Asymmetric synthesis of a chiral diarsine ligand via a cycloaddition reaction between 3,4-dimethyl-1-phenylarsole and diphenylvinylarsine

The organopalladium complex containing ortho-metallated (S)-[1-(dimethylamino)ethyl]naphthalene as a chiral auxiliary has been successfully employed to promote the asymmetric cycloaddition reaction between 3,4-dimethyl-1-phenylarsole and diphenylvinylarsine. In the intramolecular cycloaddition reaction, a pair of separable diastereomeric palladium complexes was obtained in the ratio of 6:1. The chiral naphthylamine auxiliary could be removed chemoselectively from the template by treatment with HCl and subsequently NaI to generate the neutral diiodo complex [(As–As)PdI₂]. Treatment of the diiodo complex with KCN gave the enantiomerically pure As–As bidentate ligand in quantitative yield. In contrast to the reported similar P–P and As–P analogues, both arsenic donors in the diiodo complex could be readily eliminated to produce a structurally novel dimetallic complex.     

Asymmetric synthesis of a chiral hetero-bidentate As–P ligand containing both As and P-stereogenic centres

The organopalladium complex containing ortho-metalated (S)-[1-(dimethylamino)ethyl]naphthalene as the chiral auxiliary has been used as the chiral template to promote the asymmetric cycloaddition reaction between phenyldivinylphosphine and 3,4-dimethyl-1-phenylarsole. The reaction was completed in 1 h at room temperature, with the formation of two isomeric cycloadducts in the ratio 1:3. The major phenylvinylphosphino-substituted asymmetrical hetero-bidentate arsanorbornene ligand with chirality residing on both As and P centers was obtained stereoselectively on the chiral palladium template in moderate yield. The chiral heterobidentate ligand was isolated in its enantiomerically pure form by removal of the chiral auxiliary using concentrated hydrochloric acid and subsequent cleavage from the neutral complex [(As–P)PdCl₂] by using potassium cyanide. Similar to the earlier reported analogous diphenylphosphino-substituted asymmetrical heterobidentate arsanorbornene (As–P) ligand, an arsenic elimination process was also found in the dichloro and dibromo palladium complex whereas the diiodo species did not show similar reactivity, but the corresponding η² diiodo complex could be obtained from the η² dibromo complex by treatment with sodium iodide.     

A rational approach to the design and synthesis of chiral organopalladium-amine complexes

A new chiral auxiliary, (+/-)-N,N-dimethyl-1-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)ethylamine, was designed and synthesized in two steps from 1-acetyl-2,5-dimethylbenzene. Its cyclopalladated dimeric complex could be efficiently resolved via the formation of (S)-prolinate derivatives. Both hand forms of the complex could be obtained in similar yields. Despite the enormous inter-chelate steric constraints, the bulky monodentate ligand 3,4-dimethyl-1-phenylphosphole (DMPP) is able to coordinate regiospecifically to the orthopalladated 2,5-dimethylbenzylamine unit trans to the NMe(2) group. Compared to its naphthylamine analogue, the orthopalladated 2,5-dimethylbenzylamine complex exhibits a significantly higher stereoselectivity in the chiral template promoted asymmetric cycloaddition reaction between DMPP and ethyl vinyl ketone.     

Chiral palladium template promoted asymmetric hydrophosphination reaction between diphenylphosphine and vinylphosphines

An organopalladium complex containing ortho-metalated (S)-(1-(dimethylamino)ethyl)naphthalene as the chiral auxiliary has been used to promote the asymmetric hydrophosphination reactions between diphenylphosphine and (E)- or (Z)-diphenyl-1-propenylphosphine in high regio- and stereoselectivities under mild conditions. Hydrophosphination of (Z)-diphenyl-1-propenylphosphine with diphenylphosphine gave (S)-(-)-prophos as the major product. Using the same chiral metal template, the corresponding hydrophosphination reaction with (E)-diphenyl-1-propenylphosphine gave (R)-(+)-prophos predominantly. The hydrophosphination reactions generated the asymmetric diphosphines as bidentate chelates on the chiral naphthylamine palladium templates. The template products obtained undergo cis-trans isomerization in solution to form an equilibrium mixture of regioisomers. X-ray analysis of the major template products obtained from the hydrophosphination of (Z)-diphenyl-1-propenylphosphine reveals that the two regioisomers are cocrystallized in a 1:1 ratio. The naphthylamine auxiliary could be removed chemoselectively from the template products by treatment with concentrated hydrochloric acid to form the corresponding optically pure neutral complexes [(R)- or (S)-(prophos)PdCl(2)]. Subsequently, the (R)- and (S)-dichloro complexes undergo ligand displacement with aqueous cyanide to generate the corresponding optically pure diphosphine ligands in high yields. Mechanistic pathways explaining the stereoselectivity of the chiral organopalladium template promoted hydrophosphination reactions are also proposed.     

Template effects on the asymmetric cycloaddition reaction between 3,4-dimethyl-1-phenylarsole and diphenylvinylphosphine and their arsenic elimination reaction

The organopalladium complex containing ortho-metalated (S)-[1-(dimethylamino)ethyl]naphthalene as the chiral template was employed to promote the asymmetric cycloaddition reaction between 3,4-dimethyl-1-phenylarsole and diphenylvinylphosphine. It has been proven that the chiral template incorporating napthylamine is more efficient than the benzylamine based analogue as evidenced by the drastic improvement in stereoselectivity and reaction rate. However, when no chiral template was employed, trans-[PdI₂(3,4-dimethyl-1-phenylarsole)₂] reacted with trans-[PdI₂(diphenylvinylphosphine)₂] producing a structurally novel diiodo complex, as a result of an interesting selective cleavage of one As-C bond in the norbornene skeleton and subsequent rearrangements within the skeletal framework. The molecular structure of the diiodo product has been confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Structural analysis showed that in addition to the normal As-P five-membered ring, there is one new five-membered ring containing As-O bond being formed during the course of the reaction along with another seven-membered ring incorporating a hydroxy group.     

Stable, chloride-induced monohapto-bonding mode for an allyl ligand in a Pd(II) complex bearing a new bidentate phosphonite-oxazoline ligand

Bidentate ligands can lead to stable eta(1)-allyl complexes of Pd(II). A novel chelating phosphonite-oxazoline P,N ligand, abbreviated NOPO(Me2), has been prepared by reaction of 6-chloro-6H-dibenz[c,e][1,2]oxaphosphorin with the lithium alcoholate derived from 4,4-dimethyl-2-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-4,5-dihydrooxazole. Its reaction with [Pd(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(micro-Cl)](2) afforded the new eta(1)-allyl Pd complex [PdCl(eta(1)-C(3)H(5))(NOPO(Me2))] 2 in 91% yield. This constitutes a still rare example of structurally characterized eta(1)-allyl Pd(II) complex. Chloride abstraction led to the corresponding cationic eta(3)-allyl complex [Pd(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(NOPO(Me2))]PF(6) 3, which has also been characterized by X-ray diffraction. CO insertion into the Pd-C sigma-bond of the eta(1)-allyl ligand of 2 afforded the corresponding 3-butenoyl palladium complex [PdCl[C(O)C(3)H(5)](NOPO(Me2))] 4 under mild conditions, which supports the view that CO insertion into eta(3)-allyl palladium cationic complexes occurs via first coordination of the counterion to form a more reactive eta(1)-allyl intermediate.     

Asymmetric hydroarsination reactions toward synthesis of alcohol functionalised C-chiral As–P ligands promoted by chiral cyclometallated complexes

The asymmetric hydroarsination reactions between diphenylarsine and 3-diphenylphosphanyl-but-3-en-1-ol and 2-diphenylphosphanyl-prop-2-en-1-ol have been achieved using the organopalladium complex containing ortho-metallated (R)-[1-(dimethylamino)ethylnaphthalene as the chiral reaction template in high stereoselectivities under mild conditions. Hydroarsination of 3-diphenylphosphanyl-but-3-en-1-ol with diphenylarsine generated only one stereoisomer as five-membered As–P bidentate chelate on chiral naphthylamine palladium template. Using the same chiral metal template, similar hydroarsination reaction was carried out on 2-diphenylphosphanyl-prop-2-en-1-ol which gave two different products in the ratio of 2.6 to 1. The major isomer was identified as the expected five-membered As–P bidentate ligand and the minor isomer was identified as the elimination product. The naphthylamine auxiliary could be removed chemoselectively by treatment with concentrated hydrochloric acid. Optically pure As–P ligands containing the hydroxy groups at the chiral carbon centres were prepared by ligand displacement. The absolute configuration and coordination properties of the complexes have been established by single crystal X-ray analysis.     

Asymmetric hydroarsination reactions toward synthesis of alcohol functionalised C-chiral As–P ligands promoted by chiral cyclometallated complexes

The asymmetric hydroarsination reactions between diphenylarsine and 3-diphenylphosphanyl-but-3-en-1-ol and 2-diphenylphosphanyl-prop-2-en-1-ol have been achieved using the organopalladium complex containing ortho-metallated (R)-[1-(dimethylamino)ethylnaphthalene as the chiral reaction template in high stereoselectivities under mild conditions. Hydroarsination of 3-diphenylphosphanyl-but-3-en-1-ol with diphenylarsine generated only one stereoisomer as five-membered As–P bidentate chelate on chiral naphthylamine palladium template. Using the same chiral metal template, similar hydroarsination reaction was carried out on 2-diphenylphosphanyl-prop-2-en-1-ol which gave two different products in the ratio of 2.6 to 1. The major isomer was identified as the expected five-membered As–P bidentate ligand and the minor isomer was identified as the elimination product. The naphthylamine auxiliary could be removed chemoselectively by treatment with concentrated hydrochloric acid. Optically pure As–P ligands containing the hydroxy groups at the chiral carbon centres were prepared by ligand displacement. The absolute configuration and coordination properties of the complexes have been established by single crystal X-ray analysis.     

A novel approach toward asymmetric synthesis of alcohol functionalized C-chiral diphosphines via two-stage hydrophosphination of terminal alkynols

Alcohol functionalized diphosphine ligands with chirality residing on the carbon backbone were prepared using a novel two-stage asymmetric synthetic methodology from the corresponding terminal alkynols. Under mild conditions, the alkynols, 3-butyn-1-ol and 2-propyn-1-ol, were subjected to direct hydrophosphination to give the corresponding Markovnikov addition products. The phosphine functionalized alkenols thus obtained were subsequently subjected to a second-stage asymmetric hydrophosphination employing an organopalladium complex containing the ortho-metalated (R)-(1-(dimethylamino)ethyl)naphthalene as a chiral auxiliary and reaction promoter. In the reaction that involved 3-diphenylphosphanyl-but-3-en-1-ol, all four possible stereoisomeric products were generated stereoselectively in the ratio of 1:2:4:18. The major isomer was subsequently isolated in appreciable yield in its configurationally pure form and characterized by means of single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The naphthylamine auxiliary could be removed chemoselectively from the template product by treatment with concentrated hydrochloric acid to form the corresponding optically pure neutral complex. Subsequent ligand displacement from the palladium achieved using aqueous potassium cyanide generated the optically pure diphosphine ligand with chirality residing on the carbon backbone in appreciable yield. However, the similar asymmetric hydrophosphination reaction involving 2-diphenylphosphanyl-prop-2-en-1-ol did not exhibit appreciable selectivity.     

Stereoselective hydrocoupling of [(1R)-exo]-3-exo-(diphenylmethyl)bornyl cinnamates by electroreduction

[reaction: see text]. The chiral auxiliary [(1R)-exo]-3-exo-(diphenylmethyl)borneol, synthesized from (1R)-(+)-camphor in three steps, was highly effective for the stereoselective hydrocoupling of its cinnamates by electroreduction. From the resulting hydrodimers, (3R,4R)-3,4-diaryladipic acid esters and (3R,4R)-3,4-diarylhexane-1,6-diols were synthesized in 87-95% ee.     

Unusual reactivity of a sterically hindered diphosphazane ligand, EtN{P(OR)(2)}(2), (R = C(6)H(3)(Pr(I))(2)-2,6) towards (eta(3)-allyl)palladium precursors

The reactivity of (eta(3)-allyl)palladium chloro dimers [(1-R-eta(3)-C(3)H(4))PdCl](2) (R = H or Me) towards a sterically hindered diphosphazane ligand [EtN{P(OR)(2)}(2)] (R = C(6)H(3)(Pr(i))(2)-2,6), has been investigated under different reaction conditions. When the reaction is carried out using NH(4)PF(6) as the halide scavenger, the cationic complex [(1-R-eta(3)-C(3)H(4))Pd{EtN(P(OR)(2))(2)}]PF(6) (R = H or Me) is formed as the sole product. In the absence of NH(4)PF(6), the initially formed cationic complex, [(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))Pd{EtN(P(OR)(2))(2)}]Cl, is transformed into a mixture of chloro bridged complexes over a period of 4 days. The dinuclear complexes, [(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))Pd(2)(mu-Cl)(2){P(O)(OR)(2)}{P(OR)(2)(NHEt)}] and [Pd(mu-Cl){P(O)(OR)(2)}{P(OR)(2)(NHEt)}](2) are formed by P-N bond hydrolysis, whereas the octa-palladium complex [(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(2-Cl-eta(3)-C(3)H(4))Pd(4)(mu-Cl)(4)(mu-EtN{P(OR)(2)}(2))](2), is formed as a result of nucleophilic substitution by a chloride ligand at the central carbon of an allyl fragment. The reaction of [EtN{P(OR)(2)}(2)] with [(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))PdCl](2) in the presence of K(2)CO(3) yields a stable dinuclear (eta(3)-allyl)palladium(I) diphosphazane complex, [(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))[mu-EtN{P(OR)(2)}(2)Pd(2)Cl] which contains a coordinatively unsaturated T-shaped palladium center. This complex exhibits high catalytic activity and high TON's in the catalytic hydrophenylation of norbornene.     

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of palladium(II) complexes of chiral N-heterocyclic carbene-imine and -amine hybrid ligands

The synthesis and structures of chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-N-donor complexes of silver(I) and palladium(II) are reported. The X-ray structure of an NHC-imine silver(I) complex [((nPr)CN(CHPh))AgBr](2) exhibits an Ag(2)Br(2) dimer motif where the imine group is not coordinated to the silver atom. Reaction between 2 and [PdCl(2)(MeCN)(2)] gives the palladium(II) complex [(kappa(2)-(nPr)CN(CHPh))PdCl(2)](3) that contains a chelating NHC-imine ligand as shown by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Slow hydrolysis of related complexes [(kappa(2)-(nPr)CN(CHPh))PdCl(2)](3) and [(kappa(2)-((Ph)(2)CH)CN(CHPh))PdCl(2)](4) using triethylammonium chloride and water lead to the precipitation of single crystals of insoluble NHC-amino palladium(II) complexes [(kappa(2)-(nPr)CN(H(2)))PdCl(2)](6) and [(kappa(2)-((Ph)(2)CH)CN(H(2)))PdCl(2)](7), respectively. In the solid state, complexes 6 and 7 both exhibit intermolecular hydrogen bonding between chlorine and an amino-hydrogen atom resulting in an infinite chain structure. Substitution of an amino hydrogen for an ethyl group gives the soluble complex [(kappa(2)-(iPr)CN((H)Et))PdCl(2)](12). Reaction between two equivalents of 2 and [PdCl(2)(MeCN)(2)] gives the di-NHC complex [(kappa(1)-(nPr)CN(CHPh))(2)PdCl(2)](5) that does not contain a coordinated imine as shown by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Conproportionation between 5 and an equivalent of [PdCl(2)(MeCN)(2)] to does not occur at temperatures up to 100 degrees C in CD(3)CN.     

Highly convenient amine-free sonogashira coupling in air in a polar mixed aqueous medium by trans- and cis-[(NHC)2PdX2] (X=Cl, Br) complexes of N/O-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes

Two new trans- and cis-[(NHC)(2)PdX(2)] (X=Cl, Br) complexes of N/O-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes employed in a highly convenient amine-free Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction in air in a polar mixed aqueous medium are reported. Specifically, the trans-[{1-benzyl-3-(3,3-dimethyl-2-oxobutyl)imidazol-2-ylidene}(2)PdBr(2)] (3) and cis-[{1-benzyl-3-(N-tert-butylacetamido)imidazol-2-ylidene}(2)PdCl(2)] (4) complexes effectively catalyzed the Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction of aryl iodides with substituted acetylenes in air in a mixed solvent (DMF/H(2)O, 3:1 v/v) under amine-free conditions. Interestingly, these trans- and cis-[(NHC)(2)PdX(2)] (X=Cl, Br) complexes, with two N-heterocyclic carbene ligands, exhibited superior activity compared with the now popular PEPPSI (pyridine enhanced precatalyst preparation, stabilization and initiation)-themed analogues, trans-[(NHC)Pd(pyridine)X(2)] (X=Cl, Br), 3 a and 4 a, with one N-heterocyclic carbene ligand and a "throw away" pyridine ligand in a trans disposition to each other. The higher activities of 3 and 4 compared with PEPPSI analogues 3 a and 4 a are attributed to more-electron-rich metal centers, as revealed by DFT studies, in the former complexes and is in concurrence with a more electron-rich metal center being effective in facilitating the oxidative addition of aryl halide, often a rate-determining step in palladium-mediated cross-coupling reactions. Complexes 3 and 4 were prepared from the corresponding silver analogues by transmetalation with [(cod)PdCl(2)], whereas the corresponding PEPPSI analogues 3 a and 4 a were obtained directly from the imidazolium halide salts by reaction with PdCl(2) in pyridine in the presence of K(2)CO(3) as base.     

Highly diastereoselective alkylation of vicinal dianions of chiral succinic acid derivatives: a new general strategy to (R)-β-arylmethyl-γ-butyrolactones

The vicinal dianions derived from chiral succinic acid derivatives, 1,4-bis[(4R,5S)-3,4-dimethyl-2-oxo-5-phenylimidazolidin-1-yl]butane-1,4-dione and 1,4-bis[(4S,5R)-3,4-dimethyl-2-oxo-5-phenylimidazolidin-1-yl]butane-1,4-dione react with arylmethyl bromides with high diastereo- and regio-selectivity to provide the corresponding chiral α-arylmethylated succinic acid derivatives; the (R)-products are converted into (R)-β-arylmethyl-γ-butyrolactones and (R)-α-arylmethyl-γ-butyrolactones.     

Asymmetric synthesis of a P-chiral heteroditopic ligand via chiral metal template promoted cycloaddition between 3,4-dimethyl-1-phenylphosphole and its sulfonated analog

The asymmetric [4+2] Diels-Alder reaction involving 3,4-dimethyl-1-phenylphosphole, DMPP, as the cyclic diene and its P-sulfonated analogue DMPPS as the dienophile was carried out by utilizing the palladium(II) template complex containing ortho-metalated (R)-(1-(dimethylamino)ethyl)naphthalene as the chiral auxiliary. The reaction proceeded regiospecifically and stereoselectively to give corresponding phosphanorbornene ligand as the major product. Throughout the cycloaddition reaction, DMPP functions chemoselectively as the cyclic diene whilst DMPPS assumes the role of dienophile. The absolute stereochemistry of the novel chiral heteroditopic ligand was established by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

1-Methyl-2-vinylpyrrole and 1-phenyl-3,4-dimethylphosphole: their coordination chemistries and reactivities in a chiral palladium complex promoted asymmetric Diels–Alder reaction

Coordinated 1-phenyl-3,4-dimethylphosphole in the chiral complex chloro{(S)-1-[1-(dimethylamino)ethyl]naphthyl-C²,N}[1-phenyl-3,4-dimethylphosphole-P]palladium behaves as an activated cyclic diene in the inter-molecular Diels–Alder reaction with 1-methyl-2-vinylpyrrole to give a pair of diastereomeric P-chiral endo-cycloadducts. The diastereomeric palladium complexes could be separated by fractional crystallization and the enantiomerically pure phosphanorbornene ligands could be liberated individually from the complexes by treatment with potassium cyanide. In contrast, the [4+2] cycloaddition reaction did not occurred under similar conditions when the chloro ligand in the phosphole complex was replaced with a perchlorato ligand.     

Cyclodiphosphazanes with hemilabile ponytails: synthesis, transition metal chemistry (Ru(II), Rh(I), Pd(II), Pt(II)), and crystal and molecular structures of mononuclear (Pd(II), Rh(I)) and bi- and tetranuclear rhodium(I) complexes

Cyclodiphosphazanes having hemilabile ponytails such as cis-[(t)()BuNP(OC(6)H(4)OMe-o)](2) (2), cis-[(t)()BuNP(OCH(2)CH(2)OMe)](2) (3), cis-[(t)BuNP(OCH(2)CH(2)SMe)](2) (4), and cis-[(t)BuNP(OCH(2)CH(2)NMe(2))](2) (5) were synthesized by reacting cis-[(t)()BuNPCl](2) (1) with corresponding nucleophiles. The reaction of 2 with [M(COD)Cl(2)] afforded cis-[MCl(2)(2)(2)] derivatives (M = Pd (6), Pt (7)), whereas, with [Pd(NCPh)(2)Cl(2)], trans-[MCl(2)(2)(2)] (8) was obtained. The reaction of 2 with [Pd(PEt(3))Cl(2)](2), [{Ru(eta(6)-p-cymene)Cl(2)](2), and [M(COD)Cl](2) (M = Rh, Ir) afforded mononuclear complexes of Pd(II) (9), Ru(II) (11), Rh(I) (12), and Ir(I) (13) irrespective of the stoichiometry of the reactants and the reaction condition. In the above complexes the cyclodiphosphazane acts as a monodentate ligand. The reaction of 2 with [PdCl(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))](2) afforded binuclear complex [(PdCl(eta(3)-C(3)H(5)))(2){((t)BuNP(OC(6)H(4)OMe-o))(2)-kappaP}] (10). The reaction of ligand 3 with [Rh(CO)(2)Cl](2) in 1:1 ratio in CH(3)CN under reflux condition afforded tetranuclear rhodium(I) metallamacrocycle (14), whereas the ligands 4 and 5 afforded bischelated binuclear complexes 15 and 16, respectively. The crystal structures of 8, 9, 12, 14, and 16 are reported.     

Tetra-2,3-pyrazinoporphyrazines with externally appended pyridine rings. 5. Synthesis, physicochemical and theoretical studies of a novel pentanuclear palladium(II) complex and related mononuclear species

New palladium(II) complexes of the free-base tetrakis[2,3-(5,6-di-2-pyridylpyrazino)porphyrazine], [Py 8TPyzPzH 2], have been prepared and their physicochemical properties examined. The investigated compounds are the pentanuclear species [(PdCl 2) 4Py 8TPyzPzPd], the monopalladated complex [Py 8TPyzPzPd], and its corresponding octaiodide salt [(2-Mepy) 8TPyzPzPd](I) 8. All three Pd (II) complexes have a common central pyrazinoporphyrazine core and differ only at the periphery of the macrocycle, where the simple dipyridinopyrazine fragments present in [Py 8TPyzPzPd] bear four PdCl 2 units coordinated at the pyridine N atoms in the pentanuclear complex, [(PdCl 2) 4Py 8TPyzPzPd], or carry pyridine-N(CH 3) (+) moieties in the iodide of the octacation [(2-Mepy) 8TPyzPzPd] (8+). The structural features of the pentanuclear complex [(PdCl 2) 4Py 8TPyzPzPd], partly supported by X-ray data and solution (1)H NMR spectra of the [(CN) 2Py 2PyzPdCl 2] precursor, were elucidated through one- and two-dimensional (1)H NMR spectra in solution and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Structural information on the monopalladated complex [Py 8TPyzPzPd] was also obtained from DFT calculations. It was found that in the complex [(PdCl 2) 4Py 8TPyzPzPd] the peripheral PdCl 2 units adopt a py-py coordination mode and the generated N 2PdCl 2 moieties are directed nearly perpendicular to the plane of the pyrazinoporphyrazine ring, strictly recalling the arrangement found for the palladated precursor [(CN) 2Py 2PyzPdCl 2]. NMR and DFT results consistently indicate that of the four structural isomers predictable for [(PdCl 2) 4Py 8TPyzPzPd], one having all four N 2PdCl 2 moieties pointing on the same side of the macrocyclic framework (i.e., isomer 4:0, plus the 3:1 and the 2:2-cis and 2:2-trans isomers), the 4:0 isomer ( C 4 v symmetry) is the predominant form present. According to cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemical results in pyridine, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and dimethylformamide (DMF), the monopalladated complex [Py 8TPyzPzPd] undergoes four reversible or quasi-reversible one-electron ligand-centered reductions, similar to the behavior also observed for the pentanuclear complex [(PdCl 2) 4Py 8TPyzPzPd], which shows an additional reduction peak attributable to the presence of PdCl 2. Owing to the electron-withdrawing properties of the PdCl 2 units, the pentanuclear complex is easier to reduce than the mononuclear complex [Py 8TPyzPzPd], some related [Py 8TPyzPzM] complexes, and their porphyrin or porphyrazine analogues, so much so that the corresponding monoanion radical is generated at potentials close to 0.0 V vs SCE in DMSO or DMF. In turn, the monoanion of [(2-Mepy) 8TPyzPzPd](I) 8 is also extremely easy to generate electrochemically. Indeed, because of the eight positively charged N-CH 3 (+) groups in this complex the first reduction occurs at potentials close to +0.10 V in DMSO or DMF. The redox behavior of the mono- and pentapalladated complexes has been rationalized on the basis of a detailed DFT analysis of their ground-state electronic structure.     

Coordinatively unsaturated semisandwich complexes of ruthenium with phosphinoamine ligands and related species: a complex containing (R,R)-1,2-bis((diisopropylphosphino)amino)cyclohexane in a new coordination form kappa(3)P,P',N-eta(2)-P,N

The syntheses of the chloro complexes [Ru(eta5-C5R5)Cl(L)] (R = H, Me; L = phosphinoamine ligand) (1a-d) have been carried out by reaction of [(eta5-C5H5)RuCl(PPh3)2] or {(eta5-C5Me5)RuCl}4 with the corresponding phosphinoamine (R,R)-1,2-bis((diisopropylphosphino)amino)cyclohexane), R,R-dippach, or 1,2-bis(((diisopropylphosphino)amino)ethane), dippae. The chloride abstraction reactions from these compounds lead to different products depending on the starting chlorocomplex and the reaction conditions. Under argon atmosphere, chloride abstraction from [(eta5-C5Me5)RuCl(R,R-dippach)] with NaBAr'4 yields the compound [(eta5-C5Me5)Ru(kappa3P,P'-(R,R)-dippach)][BAr'4] (2b) which exhibits a three-membered ring Ru-N-P by a new coordination form of this phosphinoamine. However, under the same conditions the reaction starting from [(eta5-C5Me5)RuCl(dippae)] yields the unsaturated 16 electron complex [(eta5-C5Me5)Ru(dippae)][BAr'4] (2d). The bonding modes of R,R-dippach and dippae ligands have been analyzed by DFT calculations. The possibility of tridentate P,N,P-coordination of the phosphinoamide ligand to a fragment [(eta5-C5Me5)Ru]+ is always present, but only the presence of a cyclohexane unit in the ligand framework converts this bonding mode in a more favorable option than the usual P,P-coordination. Dinitrogen [(eta5-C5R5)Ru(N2)(L)][BAr'4] (3a-d) and dioxygen complexes [(eta5-C5H5)Ru(O2)(R,R-dippach)][BPh4] (4a) and [(eta5-C5Me5)Ru(O2)(L)][BPh4] (4b,d) have been prepared by chloride abstraction under dinitrogen or dioxygen atmosphere, respectively. The presence of 16 electron [(eta5-C5H5)Ru(R,R-dippach)]+ species in fluorobenzene solutions of the corresponding dinitrogen or dioxygen complexes in conjunction with the presence of [BAr'4]- gave in some cases a small fraction of [Ru(eta5-C5H5)(eta6-C6H5F)][BAr'4] (5a), which has been isolated and characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis and structure of a distorted octahedral palladium(II) complex coordinated with a tetrathioether ligand tethered with bulky substituents

A new type of an o-phenylene-bridged tetrathioether ligand tethered with extremely bulky substituents, 2,4,6-tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl (Tbt) groups, at its terminal sulfur atoms, TbtS[(o-phenylene)S]3Tbt (1), was synthesized by taking advantage of the coupling reaction of thiols with iodobenzenes using Cu2O in 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine. Complexation of 1 with Na2PdCl4 gave the corresponding dichloropalladium(II) complex, [PdCl2(1)] (7). The X-ray structural analysis of 7 indicated that the central palladium metal is in a distorted octahedral environment, where the two inner sulfur atoms of 1 and the two chlorine atoms form a square planar arrangement around the palladium metal and the two terminal sulfur atoms of 1 weakly coordinate to the palladium center at the axial positions. In addition, a phenyl analogue of 1, PhS[(o-phenylene)S]3Ph (2), was synthesized by a method similar to that for 1. Reaction of 2 with Na2PdCl4 gave the corresponding dichloropalladium(II) complex, [PdCl2(2)] (8). X-ray crystallography of 8 showed a type of the structure different from the distorted octahedral structure in 7, i.e., a square planar arrangement around the central palladium atom with the one terminal sulfur atom of 2, its neighboring sulfur atom, and the two chlorine atoms. The results of the NMR studies on 8 in a CDCl3 solution were not consistent with the results of the X-ray crystallography and suggested the coordination of the two inner sulfur atoms of 2 to the palladium metal, although a possibility of the existence of the rapid interconversion among isomers could not be excluded.