New diruthenium vinyliminium complexes from the insertion of alkynes into bridging aminocarbynes

Primary alkynes R′CCH [R′ = Me₃Si, Tol, CH₂OH, CO₂Me, (CH₂)₄CCH, Me] insert into the metal-carbon bond of diruthenium μ-aminocarbynes [Ru₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(MeCN)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] [R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (Xyl), 1a; CH₂Ph (Bz), 1b; Me, 1c] to give the vinyliminium complexes [Ru₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(R′)CHCN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] [R = Xyl, R′ = Me₃Si, 2a; R = Bz, R′ = Me₃Si, 2b; R = Me, R′ = Me₃Si, 2c; R = Xyl, R′ = Tol, 3a; R = Bz, R′ = Tol, 3b; R = Bz, R′ = CH₂OH, 4; R = Bz, R′ = CO₂Me, 5a; R = Me, R′ = CO₂Me, 5b; R = Xyl, R′ = (CH₂)₄CCH, 6; R = Xyl, R′ = Me, 7a; R = Bz, R′ = Me, 7b; R = Me, R′ = Me, 7c]. The related compound [Ru₂{μ-η¹:η³-C[C(Me)CH₂]CHCN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃], (9) is better prepared by reacting [Ru₂{μ-CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cl)(Cp)₂] (8) with AgSO₃CF₃ in the presence of HCCC(Me)CH₂ in CH₂Cl₂ at low temperature.In a similar way, also secondary alkynes can be inserted to give the new complexes [Ru₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(R′)C(R′)CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Bz, R′ = CO₂Me, 11; R = Xyl, R′ = Et, 12a; R = Bz, R′ = Et, 12b; R = Xyl, R′ = Me, 13). The reactions of 2-7, 9, 11-13 with hydrides (i.e., NaBH₄, NaH) have been also studied, affording μ-vinylalkylidene complexes [Ru₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(R′)C(R″)C(H)N(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R = Bz, R′ = Me₃Si, R″ = H, 14a; R = Me, R′ = Me₃Si, R″ = H, 14b; R = Bz, R′ = Tol, R″ = H, 15; R = Bz, R′ = R″ = Et, 16), bis-alkylidene complexes [Ru₂{μ-η¹:η²-C(R′)C(H)(R″)CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R′ = Me₃Si, R″ = H, 17; R′ = R″ = Et, 18), acetylide compounds [Ru₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(CCR′)(Cp)₂] (R = Xyl, R′ = Tol, 19; R = Bz, R′ = Me₃Si, 20; R = Xyl, R′ = Me, 21) or the tetranuclear species [Ru₂{μ-η¹:η²-C(Me)CCN(Me)(Bz)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂]₂ (23) depending on the properties of the hydride and the substituents on the complex. Chromatography of 21 on alumina results in its conversion into [Ru₂{μ-η³:η¹-C[N(Me)(Xyl)]C(H)CCH₂}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (22). The crystal structures of 2a[CF₃SO₃] · 0.5CH₂Cl₂, 12a[CF₃SO₃] and 22 have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Chemistry of Fischer-type rhenacyclobutadiene complexes. II. Reactions with alkynes and sulfonium ylides, and rearrangements induced by nitriles and pyridine

Further investigations into the chemistry of the rhenacyclobutadiene complexes (CO)₄Re(η²-C(R)C(CO₂Me)C(X)) (1: R=Me, X=OEt (1a), O(CH₂)₃CCH (1b), NEt₂ (1c); R=CHEt₂, X=OEt (1d); R=Ph, X=OEt (1e)) are reported. Reactions of 1 with alkynes at reflux temperature of toluene and at ambient temperature either under photochemical conditions or in the presence of PdO yield ring-substituted η⁵-cyclopentadienylrhenium tricarbonyl complexes, 2. The symmetrical alkynes R^′CCR^′ (R^′=Ph, Me, CO₂Me) afford the pentasubstituted complexes (η⁵-C₅(Me)(CO₂Me)(OEt)(Ph)(Ph))Re(CO)₃ (2d), (η⁵-C₅(Me)(CO₂Me)(OEt)(Me)(Me))Re(CO)₃ (2e), (η⁵-C₅(Me)(CO₂Me)(OEt)(CO₂Me)(CO₂Me))Re(CO)₃ (2f), and (η⁵-C₅(Me)(CO₂Me)(NEt₂)(CO₂Me)(CO₂Me))Re(CO)₃ (2i) on reaction with the appropriate 1, whereas the unsymmetrical alkynes R^′CCR″ (R^′=Ph; R″=H, Me) give either only one, (η⁵-C₅(Me)(CO₂Me)(OEt)(Ph)H)Re(CO)₃ (2a)), or both, (η⁵-C₅(Me)(CO₂Me) (OEt)(Ph)(Me))Re(CO)₃ (2b) and (η⁵-C₅(Me)(CO₂Me)(OEt)(Me)(Ph))Re(CO)₃ (2c), (η⁵-C₅(Ph)(CO₂Me)(OEt)(Ph)H)Re(CO)₃ (2g) and (η⁵-C₅(Ph)(CO₂Me)(OEt)(H)(Ph))Re(CO)₃ (2h), of the possible products of [3 + 2] cycloaddition of alkyne to η²-C(R)C(CO₂Me)C(X). Thermolysis of (CO)₄Re(η²-C(Me)C(CO₂Me)C(O(CH₂)₃CCH)) (1b) containing a pendant alkynyl group proceeds to (η⁵-C₅(Me)(CO₂Me)(O(CH₂)₃)H)Re(CO)₃ (2j), a η⁵-cyclopentadienyl-dihydropyran fused-ring product. Competition experiments showed that each of PhCCH and MeO₂CCCCO₂Me reacts faster than PhCCPh with 1a. The results with unsymmetrical alkynes are rationalized by steric properties of substituents at the CC and ReC bonds and by a preference of ReC(Me) over ReC(OEt) to undergo alkyne insertion. A mechanism is proposed that involves substitution of a trans CO by alkyne in 1, insertion of alkyne into ReC bond to give a rhenabenzene intermediate, and collapse of the latter to 2. Complexes 1a and 1d undergo rearrangement in MeCN at reflux temperature to give rhenafuran-like products, (CO)₄Re(κ²-OC(OMe)C(CHCR₂)C(OEt)) (R=H (3a) or Et (3b)). The reaction of 1d also proceeds in EtCN, PhCN, and t-BuCN at comparable temperature, but is slower (especially in t-BuCN) than in MeCN. In pyridine at reflux temperature, 1a undergoes a similar rearrangement, with CO substitution, to give (CO)₃(py)Re(κ²-OC(OMe)C(CHCEt₂)C(OEt)) (4). A mechanism is proposed for these reactions. The sulfonium ylides Me₂SCHC(O)Ph and Me₂SC(CN)₂ (Me₂SCRR^′) react with 1a in acetonitrile at reflux temperature by nucleophilic addition of the ylide to the ReC(Me) carbon, loss of Me₂S, and rearrangement to a rhenafuran-type structure to yield (CO)₄Re(κ²-OC(OMe)C(C(Me)CRR^′)C(OEt)) (R=H, R^′=C(O)Ph (5a); R=R^′CN (5b)). All new compounds were characterized by a combination of elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, and IR and NMR spectroscopy.     

Nitrile ligands activation in dinuclear aminocarbyne complexes

The diiron complexes [Fe(Cp)(CO){μ-η²:η²-C[N(Me)(R)]NC(C₆H₃R′)CCH(Tol)}Fe(Cp)(CO)] (R = Xyl, R′ = H, 3a; R = Xyl, R′ = Br, 3b; R = Xyl, R′ = OMe, 3c; R = Xyl, R′ = CO₂Me, 3d; R = Xyl, R′ = CF₃, 3e; R = Me, R′ = H, 3f; R = Me, R′ = CF₃, 3g) are obtained in good yields from the reaction of [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(p-NCC₆H₄R′)(Cp)₂]⁺ (R = Xyl, R′ = H, 2a; R = Xyl, R′ = Br, 2b; R = Xyl, R′ = OMe, 2c; R = Xyl, R′ = CO₂Me, 2d; R = Xyl, R′ = CF₃, 2e; R = Me, R′ = H, 2f; R = Me, R′ = CF₃, 2g) with TolCCLi. The formation of 3 involves addition of the acetylide at the coordinated nitrile and C-N coupling with the bridging aminocarbyne together with orthometallation of the p-substituted aromatic ring and breaking of the Fe-Fe bond. Complexes 3a-e which contain the N(Me)(Xyl) group exist in solution as mixtures of the E-trans and Z-trans isomers, whereas the compounds 3f,g, which posses an exocyclic NMe₂ group, exist only in the Z-cis form. The crystal structures of Z-trans-3b, E-trans-3c, Z-trans-3e and Z-cis-3g have been determined by X-ray diffraction experiments.     

Hydride addition at μ-vinyliminium ligand obtained from disubstituted alkynes

New μ-vinylalkylidene complexes cis-[Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_γ(R′)C_β(R″)C_αHN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R = Me, R′ = R″ = Me, 3a; R = Me, R′ = R″ = Et, 3b; R = Me, R′ = R″ = Ph, 3c; R = CH₂Ph, R′ = R″ = Me, 3d; R = CH₂Ph, R′ = R″ = COOMe, 3e; R = CH₂ Ph, R′ = SiMe₃, R″ = Me, 3f) have been obtained b yreacting the corresponding vinyliminium complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_γ(R′)C_β(R″)C_αN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (2a-f) with NaBH₄. The formation of 3a-f occurs via selective hydride addition at the iminium carbon (C_α) of the precursors 2a-f. By contrast, the vinyliminium cis-[Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_γ (R′) = C_β(R″)C_α = N(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R′ = R″ = COOMe, 4a; R′ = R″ = Me, 4b; R′ = Prⁿ, R″ = Me, 4c; Prⁿ = CH₂CH₂CH₃, Xyl = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃) undergo H⁻ addition at the adjacent C_β, affording the bis-alkylidene complexes cis-[Fe₂{μ-η¹:η²-C(R′)C(H)(R″)CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂], (5a-c). The cis and trans isomers of [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_γ(Et)C_β(Et)C_αN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (4d) react differently with NaBH₄: the former reacts at C_α yielding cis-[Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_γ(Et)C_β(Et)C_αHN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂], 6a, whereas the hydride attack occurs at C_β of the latter, leading to the formation of the bis alkylidene trans-[Fe₂{μ-η¹:η²-C(Et)C(H)(Et)CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (5d). The structure of 5d has been determined by an X-ray diffraction study. Other μ-vinylalkylidene complexes cis-[Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_γ(R′)C_β(R″)C_αHN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂], (R′ = R″ = Ph, 6b; R′ = R″ = Me, 6c) have been prepared, and the structure of 6c has been determined by X-ray diffraction. Compound 6b results from treatment of cis-[Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_γ(Ph)C_β(Ph)C_αN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (4e) with NaBH₄, whereas 6c has been obtained by reacting 4b with LiHBEt₃. Both cis-4d and trans-4d react with LiHBEt₃ affording cis-6a.     

Zwitterionic diiron vinyliminium complexes: Alkylation, metalation and oxidative coupling at the S and Se functionalities

The zwitterionic vinyliminium complex [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(R′)C(S)CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (2a) (R′ = p-Me-C₆H₄ (Tol), Xyl = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃) undergoes electrophilic addition at the S atom by HSO₃CF₃, MeSO₃CF₃, SiMe₃Cl, BrCH₂Ph, ICH₂CHCH₂ affording the complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(Tol)C(SX)CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][Y] (X =  H, Y = SO₃CF₃, 4a; X = Me, Y = SO₃CF₃, 4b; X = SiMe₃, Y = Cl, 4c; X = CH₂Ph, Y = Br, 4d; X = CH₂CHCH₂, Y = I, 4e).Compound 2a and the corresponding vinyliminium complexes 2b and 2c (R′ = CH₂OH, 2b; R′ = Me, 2c) react also with etherated BF₃ leading to the formation of the corresponding S-adducts [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(R′)C(SBF₃)CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R′ = Tol, 5a; R′ = CH₂OH, 5b; R′ = Me, 5c).In analogous reactions, the zwitterionic vinyliminium complexes undergo S-metalation upon treatment with in situ generated [Fp]⁺[SO₃CF₃]⁻ [Fp = Fe(CO)₂(Cp)], leading to the formation of [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(R′)C(S-Fp)CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃](R′ = CH₂OH, 6a; R′ = Me, 6b; R′ = Buⁿ, 6c).Similarly, zwitterionic vinyliminium containing Se in the place of S also undergo Se-electrophilic addition. Thus, the complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(R′)C(SeX)CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = X = Me, R′ = Tol, 7a; R = Xyl, R′ = Me, X = Fp⁺, 7b) are obtained upon treatment of the neutral zwitterionic precursors with MeSO₃CF₃ and [Fp][SO₃CF₃], respectively.Alkylation at the S or Se atom of the bridging ligand is also accomplished by CH₂Cl₂, used as solvent, although the reaction is slower compared to more efficient alkylating reagents. The complexes formed by this route are [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(R′)C(E-CH₂Cl)CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][X] [E = S, R = Xyl, R′ = Tol, X = Cl, 8a; E = S, R = Xyl, R′ = Me, X = Cl, 8b; E = Se, R = R′ = Me, X = BPh₄, 8c].Finally, treatment of the zwitterionic vinyliminium complexes with I₂ results in the oxidative coupling with formation of S-S (disulfide) or Se-Se (diselenide) bond. The reactions, performed in the presence of NaBPh₄ afford the tetranuclear complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(R′)C(E)CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂]₂[BPh₄]₂ [R = Xyl, R′ = CH₂OH, E = S, 9a; R = Xyl, R′ = Me, E = S, 9b; R = Xyl, R′ = Buⁿ, E = S, 9c; R = Xyl, R′ = Me, E = Se, 9d; R = Me, R′ = Buⁿ, E = Se, 9e].The molecular structures of 4a, 8c and 9e have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Formation of 5-phenyl-1,2-dithiole-3-thione from molybdenum dithiopropiolato complexes

Molybdenum dithiopropiolato complexes, [(η⁵-C₅R₄R^′)Mo(CO)₂(η²-S₂CCCPh)] (R=H, R^′=Me 1a, R=R^′=H 1b; R=R^′=Me 1c) react with trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMNO · 2H₂O) under mild thermolysis to form 5-phenyl-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (2). The reaction proceeds through the formation of the oxo-complexes, [(η⁵-C₅R₄R^′)Mo(O)(η³-S₂CCCPh)] (R=H, R^′=Me 3a, R=R^′=H 3b; R=R^′=Me 3c). Direct reaction of 3a-c with TMNO · 2H₂O under thermolysis also results in formation of 2.     

Diiron-aminocarbyne complexes with amine or imine ligands: C-N coupling between imine and aminocarbyne ligands promoted by tolylacetylide addition to [Fe2{μ-CN(Me)R}(μ-CO)(CO)(NHCPh2)(Cp)2][SO3CF3]

A terminally coordinated CO ligand in the complexes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)R}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, 1a; R = Xyl, 1b; Xyl = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃), is readily displaced by primary and secondary amines (L), in the presence of Me₃NO, affording the complexes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)R}(μ-CO)(CO)(L)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, L = NH₂Et, 4a; R = Xyl, L = NH₂Et, 4b; R = Me, L = NH₂Prⁱ, 5a; R = Xyl, L = NH₂Prⁱ, 5b; R = Xyl, L = NH₂C₆H₁₁, 6; R = Xyl, L = NH₂Ph, 7; R = Xyl, L = NH₃, 8; R = Me, L = NHMe₂, 9a; R = Xyl, L = NHMe₂, 9b; R = Xyl, = NH(CH₂)₅, 10). In the absence of Me₃NO, NH₂Et gives addition at the CO ligand of 1b, yielding [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO){C(O)NHEt}(Cp)₂] (11). Carbonyl replacement is also observed in the reaction of 1a-b with pyridine and benzophenone imine, affording [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)R}(μ-CO)(CO)(L)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, L = Py, 12a; R = Xyl, L = Py, 12b; R = Me, L = HNCPh₂, 13a; R = Xyl, L = HNCPh₂, 13b). The imino complex 13b reacts with p-tolylacetylide leading to the formation of the μ-vinylidene-diaminocarbene compound [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η²- CC(Tol)C(Ph)₂N(H)CN(Me)(Xyl){(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp₂)] (15) which has been studied by X-ray diffraction.     

Olefin-aminocarbyne coupling in diiron complexes: Synthesis of new bridging aminoallylidene complexes

The bridging aminocarbyne complexes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, 1a; Xyl, 1b; 4-C₆H₄OMe, 1c; Xyl = 2,6-Me₂C₆ H₃) react with acrylonitrile or methyl acrylate, in the presence of Me₃NO and NaH, to give the corresponding μ-allylidene complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³- C_α(N(Me)(R))C_β(H)C_γ(H)(R′)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R = Me, R′ = CN, 3a; R = Xyl, R′ = CN, 3b; R = 4-C₆H₄OMe, R′ = CN, 3c; R = Me, R′ = CO₂Me, 3d; R = 4-C₆H₄OMe, R′ = CO₂Me, 3e). Likewise, 1a reacts with styrene or diethyl maleate, under the same reaction conditions, affording the complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(NMe₂)C_β(R′)C_γ(H)(R″)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R′ = H, R″ = C₆H₅, 3f; R′ = R″ = CO₂Et, 3g). The corresponding reactions of [Ru₂{μ-CN(Me)(CH₂Ph)}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (1d) with acrylonitrile or methyl acrylate afford the complexes [Ru₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(N(Me)(CH₂Ph))C_β(H)C_γ(H)(R′)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R′ = CN, 3h; CO₂Me, 3i), respectively.The coupling reaction of olefin with the carbyne carbon is regio- and stereospecific, leading to the formation of only one isomer. C-C bond formation occurs selectively between the less substituted alkene carbon and the aminocarbyne, and the C_β-H, C_γ-H hydrogen atoms are mutually trans.The reactions with acrylonitrile, leading to 3a-c and 3h involve, as intermediate species, the nitrile complexes [M₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(NC-CHCH₂)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (M = Fe, R = Me, 4a; M = Fe, R = Xyl, 4b; M = Fe, R = 4-C₆H₄OMe, 4c; M = Ru, R = CH₂C₆H₅, 4d).Compounds 3a, 3d and 3f undergo methylation (by CH₃SO₃CF₃) and protonation (by HSO₃CF₃) at the nitrogen atom, leading to the formation of the cationic complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(N(Me)₃)C_β(H)C_γ(H)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = CN, 5a; R = CO₂Me, 5b; R = C₆H₅, 5c) and [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(N(H)(Me)₂)C_β(H)C_γ(H)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = CN, 6a; R = CO₂Me, 6b; R = C₆H₅, 6c), respectively.Complex 3a, adds the fragment [Fe(CO)₂(THF)(Cp)]⁺, through the nitrile functionality of the bridging ligand, leading to the formation of the complex [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(NMe₂)C_β(H)C_γ(H)(CNFe(CO)₂Cp)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (9).In an analogous reaction, 3a and [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃], in the presence of Me₃NO, are assembled to give the tetrameric species [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(NMe₂)C_β(H)C_γ(H)(CN[Fe₂{μ- CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂])}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, 10a; R = Xyl, 10b; R = 4-C₆H₄OMe, 10c).The molecular structures of 3a and 3b have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

C-C bond formation by cyanide addition to dinuclear vinyliminium complexes

The diiron vinyliminium complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(R′)C(H)CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R=Me, R′ = SiMe₃ (1a); R = Me, R′ = CH₂OH (1b); R = CH₂Ph, R′ = Tol (1c), Tol = 4-MeC₆H₄; R = CH₂Ph, R′ = COOMe (1d); R = CH₂Ph, R′ = SiMe₃ (1e)) undergo regio- and stereo-selective addition by cyanide ion (from ), affording the corresponding bridging cyano-functionalized allylidene compounds [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(R′)C(H)C(CN)N(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (3a-e), in good yields. Similarly, the diiron vinyliminium complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(R′)C(R′)CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = R′ = Me (2a); R = Me, R′ = Ph (2b); R = CH₂Ph, R′ = Me (2c); R = CH₂Ph, R′ = COOMe (2d)) react with cyanide and yield [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(R′)C(R′)C(CN)N(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (9a-d). The reactions of the vinyliminium complex [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(Tol)CHCN(Me)(4-C₆H₄CF₃)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (4) with NaBH₄ and afford the allylidene [Fe₂{μ-C(Tol)C(H)C(H)N(Me)(C₆H₄CF₃)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (5) and the cyanoallylidene [Fe₂{μ-C(Tol)C(H)C(CN)N(Me)(C₆H₄CF₃)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (6), respectively. Analogously, the diruthenium vinyliminium complex [Ru₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(SiMe₃)CHCN(Me)(CH₂Ph)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (7) reacts with to give [Ru₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(SiMe₃)CHC(CN)N(Me)(CH₂Ph)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (8).Finally, cyanide addition to [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(COOMe)C(COOMe)CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (2e) (Xyl = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃), yields the cyano-functionalized bis-alkylidene complex [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η²-C(COOMe)C(COOMe)(CN)CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (10). The molecular structures of 3a and 9a have been elucidated by X-ray diffraction.     

Ethynylferrocene insertion into Fe-C bond in bridging aminocarbyne diiron complexes: New triiron vinyliminium complexes

The μ-aminocarbyne complexes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(NCMe)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, 1a; Xyl, 1b; Xyl = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃) react with ethynylferrocene to give the corresponding bridging vinyliminium complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-CN(Me)(R)CHC(Fc)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, 2a; R = Xyl, 2b). Insertion of the ethynylferrocene in the metal-carbyne bond is regiospecific, and leads to the formation of only one isomer.Complexes 2a and 2b undergo hydride addition (by NaBH₄) affording the enaminoalkylidene complex [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(H)(N(Me)₂)CHC(Fc)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (3a) and the bis-alkylidene [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η²-C(N(Me)(Xyl))CH₂C(Fc)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (3b), respectively. Upon treatment with NaH, compounds 2a and 2b undergo fragmentation, affording the 1-metalla-2-aminocyclopenta-1,3-dien-5-one complexes [Fe(CO)(Cp){C(N(Me)(R))}CHC(Fc)C(O)}] (R = Me, 4a; R = Xyl, 4b).The molecular structures of 2b, 3b and 4b have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

SPh functionalized bridging-vinyliminium diiron and diruthenium complexes

The SPh functionalized vinyliminium complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_γ(R′)C_β(SPh)C_αN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] [R = Xyl, R′ = Me, 2a; R = Me, R′ = Me, 2b; R = 4-C₆H₄OMe, R′ = Me, 2c; R = Xyl, R′ = CH₂OH, 2d; R = Me, R′ = CH₂OH, 2e; Xyl = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃] are generated in high yields by treatment of the corresponding vinyliminium complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_γ(R′)C_β(H)C_αN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (1a-e) with NaH in the presence of PhSSPh. Likewise, the diruthenium complex [Ru₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_γ(Me)C_β(SPh)C_αN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (2f) was obtained from the corresponding vinyliminium complex [Ru₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_γ(Me)C_β(H)C_αN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (1f). The synthesis of 2c is accompanied by the formation, in comparable amounts, of the aminocarbyne complex [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(4-C₆H₄OMe)}(SPh)(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (3).The molecular structures of 2d, 2e and 3 have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Chemistry of Fischer-type rhenacyclobutadiene complexes. I. Deprotonation, addition/substitution of nucleophilic reagents at α-carbon, and insertion of heteroatoms into rhenium-carbon bonds

The rhenacyclobutadienes (CO)₄Re(η²- C(R)C(CO₂Me)C(OR^′)) (2) undergo a number of reactions that mirror those of Fischer alkoxycarbene complexes. Thus, (CO)₄Re(η²-C(Me)C(CO₂Me)C(OEt)) (2a) can be deprotonated by LDA, Na[OBu-t], or Na[CH(CO₂Me)₂] to give the ylide-like conjugate base [(CO)₄Re(η²-C(CH₂)C(CO₂Me)C(OEt)]⁻ (3), which was isolated as PPN(3). Li(3) undergoes deuteriation with DCl/D₂O and alkylation with Et₃OPF₆ at ReCCH₂, with the latter reaction affording (CO)₄Re(η²-C(CH₂Et)C(CO₂Me)C(OEt)) (4). Repetition of the sequence deprotonation-ethylation on 4 generates (CO)₄Re(η²-C(CHEt₂)C(CO₂Me)C(OEt)) (5). The nature of the alkoxy substituent in 2 can be varied by use of the rhenacyclobutenones Na[(CO)₄Re(η²-C(R)C(CO₂Me)C(O))] (Na(1)) in conjunction with AcCl and R^′OH to produce a series of new complexes (R=Ph, R^′=Et (2b); R=Me, R^′=CH₂CHCH₂ (2c), (CH₂)₃CCH (2d), Me (2e)). Aminolysis of 2a with the primary and secondary amines PhNH₂, HO(CH₂)₂NH, p-TolNH₂, and Et₂NH yields the aminorhenacyclobutadiene complexes (CO)₄Re(η²-C(Me)C(CO₂Me)C(NHR^′ or NR^′₂)) (R₂^′=Et₂ (6a); R^′=Ph (6b), (CH₂)₂OH (6c), p-Tol (6d)). These complexes display lesser carbene-like character than their alkoxy counterparts 2, as evidenced by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic properties and lack of reactivity toward LDA by 6a. Reactions of each 2a and 6a with PPhMe₂ at low temperature afford (CO)₄Re(η²-C(Me)(PPhMe₂)C(CO₂Me)C(OEt)) (7) and (CO)₃(PPhMe₂)Re(η²-C(Me)C(CO₂Me)C(NEt₂)) (9), respectively, further in agreement with the more carbenoid nature of 2a than 6a. 7 undergoes conversion to (CO)₃(PPhMe₂)Re(η²-C(Me)C(CO₂Me)C(OEt)) (8) upon heating. 2a reacts with each of (NH₄)₂[Ce(NO₃)₆], DMSO, EtNO₂/Et₃N, and Me₃NO under various conditions to afford one or both of the oxygen atom insertion products into the ReC bonds, (CO)₄Re(κ²-OC(Me)C(CO₂Me)C(OEt)) (10) and (CO)₄Re(κ²-C(Me)C(CO₂Me)C(OEt)O) (11). In contrast, no reaction occurred between 2a and S₈ on heating. However, 6a was converted to the NH insertion product (CO)₄Re(κ²-NHC(Me)C(CO₂Me)C(NEt₂)) (12) by the action of H₂NNH₂ · H₂O at 0 °C. All new compounds were characterized by a combination of elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, and IR and NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and selective silylation of ω-hydroxy functionalized (η-alkenyl)carbene complexes of chromium(0) and tungsten(0) Part 11. The chemistry of metallacyclic alkenylcarbene complexes

Tungsten(0) carbene complexes of the type (OC)₅WC(NMeCH₂CHCHCH₂OH)R 2 (R=Me: 2a; R=Ph: 2b) were generated by aminolysis of (OC)₅WC(OMe)R with cis-NHMeCH₂CHCHCH₂OH. Like their Cr-congeners 1, complexes 2 exist at room temperature as mixtures of Z- and E-isomers with regard to the C-N bond. The metallacyclic complexes (OC)₄WC(η²-NMeCH₂CHCHCH₂OH)R (4) were obtained in good yields upon photo-decarbonylation of 2. Deprotonation/silylation of the complexes (OC)₄MC(η²-NMeCH₂CHCHCH₂OH)Me (M=Cr: 3a; M=W: 4a) with one equivalent of ⁿBuLi/Me₃SiCl gave (OC)₄MC(η²-NMeCH₂CHCHCH₂OSiMe₃)CH₃ (M=Cr: 5; M=W: 6), whereas with two equivalents of ⁿBuLi/Me₃SiCl complexes (OC)₄MC(η²-NMeCH₂CHCHCH₂OSiMe₃)CH₂SiMe₃ (M=Cr: 7; M=W: 8) were formed. Hydrolysis of the latter yielded selectively (OC)₄MC(η²-NMeCH₂CHCHCH₂OH)CH₂SiMe₃ (M=Cr: 9; M=W: 10). The complexes 1-10 were analyzed in solution by one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si, ¹H/¹H COSY, ¹H/¹H NOESY, ¹³C/¹H HETCOR).     

Synthesis and structural characterization of η-allyl(α-diimine)nickel(II) complexes bearing trimethylsilyl groups

A set of isomeric para- and meta-trimethylsilylphenyl ortho-substituted N,N-phenyl α-diimine ligands [(Ar-NC(Me)-(Me)CN-Ar) Ar=2,6-di(4-trimethylsilylphenyl)phenyl (16); Ar=2,6-di(3-trimethylsilylphenyl)phenyl (17)] have been synthesized through a two-step procedure. The palladium-catalysed cross-coupling reaction between 2,6-dibromophenylamine (7) and 4-trimethylsilylphenylboronic acid (8), 3-trimethylsilylphenylboronic acid (9) was used to prepare 4,4^′-bis(trimethylsilyl)-[1,1^′;3^′,1″]terphenyl-2^′-ylamine (10) and 3,3^′-bis(trimethylsilyl)-[1,1^′;3^′,1″]terphenyl-2^′-ylamine (11). The di-1-adamantylphosphine oxide Ad₂P(O)H (13) and di-tert-butyl-trimethylsilylanylmethylphosphine tert-Bu₂P-CH₂-SiMe₃ (14) were used for the first time as ligands for the Suzuki coupling. The condensation of 2,2,3,3-tetramethoxybutane (15) with anilines 10 and 11 afforded α-diimines 16 and 17. The reaction of π-allylnickel chloride dimer (18), α-diimines (16), (17) and sodium tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate (BAF) (19) or silver hexafluoroantimonate (20) led to two sets of isomeric complexes [η³-allyl(Ar-NC(Me)-(Me)CN-Ar)Ni]⁺ X⁻, [Ar=2,6-di(4-trimethylsilylphenyl)phenyl, X=BAF (3), X=SbF₆ (4); Ar=2,6-di(3-trimethylsilylphenyl)phenyl, X=BAF (5), X=SbF₆ (6)]. The steric repulsion of closely positioned trimethylsilyl groups in 4 caused the distortion of the nickel square planar coordination by 17.6° according to X-ray analysis.     

Introduction of a phosphorus ylide moiety into [η-(ω-hydroxy)alkenyl]chromium(0) carbene complexes with Ph3PCCO and consecutive Wittig alkenations with 2-alkynals. Part 12: the chemistry of metallacyclic alkenylcarbene complexes

Ketenylidenetriphenylphosphorane, Ph₃PCCO (2), reacts selectively with the ω-hydroxy group of the alkene-carbene complexes (OC)₄CrC(η²-NMeCH₂CHCHCH₂OH)R¹ (1) (R¹=Me: (1a); Ph: (1b)) to give the acyl ylide terminated complexes (OC)₄CrC[(4,5-η²)-NMeCH₂CHCHCH₂O(O)C-CHPPh₃]R¹ (3) (R¹=Me: (3a); Ph: (3b)). Complexes 3 undergo Wittig alkenation reactions with aldehydes such as 2-alkynals, R²-CC-CHO (R²=H, SiMe₃, Ph), to give the corresponding 4Z, 9E-dien-11-ynes (OC)₄CrC[(4,5-η²)-NMeCH₂CHCHCH₂O(O)C-CHCH-CC-R²]R¹ (4-6) (R¹=Me, R²=H, SiMe₃, Ph: (4a-6a); R¹=Ph, R²=H, SiMe₃, Ph: (4b-6b)). All complexes were characterized in solution by one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si, ³¹P, ¹H/¹H COSY, ¹³C/¹H HETCOR, ³¹P/³¹P EXSY).     

Formation and crystal structures of [(alkoxy)bis(pyridin-2-yl)methanolato-N,O,N]tin(IV) complexes

Reactions of bis(pyridin-2-yl)ketone with tin tetrahalides, SnX₄ (X = Cl or Br), or organotin trichlorides, R^′SnCl₃ (R^′ = Ph, Bu or CH₂CH₂CO₂Me), in ROH (R = Me or Et) readily produces RObis(pyridin-2-yl)methanolato)tin complexes, [5: RO(py)₂C(OSnX₃)] (5: R,X = Me,Cl; Et,Cl; Et,Br) or [6: MeO(py)₂C(OSnCl₂R^′)] (R^′ = Ph, Bu, CH₂CH₂CO₂Me). In addition, halide exchange reaction between SnI₄ and (5: R,X = Me,Cl) occurred to give (5: R,X = Me,I). The crystal structures of six tin(IV) derivatives indicated, in all cases, a monoanionic tridentate ligand, [RO(py)₂C(O⁻)-N,O,N], arranged in a fac manner about a distorted octahedral tin atom. The Sn–O and Sn–N bonds lengths do not show much variation amongst the six complexes despite the differences in the other ligands at tin.     

Addition of alkynes at bridging vinyliminium ligands in diiron complexes: Unprecedented diene formation by enyne-like metathesis

The zwitterionic bridging vinyliminium complex [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(Tol)C(CS₂)CN(Me)₂}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (5a) undergoes the addition of two equivalents of MeO₂C-CC-CO₂Me affording the bridging bis-alkylidene complex [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(Me)C{C(CO₂Me)C(CO₂Me)CSC(CO₂Me)C(CO₂Me)S}CNMe₂}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (6). One alkyne unit inserts into a C-CS₂ bond of the bridging ligand, with consequent rearrangement that leads to the formation of a diene. The reaction shows analogies with the enyne metathesis. The second alkyne is incorporated into the bridging frame via cycloaddition at the thiocarboxylate function, affording a 1,3-dithiolene. The complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(R′)C(CS₂)CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R = Xyl, R′ = Tol, 5b; R = p-C₆H₄OMe, R′ = Me, 5c; Xyl = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃), treated with MeO₂C-CC-CO₂Me and then with HBF₄, undergo the cycloaddition of the alkyne with the dithiocarboxylate group and protonation of the dithiocarboxylate carbon, affording the complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(R′)C{C(H)SC(CO₂Me)C(CO₂Me)S}CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][BF₄] (R = Xyl, R′ = Tol, 7a; R = p-C₆H₄OMe, R′ = Me, 7b), respectively.The X-ray molecular structure of 6 has been determined.     

Study of ferrocenyl-substituted Co2(CO)6-bispropargylic alcohol complexes as substrates for the formation of chains and macrocycles

Treatment of [Fc-1-R¹-1′-R²] (R¹ = H, R² = CH(O); R¹ = H, R² = CMe(O); R¹ = R² = CMe(O)) with LiCCCH₂OLi (prepared in situ from HCCCH₂OH and n-BuLi) affords the ferrocenyl-substituted but-2-yne-1,4-diol compounds of general formula [Fc-1-R¹-1′-{CR(OH)CCCH₂OH}] (R¹ = R = H (1a); R¹ = H, R = Me (1b); R¹ = CMe(O), R = Me (1c)) in low to high yields, respectively (where Fc = Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂). In the case of the reactions of [Fc-1-R¹-1′-R²] (R¹ = H, R² = CH(O); R¹ = R² = CMe(O)), the by-products [Fc-1-R¹-1′-{CR(OH)(CH₂)₃CH₃}] (R¹ = R = H (2a); R¹ = CMe(O), R = Me (2c)) along with minor quantities of [Fc-1,1′-{CMe(OH)(CH₂)₃CH₃}₂] (3) are also isolated; a hydrazide derivative of dehydrated 2c, [1-(CMeCHCH₂CH₂CH₃)-1′-(CMeNNH-2,4-(NO₂)₂C₆H₃)] (2c′), has been crystallographically characterised. Interaction of 1 with Co₂(CO)₈ smoothly generates the alkyne-bridged complexes [Fc-1-R¹-1′-{Co₂(CO)₆-μ-η²-CR(OH)CCCH₂OH}] (R¹ = R = H (4a); R¹ = H, R = Me(4b); R¹ = CMe(O), R = Me (4c)) in good yield. Reaction of 4a with PhSH, in the presence of catalytic quantities of HBF₄ · OEt₂, gives the mono- [Fc-1-H-1′-{Co₂(CO)₆-μ-η²-CH(SPh)CCCH₂OH}] (5) and bis-substituted [Fc-1-H-1′-{Co₂(CO)₆-μ-η²-CH(SPh)CCCH₂SPh}] (6) straight chain species, while with HS(CH₂)_nSH (n = 2,3) the eight- and nine-membered dithiomacrocylic complexes [Fc-1-H-1′-{cyclo-Co₂(CO)₆-μ-η²-CH(S(CH₂)_n-)CCCH₂S-}] [n = 2 (7a), n = 3 (7b)] are afforded. By contrast, during attempted macrocyclic formation using 4b and HSCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂SH dehydration occurs to give [Fc-1-H-1′-{Co₂(CO)₆-μ-η²-C(CH₂)CCCH₂OH}] (8). Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies have been reported on 2c′, 4b, 4c, 7b and 8.     

Reaction of 1,2-dibromoethane with primary amines: formation of N,N′-disubstituted ethylenediamines RNH-CH2CH2-NHR and homologous polyamines RNH-[CH2CH2NR]n-H

The reaction of primary amines RNH₂ (R: Me, Et, iPr, tBu and Ph) with 1,2-dibromoethane gave N,N′-disubstituted ethylenediamines R-NH-CH₂CH₂-NH-R (1) in yields ranging from 10% (1a; R=Me) to 70% (1d, R=tBu; 1e, R=Ph). Piperazines and N-substituted polyethyleneimines were identified (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and EI-MS) as side products of the reaction and isolated by fractional distillation. The piperazines 2 are formed in yields of 3-10% and can be separated from the diamines 1 in all cases, except for R=Me and Ph. The polyamine homologues RNH-[CH₂CH₂NR]_n-H (3-5) were isolated in yields ranging from 0.1% (n=4, R=iPr) to 14% (n=2, R=iPr). The yields of 1 increase with the size of the substituent R, no obvious trend exists for the yields of the side products.     

The formation of a metallacycloheptadienyl intermediate in the reaction of palladacyclopentadienyl derivatives with tetracyanoethylene

The palladium(II) derivatives of the type 1 [Pd(LL′)(C₄R₁R₂R₃R₄)] (LL′ = HNSPh:2-(phenylthiomethyl)-pyridine (A), BiPy: 2,2′-bipyridyl (B), DPPE: bis-diphenylphosphinoethane (C), NEOC: neocuproine (2,2′-dimethyl-o-phenanthroline) (D), R₁ = R₄ = COOMe, R₂, R₃ = C₁₀H₆ (a), R₁ = R₃ = C₆H₅, R₂ = R₄ = COOMe (b), R₁ = R₂ = R₃ = R₄ = COOMe (c)) react with the electron poor olefin tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) to yield under mild conditions the type 2 cycles C₆(CN)₄R₁R₂R₃R₄ and the corresponding palladium(0) olefin derivative [Pd(η²]-TCNE)(LL′)]. The olefin insertion reactions are usually fast, but in the case of the reaction of complex 1Da with TCNE accumulation of an intermediate is observed. The low temperature NOESY spectrum allows the determination of the intermediate structure which can be described as a hepta-membered metallacycle species.