[(C₅Me₄)Mo(CO)₃]₂ (4) and [(C₅H₅ FeC₅H₄)C₅Me₄M(CO)]₂(μ-CO)₂ [M = Ru (6), Fe (7)], [(C₅H₅FeC₅H₄)C₅Me₄Mo(CO)₃]₂ (8). Reactions of (3-indenyl)ferrocene (9) with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ or Fe(CO)₅ in refluxing xylene or heptane, also gave the corresponding tetranuclear metal complexes [(C₅H₅FeC₅H₄)C₉H₆M(CO)]₂(μ-CO)₂ [M = Ru (10), Fe (11)]. The molecular structures of 2 and 3 were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Cytotoxic performances of new anionic cyclometalated Pt(II) complexes bearing chelated O^O ligands

The in vitro biological activity towards the MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cell line of two different series of anionic Pt(II) organometallic complexes was tested. For the first time, cytotoxic activity of anionic Pt(II) complexes has been observed. The anionic compounds of general formula NBu₄[(C^N)Pt(O^O)], where (C^N) represents the cyclometalated form of 2-phenylpyridine (H(PhPy)), 2-thienylpyridine (H(Thpy)) or 2-benzo[h]quinoline (H(Bzq)), feature two different (O^O) chelated ligands: tetrabromocatechol [BrCat]²⁻ ( 1 – 3 ) or alizarine [Aliz]²⁻ ( 4 – 6 ). Complexes 1 – 6 displayed a significant cytotoxic effect against the studied cell line (IC₅₀ range of 1.9–52.8 μM). For BrCat-containing complexes 1 – 3 , the biological activity was independent of the nature of the coordinated (C^N) ligand. In contrast, in the case of 4 – 6 , the cytotoxicity (significantly high for 4 ) was concomitantly induced by the presence of either the PhPy or the [Aliz]²⁻ ligand. Since complexes 1–6 are emissive in solution, the potential use of 4 as a theranostic agent was investigated using confocal analysis. The fluorescence signal from MDA-MB-231 cells incubated with 4 indicated the localization of the compound into the cytosol region.     

Synthesis and characterization of tungsten carbonyl complexes containing N-methyl substituted urea and thiourea ligands

Six new mixed-ligand tungsten carbonyl complexes containing N-methyl substituted urea and thiourea of the type W(CO)₄[RCH₂N-(C=X)NH₂] where X?=?O or S and R?=?morpholine, piperidine and diphenylamine are reported. These have been prepared by refluxing hexacarbonyl tungsten(0) with corresponding ligands in THF to produce cis-disubstituted products, [(L-L)W(CO)₄] where L-L?=?a chelating bidentate ligand, morpholinomethyl urea (MMU), morpholinomethyl thiourea (MMTU), piperidinomethyl urea (PMU), piperidinomethyl thiourea (PMTU), diphenylaminomethyl urea (DAMU) and diphenylaminomethyl thiourea (DAMTU). The compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, electronic and ¹³C NMR spectra, magnetic moments and conductivity measurements. The IR spectra suggests that in all the complexes, the ligands are bidentate chelating, coordinating the metal through carbonyl oxygen or thiocarbonyl sulphur and the ring nitrogen or tert-nitrogen of diphenylamine. The CO force constants and CO–CO interaction constants for these derivatives have also been calculated using Cotton–Kraihanzel secular equations, which indicate poor π-bonding ability of the ligands. ¹³C NMR and electronic spectra reveal loss of cis-carbonyl ligands to produce cis-disubstituted tetracarbonyl derivatives. Molecular modeling studies have been carried out using Hyperchem release 7.52 which suggest a distorted octahedral geometry for these complexes.     

Synthesis, characterization of novel half-sandwich iridium and rhodium complexes containing pyridine-based organochalcogen ligands

A series of neutral pyridine-based organochalcogen ligands, 2,6-bis(1-methylimidazole-2-thione)pyridine (Bmtp), 2,6-bis(1-isopropylimidazole-2-thione)pyridine (Bptp), and 2,6-bis(1-tert-butylimidazole-2-thione)pyridine (Bbtp) have been synthesized and characterized. Reactions of [Cp*M(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (Cp* = η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, M = Ir, Rh) with three pyridine-based organochalcogen ligands result in the formation of the complexes Cp*M(L)Cl₂ (M = Ir, L = Bmtp, 1a·Cl₂; M = Rh, L = Bmtp, 1b·Cl₂; M = Ir, L = Bptp, 2a·Cl₂; M = Rh, L = Bptp, 2b·Cl₂; M = Ir, L = Bbtp, 3a·Cl₂; M = Rh, L = Bbtp, 3b·Cl₂), respectively. All compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, NMR and IR spectra. The molecular structures of Bbtp, 1a·Cl₂, 1b·Cl₂, 2b·Cl₂ and 3b·Cl₂ have been determined by X-ray crystallography.