The cyclopalladation reaction of 2-phenylaniline revisited

2-Phenylaniline reacted with Pd(OAc)₂ in toluene at room temperature for 24 h in a one-to-one molar ratio and with the system PdCl₂, NaCl and NaOAc in a 1 (2-phenylaniline):1 (PdCl₂):2 (NaCl):1 (NaOAc) molar ratio in methanol at room temperature for one week to give the dinuclear cyclopalladated compounds (μ-X)₂[Pd{κ²-N2′,C1-2-(2′-NH₂C₆H₄)C₆H₄}]₂ [1a (X = OAc) and 1b (X = Cl)] in high yield. Moreover, the reaction between 2-phenylaniline and Pd(OAc)₂ in one-to-one molar ratio in acid acetic at 60 °C for 4 h, followed by a metathesis reaction with LiBr, allowed isolation of the dinuclear cyclopalladated compound (μ-Br)₂[Pd{κ²-N2′,C1-2-(2′-NH₂C₆H₄)C₆H₄}]₂ (1c) in moderate yield. A parallel treatment, but using monodeuterated acetic acid (DOAc) as solvent in the cyclopalladation reaction, allowed isolation of a mixture of compounds 1c, 1c_d1 [Pd{κ²-N2′,C1-2-(2′-NH₂C₆H₄)C₆H₄](μ-Br)₂[Pd{κ²-N2′,C1-2-(2′-NH₂C₆H₄)-3-d-C₆H₃] and 1c_d2 (μ-Br)₂[Pd{κ²-N2′,C1-2-(2′-NH₂C₆H₄)-3-d-C₆H₃}]₂ in moderate yield and with a deuterium content of ca. 60%. 1a and 1b reacted with pyridine and PPh₃ affording the mononuclear cyclopalladated compounds [Pd{κ²-N2′,C1-2-(2′-NH₂C₆H₄)C₆H₄}(X)(L)] [2a (X = OAc, L = py), 2b (X = Cl, L = py), 3a (X = OAc, L = PPh₃) and 3b (X = Cl, L = PPh₃)] in a yield from moderate to high. Furthermore, 1a reacted with Na(acac) · H₂O to give the mononuclear cyclopalladated compound 4 [Pd{κ²-N2′,C1-2-(2′-NH₂C₆H₄)C₆H₄}(acac)] in moderate yield. ¹H NMR studies in CDCl₃ solution of 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b and 4 showed that 2a and 3a presented an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the acetato ligand and the amino group, and were involved in a dynamic equilibrium with water present in the CDCl₃ solvent; and that the enantiomeric molecules of 2b and 4 were in a fast exchange at room temperature, while they were in a slow exchange for 2a, 3a and 3b. The X-ray crystal structures of 3b and 4 were determined. 3b crystallized in the triclinic space group with a = 9.9170(10), b = 10.4750(10), c = 12.0890(10) Å, α = 98.610(10)°, β = 94.034(10)° and γ = 99.000(10)° and 4 in the monoclinic space group P2₁/a with a = 11.5900(10), b = 11.2730(10), c = 12.2150(10) Å, α = 90°, β = 107.6560(10)° and γ = 90°.     

Synthesis,structure, and electrochemistry of pyridinecarboxamide cobalt(III) complexes; the effect of bridge substituents on the redox properties

Two series of complexes of the types trans-[Co^III(Mebpb)(amine)₂]ClO₄ {Mebpb²⁻ = N,N-bis(pyridine-2-carboxamido)-4-methylbenzene dianion, and amine = pyrrolidine (prldn) (1a), piperidine (pprdn) (2a), morpholine (mrpln) (3a), benzylamine (bzlan) (4a)}, and trans-[Co^III(cbpb)(amine)₂]X {cbpb²⁻ = N,N-bis(pyridine-2-carboxamido)-4-chlorobenzene dianion, and amine = pyrrolidine (prldn), X = PF₆ (1b), piperidine (pprdn), X = PF₆ (2b), morpholine (mrpln), X = ClO₄ (3b), benzylamine (bzlan), X = PF₆ (4b)} have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV–Vis, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of 1a has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The electrochemical behavior of these complexes, with the goal of evaluating the effect of axial ligation and equatorial substitution on the redox properties, is also reported. The reduction potential of Co^III, ranging from −0.53 V for (1a) to −0.31 V for (3a) and from −0.48 V for (1b) to −0.22 V for (3b) show a relatively good correlation with the σ-donor ability of the axial ligands. The methyl and chloro substituents of the equatorial ligand have a considerable effect on the redox potentials of the central cobalt ion and the ligand-centered redox processes.     

Nucleophilic substitution reactions at the Si-Cl bonds of the dichloro(methyl)silyl ligand in five- and six-coordinate complexes of ruthenium(II) and osmium(II)

Treatment of either RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃ or MPhCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ with HSiMeCl₂ produces the five-coordinate dichloro(methyl)silyl complexes, M(SiMeCl₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (1a, M = Ru; 1b, M = Os). 1a and 1b react readily with hydroxide ions and with ethanol to give M(SiMe[OH]₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (2a, M = Ru; 2b, M = Os) and M(SiMe[OEt]₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (3a, M = Ru; 3b, M = Os), respectively. 3b adds CO to form the six-coordinate complex, Os(SiMe[OEt]₂)Cl(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ (4b) and crystal structure determinations of 3b and 4b reveal very different Os-Si distances in the five-coordinate complex (2.3196(11) Å) and in the six-coordinate complex (2.4901(8) Å). Reaction between 1a and 1b and 8-aminoquinoline results in displacement of a triphenylphosphine ligand and formation of the six-coordinate chelate complexes M(SiMeCl₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)(κ²(N,N)-NC₉H₆NH₂-8) (5a, M = Ru; 5b, M = Os), respectively. Crystal structure determination of 5a reveals that the amino function of the chelating 8-aminoquinoline ligand is located adjacent to the reactive Si-Cl bonds of the dichloro(methyl)silyl ligand but no reaction between these functions is observed. However, 5a and 5b react readily with ethanol to give ultimately M(SiMe[OEt]₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)(κ²(N,N-NC₉H₆NH₂-8) (6a, M = Ru; 6b, M = Os). In the case of ruthenium only, the intermediate ethanolysis product Ru(SiMeCl[OEt])Cl(CO)(PPh₃)(κ²(N,N-NC₉H₆NH₂-8) (6c) was also isolated. The crystal structure of 6c was determined. Reaction between 1b and excess 2-aminopyridine results in condensation between the Si-Cl bonds and the N-H bonds with formation of a novel tridentate “NSiN” ligand in the complex Os(κ³(Si,N,N)-SiMe[NH(2-C₅H₄N)]₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃) (7b). Crystal structure determination of 7b shows that the “NSiN” ligand coordinates to osmium with a “facial” arrangement and with chloride trans to the silyl ligand.     

Conversion of novel palladacycles into oxopyrrolo[3,4-b]quinolines

The quinolinylcyclopalladated complexes 3a–b were synthesised in good yields (81% and 77%) by the insertion reaction of the prepared dinuclear palladium complexes [Pd(C,N-2-C₉H₄N-CHO-3-R-6)Cl(PPh₃)]₂ [(R = H (2a), R = OMe (2b)] with isonitrile XyNC (Xy = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃). The cyclopalladated complexes 3a–b were also obtained in low yields (39% and 33.5%) via a one pot oxidative addition reaction of quinoline chloride 1a–b with isonitrile XyNC:Pd(dba)₂ (4:1). The reactions of 3a–b with Tl(TfO) (TfO = triflate, CF₃SO₃) in the presence of H₂O or EtOH causes depalladation reactions of the complexes to provide the corresponding organic compounds 4a–b, 5a–b and 6a–b in yields (41%, 27% and 18–19%). The products were characterized by satisfactory elemental analyses and spectral studies (IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR). The crystal structures of 2a, 3a and 3b were determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

The (phosphino)tetraphenylborate ligand in ruthenium-arene chemistry

The synthesis of a series of anionic half-sandwich ruthenium-arene complexes [E][RuCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene){PR₂(p-Ph₃BC₆H₄)}] (E = Bu₄N⁺: R = Ph, 1a, ⁱPr, 1b or Cy, 1c; E = bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium or PNP⁺: R = Ph, 1a′, ⁱPr, 1b′ or Cy, 1c′) are reported. X-ray crystallographic studies of 1a′ and 1b′ confirmed the three-legged piano-stool coordination geometry. In solution, complexes 1a-c and 1a′-c′ are proposed to form monomer-dimer equilibria as a result of chloride ligand dissociation. Complexes 1a-c and 1a′-c′ also form the formally neutral zwitterionic complexes [RuCl(L)(η⁶-p-cymene){PR₂(p-Ph₃BC₆H₄)}] (L = pyridine: R = Ph, 2a, ⁱPr, 2b or Cy, 2c; L = MeCN: R = Ph, 3a, ⁱPr, 3b or Cy, 3c) via chloride ligand abstraction using AgNO₃ or MeOTf.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, structure and thermal stability of diamine templated layered uranyl-vanadates

Six new layered uranyl vanadates (NH₄)₂[(UO₂)₂V₂O₈] (1), (H₂EN)[(UO₂)₂V₂O₈] (2), (H₂DAP)[(UO₂)₂V₂O₈] (3), (H₂PIP)[(UO₂)₂(VO₄)₂].0,8H₂O (4), (H₂DMPIP)[(UO₂)₂V₂O₈] (5), (H₂DABCO)[(UO₂)₂(VO₄)₂] (6) were prepared from mild-hydrothermal reactions using 1,2-ethylenediamine (EN); 1,3-diaminopropane (DAP); piperazine (PIP); 1-methylpiperazine (MPIP); 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane (DABCO). The structures of 1, 4, 5 and 6 were solved using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data while the structural models of 2 and 3 were established from powder X-ray diffraction data. In compounds 1, 2, 3 and 5, the uranyl-vanadate layers are built from dimers of edge-shared UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids and dimers of edge-shared VO₅ square pyramids further connected through edge-sharing. In 1 and 3, the layers are identical to that occurring in the carnotite group of uranyl-vanadates. In 2 and 5, the V₂O₈ dimers differ in orientation leading to a new type of layer. The layers of compound 4 and 6 are built from chains of edge-shared UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids connected by VO₄ tetrahedra and are of uranophane-type anion topology. For the six compounds, the ammonium or organoammonium cation resides in the space between the inorganic layers. Crystallographic data: 1 monoclinic, space group P2₁/c with a=6.894(2), b=8.384(3), c=10.473(4) Å and β=106.066(5)°, 2 monoclinic, space group P2₁/a with a=13.9816(6), b=8.6165(3), c=10.4237(3) Å and γ=93.125(3)°, 3 orthorhombic, space group Pmcn with a=14.7363(8), b=8.6379(4) and c=10.4385(4) Å, 4 monoclinic, space group C2/m with a=15.619(2), b=7.1802(8), c=6.9157(8) Å and β=101.500(2)°, 5 monoclinic, space group P2₁/b with a=9.315(2), b=8.617(2), c=10.5246(2) Å and γ=114.776(2)°, 6 monoclinic, space group C2/m with a=17.440(2), b=7.1904(9), c=6.8990(8) Å and β=98.196(2)°.     

Heterometallic Pt-Ag and Pt2Ag transition metal complexes

Complexes of type {cis-[Pt](μ-σ,π-CCPh)₂}AgX (3a, [Pt] = (bipy′)Pt, X = FBF₃; 3b, [Pt] = (bipy′)Pt, X = FPF₅; 3c, [Pt] = (bipy)Pt, X = OClO₃; 3d, [Pt] = (bipy′)Pt, X = BPh₄; bipy′ = 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine; bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) are accessible by combining cis-[Pt](CCPh)₂ (1a, [Pt] = (bipy′)Pt; 1b, [Pt] = (bipy)Pt) with equimolar amounts of [AgX] (2a, X = BF₄; 2b, X = PF₆; 2c, X = ClO₄; 2d, X = BPh₄). In 3a-3d the platinum(II) and silver(I) ions are connected by σ- and π-bonded phenyl acetylide ligands. When the molar ratio of 1 and 2 is changed to 2:1 then trimetallic [{cis-[Pt](μ-CCPh)₂}₂Ag]X (8a, [Pt] = (bipy)Pt, X = BF₄; 8b, [Pt] = (bipy′)Pt, X = PF₆; 8c, [Pt] = (bipy)Pt, X = BF₄) is produced. The solid state structure of 8a was determined by single X-ray crystal structure analysis. In 8a the silver(I) ion is embedded between two parallel oriented cis-[Pt](CCPh)₂ units. Within this structural arrangement the phenyl acetylides of individual [Pt](CCPh)₂ entities possess a μ-bridging position between Pt(II) and Ag(I). In addition, a very weak dative Pt → Ag interaction is found (Pt-Ag 2.8965(3) Å). The respective silver carbon distances Ag-C_α (2.548(7), 2.447(7) Å) and Ag-C_β (3.042(7), 2.799(8) Å)(PtC_αC_βPh) confirm this structural motif.Complexes 8a-8c isomerize in solution to form trimetallic [{cis-[Pt](μ-σ,π-CCPh)₂}₂Ag]X (9a, [Pt] = (bipy)Pt, X = BF₄; 9b, [Pt] = (bipy′)Pt, X = PF₆; 9c, [Pt] = (bipy)Pt, X = ClO₄). In the latter molecules the organometallic cation [{cis-[Pt](μ-σ,π- CCPh)₂}₂Ag]⁺ is set-up by two nearly orthogonal positioned [Pt](CCPh)₂ entities which are hold in close proximity by the group-11 metal ion. Within this assembly all four PhCC units are η²-coordinated to silver(I). A possible mechanism for the formation of 9 is presented.     

Dimeric and trimeric diorganosilicon chalcogenides (PhRSiE)2,3 (E = S, Se, Te; R = Ph, Me)

Ph₂SiCl₂ and PhMeSiCl₂ react with Li₂E (E = S, Se, Te) under formation of trimeric diorganosilicon chalcogenides (PhRSiE)₃ (R = Ph: 1a-3a, R = Me: cis/trans-4a (E = S), cis/trans-5a (E = Se)). In case of E = S, Se dimeric four-membered ring compounds (PhRSiE)₂ (R = Ph: 1b-2b, R = Me: cis/trans-4b (E = S), cis/trans-5b (E = Se)) have been observed as by-products. 1a-5b have been characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si, ⁷⁷Se, ¹²⁵Te). Four- and six-membered ring compounds differ significantly in ²⁹Si and ⁷⁷Se chemical shifts as well as in the value of ¹J_SiSe.The molecular structures of 2a, 3a and trans-5a reported in this paper are the first examples of compounds with unfused six-membered rings Si₃E₃ (E = Se, Te). The Si₃E₃ rings adopt twisted boat conformations. The crystal structure of 3a reveals an intermolecular Te-Te contact of 3.858 Å which yields a dimerization in the solid state.     

Thermal hydrosilylation of olefin with hydrosilane. Preparative and mechanistic aspects

The reaction of trichlorosilane (1a) at 250 °C with cycloalkenes, such as cyclopentene (2a), cyclohexene (2b), cycloheptene (2c), and cyclooctene (2d), gave cycloalkyltrichlorosilanes [C_nH_2n−1SiCl₃: n = 5 (3a), 6 (3b), 7 (3c), 8 (3d)] within 6 h in excellent yields (97-98%), but the similar reactions using methyldichlorosilane (1b) instead of 1a required a longer reaction time of 40 h and afforded cycloalkyl(methyl)dichlorosilanes [C_nH_2n−1SiMeCl₂: n = 5 (3e), 6 (3f), 7 (3g), 8 (3h)] in 88-92% yields with 4-8% recovery of reactant 2. In large (2, 0.29 mol)-scale preparations, the reactions of 2a and 2b with 1a (0.58 mol) under the same condition gave 3a and 3b in 95% and 94% isolated yields, respectively. The relative reactivity of four hydrosilanes [HSiCl_3−mMe_m: m = 0-3] in the reaction with 2a indicates that as the number of chlorine-substituent(s) on the silicon increases the rate of the reaction decreases in the following order: n = 3 > 2 > 1 ? 0. In the reaction with 1a, the relative reactivity of four cycloalkenes (ring size = 5-8) decreases in the following order: 2d > 2a > 2c > 2b. Meanwhile linear alkenes like 1-hexene undergo two reactions of self-isomerization and hydrosilylation with hydrosilane to give a mixture of the three isomers (1-, 2-, and 3-silylated hexanes). In this reaction, the reactivity of the terminal 1-hexene is higher than the internal 2- and 3-hexene. The redistribution of hydrosilane 1 and the polymerization of olefin 2 occurred rarely under the thermal reaction condition.     

Cyclometallated thiosemicarbazone palladium(II) compounds: The first crystal and molecular structures of mononuclear complexes with a η-diphosphine ligand

Treatment of the thiosemicarbazones 2-XC₆H₄C(Me)NN(H)C(S)NHR (R = Me, X = F, a; R = Et, X = F, b; R = Me, X = Cl, c; R = Et, X = Br, d) with potassium tetrachloropalladate(II) in ethanol, lithium tetrachloropalladate(II) in methanol or palladium(II) acetate in acetic acid, as appropriate, gave the tetranuclear cyclometallated complexes [Pd{2-XC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHR}]₄ (1a-1d). Reaction of 1a-1d with the diphosphines Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂ (dppm), Ph₂P(CH₂)₂PPh₂ (dppe), Ph₂P(CH₂)₃PPh₂ (dppp) or trans-Ph₂PCHCHPPh₂ (trans-dpe) in 1:2 molar ratio gave the dinuclear cyclometallated complexes [{Pd[2-XC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)-NHR]}₂(μ-diphosphine-P,P)] (2a-5a, 3b, 3d, 4c, 5c). Reaction of 1a, 1b with the short-bite or long-bite diphosphines, dppm or cis-dpe, in a 1:4 molar ratio gave the mononuclear cyclometallated complexes [Pd{2-XC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHR}(diphosphine-P)] (6a, 6b, 7a). The molecular structure of ligand a and of complexes 1a, 3d, 5a, 5c, 6a, 6b and 7a have been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The structure of complex 7a shows that the long-bite cis-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethene phosphine appears as monodentate with an uncoordinated phosphorus donor atom.     

Ruthenium vinylidene and carbyne complexes containing a multifunctional tridentate ligand with a PNN donor set

The neutral, octahedral ruthenium vinylidene complexes mer,trans-[(PNN)Cl₂Ru(CCHR)] (PNN = N-(2-diphenylphosphinobenzylidene)-2-(2-pyridyl)ethylamine; R = Ph, 1a; R = ^tBu, 1b) are reported. An X-ray crystallographic study of 1a confirms the tridentate, meridional coordination mode of the PNN ligand. Compounds 1a and 1b undergo regioselective electrophilic addition with HBF₄ · Et₂O at C_β of the vinylidene ligand at low temperatures, and are cleanly and quantitatively converted to the ruthenium carbynes mer,trans-[(PNN)Cl₂Ru(CCH₂R)][BF₄] (R = Ph, 2a; R = ^tBu, 2b). Carbynes 2a and 2b are stable only at low temperatures (<−50 °C). Complex 1a undergoes ligand substitution with L to yield mer,trans-[(PNN)Cl₂Ru(L)] (L = MeCN, 3a; L = CO, 3b).     

Methyl-oxygen bond cleavage in hemilabile phosphine-ether ligand of ruthenium(II) complexes

The preparation and characterization are described for four ruthenium(II) complexes containing hemilabile phosphine-ether ligand o-(diphenylphosphino)anisole (Ph₂PC₆H₄OMe-o) and/or bidentate ligand diphenylphosphino-phenolate ([Ph₂PC₆H₄O-o]⁻) Ru(RCN)₂(κ²-Ph₂PC₆H₄O-o)₂ (1a: R = Me; 1b: R = Et) and [Ru(RCN)₂(κ²-Ph₂PC₆H₄O-o)(κ²-Ph₂PC₆H₄OMe-o)](PF₆) (2a: R = Me; 2b: R = Et). The ruthenium(II) phosphine-ether complexes undergo mild methyl-oxygen bond cleavage. Two different kinds reaction mechanism are proposed to describe the methyl-oxygen bond cleavage, one involving attack of anionic nucleophiles and another involving the phosphine. The new reactions define novel routes to phosphine-phenolate complexes. The structures of complexes 1a, 1b and 2a were confirmed by X-ray crystallography.     

On the microstructure and symmetry of apparently hexagonal BaAl2O4

The P6₃ (a=2a_p, b=2b_p, c=c_p) crystal structure reported for BaAl₂O₄ at room temperature has been carefully re-investigated by a combined transmission electron microscopy and neutron powder diffraction study. It is shown that the poor fit of this P6₃ (a=2a_p, b=2b_p, c=c_p) structure model for BaAl₂O₄ to neutron powder diffraction data is primarily due to the failure to take into account coherent scattering between different domains related by enantiomorphic twinning of the P6₃22 parent sub-structure. Fast Fourier transformation of [0 0 1] lattice images from small localized real space regions (∼10 nm in diameter) are used to show that the P6₃ (a=2a_p, b=2b_p, c=c_p) crystal structure reported for BaAl₂O₄ is not correct on the local scale. The correct local symmetry of the very small nano-domains is most likely orthorhombic or monoclinic.     

Heterotrimetallic and heterotetrametallic transition metal complexes

The synthesis of the ruthenium σ-acetylides (η⁵-C₅H₅)L₂Ru-CC-bipy (4a, L = PPh₃; 4b, L₂ = dppf; bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine-5-yl; dppf = 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene) is possible by the reaction of [(η⁵-C₅H₅)L₂RuCl] (1) with 5-ethynyl-2,2′-bipyridine (2a) in the presence of NH₄PF₆ followed by deprotonation with DBU. Heterobimetallic Fc-CC-NCN-Pt-CC-R (10a, R = bipy; 10b, R = C₅H₄N-4; Fc = (η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe; NCN = [1,4-C₆H₂(CH₂NMe₂)₂-2,6]⁻) is accessible by the metathesis of Fc-CC-NCN-PtCl (9) with lithium acetylides LiCC-R (2a, R = bipy; 2b, R = C₅H₄N-4).The complexation behavior of 4a and 4b was investigated.Treatment of these molecules with [MnBr(CO)₅] (13) and {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}MX (15a, MX = Cu(NCMe)PF₆; 15b, MX = Cu(NCMe)BF₄; 16, MX = AgOClO₃; [Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti), respectively, gave the heteromultimetallic transition metal complexes (η⁵- C₅H₅)L₂Ru-CC-bipy[Mn(CO)₃Br] (14a: L = PPh₃; 14b: L₂ = dppf) and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)L₂Ru-CC-bipy{[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}M]X (17a: L = PPh₃, M = Cu, X = BF₄; 17b: L₂ = dppf, M = Cu, X = PF₆; 18a: L = PPh₃, M = Ag, X = ClO₄; 18b: L₂ = dppf, M = Ag, X = ClO₄) in which the appropriate transition metals are bridged by carbon-rich connectivities.The solid-state structures of 4b, 10b, 12 and 17b are reported. The main structural feature of 10b is the square-planar-surrounded platinum(II) ion and its linear arrangement. In complex 12 the N-atom of the pendant pyridine unit coordinates to a [mer,trans-(NN′N)RuCl₂] (NN′N = 2,6-bis-[(dimethylamino)methyl]pyridine) complex fragment, resulting in a distorted octahedral environment at the Ru(II) centre. In 4b a 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene building block is coordinated to a cyclopentadienylruthenium-σ-acetylide fragment. Heterotetrametallic 17b contains a (η⁵-C₅H₅)(dppf)Ru-CC-bipy unit, the bipyridine entity of which is chelate-bonded to [{[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}Cu]⁺. Within this arrangement copper(I) is tetra-coordinated and hence, possesses a pseudo-tetrahedral coordination sphere.The electrochemical behavior of 4, 10b, 12, 17 and 18 is discussed. As typical for these molecules, reversible oxidation processes are found for the iron(II) and ruthenium(II) ions. The attachment of copper(I) or silver(I) building blocks at the bipyridine moiety as given in complexes 17 and 18 complicates the oxidation of ruthenium and consequently the reduction of the group-11 metals is made more difficult, indicating an interaction over the organic bridging units.The above described complexes add to the so far only less investigated class of compounds of heteromultimetallic carbon-rich transition metal compounds.     

Trifluoroethanol: key solvent for palladium-catalyzed polymerization reactions

A series of cationic palladium complexes of general formula [Pd(CH₃)(NCCH₃)(N-N)][X] (N-N = phen 1, 3-sec-butyl-1,10-phenanthroline (3-sBu-phen) 2, bpy 3, (−)-(S,S)-3,3′-(1,2-dimethylethylenedioxy)-2,2′-bipyridine (bbpy) 4, (+)-(R)-3,3′-(1-methylethylenedioxy)-2,2′-bipyridine (pbpy) 5, N,N′-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-2,3-butanediimine (iso-DAB) 6; , OTf (OTf = triflate) b) containing different nitrogen-donor ligands were prepared from the corresponding neutral chloro derivatives [Pd(CH₃)(Cl)(N-N)] (1c-6c). They were characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Single crystals suitable for X-ray determination were obtained for complexes [Pd(CH₃)(NCCH₃)(bbpy)][PF₆] (4a), [Pd(CH₃)(NCCH₃)(iso-DAB)][PF₆] (6a) and [Pd(Cl)₂(bbpy)] (4c′). The latter is the result of an exchange reaction of the methyl group, present in complex 4c, with a chloride, that occurred after dissolution of 4c in CDCl₃, for 1 week at 0 °C. The catalytic behavior of complexes 1a-5a and 1b-5b in the CO/styrene copolymerization was studied in CH₂Cl₂ and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) evidencing the positive effect of the fluorinated alcohol both in terms of productivity and molecular weight values of the polymers obtained. Influence of the nitrogen ligand, the anion and the reaction time in both solvents were investigated and is discussed in detail. Encouraging preliminary results were also obtained in the synthesis of polyethylene, in TFE, catalyzed by [Pd(CH₃)(NCCH₃)(iso-DAB)][PF₆] (6a).     

Effect of π-accepting substituent on the reactivity and spectroscopic characteristics of triarylbismuthanes and triarylbismuth dihalides

Competitive chlorination of p-substituted triarylbismuthanes 1 [(p-XC₆H₄)₃Bi; a: X = OMe, c: Cl, d: CO₂Et, e: CF₃, f: CN, g: NO₂] and trimesitylbismuthane (2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂)₃Bi 1h by sulfuryl chloride was carried out against 1b (X = H) and the effect of these substituents on the formation of triarylbismuth dichlorides 2 was studied. The relative ratios 2/2b decreased with increasing electron-withdrawing ability of the substituents (2a/2b = 53/47, 2c/2b = 33/67, 2d/2b = 35/65, 2e/2b = 29/71, 2f/2b = 16/84, 2g/2b = 0/100, 2h/2b = 46/54), indicating a lowering of reactivity of the lone pair on the bismuth atom. Pd-Catalyzed degradation of 2a-g and their difluorides 3 giving biaryls 4 was promoted by the electron-withdrawing p-substituents in the equatorial aryl groups but suppressed by the more electronegative fluorine atoms in the apical positions. This is in fairly good accord with the stability of the trigonal bipyramidal geometry. The ¹³C NMR study of 1-3 showed that the signals due to the ipso carbons (C1) attached to the bismuth atom shift downfield with increasing electron-withdrawing nature of the p-substituents. No such tendency was observed in other aromatic ring carbons. The electronic effect on the C1 atoms, similar to that on the chlorination of 1 and degradation of 2 and 3, indicates the significant participation of the C1 atoms in these reactions through the Bi-C1 bonds.     

Steric and electronic effects in stabilizing allyl-palladium complexes of “P-N-P” ligands, X2PN(Me)PX2 (X = OC6H5 or OC6H3Me2-2,6)

The chemistry of η³-allyl palladium complexes of the diphosphazane ligands, X₂PN(Me)PX₂ [X = OC₆H₅ (1) or OC₆H₃Me₂-2,6 (2)] has been investigated.The reactions of the phenoxy derivative, (PhO)₂PN(Me)P(OPh)₂ with [Pd(η³-1,3-R′,R″-C₃H₃)(μ-Cl)]₂ (R′ = R″ = H or Me; R′ = H, R″ = Me) give exclusively the palladium dimer, [Pd₂{μ-(PhO)₂PN(Me)P(OPh)₂}₂Cl₂] (3); however, the analogous reaction with [Pd(η³-1,3-R′,R″-C₃H₃)(μ-Cl)]₂ (R′ = R″ = Ph) gives the palladium dimer and the allyl palladium complex [Pd(η³-1,3-R′,R″-C₃H₃)(1)](PF₆) (R′ = R″ = Ph) (4). On the other hand, the 2,6-dimethylphenoxy substituted derivative 2 reacts with (allyl) palladium chloro dimers to give stable allyl palladium complexes, [Pd(η³-1,3-R′,R″-C₃H₃)(2)](PF₆) [R′ = R″ = H (5), Me (7) or Ph (8); R′ = H, R″ = Me (6)].Detailed NMR studies reveal that the complexes 6 and 7 exist as a mixture of isomers in solution; the relatively less favourable isomer, anti-[Pd(η³-1-Me-C₃H₄)(2)](PF₆) (6b) and syn/anti-[Pd(η³-1,3-Me₂-C₃H₃)(2)](PF₆) (7b) are present to the extent of 25% and 40%, respectively. This result can be explained on the basis of the steric congestion around the donor phosphorus atoms in 2. The structures of four complexes (4, 5, 7a and 8) have been determined by X-ray crystallography; only one isomer is observed in the solid state in each case.     

A group of new selenite-chlorides of strontium and d-metals (Co,Ni): Synthesis, thermal behavior and crystal chemistry

The new selenite-chlorides with composition Sr₃(SeO₃)₂Cl₂ (I) and Sr₂M(SeO₃)₂Cl₂ (M=Co, Ni (II and III)) were obtained. They crystallize in monoclinic system I: space group C2/m, a=13.203(2) Å, b=5.5355(8) Å, c=6.6170(10) Å, β=95.89(1)°, Z=2; II Space group P2₁/n, a=5.3400(10) Å, b =6.4279(6) Å, c=12.322(1) Å, β=92.44(1)°, Z=2; III: space group P2₁/n, a=5.3254(11) Å, b=6.4363(13) Å, c=12.197(2), β=92.53(3)°, Z=2. All three compounds are constructed in the same manner. Sr polyhedra form infinite layers, which are interconnected into a 3D framework by means of Sr polyhedra in the case of I or Co and Ni polyhedra in the case of II and III. Se atoms are situated inside the channels of the 3D framework. The topological analysis of ELF for I confirmed that the lone electron pairs of SeO₃ groups are located inside these channels.     

Heterolytic CH-bond activation in the synthesis of Ni{(2-aryl-κC)pyridine-κN}2 and derivatives

Thermolysis of Ni(OTf)₂ in 2-phenyl-pyridine or 2-tolyl-pyridine afforded the cationic chelate derivatives, [bis(2-aryl-pyridine)Ni{(2-aryl-κC²)pyridine-κN}]OTf (aryl = phenyl, 1a; tolyl, 1b). Addition of KBr to 1a and LiBr to 1b provided the bromides, (2-aryl-pyridine)BrNi{(2-aryl-κC²)pyridine-κN} (aryl = phenyl, 2a; tolyl, 2b). When subjected to KO^tBu in Et₂O, the bromides generated the entitled bis-cyclometalated compounds, Ni{(2-aryl-κC²)pyridine-κN}₂ (aryl = phenyl, 3a; tolyl, 3b). These compounds insert diphenylacetylene into one cyclometalate arm to produce [(2-aryl-κC²)pyridine-κN]Ni[2-(2-(1,2-diphenylethenyl-κC²)aryl)pyridine-κN] (aryl = phenyl, 4a; p-tolyl, 4b). X-ray crystallographic studies were conducted on 1a, 2a, 3a and 4a, and a brief DFT study of 3a confirmed its low spin configuration and rippled geometry.     

Crystal chemistry of thorium nitrates and chromates

The structures and infrared spectra of six novel thorium compounds are reported. Th(NO₃)₂(OH)₂(H₂O)₂ (1) crystallizes in space group C2/c, a=14.050(1), b=8.992(7), c=5.954(5) Å, β=101.014(2)°. K₂Th(NO₃)₆ (2), P-3, a=13.606(1), c=6.641(6) Å. (C₁₂H₂₈N)₂Th(NO₃)₆ (3), P2₁/c, a=14.643(4), b=15.772(5), c=22.316(5) Å, β=131.01(1)°. KTh(NO₃)₅(H₂O)₂ (4), P2₁/c, a=10.070(8), b=12.731(9), c=13.231(8) Å, β=128.647(4)°. Th(CrO₄)₂(H₂O)₂ (5), P2₁/n, a=12.731(1), b=9.469(8), c=12.972(1) Å, β=91.793(2)°. K₂Th₃(CrO₄)₇(H₂O)₁₀ (6), Ama2, a=19.302(8), b=15.580(6), c=11.318(6) Å. The coordination polyhedra about Th in these structures are diverse. Th is coordinated by 9 O atoms in 5 and 6, seven of which are from monodentate (CrO₄) tetrahedra and two are (H₂O). The Th in compound 1 is coordinated by ten O atoms, four of which are O atoms of two bidentate (NO₃) triangles and six of which are (OH) and (H₂O). In compounds 2, 3 and 4 the Th is coordinate by 12 O atoms. In 2 and 3 there are six bidentate (NO₃) triangles, and in 4 ten of the O atoms are part of five bidentate (NO₃) triangles and the others are (H₂O) groups. The structural units of these compounds consist of a chain of thorium and nitrate polyhedra (1), isolated thorium hexanitrate clusters (2, 3), an isolated thorium pentanitrate dihydrate cluster (4), and a sheet (6) and framework (5) of thorium and chromate polyhedra. These structures illustrate the complexity inherent in the crystal chemistry of Th.