Synthesis and properties of Rh(I) and Ir(I) distibine complexes with organometallic co-ligands

The first series of Rh(I) distibine complexes with organometallic co-ligands is described, including the five-coordinate [Rh(cod)(distibine)Cl], the 16-electron planar cations [Rh(cod)(distibine)]BF4 and [Rh{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]BF4 and the five-coordinate [Rh(CO)(distibine)2][Rh(CO)2Cl2] (distibine=R2Sb(CH2)3SbR2, R=Ph or Me, and o-C6H4(CH2SbMe2)2). The corresponding Ir(I) species [Ir(cod)(distibine)]BF4 and [Ir{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]BF4 have also been prepared. The complexes have been characterised by 1H and 13C{1H} NMR and IR spectroscopy, electrospray mass spectrometry and microanalysis. The crystal structure of the anion exchanged [Rh(CO){Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]PF(6).3/4CH2Cl2 is also described. The methyl-substituted distibine complexes are less stable than the complexes of Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2, with C-Sb fission occurring in some of the complexes of the former. The salts [Rh(CO){Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]PF6 and [Rh{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]BF4 undergo oxidative addition with Br2 to give the known [RhBr2{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]+, while using HCl gives the same hydride complex from both precursors, which is tentatively assigned as [RhHCl2{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}]. An unexpected further Rh(III) product from this reaction, trans-[RhCl2{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}{PhClSb(CH2)3SbClPh}]Cl, was identified by a crystal structure analysis and represents the first structurally characterised example of a chlorostibine coordinated to a metal. [Rh{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]BF4 reacts with CO to give [Rh(CO){Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]BF4 initially, and upon further exposure this species undergoes further reversible carbonylation to give a cis-dicarbonyl species thought to be [Rh(CO)2{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}{kappa1Sb-Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}]BF4 which converts back to the monocarbonyl complex when the CO atmosphere is replaced with N2.     

Preparation, properties and structures of the first series of organometallic Pt(II) and Pt(IV) complexes with stibine co-ligands

The planar Pt(II) monomers [PtMe2(L-L)] and [(PtMe2)2(L'-L')2] dimers (L-L = R2Sb(CH2)3SbR2, o-C6H4(CH2SbMe2)2; L'-L' = R2SbCH2SbR2; R = Me or Ph) are obtained in good yield via reaction of [PtMe2(SMe2)2] with L-L or L'-L' in benzene. The Pt(iv) stibines, [PtMe3(L-L)I] (L-L = R2Sb(CH2)3SbR2, o-C6H4(CH2SbMe2)2 or 2 x SbPh3, SbMePh2 or SbMe2Ph) are obtained by treatment of [PtMe3I] with L-L in chloroform. These represent the first series of stable Pt(IV) stibine complexes. All of the products have been characterised by 1H, 13C{1H}, 195Pt NMR spectroscopy, electrospray mass spectrometry and analysis. Crystal structure determinations on [PtMe3{R2Sb(CH2)3SbR2}I], [PtMe3{o-C6H4(CH2SbMe2)2}I] and [PtMe3(SbPh3)2I] confirm the distorted octahedral environment at Pt, with fac Me groups and mutually cis Sb donor atoms. The Sb-Pt-Sb angle in the seven-membered chelate ring of the o-C6H4(CH2SbMe2)2 complex is ca. 96 degrees , compared to <90 degrees in the complexes with six-membered chelates. The C1-distibines R2SbCH2SbR2 afford only the dinuclear [(PtMe3)2(mu-R2SbCH2SbR2)(mu-I)2] in which the stibine ligand and two I atoms bridge two Pt atoms giving an edge sharing bioctahedral geometry which has been confirmed by a crystal structure analysis. The Pt(II) species undergo oxidative addition with MeI to give the corresponding Pt(IV) species, while the Pt(IV) species reductively eliminate ethane upon thermolysis.     

Reactions of Ph3Sb═S with copper(I) complexes supported by N-donor ligands: formation of stable adducts and S-transfer reactivity

In the exploration of sulfur-delivery reagents useful for synthesizing models of the tetracopper-sulfide cluster of nitrous oxide reductase, reactions of Ph(3)Sb═S with Cu(I) complexes of N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-2R,3R-cyclohexanediamine (TMCHD) and 1,4,7-trialkyltriazacyclononanes (R(3)tacn; R = Me, Et, iPr) were studied. Treatment of [(R(3)tacn)Cu(NCCH(3))]SbF(6) (R = Me, Et, or iPr) with 1 equiv of S═SbPh(3) in CH(2)Cl(2) yielded adducts [(R(3)tacn)Cu(S═SbPh(3))]SbF(6) (1-3), which were fully characterized, including by X-ray crystallography. The adducts slowly decayed to [(R(3)tacn)(2)Cu(2)(μ-η(2):η(2)-S(2))](2+) species (4-6) and SbPh(3), or more quickly in the presence of additional [(R(3)tacn)Cu(NCCH(3))]SbF(6) to 4-6 and [(R(3)tacn)Cu(SbPh(3))]SbF(6) (7-9). The results of mechanistic studies of the latter process were consistent with rapid intermolecular exchange of S═SbPh(3) between 1-3 and added [(R(3)tacn)Cu(NCCH(3))]SbF(6), followed by conversion to product via a dicopper intermediate formed in a rapid pre-equilibrium step. Key evidence supporting this step came from the observation of saturation behavior in a plot of the initial rate of loss of 1 versus the initial concentration of [(Me(3)tacn)Cu(NCCH(3))]SbF(6). Also, treatment of [(TMCHD)Cu(CH(3)CN)]PF(6) with S═SbPh(3) led to the known tricopper cluster [(TMCHD)(3)Cu(3)(μ(3)-S)(2)](PF(6))(3) in good yield (79%), a synthetic procedure superior to that previously reported (Brown, E. C.; York, J. T.; Antholine, W. E.; Ruiz, E.; Alvarez, S.; Tolman, W. B. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 13752-13753).     

Group 6 imido complexes supported by diamido-donor ligands

Reactions of the lithiated diamido-pyridine or diamido-amine ligands Li(2)N(2)N(py) or Li(2)N(2)N(am) with [W(NAr)Cl(4)(THF)] (Ar = Ph or 2,6-C(6)H(3)Me(2); THF = tetrahydrofuran) afforded the corresponding imido-dichloride complexes [W(NAr)(N(2)N(py))Cl(2)] (R = Ph, 1, or 2,6-C(6)H(3)Me(2), 2) or [W(NAr)(N(2)N(am))Cl(2)] (R = Ph, 3, or 2,6-C(6)H(3)Me(2), 4), respectively, where N(2)N(py) = MeC(2-C(5)H(4)N)(CH(2)NSiMe(3))(2) and N(2)N(am) = Me(3)SiN(CH(2)CH(2)NSiMe(3))(2). Subsequent reactions of 1 with MeMgBr or PhMgCl afforded the dimethyl or diphenyl complexes [W(NPh)(N(2)N(py))R(2)] (R = Me, 5, or Ph, 6), respectively, which have both been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Reactions of Li(2)N(2)N(py) or Li(2)N(2)N(am) with [Mo(NR)(2)Cl(2)(DME)] (R = (t)Bu or Ph; DME = 1,2-dimethoxyethane) afforded the corresponding bis(imido) complexes [Mo(NR)(2)(N(2)N(py))] (R = (t)Bu, 7, or Ph, 8) and [Mo(N(t)Bu)(2)(N(2)N(am))] (9).     

Tri-chlorido, 2-methylallyl and 2-butenyl tert-butylimido niobium and tantalum complexes: synthesis, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and reactivity

Pseudooctahedral complexes [MCl(3)(NtBu)L(2)] (M = Nb, L = py 1, ? tmeda 3; M = Ta, L = py 2, ? tmeda 4) have been studied by spectroscopic methods. By a VT (1)H NMR experiment a mutual exchange process between the py(ax) and py(free) in the complexes 1-2 was observed, whereas (13)C and (15)N NMR studies showed in the complexes 3-4 a tmeda ligand with an axial/equatorial coordination mode. The reaction of 2 with 3 equiv of Grignard reagent produces the methathesis products [TaR(3)(NtBu)] (R = CH(2)CMeCH(2)5, CH(2)CHCHCH(3)6) in which 2-methylallyl and 2-butenyl groups appear with a η(3)- and σ-coordination mode, respectively. When, toluene solutions of the compounds 5-6 were treated with 2 equiv of 2,6-dimethylphenylisocyanide the imido bisiminoacyl compounds [TaR(NtBu){C(R)NAr-κ(1)C}(2)] (Ar = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3); R = CH(2)CMeCH(2)7, CH(2)CHCHCH(3)8) can be isolated, via an imido iminoacyl intermediate [TaR(2)(NtBu){C(R)NAr-κ(1)C}] (Ar = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3); R = CH(2)CMeCH(2)9) as we have observed in the treatment of 5 with 1 equiv of isocyanide; however, the analogous reaction between 5 and COPh(2) leads to the formation of the trisalkoxo imido compound [Ta(OCPh(2)R)(3)(NtBu)] (R = CH(2)CMeCH(2)10). All new complexes were studied by IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy.     

Trialkyl imido niobium and tantalum compounds: synthesis, structural study and migratory insertion reactions

Trialkyl imido niobium and tantalum complexes [MR(3)(NtBu)] (M = Nb, R = Me 2, CH(2)CMe(3)3, CH(2)CMe(2)Ph 4, CH(2)SiMe(3)5; M = Ta, R = Me 6, CH(2)CMe(2)Ph 7, CH(2)SiMe(3)8) have been prepared by treatment of solutions containing [MCl(3)(NtBu)py(2)] (M = Nb 1a, Ta 1b) with three equivalents of magnesium reagent. By an unexpected hydrolysis reaction of the tris-trimethylsilylmethyl imido tantalum compound 8a, a μ-oxo derivative [(Me(3)SiCH(2)O)(Me(3)SiCH(2))(3)Ta(μ-O)Ta(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(NtBu)] (8a) was formed and its structure was studied by X-ray diffraction methods. Reactions of trialkyl imido compounds with two equivalents of isocyanide 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3)NC result in the migration of two alkyl groups, leading to the formation of a series of alkyl imido bisiminoacyl derivatives [MR(NtBu){C(R)NAr}(2)] (Ar = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3); M = Nb, R = Me 9, CH(2)CMe(3)10, CH(2)CMe(2)Ph 11, CH(2)SiMe(3)12, CH(2)Ph 13; M = Ta, R = CH(2)CMe(3)14, CH(2)CMe(2)Ph 15, CH(2)SiMe(3)16). All compounds were studied by IR and NMR ((1)H, (13)C and (15)N) spectroscopy.     

Novel tailoring reaction for two adjacent coordinated nitriles giving platinum 1,3,5-triazapentadiene complexes

The tailoring reaction of the two adjacent nitrile ligands in cis-[PtCl(2)(RCN)(2)] (R = Me, Et, CH(2)Ph, Ph) and [Pt(tmeda)(EtCN)(2)][SO(3)CF(3)](2) (8.(OTf)(2); tmeda = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine) upon their interplay with N,N'-diphenylguanidine (DPG; NH=C(NHPh)(2)), in a 1:2 molar ratio gives the 1,3,5-triazapentadiene complexes [PtCl(2){NHC(R)NHC(R)=NH}] (1-4) and [Pt(tmeda){NHC(Et)NHC(Et)NH}][SO(3)CF(3)](2) (10.(OTf)(2)), respectively. In contrast to the reaction of 8.(OTf)(2) with NH=C(NHPh)(2), interaction of 8.(OTf)(2) with excess gaseous NH(3) leads to formation of the platinum(II) bis(amidine) complex cis-[Pt(tmeda){NH=C(NH(2))Et}(2)][SO(3)CF(3)](2) (9.(OTf)(2)). Treatment of trans-[PtCl(2)(RCN)(2)] (R = Et, CH(2)Ph, Ph) with 2 equiv of NH=C(NHPh)(2) in EtCN (R = Et) and CH(2)Cl(2) (R = CH(2)Ph, Ph) solutions at 20-25 degrees C leads to [PtCl{NH=C(R)NC(NHPh)=NPh}(RCN)] (11-13). When any of the trans-[PtCl(2)(RCN)(2)] (R = Et, CH(2)Ph, Ph) complexes reacts in the corresponding nitrile RCN with 4 equiv of DPG at prolonged reaction time (75 degrees C, 1-2 days), complexes containing two bidentate 1,3,5-triazapentadiene ligands, i.e. [Pt{NH=C(R)NC(NHPh)=NPh}(2)] (14-16), are formed. Complexes 14-16 exhibit strong phosphorescence in the solid state, with quantum yields (peak wavelengths) of 0.39 (530 nm), 0.61 (460 nm), and 0.74 (530 nm), respectively. The formulation of the obtained complexes was supported by satisfactory C, H, and N elemental analyses, in agreement with FAB-MS, ESI-MS, IR, and (1)H and (13)C{(1)H} NMR spectra. The structures of 1, 2, 4, 11, 13, 14, 9.(picrate)(2), and 10.(picrate)(2) were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

New and versatile routes to zirconium imido dichloride compounds

Reactions of zirconium dialkyl- or bis(amido)-dichloride complexes "[Zr(CH2SiMe3)2Cl2(Et2O)2]" or [Zr(NMe2)2Cl2(THF)2] with primary alkyl and aryl amines are described. Reaction of "[Zr(CH2SiMe3)2Cl2(Et2O)2]" with RNH2 in THF afforded dimeric [Zr2(mu-NR)2Cl4(THF)4](R=2,6-C6H3iPr2 (1), 2,6-C6H3Me2 (2) or Ph (3)), [Zr2(mu-NR)2Cl4(THF)3](R=tBu (5), iPr (6), CH2Ph (7)), or the "ate" complex [Zr2(mu-NC6F5)2Cl6(THF)2{Li(THF)3}2](4, the LiCl coming from the in situ prepared "[Zr(CH2SiMe3)2Cl2(Et2O)2]"). With [Zr(NMe2)2Cl2(THF)2] the compounds [Zr2(mu-NR)2Cl4(L)x(L')y](R=2,6-C6H3iPr2 (8), 2,6-C6H3Me2 (9), Ph (10) or C6F5 (11); (L)x(L')y=(NHMe2)3(THF), (NHMe2)2(THF)2 or undefined), [Zr2(mu-NtBu)2Cl4(NHMe2)3] (12) and insoluble [Zr(NR)Cl2(NHMe2)]x(R=iPr (13) or CH2Ph (14)) were obtained. Attempts to form monomeric terminal imido compounds by reaction of or with an excess of pyridine led, respectively, to the corresponding dimeric adducts [Zr2(mu-2,6-C6H3Me2)2Cl4(py)4] (15) and [Zr2(mu-NtBu)2Cl4(py)3] (16). The X-ray structures of 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 15 have been determined.     

Synthesis, structural characterization, reactivity, and thermal stability of [eta(5):sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(R)(NMe2)

Reaction of [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]TiCl(NMe2) (1) with 1 equiv of PhCH2K, MeMgBr, or Me3SiCH2Li gave corresponding organotitanium alkyl complexes [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(R)(NMe2) (R = CH2Ph (2), CH2SiMe3 (4), or Me (5)) in good yields. Treatment of 1 with 1 equiv of n-BuLi afforded the decomposition product {[eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti}2(mu-NMe)(mu:sigma-CH2NMe) (3). Complex 5 slowly decomposed to generate a mixed-valence dinuclear species {[eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti}2(mu-NMe2)(mu:sigma-CH2NMe) (6). Complex 1 reacted with 1 equiv of PhNCO or 2,6-Me2C6H3NC to afford the corresponding monoinsertion product [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(Cl)[eta(2)-OC(NMe2)NPh] (7) or [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(Cl)[eta(2)-C(NMe2)=N(2,6-Me2C6H3)] (8). Reaction of 4 or 5 with 1 equiv of R'NC gave the titanium eta(2)-iminoacyl complexes [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(NMe2)[eta(2)-C(R)=N(R')] (R = CH2SiMe3, R' = 2,6-Me2C6H3 (9) or tBu (10); R = Me, R' = 2,6-Me2C6H3 (11) or tBu (12)). The results indicated that the unsaturated molecules inserted into the Ti-N bond only in the absence of the Ti-C(alkyl) bond and that the Ti-C(cage) bond remained intact. All complexes were fully characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and elemental analyses. Molecular structures of 2, 3, 6-8, and 10-12 were further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analyses.     

Zirconium and hafnium (1-pyridinio)imido complexes: functionalized terminal hydrazinediido analogues

Reaction of the diamidozirconium complex [Zr(N2(TBS)Npy)(NMe2)2] (1) (N2(TBS)Npy = CH3C(C5H4N)(CH2NSiMe2tBu)2) or the diamidohafnium complex [Hf(N2(TBS)Npy)(NMe2)2] (2) with one molar equiv. of 1-aminopyridinium triflate in the presence of one equiv. of pyridine gave the corresponding (1-pyridinio)imido complexes [Zr(N2(TBS)Npy)(=N-NC5H5)(OTf)(py)] (3) and [Hf(N2(TBS)Npy)(=N-NC5H5)(OTf)(py)] (4). These were converted to the acetylide complexes [Zr(N2(TBS)Npy)(=N-NC5H5)(CCPh)(py)] (5) and [Hf(N2(TBS)Npy)(=N-NC5H5)(CCPh)(py)] (6) by reaction with lithium phenylacetylide and substitution of the triflato ligand. Upon reaction of 3 and 4 with one molar equivalent of R-NC (R = tBu, Cy, 2,6-xyl), N-N bond cleavage in the (1-pyridinio)imido unit took place and the respective carbodiimido complexes [M(N2(TBS)Npy](N=C=NR)(OTf)(py)] (7-12) were formed instantaneously. A similar type of reaction with CO gave the isocyanato complex [Zr(N2(TBS)Npy](NCO)(OTf)(py)] (13). Finally, the abstraction of the pyridine ligand in compounds 3 and 4 with B(C6F5)3 led to the formation of the triflato-bridged dinuclear complexes [Zr(N2(TBS)Npy)(=N-NC5H5)(OTf)]2 (14) and [Hf(N2(TBS)Npy)(=N-NC5H5)(OTf)]2 (15).     

Synthesis and reactivity studies of palladium(II) complexes containing the N-phosphorylated iminophosphorane-phosphine ligands Ph2PCH2P{=NP(=O)(OR)2}Ph2 (R=Et, Ph): application to the catalytic synthesis of 2,3-dimethylfuran

Reactions of [PdCl2(COD)] with 1 equiv. of the iminophosphorane-phosphine ligands Ph2PCH2P{=NP(=O)(OR)2}Ph2 (R=Et, Ph) lead to the novel Pd(II) derivatives cis-[PdCl2(kappa2-(P,N)-Ph2PCH2P{=NP(=O)(OR)2}Ph2)] (R=Et, Ph). Pd-N bond cleavage readily takes place upon treatment of these species with a variety of two-electron donor ligands. By this way, complexes cis-[PdCl2(kappa1-(P)-Ph2PCH2P{=NP(=O)(OR)2}Ph2)(L)] (R=Et, L=CNtBu, CN-2,6-C6H3Me2, py, P(OMe)3, P(OEt)3; R=Ph, L=CNtBu, CN-2,6-C6H3Me2, py, P(OMe)3, P(OEt)3) have been synthesized in high yields. The addition of two equivalents of ligands to dichloromethane solutions of [PdCl2(COD)] results in the formation of complexes trans-[PdCl2(kappa1-(P)-Ph2PCH2P{=NP(=O)(OR)2}Ph2)2] (R=Et, Ph), which can be converted into the dicationic species [Pd(Ph2PCH2P{=NP(=O)(OR)2}Ph2)2][SbF6]2 (R=Et, Ph) by treatment with AgSbF6. Complex also reacts with CNtBu to afford trans-[Pd(kappa1(P)-Ph2PCH2P{=NP(=O)(OPh)2}Ph2)2(CNtBu)2][SbF6]2. The structures of and have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. In addition, the ability of these Pd(II) complexes to promote the catalytic cycloisomerization of (Z)-3-methylpent-2-en-4-yn-1-ol into 2,3-dimethylfuran has also been studied.     

Dinuclear and Tetranuclear Cages of Oxodiphenylantimony Phosphinates: Synthesis and Structures

The novel dimeric compounds [Ph(2)Sb(O(2)PR(2))O](2).2CH(2)Cl(2) [R = cycl-C(6)H(11) (2) and cycl-C(8)H(15) (3)] have been synthesized by reacting diphenylantimony trichloride (1) with 3 mol equiv of silver acetate followed by 1 mol equiv of the phosphinic acid. By the same route under more stringent conditions to exclude moisture, the mixed phosphinate-acetate [Ph(2)Sb(O(2)P(C(6)H(11))(2))(O(2)CMe)](2)O (4) was isolated and characterized. Treatment of 2 with acetic acid/water affords the tetranuclear cage Ph(8)Sb(4)O(4)(OH)(2)(O(2)P(C(6)H(11))(2))(2).CH(3)COOH.CH(2)Cl(2) (5); it is possible to convert 5 to 2 by heating it with an excess of the phosphinic acid. Compounds 2, 3, and 5 have been characterized by X-ray structural analysis. All of them possess four membered Sb(2)O(2) rings with hexacoordinated antimony. In 5 the antimony atoms in the two Sb(2)O(2) rings are connected by oxo bridges on two sides to give an Sb(4)O(6) cage. These structures are correlated with those of known tin cages.     

Nitrile-amidine coupling at Pt(IV) and Pt(II) centers. An easy entry to imidoylamidine complexes

Treatment of trans-[PtCl4(RCN)2] (R = Me, Et, Ph, NEt2) with 2 equiv of the amidine PhC(=NH)NHPh in a suspension of MeCN (R = Me), CHCl3 (R = Et, Ph), or in CHCl3 solution (R = NEt2) results in the formation of the imidoylamidine complexes trans-[PtCl4{NH=C(R)N=C(Ph)NHPh}2] (1-4) isolated in good yields (66-84%). The reaction of soluble complexes 3 and 4 with 2 equiv of Ph3P=CHCO2Me in CH2Cl2 (40 degrees C, 5 h) leads to dehydrochlorination resulting in a chelate ring closure to furnish the platinum(IV) chelates [PtCl2{NH=C(R)NC(Ph)=NPh}2] (R = Ph, 5; R = NEt2, 6), accordingly, and the phosphonium salt [Ph3PCH2CO2Me]Cl. Treatment of 5 with 3 equiv of Ph3P=CHCO2Me at 50 degrees C for 5 d resulted in only a 30% conversion to the corresponding Pt(II) complex [Pt{NH=C(NEt2)NC(Ph)=NPh}2] (15). The reduction can be achieved within several minutes, when Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2 in CDCl3 is used. When the platinum(II) complex trans-[PtCl2(RCN)2] is reacted with 2 equiv of the amidine, the imidoylamidinato complexes [PtCl(RCN){NH=C(R)NC(Ph)=NHPh}] (8-11) and [PhC(=NH)NHPh] x HCl (7) are formed. The reaction of trans-[PtCl2(RCN)2] with 4 equiv of the amidine under a prolonged reaction time or treatment of [PtCl(RCN){NH=C(R)NC(Ph)=NHPh}] (8-11) with 2 more equiv of the amidine yields the complex bearing two chelate rings [Pt{NH=C(R)NC(Ph)=NHPh}2] (12-15). The treatment of cis-[PtCl2(RCN)2] (R = Me, Et) with the amidine gives ca. 50-60% yield of [PtCl2{NH=C(R)NHC(Ph)=NHPh}] (16 and 17). All of the platinum compounds were characterized by elemental analyses; FAB mass spectrometry; IR spectroscopy; 1H, 13C{1H}, and 195Pt NMR spectroscopies, and four of them (4, 6, 8, and 15) were also characterized by X-ray crystallography. The coupling of the Pt-bound nitriles and the amidine is metal-mediated insofar as RCN and PhC(=NH)NHPh do not react in the absence of the metal centers in conditions more drastic than those of the observed reactions. The nitrile-amidine coupling reported in this work constitutes a route to the synthesis of imidoylamidine complexes, some of them exhibiting luminescent properties.     

Application of molybdenum bis(imido) complexes in ethylene dimerisation catalysis

In combination with EtAlCl(2) (Mo : Al = 1 : 15) the imido complexes [MoCl(2)(NR)(NR')(dme)] (R = R' = 2,6-Pr(i)(2)-C(6)H(3) (1); R = 2,6-Pr(i)(2)-C(6)H(3), R' = Bu(t) (3); R = R' = Bu(t) (4); dme = 1,2-dimethoxyethane) and [Mo(NHBu(t))(2)(NR)(2)] (R = 2,6-Pr(i)(2)-C(6)H(3) (5); R = Bu(t) (6)) each show moderate TON, activity, and selectivity for the catalytic dimerisation of ethylene, which is influenced by the nature of the imido substituents. In contrast, the productivity of [MoCl(2)(NPh)(2)(dme)] (2) is low and polymerisation is favoured over dimerisation. Catalysis initiated by complexes 1-4 in combination with MeAlCl(2) (Mo : Al = 1 : 15) exhibits a significantly lower productivity. Reaction of complex 5 with EtAlCl(2) (2 equiv.) gives rise to a mixture of products, while addition of MeAlCl(2) affords [MoMe(2)(N-2,6-Pr(i)(2)-C(6)H(3))(2)]. Treatment of 6 with RAlCl(2) (2 equiv.) (R = Me, Et) yields [Mo({μ-N-Bu(t)}AlCl(2))(2)] (7) in both cases. Imido derivatives 1 and 3 react with Me(3)Al and MeAlCl(2) to form the bimetallic complexes [MoMe(2)(N{R}AlMe(2){μ-Cl})(NR')] (R = R' = 2,6-Pr(i)(2)-C(6)H(3) (8); R = 2,6-Pr(i)(2)-C(6)H(3), R' = Bu(t) (10)) and [MoMe(2)(N{R}AlCl(2){μ-Cl})(NR')] (R = R' = 2,6-Pr(i)(2)-C(6)H(3) (9); R = 2,6-Pr(i)(2)-C(6)H(3), R' = Bu(t) (11)), respectively. Exposure of complex 8 to five equivalents of thf or PMe(3) affords the adducts [MoMe(2)(N-2,6-Pr(i)(2)-C(6)H(3))(2)(L)] (L = thf (12); L = PMe(3) (13)), while reaction with NEt(3) (5 equiv.) yields [MoMe(2)(N-2,6-Pr(i)(2)-C(6)H(3))(2)]. The molecular structures of complexes 5, 9 and 11 have been determined.     

Imidomolybdenum(IV) porphyrin complexes: synthesis, characterization, and intermetal imido transfer reactivity

The imido(meso-tetra-p-tolylporphyrinato)molybdenum(IV) complexes, (TTP)Mo=NR, where R = C6H5 (1a), p-CH3C6H4 (1b), 2,4,6-(CH3)3C6H2 (1c), and 2,6-(i-Pr)2C6H4 (1d), can be prepared by the reaction of (TTP)MoCl2 with 2 equiv of LiNHR in toluene. Upon treatment of the imido complexes with pyridine derivatives, NC5H4-p-X (X = CH3, CH(CH3)2, C[triple bond]N), new six-coordinate complexes, (TTP)Mo=NR.NC5H4-p-X, were observed. The reaction between the molybdenum imido complexes, (TTP)Mo=NC6H5 or (TTP)Mo=NC6H4CH3, and (TTP)Ti(eta2-PhC[triple bond]CPh) resulted in complete imido group transfer and two-electron redox of the metal centers to give (TTP)Mo(eta2-PhC[triple bond]CPh) and (TTP)Ti=NC6H5 or (TTP)Ti=NC6H4CH3.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of unprecedented phosphine adducts of d(1)-aryl imido-vanadium(IV) complexes

The reaction of the imido precursor [V(NAr)Cl(2)](n)() (1) (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr(2)C(6)H(3)) with 3 equiv of PMe(2)Ph yields the monomeric complex [V(=NAr)Cl(2)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] (2). Reacting 1 with 1.5 equiv of dmpe or 1 equiv of dppm affords the dimeric complexes [V(=NAr)Cl(2)(dmpe)](2)(mu-P,P'-dmpe) (3) and [V(=NAr)Cl(2)(dppm)](2) (4), respectively. Complexes 2-4 have been fully characterized by spectroscopic methods, magnetism studies, and X-ray crystallography.     

Access to new Janus head ligands: linking sulfur diimides and phosphanes for hemilabile tripodal scorpionates

Reactions of lithium dialkyl/phenyl phosphanylmethylides, RR'PCH(X)Li (R, R' = Me, Et, Ph and R = Me, R' = Ph; X = H or Me), with sulfur diimides S(NR')2 (R' = (t)Bu or SiMe3) in an equimolar ratio yielded Janus head complexes with the structural motif [Li{RR'PCH(X)S(NR')2}]2 (R' = (t)Bu, SiMe3). The basic core of these dimeric complexes is composed of a (LiN)(2) four-membered ring containing two four-coordinated lithium atoms. A lithium complex of the new Janus head ligand with another structural motif [TMEDA·Li{Ph(2)PCH(2)S(NSiMe3)2}] (6) could be isolated from the reaction of [Ph2PCH2Li·TMEDA] with S(NSiMe3)2. Two monomeric complexes [Mg{Me2PCH2S(NR')2}2] (7, 8) were synthesised by a straightforward reaction of [Li{Me2PCH2S(NR')2}2] with MgCl2 in pentane. The magnesium atom is chelated by one phosphorus atom and two nitrogen atoms of each unit of the hemilabile ligand in a tripodal manner, leading to octahedral geometry around the magnesium cation. A complete analysis of [Ph2PCH2(SNSiMe3)(HNSiMe3)] (9) is also described in which one nitrogen atom of the imido moiety is protonated.     

Kinetic and mechanistic study of the Pt(II) versus Pt(IV) effect in the platinum-mediated nitrile-hydroxylamine coupling

The metal-mediated coupling between coordinated EtCN in the platinum(II) and platinum(IV) complexes cis- and trans-[PtCl(2)(EtCN)(2)], trans-[PtCl(4)(EtCN)(2)], a mixture of cis/trans-[PtCl(4)(EtCN)(2)] or [Ph(3)PCH(2)Ph][PtCl(n)(EtCN)] (n = 3, 5), and dialkyl- and dibenzylhydroxylamines R(2)NOH (R = Me, Et, CH(2)Ph, CH(2)C(6)H(4)Cl-p) proceeds smoothly in CH(2)Cl(2) at 20-25 degrees C and the subsequent workup allowed the isolation of new imino species [PtCl(n){NH=C(Et)ONR(2)}(2)] (n = 2, R = Me, cis-1 and trans-1; Et, cis-2 and trans-2; CH(2)Ph, cis-3 and trans-3; CH(2)C(6)H(4)Cl-p, cis-4 and trans-4; n = 4, R = Me, trans-9; Et, trans-10; CH(2)Ph, trans-11; CH(2)C(6)H(4)Cl-p, trans-12) or [Ph(3)PCH(2)Ph][PtCl(n){NH=C(Et)ONR(2)}] (n = 3, R = Me, 5; Et, 6; CH(2)Ph, 7; CH(2)C(6)H(4)Cl-p, 8; n = 5, R = Me, 13; Et, 14; CH(2)Ph, 15; CH(2)C(6)H(4)Cl-p, 16) in excellent to good (95-80%) isolated yields. The reduction of the Pt(IV) complexes 9-16 with the ylide Ph(3)P=CHCO(2)Me allows the synthesis of Pt(II) species 1-8. The compounds 1-16 were characterized by elemental analyses (C, H, N), FAB-MS, IR, (1)H, (13)C{(1)H}, and (31)P{(1)H} NMR (the latter for the anionic type complexes 5-8 and 13-16) and by X-ray crystallography for the Pt(II) (cis-1, cis-2, and trans-4) and Pt(IV) (15) species. Kinetic studies of addition of R(2)NOH (R = CH(2)C(6)H(4)Cl-p) to complexes [Ph(3)PCH(2)Ph][Pt(II)Cl(3)(EtCN)] and [Ph(3)PCH(2)Ph][Pt(IV)Cl(5)(EtCN)] by the (1)H NMR technique revealed that both reactions are first order in (p-ClC(6)H(4)CH(2))(2)NOH and Pt(II) or Pt(IV) complex, the second-order rate constant k(2) being three orders of magnitude larger for the Pt(IV) complex. The reactions are intermolecular in nature as proved by the independence of k(2) on the concentrations of added EtC triple bond N and Cl(-). These data and the calculated values of Delta H++ and Delta S++ are consistent with the mechanism involving the rate-limiting nucleophilic attack of the oxygen of (p-ClC(6)H(4)CH(2))(2)NOH at the sp-carbon of the C triple bond N bond followed by a fast proton migration.     

Rh(I) coordination chemistry of chiral alpha-aminophosphine(eta6-arene)chromium tricarbonyl ligands

The diastereoselective addition of Ph(2)PH to the chiral ortho-substituted eta(6)-benzaldimine complexes (eta(6)-o-X-C(6)H(4)CH=NAr)Cr(CO)(3) (1, X = MeO, Ar = p-C(6)H(4)OMe; 2, X = Cl, Ar = Ph) leads to the formation of the corresponding chiral aminophosphines (alpha-P,N) Ph(2)P-CH(Ar(1))-NHAr(2) (3, Ar(1) = o-C(6)H(4)(OCH(3))[Cr(CO)(3)], Ar(2) = p-C(6)H(4)OCH(3); 4, Ar(1) = o-C(6)H(4)Cl[Cr(CO)(3)], Ar(2) = Ph) in equilibrium with the starting materials. The uncomplexed benzaldimine (o-ClC(6)H(4)CH=NPh), 2', analogously produces an equilibrium amount of the corresponding aminophosphine Ph(2)P-CH(Ar(1))-NHAr(2) (4', Ar(1) = o-C(6)H(4)Cl, Ar(2) = Ph). Depending on the equilibrium constant, the subsequent addition of (1)/(2) equiv of [RhCl(COD)](2) (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) leads to either Ph(2)PH oxidative addition in the case of 3 or to the corresponding [RhCl(COD)(alpha-P,N)] complexes [RhCl(COD)(Ph(2)P-CH[o-C(6)H(4)Cl[Cr(CO)(3)]]-NHPh)] (5) and [RhCl(COD)(Ph(2)P-CH(o-C(6)H(4)Cl)-NHPh)] (5') in the cases of the aminophosphines 4 and 4'. The addition of the latter ligands, as racemic mixtures, to (1)/(4) equiv of [Rh(CO)(2)Cl](2) leads to the [RhCl(CO)(alpha-P,N)(2)] complexes [RhCO(Ph(2)P-CH[o-C(6)H(4)Cl[Cr(CO)(3)]]-NHPh)(2)Cl] (7) or [RhCO(Ph(2)P-CH(o-C(6)H(4)Cl)-NHPh)(2)Cl] (7') as mixtures of (R(C),S(C))/(S(C),R(C)) and (R(C),R(C))/(S(C),S(C)) diastereomers. The rhodium complexes 5 and 7' have been fully characterized by IR and (31)P NMR spectroscopies and X-ray crystallography. These compounds exhibit intramolecular Rh-Cl.H-N interactions in the solid state and in solution. The stability of the new rhodium complexes has been studied under different CO pressures. Under 1 atm of CO, 5 is converted to an unstable complex [RhCl(CO)(2)(alpha-P,N)], 6, which undergoes ligand redistribution leading to 7 plus an unidentified complex. This reaction is inhibited under higher CO or syngas pressure, as confirmed by the observation of the same catalytic activity in hydroformylation when styrene was added to a catalytic mixture that was either freshly prepared or left standing for 20 h under high CO pressure.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of formate by [Ni(P(R)2N(R')2)2(CH3CN)]2+ complexes

[Ni(P(R)(2)N(R')(2))(2)(CH(3)CN)](2+) complexes with R = Ph, R' = 4-MeOPh or R = Cy, R' = Ph , and a mixed-ligand [Ni(P(R)(2)N(R')(2))(P(R'(2))N(R'(2)))(CH(3)CN)](2+) with R = Cy, R' = Ph, R' = Ph, have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. These and previously reported complexes are shown to be electrocatalysts for the oxidation of formate in solution to produce CO(2), protons, and electrons, with rates that are first-order in catalyst and formate at formate concentrations below ～0.04 M (34 equiv). At concentrations above ～0.06 M formate (52 equiv), catalytic rates become nearly independent of formate concentration. For the catalysts studied, maximum observed turnover frequencies vary from <1.1 to 15.8 s(-1) at room temperature, which are the highest rates yet reported for formate oxidation by homogeneous catalysts. These catalysts are the only base-metal electrocatalysts as well as the only homogeneous electrocatalysts reported to date for the oxidation of formate. An acetate complex demonstrating an η(1)-OC(O)CH(3) binding mode to nickel has also been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Based on this structure and the electrochemical and spectroscopic data, a mechanistic scheme for electrocatalytic formate oxidation is proposed which involves formate binding followed by a rate-limiting proton and two-electron transfer step accompanied by CO(2) liberation. The pendant amines have been demonstrated to be essential for electrocatalysis, as no activity toward formate oxidation was observed for the similar [Ni(depe)(2)](2+) (depe = 1,2-bis(diethylphosphino)ethane) complex.