Synthesis and reactivity of rhodium fluoro complexes

[RhH(CO)(PPh₃)₂] (1) reacts with Et₃N·3HF to give the fluoro compound [RhF(CO)(PPh₃)₂] (2). In a comparable reaction [RhF(PEt₃)₃] (5) has been obtained from [RhH(PEt₃)₃] (3) or [RhH(PEt₃)₄] (4) with substoichiometric amounts of Et₃N·3HF in THF. If the latter reaction is carried out in benzene, the complexes 5, cis-mer-[Rh(H)₂F(PEt₃)₃] (6) and cis-fac-[Rh(H)₂F(PEt₃)₃] (7) are obtained. Treatment of 5 with HCl in ether effects the generation of [RhCl(PEt₃)₃] (8) and the bifluoride compound [Rh(FHF)(PEt₃)₃] (9), which can be converted into 5 in the presence of Et₃N and Cs₂CO₃. Treatment of 5 with HSiR₂Ph (R=Ph, Me) leads to the formation of 3 and the rhodium(III) silyl complexes fac-[Rh(H)₂(SiR₂Ph)(PEt₃)₃] (10: R=Ph, 11: R=Me).     

Substituted cyclopentadienylchromium(III) complexes containing neutral donor ligands. Synthesis, crystal structures and reactivity in ethylene polymerization

Lithium derivatives of substituted cyclopentadiene ligands reacted with CrCl₃(THF)₃ in THF solution to afford homodinuclear complexes of the type [{(η⁵-RCp)CrCl(μ-Cl) }₂] [R=SiMe₃ (1), CH₂C(Me)CH₂ (2)]. Complex 1 reacts with pyrazole (C₃H₄N₂) to yield the mononuclear half-sandwich complex [(η⁵-Me₃SiCp)CrCl₂(pyrazole)] (3). The similar complex [Cp*CrCl₂(pyrazole)] (4) was synthesised by reaction of [{Cp*CrCl(μ-Cl)}₂] with pyrazole. Complex 2 reacts with bidentate ligands to give binuclear complexes of the type [{(η⁵-CH₂C(Me)CH₂Cp)CrCl₂ }₂(μ-L-L)] [L-L=Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂ (5), trans-Ph₂P(O)CHCHP(O)Ph₂ (6)]. All complexes were structurally characterised by X-ray diffraction. After reaction with methylaluminoxane these complexes are active in the polymerization of ethylene. At 25 °C and 4 bar of ethylene, complex 3 yields polyethylene with a bimodal molecular weight distribution centred at 155,000 and 2000 g/mol. Complex 4 shows similar activity, yielding only the low molecular weight fraction. On the other hand, the binuclear complexes 5 and 6 under the same conditions were three times more active than mononuclear complexes. The melting point of the polymers indicates the formation of linear polyethylene.     

The influence of differently substituted cyclopentadienyl CpR ligands on the reactivity of [CpRFe(CO)2]2 with yellow arsenic

The influence of differently substituted cyclopentadienyl Cp^R ligands on the reaction outcome of [Cp^RFe(CO)₂]₂ (Cp^R = C₅Me₅, EtC₅Me₄, 1,3-Bu₂tC₅H₃) with As₄ is examined. For C₅Me₅ and EtC₅Me₄, the pentaarsaferrocene derivatives [Cp^RFe(η⁵-As₅)] are formed together with [(Cp^RFe)₃As₆] and [(Cp^RFe)₃As₆{(η³-As₃)Fe}], while for 1,3-Bu₂^tC₅H₃ only [(Cp^RFe)₃As₆] is formed. The reaction of [(Me₅C₅Fe)₃As₆{(η³-As₃)Fe}] with Tl⁺ leads to [{(Me₅C₅Fe)₃As₆Fe}₂(μ,η³:η³-As₃)]²⁺ representing an unexpected dicationic cluster.     

Synthesis and characterization of half-sandwich iridium(III) and rhodium(III) complexes bearing organochalcogen ligands

Reactions of [Cp*M(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (M = Ir, Rh; Cp* = η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) with bi- or tri-dentate organochalcogen ligands Mbit (L1), Mbpit (L2), Mbbit (L3) and [Tm^Me]⁻ (L4) (Mbit = 1,1′-methylenebis(3-methyl-imidazole-2-thione); Mbpit = 1,1′-methylene bis (3-iso-propyl-imidazole-2-thione), Mbbit = 1,1′-methylene bis (3-tert-butyl-imidazole-2-thione)) and [Tm^Me]⁻ (Tm^Me = tris (2-mercapto-1-methylimidazolyl) borate) result in the formation of the 18-electron half-sandwich complexes [Cp*M(Mbit)Cl]Cl (M = Ir, 1a; M = Rh, 1b), [Cp*M(Mbpit)Cl]Cl (M = Ir, 2a; M = Rh, 2b), [Cp*M(Mbbit)Cl]Cl (M = Ir, 3a; M = Rh, 3b) and [Cp*M(Tm^Me)]Cl (M = Ir, 4a; M = Rh, 4b), respectively. All complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, NMR and IR spectra. The molecular structures of 1a, 2b and 4a have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Square planar diphosphinoazine rhodium(I) amido carbonyl complexes with an unsymmetrical PNP′ pincer-type coordination

A series of novel diphosphinoazine rhodium amido carbonyl complexes [{R₂PCHC(Bu^t)–NNC(Bu^t)CH₂PR₂}Rh(CO)] (R = Ph, Prⁱ, c-C₆H₁₁, Bu^t) was prepared by deprotonation of cationic diphosphinoazine rhodium amino carbonyl complexes. The complexes were characterized by NMR as were also their precursors. The crystal structures of two cationic and one neutral deprotonated complex were determined by X-ray diffraction showing the complexes to be essentially planar with mutual trans arrangement of phosphine groups and nitrogens trans to carbonyl ligands. Measurement of valence vibration frequencies of carbonyl groups in the complexes allowed to estimate the electron density on the rhodium centre. The ene-hydrazone ligand backbone (nitrogen covalently bonded) is more electron donating than the azine backbone (nitrogen bonded by electron pair donation) as expected. In the neutral series of complexes electron donation increases with phosphine substitution in the order Ph < Prⁱ = c-C₆H₁₁ < Bu^t with the corresponding decrease of carbonyl valence vibration frequency. The tert-butyl cationic complex undergoes in a low yield an unusual diphosphinoazine bond cleavage with simultaneous oxidation of the metal resulting in a binuclear bis(iminophosphine)dirhodium complex [{(Bu^t)₂PCH₂C(Bu^t)NH}Rh(Cl)₂(μ-Cl)]₂ the structure of which was also determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis reactivity and electrochemical properties of substituted cyclopentadienyl cobalt (III) complexes

Cyclopentadienyl cobalt complexes (η⁵‐C₅H₄R) CoLI₂ [L = CO,R=‐COOCH₂CH=CH₂ (3); L=PPh₃, R=‐COOCH₂‐CH=CH₂ (6); L=P(p‐C₆H₄O₃)₃, R = ‐COOC(CH₃) = CH₂ (7), ‐COOCH₂C₆H₅ (8), ‐COOCH₂CH = CH₂ (9)] were prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, ¹H NMR, ER and UV‐vis spectra. The reaction of complexes (η⁵‐C₅H₄R)CoLI₂ [L= CO, R= ‐COOC(CH₃) = CH₂ (1), ‐COOCH₂C₆H₅(2); L=PPh₃, R=‐COOC (CH₃) = CH₂ (4), ‐COOCH₂C₆H₅ (5)] with Na‐Hg resulted in the formation of their corresponding substituted cobaltocene (η⁵‐C₅H₄R)₂ Co[R=‐COOC(CH₃) = CH₂ (10), ‐COOCH₂C₆H₅ (11)]. The electrochemical properties of these complexes 1–11 were studied by cyclic voltammetry. It was found that as the ligand (L) of the cobalt (III) complexes changing from CO to PPh₃ and P(p‐tolyl)₃, their oxidation potentials increased gradually. The cyclic voltammetry of α,α′‐substituted cobaltocene showed reversible oxidation of one electron process.     

Synthesis and reactivity of di(silylamido)cyclopentadienyl titanium and zirconium complexes

We present in this account the synthesis and recent developments of a new class of group 4 metal complexes with the tridentate di(silylamido)cyclopentadienyl ligand. These doubly silyl-bridged group 4 metal amido chelates are receiving increasing interest as they are efficient catalysts for ethene polymerization when activated with MAO despite generating 14-electron d⁰ cationic species free of the alkyl group required for the first insertion reaction in the polymerization process.     

Synthesis of a Lewis acid bearing cyclopentadienyl ligand and its tricarbonylmanganese(I) complex

The synthesis of a bimetallic compound comprising a Lewis acidic organochlorostannane and a transition metal carbonyl is reported. The target complex, [(CO)₃Mn(η⁵-C₅H₄(CH₂)₃SnMe₂Cl)], 2, is prepared in four steps. The final step involves an exchange reaction between [(CO)₃Mn(η⁵-C₅H₄(CH₂)₃SnMe₃)], 1, and SnMe₂Cl₂. Infrared spectroscopy demonstrates no interaction between the Lewis acid and lone pair on the carbonyl oxygen.     

New o-methoxyphenylcyclopentadienylchromium (III) complexes: Synthesis, structures and catalytic properties for ethylene polymerization

Two new ligands 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-3,4-diphenylcyclopentadiene (1) and 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2,3,4,5-tetramethylcyclopentadiene (2), as well as their corresponding cyclopentadienylchromium complexes η⁵-1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-3,4-diphenylcyclopentadienyl chromium dichloride (3) and η⁵-1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2,3,4,5-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl chromium dichloride (4) were synthesized and characterized. Molecular structures of 3 and 4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 3 and 4 were tested as catalyst precursors for ethylene polymerization. When activated with Al(ⁱBu)₃ and , complex 3 shows reasonable catalytic activity while 4 exhibits high catalytic activity for ethylene polymerization. The effects of temperature and Al/Cr ratio on the catalytic activity were studied. The molecular weight and melting temperature of the produced polyethylenes were determined.     

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.     

Synthesis and DNA-binding properties of apoptosis-inducing cytotoxic half-sandwich rhodium(III) complexes with methyl-substituted polypyridyl ligands

Half-sandwich organorhodium(III) complexes of the type [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl(pp)] (CF₃SO₃) containing polypyridyl ligands (pp) represent a promising class of cytostatic agents. Replacement of the polypyridyl ligands of complexes 1 (pp = phen) and 6 (pp = dppz) by methyl-substituted derivatives in 2-5 (pp = 4-Mephen, 5-Mephen, 4,7-Me₂phen, 5,6-Me₂phen) and 7 (pp = Me₂dppz) leads to a significant improvement in their antiproliferative activity towards human MCF-7 and HT-29 cancer cells. For instance, the IC₅₀ value towards HT-29 cells decreases from 4.3 ± 0.2 μM for 6 to 0.98 ± 0.49 μM for complex 7. In contrast, no activity (IC₅₀ > 100 μM) was observed for the HOOC and n-BuNHCO substituted dppz complexes 8 and 9. UV/vis, CD and NMR spectra for mixtures of complexes 7-9 with CT DNA were in accordance with intercalation of the substituted dppz ligands between the base pairs of the double helix and direct evidence for this binding mode was also provided by a 2D NOESY study for complex 7 with the hexanucleotide d(5′-CGTCGG-3′). Each of the methyl-substituted phen complexes 2-5 is significantly more active towards immortalized HEK-293 cells (IC₅₀ values 0.40 ± 0.02 to 0.94 ± 0.02 μM) than towards the cancer cells. Flow cytometric measurements of DNA fragmentation in BJAB cells following an incubation period of 72 h with 1, 5 and 6 indicate that the complexes induce specific apoptotic cell death in the non-adherent lymphoma cells.     

Iridium(III) and rhodium(III) cyclometalated complexes containing sulfur and selenium donor ligands

Treatment of [M(Buppy)₂Cl]₂ (M=Ir (1), Rh (2); BuppyH=2-(4^′-tert-butylphenyl)pyridine) with Na(Et₂NCS₂), K[S₂P(OMe)₂], and K[N(Ph₂PS)₂]₂ afforded monomeric [Ir(Buppy)₂(S^∧S)] (S^∧S=Et₂NCS₂ (3), S₂P(OMe)₂ (4), N(PPh₂S)₂ (5)) and [Rh(Buppy)₂(S^∧S)] (S^∧S=Et₂NCS₂ (6), S₂P(OMe)₂ (7), N(PPh₂S)₂ (8)), respectively. Reaction of 1 with Na[N(PPh₂Se)₂] gave [Ir(Buppy)₂{N(PPh₂Se)₂}] (9). The crystal structures of 3, 4, 7, and 8 have been determined. Treatment of 1 or 2 with AgOTf (OTf=triflate) followed by reaction with KSCN gave dinuclear [{M(Buppy)₂}₂(μ-SCN)₂] (M=Ir (10), Rh (11)), in which the SCN⁻ ligands bind to the two metal centers in a μ-S,N fashion. Interaction of 1 and 2 with [Et₄N]₂[WQ₄] gave trinuclear heterometallic complexes [{Ir(Buppy)₂}₂(μ-WQ₄)] (Q=S (12), Se (13)) and [{Rh(Buppy)₂}₂{(μ-WQ)₄}] (Q=S (14), Se (15)), respectively. Hydrolysis of 12 led to formation of [{Ir(Buppy)₂}₂{W(O)(μ-S)₂(μ₃-S)}] (16) that has been characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

Ferrocenyl-nitrogen donor ligands. Synthesis and characterization of rhodium(I) complexes of ferrocenylpyridine and related ligands

The preparation of a series of complexes of the types [RhCl(CO)₂(L)], [RhCl(cod)(L)] and [Rh(cod)(L)₂]ClO₄, where L is a ligand incorporating a ferrocenyl group and a pyridine ring is described. Complexes were characterized using NMR, IR and electronic spectroscopy. The electrochemical behaviour of the complexes was examined using cyclic voltammetry. The X-ray structures of three of the complexes, [RhCl(CO)₂{NC₅H₄CNC₆H₄(η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)}], [RhCl(cod)(3-Fcpy)] and [RhCl(cod){3-Fc(C₆H₄)py}], were determined.     

Cationic rhodium(I)–diolefin complexes containing an optically active C2-symmetric bis(sulfoximine) ligand: Synthesis and catalytic activity

A series of cationic rhodium(I) complexes [Rh(diene)(N^N)][BF₄] (diene = 1,5-cyclooctadiene (cod), norbornadiene (nbd), tetrafluorobenzobarralene (tfb)), containing the optically pure bis(sulfoximine) ligand 1,2-bis(S-methyl-S-phenylsulfonimidoyl)benzene, have been synthesized and fully characterized. The structure of the R,R enantiomer of the ligand, and that of its cyclooctadiene–Rh(I) complex, were confirmed by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Studies on the catalytic activity of these complexes in acetophenone hydrosilylation and dimethyl itaconate hydrogenation are also reported.     

Chromium(0)-rhodium(I) metal exchange: Synthesis and X-ray structure of new Fischer (NHC)carbene complexes of rhodium(I)

An easy approach to Fischer (NHC)carbene complexes of rhodium(I) 3 from methoxy- and aminocarbene complexes of chromium 1 and (NHC)(cod)RhCl (2) is described. The process involves the transfer of the carbene unit and a CO ligand from chromium to rhodium. The X-ray analysis is provided for 3d and the preliminary results on their thermal stability and reactivity toward alkynes and allenes are also reported.     

Photocatalytic properties of new cyclopentadienyl and indenyl rhodium(I) carbonyl complexes with water-soluble 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA) and tris(2-cyanoethyl)phosphine

Reactions of [(η⁵-R)Rh(CO)₂] (R = cp, ind) with water-soluble phosphines (L = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane and tris(2-cyanoethyl)phosphine) give the new rhodium(I) complexes of the types [Rh(η⁵-cp)(CO)(PTA)] (1), [Rh(η⁵-cp)(CO)(P(CH₂CH₂CN)₃)] (2), [Rh(η⁵-ind)(CO)(PTA)] (3) and [Rh(η⁵-ind)(CO)(P(CH₂CH₂CN)₃)] (4) in isolated yields of 52-75%. All these compounds have been fully characterized by IR, ¹H, ³¹P{¹H} and ¹³C{¹H} NMR, FAB-MS spectroscopies and elemental analyses. Reactivity for the substitution of phosphine is greater for [(η⁵-ind)Rh(CO)(L)] comparing to [(η⁵-cp)Rh(CO)(L)] because of a flexibility of the indenyl ligand to undergo facile η⁵-η³ coordinative isomerizations. The obtained complexes are active catalyst precursors for the dehydrogenation of propan-2-ol, octane and cyclooctane under photoassisted conditions without any organic hydrogen transfer acceptors, giving TOFs of 26-56 using 3 as precatalyst.     

Fluorophilic properties of (perfluorooctyl)ethyldimethylsilyl substituted and tetramethyl(perfluoroalkyl) substituted cyclopentadienes and their Ti(IV), Rh(III), and Rh(I) complexes

Fluorous partition coefficients in perfluorohexane/toluene system for 37 fluorinated silylcyclopentadienes, titanium(IV) complexes derived from them, perfluoroalkyl substituted tetramethylcyclopentadienes, and their Rh(III) and Rh(I) complexes were determined. Specific fluorophilicity and fluorousness according to Kiss and Rábai were calculated for each compound with the help of molecular volume computed with the Gaussian program. The results show relative unimportance of fluorine content parameter for fluorophilicity as shown by a rhodium(I) complex being fluorophilic at fluorine content as low as 46.3%. As expected, fluorophilicity increased with the fluorous ponytail length and ponytail number in series of similar compounds, whereas polar M-Cl bonds were decreasing it. Fluorophilicities of tetramethyl(perfluoroalkyl)cyclopentadiene tautomers varied considerably despite only small differences in molecular volume being found. Most of the compounds were prepared previously, several new silylcyclopentadienes and titanium(IV) silylcyclopentadienyl complexes are reported here for completion.     

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of homobimetallic Rh(I) and Ir(I) complexes of s- and as-indacene-diide

The Rh(COD) and Ir(COD) homobimetallic complexes of s-indacene-diide, 2,6-dimethyl-s-indacene-diide, as-indacene-diide, and 2,7-dimethyl-as-indacene-diide have been synthesized from the di-lithium salts of the dianions and metal dimers [M(μ-Cl)L₂]₂ (M = Rh, Ir; L₂ = COD, NBD, (ethylene)₂, (CO)₂ as mixtures of syn and anti isomers. The syn/anti ratio depends on the nature of the ancillary ligands at the metal and on the s or as geometry of the bridging ligand. In the reaction of the 2,7-dimethyl-as-indacene-diide-[M(COD)]₂ species with CO, the higher reactivity of the syn isomers has been justified on the basis of a greater instability of the ground state due to steric interactions between the COD groups. Bis-η¹ metal-bonded intermediates have been identified in the carbonylation of iridium derivatives; on the other hand, the formation of the bis-η⁵ mixed complexes syn and anti-{2,7-dimethyl-as-indacene-diide-[Rh(COD)][Rh(CO)₂]} and their reactivity strongly support the existence of metal---metal interaction in the rhodium derivatives.     

Structural preferences of cyclopentadienyl and indenyl rings in iridium(I) carbene complexes

Cleavage of the [Ir(η⁴-COD)Cl]₂ dimer in the presence of the corresponding imidazolium salts and the strong base tBuO⁻ leads to the formation of Ir(I) derivatives of N-heterocyclic carbenes. When halide is replaced by NaCp, a mixture of [Ir(η⁴-COD)(NHC^R)(η¹-Cp)] and [Ir(η²-COD)(NHC^R)(η⁵-Cp)] is obtained. The latter is favored for R = Cy, while the former predominates for R = Me. Conversely, [Ir(η⁴-COD)(NHC^R)(η¹-Ind)] is the only product of the reaction with NaInd, despite the R substituent. DFT/B3LYP calculations confirmed that the η¹ coordination mode of the ring gives rise to the most stable structures, namely square planar complexes of 5d⁸ Ir(I). The energy of the 18 electron species containing η²-COD and η⁵-Ind or Cp is higher by 13 and 5 kcal mol⁻¹, respectively. The fluxional behaviour of indenyl, detected by NMR in the solutions of [Ir(η⁴-COD)(NHC^R)(η¹-Ind)], is associated to the low energy of the η³-Ind species required in the conversion process, and is not easily observed in the cyclopentadienyl derivatives, where a similar intermediate is disfavored.     

(1,2,3,4,7-Pentamethylindenyl)rhodium complexes with arene ligands

The reaction of (η⁵-C₉H₂Me₅)Rh(1,5-C₈H₁₂) (1) with I₂ gives the iodide complex [(η⁵-C₉H₂Me₅)RhI₂]₂ (2). The solvate complex [(η⁵- C₉H₂Me₅)Rh(MeNO₂)₃]²⁺ (generated in situ by treatment of 2 with Ag⁺ in nitromethane) reacts with benzene and its derivatives giving the dicationic arene complexes [(η⁵-₉H₂Me₅)Rh(arene)]²⁺ [arene = C₆H₆ (3a), C₆Me₆ (3b), C₆H₅OMe (3c)]. Similar reaction with the borole sandwich compound CpRh(η⁵-C₄H₄BPh) results in the arene-type complex [CpRh(μ-η⁵:η⁶-C₄H₄BPh)Rh(η⁵-C₉H₂Me₅)]²⁺ (4). Treatment of 2 with CpTl in acetonitrile affords cation [(η⁵-C₉H₂Me₅)RhCp]⁺ (5). The structure of [3c](BF₄)₂ was determined by X-ray diffraction. The electrochemical behaviour of complexes prepared was studied. The rhodium-benzene bonding in series of the related complexes [(ring)Rh(C₆H₆)]²⁺ (ring = Cp, Cp^∗, C₉H₇, C₉H₂Me₅) was analyzed using energy and charge decomposition schemes.