Pyrazolate thiocarbonylrhodium complexes. X-ray structure of [Rh(μ-3,5-Me2Pz)(CS)(PPh3)]2

The preparation and properties of complexes of general formulae [Rh(CS)-(HL)(PR₃)₂]ClO₄ (HL = pyrazole (HPz), 3-methylpyrazole (H3-MePz), 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (H3,5-Me₂Pz), PR₃ = triphenylphosphine, tricyclohexylphosphine) and [(PR₃)₂(CS)Rh(μ-Pz)AuPPh₃]ClO₄ are reported. Complexes of the first set react with potassium hydroxide to give [Rh(μ-L)(CS)(PPh₃)₂ or RhPz(CS)(PR₃)₂ complexes. The structure of the complex [Rh(3,5-Me₂Pz)(CS)(PPh₃)]₂ has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, with Z = 4 in a unit cell of dimensions a = 12.700(11), b = 17.217(16), c = 23.041(18) Å, β = 116.55(8)°. The structure has been solved by Patterson and Fourier methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares to R = 0.059 for 1978 independent reflections. The structure consists of dimeric complexes, in which each rhodium atom is in a square-planar environment being bonded to a carbon atom of a thiocarbonyl ligand, a phosphorus atom of a triphenylphosphine molecule and to two nitrogen atoms of pyrazolate ligands bridging the metal atoms. The dihedral angle of 71.1° between such two square planes leads to a bent configuration with an intramolecular rhodium-rhodium distance of 3.220 Å. The thiocarbonyl and triphenylphosphine ligands are in a trans disposition.     

Imidazolate bridged polynuclear rhodium(I) complexes. X-ray structure of [Rh(2-Meimidazolate)(CO)2]4

The synthesis and properties of polynuclear complexes of general formulae [M(RIm)(diolefin)_x, [M(RIm)(CO)₂]_x and [M(RIm)(CO)L]_x (M  Rh, Ir; RIm  imidazolate, 2-methylimidazolate, 2-benzylbenzimidazolate; L  PPh₃ or P(OPh)₃) are reported. The crystal structure of the novel complex [Rh(2-MeIm)-(CO)₂]₄ (2-MeIm  2-methylimidazolate) has been determined by X-ray methods. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2₁, with Z  4 in a unit cell of dimensions a 19.427(12), b 13.419(8), c 12.346(9) Å. The structure has been solved by combined Patterson and direct methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares to R  0.043 for 937 independent observed reflections. It consists of discrete tetrameric complexes in which each Rh atom is in a nearly cis square planar arrangement, bonded to two carbon atoms of carbonyl groups and to two nitrogen atoms of two 2-methylimidazolate ligands, each of which, acting as an exo-bidentate ligand, bridging two metal atoms, so that the four bridging 2-MeIm ligands and the four Rh atoms form a multiatomic ring.     

Rhodium(I) complexes with bis(pyrazolyl)methane ligands. Crystal structure of [Rh(COD)(CH2(Pz)2)]ClO4·12 C2H4Cl2

The synthesis and properties of neutral and cationic complexes of general formulae [{RhCl(diolefin)}₂(CH₂(pz)₂)], [Rh(CO)₂ (CH₂(pz)₂)][RhCl₂(CO)₂], (Rh(diolefin)(CH₂(pz)₂)]ClO₂, [{Rh(diolefin)(PPh₃)}₂(CH₂(pz)₂)](ClO₄)₂, [Rh(CO)₂(CH₂(pz)₂)]ClO₄ and [Rh(CO)(CH₂(pz)₂)(PPh₃)]ClO₄ are described. The NMR spectra of [Rh(COD)(CH₂(pz)₂)]ClO₄ complexes are discussed. X-ray structural analysis of [Rh(COD)(CH₂(Pz)₂)]ClO₄ · $\text{1}\text{2}$C₂H₄Cl₂ is presented; the final R factor is 0.061 for 2436 observed data, recorded with Cu-K_α, not corrected for absorption and with the sample inside a capillary. The Rh atom presents a distorted square planar coordination in a mononuclear arrangement. The COD ring has a twisted boat conformation, and the two halves of the CH₂(Pz)₂ moiety, which are quite similar to one another, form an angle of 47.2(4)°.     

[M(CO)2(NO)], a new core in bioorganometallic chemistry: model complexes of [Re(CO)2(NO)] and [Tc(CO)2(NO)]

In this study selected bidentate (L²) and tridentate (L³) ligands were coordinated to the Re(I) or Tc(I) core [M(CO)₂(NO)]²⁺ resulting in complexes of the general formula fac-[MX(L²)(CO)₂(NO)] and fac-[M(L³)(CO)₂(NO)] (M = Re or Tc; X = Br or Cl). The complexes were obtained directly from the reaction of [M(CO)₂(NO)]²⁺ with the ligand or indirectly by first reacting the ligand with [M(CO)₃]⁺ and subsequent nitrosylation with [NO][BF₄] or [NO][HSO₄]. Most of the reactions were performed with cold rhenium on a macroscopic level before the conditions were adapted to the n.c.a. level with technetium (^99mTc). Chloride, bromide and nitrate were used as monodentate ligands, picolinic acid (PIC) as a bidentate ligand and histidine (HIS), iminodiacetic acid (IDA) and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) as tridentate ligands. We synthesised and describe the dinuclear complex [ReCl(μ-Cl)(CO)₂(NO)]₂ and the mononuclear complexes [NEt₄][ReCl₃(CO)₂(NO)], [NEt₄][ReBr₃(CO)₂(NO)], [ReBr(PIC)(CO)₂(NO)], [NMe₄][Re(NO₃)₃(CO)₂(NO)], [Re(HIS)(CO)₂(NO)][BF₄], [⁹⁹Tc(HIS)(CO)₂(NO)][BF₄], [^99mTc(IDA)(CO)₂ (NO)] and [^99mTc(NTA)(CO)₂(NO)]. The chemical and physical characteristics of the Re and Tc-dicarbonyl-nitrosyl complexes differ significantly from those of the corresponding tricarbonyl compounds.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of [Ru8(μ5-S)2(μ4-S)(μ3-S)(μ-CNMe2)2(μ-CO)(CO)15] formed via the double sulphur-carbon bond cleavage of dithiocarbamate ligands

Heating cis-[Ru(S₂CNMe₂)₂(CO)₂] and [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] in xylene affords octanuclear [Ru₈(μ₅-S)₂(μ₄-S)(μ₃-S)(μ-CNMe₂)₂(μ-CO)(CO)₁₅] resulting from the double carbon-sulfur bond cleavage of two dithiocarbamate ligands. The structure consists of a tri-edge-bridged square of ruthenium atoms with a further ruthenium atom being bound only to the central bridging atom. Studies suggest that it may be formed via the pentanuclear intermediate [Ru₅(μ₄-S)₂(μ-CNMe₂)₂(CO)₁₁] which is formed in trace amounts.     

Organo-imido alkoxides of tungsten(VI). The crystal and molecular structures of [W(NPh)(μ-OMe)(OMe)3]2 and [W(NPh)(OCMe3)3Cl(NH2CMe3)]

Reaction of phenylimido tungsten tetrachloride with MeOH and t-butylamine gave the dimeric complexes [W(NPh)(μ-OMe)(OMe)₃]₂ and [W(NPh)(μ-OMe)(OMe)₂Cl]₂. With ethanol [W(NPh)(μ-OEt)(OEt)₂Cl]₂ was formed whereas isopropyl and neopentyl alcohols gave the monomeric complexes [W(NPh)(OR)₄(NH₂CMe₃)](R = CHMe₂, CH₂CMe₃); t-butanol gave [W(NPh)(OCMe₃)3Cl(NH₂CMe₃)] which could not be converted to [W(NPh) (OCMe₃)₄]. Further reaction of [W(NPh)(μ-OMe)(OMe)₃]₂ with o-HOC₆H₄CH = NC₆H₃Me₂(salim-H) gave the salicylaldimine complex [W(NPh)(OMC)₃(salim)]. The products were characterised by analytical data, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and mass spectroscopy. The crystal and molecular structures of the title complexes have been determined from single crystal X-ray diffractometer data. Crystals of [W(NPh)(μ-OMe)(OMe)₃]₂are triclinic with a = 8.473(7), b = 10.776(5), c = 7.683(Å, α = 102.26(3), β = 102.68(4), γ = 71.13(6)°, space group P$\text{1}$ Crystals of 3) [W(NPh)(OCMe₃)₃Cl(NH₂CMe₃) are monoclinic with a = 9.341(2), b = 29.608(7), c = 10.257(2) Å, β = 106.28(2)°, space group, P2₁/c. Both structures were solved by Patterson and Fourier methods and refined to R = 0.075 for the 1022 observed data of [W(NPh) (μ-OMe)(OMe)₃]₂ and to R = 0.074. For the 2033 observed data of [W(NPh)(OCMe₃)₃Cl(NH₂CMe₃). The former molecule is shown to be a dimer, the two halves of the molecule being related by a centre of symmetry. Both W atoms adopt a distorted octahedral coordination geometry and they are linked by two methoxy bridges. Trans to one of the bridging donors is the phenyl imido group with a WN bond length of 1.61(4) Å; the remaining coordination sites are filled with methoxy groups. The structure of W(NPh)(OCMe₃)₃ Cl(NH₂CMe₃) is monomeric with the phenylimido group trans to the NH₂CMe₃ ligand in a distorted octahedral coordination geometry. Remaining sites are filled with the chloride and 3 OCMe₃ ligands. The WN (imido) bond length is 1.71(2) Å, whilst WN(amine) is 2.40(2) Å     

Reactions of tetracyanoethylene with transition-metal acetylides: synthesis and structure of Rh(CCPh) [η2-C2(CN)4] (NCMe)(PPh3)2

The title complex was obtained from the adduct of C₂(CN)₄ and Rh(CCPh)-(CO)(PPh₃)₂ by simple substitution of CO in refluxing acetonitrile. Crystals of the complex are orthorhombic, with a 10.058(2), b 20.008(4), c 21.594(5) Å, space group P2₁2₁2₁, Z  4. The rhodium has approximate trigonal bipyramidal coordination, with apical NCMe and C₂Ph ligands: RhC₂Ph, 1.939(18); RhC(olefinic), 2.151, 2.157(19); RhN, 2.051(16); RhP, 2.377, 2.397(6) Å.     

Re4(CO)12[μ3-InRe(CO)5]4 und Re2(CO)8[μ-InRe(CO)5]2-cluster aus dem reaktionssystem In/Re2(CO)10 in xylol

The thermally stable solids Re₂(CO)₈[μ-InRe(CO)₅]₂ and Re₄(CO)₁₂[μ₃-InRe(CO)₅]₄ could be obtained by treatment of In with Re₂(CO)₁₀ in a bomb tube. A mechanism of the formation of the latter cluster from the first one is proposed. Compared with Re₂(CO)₈[μ-InRe(CO)₅]₂, Re₄(CO)₁₂[μ₃_InRe(CO)₅]₄ shows in polar solvents an unusual high stability, which can be explained by the higher coordination number of In with rhenium carbonyl ligands. Re₄(CO)₁₂-[μ₃-InRe(CO)₅]₄ dissolves monomerically in acetone, where as Re₂(CO)₈[μ-InRe(CO)₅]₂ dissociates yielding Re(CO)₅^? anions. Single-crystal X-ray analyses of Re₄(CO)₁₂[μ₃-InRe(CO)₅]₄ establish the metal skeleton. The central molecular fragment Re₄(CO)₁₂ contains a tetrahedral arrangement of four bonded Re atoms [ReRe 302.8 (5) pm]. The triangles of this fragment are capped with a μ₃-InRe(CO)₅ group each [InRe(terminal) 273.5 (7) pm; InRe (polyhedral) 281.8 (7) pm]. The bridging type of In atoms with the Re₄ tetrahedron and the metal skeleton was realized for the first time. By treating Re₄(CO)₁₂[μ₃-InRe(CO)₅]₄ with Br₂ the existence of Re(CO)₅ ligands could be proved by isolating BrRe(CO)₅.     

Reactions of isonitriles with [Fe3(CO)12] and [Ru3(CO)12] monitored by electrospray mass spectrometry: structural characterisation of [Fe3(CO)10(CNPh)2] and [Ru4(CO)11(μ3-η-CNPh)2(CNPh)]

The reactions of [Fe₃(CO)₁₂] or [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] with RNC (R=Ph, C₆H₄OMe-p or CH₂SO₂C₆H₄Me-p) have been investigated using electrospray mass spectrometry. Species arising from substitution of up to six ligands were detected for [Fe₃(CO)₁₂], but the higher-substituted compounds were too unstable to be isolated. The crystal structure of [Fe₃(CO)₁₀(CNPh)₂] was determined at 150 and 298 K to show that both isonitrile ligands were trans to each other on the same Fe atom. For [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] substitution of up to three COs was found, together with the formation of higher-nuclearity clusters. [Ru₄(CO)₁₁(CNPh)₃] was structurally characterised and has a spiked-triangular Ru₄ core with two of the CNPh ligands coordinated in an unusual μ₃-η² mode.     

Coordination properties of N2S (1,5-bis(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-3-thiapentane) or N2S2 (1,8-bis(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-3,6-dithiaoctane or 1,2-bis[3-(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-2-thiapropyl]benzene) donor ligands toward Rh(I)

The 1,5-bis(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-3-thiapentane ligand (bdtp) reacts with [Rh(COD)(THF)₂][BF₄] to give [Rh(COD)(bdtp)][BF₄] ([1][BF₄]), which is fluxional in solution on the NMR time scale. Its further treatment with carbon monoxide leads to a displacement of the 1,5-cyclooctadiene ligand, generating a mixture of two complexes, namely, [Rh(CO)₂(bdtp)][BF₄] ([2][BF₄]) and [Rh(CO)(bdtp-κ³N,N,S)][BF₄] ([3][BF₄]). In solution, [2][BF₄] exists as a mixture of two isomers, [Rh(CO)₂(bdtp-κ²N,N)]⁺ ([2a]⁺) and [Rh(CO)₂(bdtp-κ³N,N,S)]⁺ ([2b]⁺; major isomer) rapidly interconverting on the NMR time scale. At room temperature, [2][BF₄] easily loses one molecule of carbon monoxide to give [3][BF₄]. The latter is prone to react with carbon monoxide to partially regenerate [2][BF₄]. The ligands 1,2-bis[3-(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-2-thiapropyl]benzene (bddf) and 1,8-bis(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-3,6-dithiaoctane (bddo) are seen to react with two equivalents of [Rh(COD)(THF)₂][BF₄] to give the dinuclear complexes [Rh₂(bddf)(COD)₂][BF₄]₂ ([4][BF₄]₂) and [Rh₂(bddo)(COD)₂][BF₄]₂ ([5][BF₄]₂), respectively. In such complexes, the ligand acts as a double pincer holding two rhodium atoms through a chelation involving S and N donor atoms. Bubbling carbon monoxide into a solution of [4][BF₄]₂ results in loss of the COD ligand and carbonylation to give [Rh₂(bddf)(CO)₄][BF₄]₂ ([6][BF₄]₂). The single-crystal X-ray structures of [3][CF₃SO₃], [5][BF₄]₂ and [6][BF₄]₂ are reported.     

A synthetic route to heteronuclear clusters containing iridium and rhodium: X-ray crystal structures of [IrOs3(μ-H)2(μ-Cl)(CO)12] and [Ir2Rh2(μ-CO)(μ3-CO)2(CO)4(η-C5Me5)2]

The iridium and rhodium complexes [MCl(CO)₂(NH₂C₆H₄Me-4)] (M = Ir or Rh) react with [Os₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₀] to give the tetranuclear clusters [MOs₃(μ-H)₂(μ-Cl)(CO)₁₂]; the iridium compound being structurally identified by X-ray diffraction. Similarly, [IrCl(CO)₂(NH₂C₆H₄Me-4)] and [Rh₂(μ-CO)₂(η-C₅Me₅)₂] afford the tetranuclear cluster [Ir₂Rh₂(μ-CO)(μ₃-CO)₂(CO)₄(η-C₅Me₅)₂], also characterised by single-crystal X-ray crystallog     

Tandem transmetallation and oxidative addition reactions of [Sn(R)2(Ph2PC6H4-2-S)2] with transition metal complexes of the Group 9

The reactions of [Sn(Ph)₂(Ph₂PC₆H₄-2-S)₂] with trans -[M(Cl)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] M=Ir, Rh afford the complexes [Rh(Ph₂PC₆H₄-2-S)₂(SnClPh₂)] (1) and [Ir(CO)(Ph₂PC₆H₄-2-S)₂(SnClPh₂)] (2) as final products of two processes, a transmetallation reaction and an oxidative addition process. The crystal structures of both complexes have been determined, showing the rhodium compound to be into a slightly distorted square base pyramidal geometry, while that of the iridium derivative can be described as a distorted octahedron.     

Azulene as a ligand in cationic rhodium and iridium complexes. Crystal structure of [Rh(TFB)(az)]PF6

Rhodium or iridium complexes of formula [M(diolefin)(az)]⁺ have been prepared by treating [MCl(diolefin)]₂ complexes with silver salts and azulene, and also by treating [Rh(diolefin)₂]⁺ with azulene. The reactions of some representative complexes have been studied. Reaction of [M(C₅Me₅)(Me₂CO)₃]²⁺ with azulene appears to give dinuclear diazulene cationic complexes. The crystal structure of compound [Rh(TFB)(az)]PF₆ has been solved by X-ray methods. It crystallizes in the space group P2₁/c with cell constants 8.4241(4), 16.6911(8), 15.0026(7) Å, 95.897(6)°. Refinement gave R = 0.027 and R_w = 0.032 for 2991 observed reflexions. The Rh atom is coordinated to the five-membered ring, with RhC distances shortest for the atoms which are trans to the diolefinic double bonds. The bonding scheme within the azulene ligand differs from that in the parent hydrocarbon.     

Improved syntheses of Ru(CO)2 (O3SCF3)2 (bidentate) complexes and their conversion into new [Ru(CO)2 (bidentate)2]2+ complexes

Reaction of the complexes Ru(CO)₂Cl₂L [L = 2,2′-bipyridyl (bpy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen)] with trifluoromethanesulphonic acid under carefully controlled conditions yields Ru[cis-(CO)₂] [cis-(O₃SCF₃)₂] (bidentate complexes. From reactions of the trifluoromethanesulphonates with the appropriate bidentate ligands, the new complexes [cis-Ru(CO)₂-L(L′)]²⁺ (L as above; L′ = 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridyl or 4,4′-diisopropyl-2,2′-bipyridyl) as well as the known [_cis-Ru(CO)₂L₂]²⁺ and [cis-Ru(CO)₂bpy(phen)]²⁺ have been prepared.     

Reactions of nitrosonium ion with anionic carbonyl monomers and clusters. Crystal and molecular structure of FeCo2(μ3-NH)(CO)9

The reactions of several mono- and poly-nuclear carbonyl metallates with nitrosonium ion have been studied. Besides simple substitution of a carbon monoxide with NO⁺ some reactions yielded products containing other nitrogeneous ligands. When [CoRu₃(CO)₁₃]^? reacts with NO⁺, low yields of the new nitrido cluster CoRu₃N(CO)₁₂ are formed. Prior conversion of [CoRu₃(CO)₁₃]^? to the new hydrido cluster [H₂CoRu₃(CO)₁₂]^? under hydrogen, followed by nitrosylation, forms the new imido cluster H₂Ru₃(NH)(CO)₉ in very low yield. The reaction of [FeCO₃(CO)₁₂]^? with NO⁺ also generates an imido cluster, FeCo₂(NH)(CO)₉, in 15% yield. This cluster has been characterized by X-ray crystallography and was found to be similar to the tricobalt alkylidyne clusters. (Triclinic crystal system, P$\text{1}$ space group, Z=2, a 6.787(1), b 8.016(1), c 13.881(2) Å, α 95.50(1), β 100.77(1), γ 107.93(1)°. Modifications of the nitrosylations using NO⁺ were studied. In particular, the addition of triethylamine or N-t-butylbenzaldimine allowed the use of NO⁺ in THF without solvent decomposition. With [CpMo(CO)₃]^? and [CpFe(CO)₂]^? the N-nitrosoiminium species appears to form transient alkylmetals which further react to give the dimers [CpMo(CO)₃]₂ and [CpFe(CO)₂]₂.     

New cationic palladium (II) and rhodium (I) complexes of [Ph2PCH2C(Ph)N(2,6-Me2C6H3)]

Treatment of the bulky iminophosphine ligand [Ph₂PCH₂C(Ph)N(2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)] (L) with [M(CH₃CN)₂(ligand)]⁺ⁿ, where for M = Pd(II): ligand = η³-allyl, n = 1, and for M = Rh(I), ligand: 2(C₂H₄), 2(CO) or cod, n = 0, yields the mono-cationic iminophosphine complexes [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)(L)][BF₄] (1), [Rh(cod)(L)][BF₄] (2), [Rh(CO)(CH₃CN)(L)][BF₄] (3), and cis-[Rh(L)₂][BF₄] (4). All the new complexes have been characterised by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 shows moderate activity in the copolymerisation of CO and ethene but is inactive towards Heck coupling of 4-bromoacetophenone and n-butyl acrylate.     

Ligand degradation and phosphorus scavenging in the reaction between 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene (dppbz) and Ru6(μ6-C)(CO)17: Synthesis and X-ray structure of the edge-bridged square-pyramidal cluster HRu6(μ5-C)(μ3-P)(CO)14(dppbz)

Thermolysis or Me₃NO activation of the hexaruthenium cluster Ru₆(μ₆-C)(CO)₁₇ in the presence of the diphosphine ligand 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene (dppbz) does not furnish the expected dppbz-substituted cluster Ru₆(μ₆-C)(CO)₁₅(dppbz) but rather HRu₆(μ₅-C)(μ₃-P)(CO)₁₄(dppbz), whose edge-bridged square-pyramidal structure has been established by X-ray crystallography. Accompanying the opening of the original closo Ru₆ polyhedron is the dephosphination of a second dppbz ligand through three rapid P-C bond cleavages, leading to the capture of the phosphorus atom as a face-capping phosphido ligand. This unprecedented reactivity between Ru₆(μ₆-C)(CO)₁₇ and the dppbz ligand is discussed relative to other diphosphine ligands.     

Synthesis and reactivity of [ReBr2(NCCH3)2(CO)2]: A new precursor for bioorganometallic chemistry

We have synthesised (Et₄N)[ReBr₂(NCCH₃)₂(CO)₂] 1 in two steps from [ReBr₃(CO)₃]²⁻. Complex 1 is water and air stable and the two Br⁻ ligands are easily exchanged for coordinating solvent molecules such as water. The reactivity of 1 with several ligands such as imidazole (imz) and 2-picolinic acid (2-pic) are easily possible with substitution exclusively occurring in trans-position to the carbonyl groups. The resulting complexes [Re(imz)₂(NCCH₃)₂(CO)₂]⁺ and [Re(2-pic)(NCCH₃)₂(CO)₂] have been isolated and structurally characterised. The two acetonitrile ligands are strongly bound and are not substituted under any conditions. Complex 1 represents therefore the new moiety “trans,cis-[Re(NCCH₃)₂(CO)₂]⁺” which can be considered as a further building block in organometallic chemistry.     

New Bimetallic Ni–Rh Carbonyl Clusters: Synthesis and X-ray Structure of the [Ni7Rh3(CO)18]3?, [Ni3Rh3(CO)13]3? and [NiRh8(CO)19]2? Cluster Anions

The reaction of the [Ni₆(CO)₁₂]²⁻ dianion with [Rh(COD)Cl]₂ (COD = cyclooctadiene) in acetone affords a mixture of bimetallic Ni–Rh clusters, mainly consisting of the new [Ni₇Rh₃(CO)₁₈]³⁻ and [Ni₈Rh(CO)₁₈]³⁻ trianions. A study of the reactivity of [Ni₇Rh₃(CO)₁₈]³⁻ led to isolation of the new [Ni₃Rh₃(CO)₁₃]³⁻ and [NiRh₈(CO)₁₉]²⁻ anions. All these new bimetallic Ni–Rh carbonyl clusters have been isolated in the solid state as tetrasubstituted ammonium salts and have been characterised by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction studies, ESI-MS and electrochemistry. The unit cell of the [NEt₄]₃[Ni₇Rh₃(CO)₁₈] salt contains two orientationally-disordered ν₂-tetrahedral [Ni₇Rh₃(CO)₁₈]³⁻ trianions with occupancy factors of 0.75 and 0.25. Besides, their inner Ni₃Rh₃ octahedral moieties show two cis sites purely occupied by Rh atoms, two trans sites purely occupied by Ni atoms and the remaining two cis sites are disordered Ni and Rh sites with respective occupancy fraction of 0.5. At difference from the parent [Ni₇Rh₃(CO)₁₈]³⁻, the octahedral [Ni₃Rh₃(CO)₁₃]³⁻ displays an ordered distribution of Ni and Rh atoms in two staggered triangles. The [NiRh₈(CO)₁₉]²⁻ dianion adopts an isomeric metal frame with respect to that of the [PtRh₈(CO)₁₉]²⁻ congener. As a fallout of this work, new high-yield synthesis of the known [Ni₆Rh₃(CO)₁₇]³⁻ and [Ni₆Rh₅(CO)₂₁]³⁻, as well as other currently-investigated bimetallic Ni–Rh clusters have been obtained.     

Photoinduced formation of phosphido-bridged clusters derived from Ru3(CO)9(PPh2H)3. Crystal and molecular structure of Ru3(μ-H)(μ-PPh2)3(CO)7

The new complex Ru₃(CO)₉(PPh₂H)₃ (I) was prepared by the direct thermal reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with PPh₂ H and was spectroscopically characterized. Irradiation of I with λ ≥ 300 nm leads to the formation of Ru₂(μ-PPh₂)₂(CO)₆ (II) and three new phosphido-bridged complexes, Ru₃(μ-H)₂(μ-PPh₂)₂(CO)₈ (III), Ru₃(μ-H)₂(μ-PPh₂)₂(CO)₇(PPh₂H) (IV) and Ru₃(μ-H)(μ-PPh₂)₃(CO)₇ (V). These complexes have been characterized spectroscopically and Ru₃ (μ-H)(μ-PPh₂)₃(CO)₇ by a complete single crystal X-ray structure determination. It crystallizes in the space group P2₁/n with a 20.256(3), b 22.418(6), c 20.433(5) Å, β 112.64(2)°, V 8564(4) ų, and Z = 8. Diffraction data were collected on a Syntex P2₁ automated diffractometer using graphite-monochromatized Mo-K_α radiation, and the structure was refined to R_F 4.76% and R_wF 5.25% for the 8,847 independent reflections with F₀ > 6σ(F₀). The structure consists of a triangular array of Ru atoms with seven terminal carbonyl ligands, three bridging diphenylphosphido ligands which bridge each of the RuRu bonds, and the hydride ligand which bridges one RuRu bond. Complex IV was also shown to give V upon photolysis and is thus an intermediate in the photoinduced formation of V from I.