Controlling the dimensionality of oxalate-based bimetallic complexes: The ferromagnetic chain {[K(18-crown-6)][Mn(bpy)Cr(ox)3]}∞(18-crown-6 = C12H24O6, ox=C2O42-, bpy = C10H8N2)

The bimetallic ferromagnetic chain {[K(18-crown-6)][Mn(bpy)Cr(ox)₃]}_∞ (1) has been synthesized and characterized. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic chiral space group P2₁2₁2₁ [a = 9.0510(2) Å, b = 14.4710(3) Å, c = 26.8660(8) Å, V = 3510.97(1) Å³, Z = 2]. Compound 1 is made up by anionic [Mn(bpy)Cr(ox)₃]⁻ 1D chains and cationic [K(18-crown-6)]⁺ complexes. The magnetic exchange within the chain is ferromagnetic [J = +7.8(7) cm⁻¹]. In the solid state, the ferromagnetic chains are well isolated magnetically and no long range magnetic ordering has been observed above 2 K.     

Supramolecular chemistry and the control of the crystallization behavior by the choice of the counter-ion. Part 11. The stereochemistry and crystallization architecture of [(tren)Co(NO2)2]A (I), [(tren)Co(ox)]A (II), [(en)2Co(ox)]A (III) and [trans-(pn)2Co(NO2)2]A (IV), with A = [trans-(NH3)2Co(NO2)4]

In continuation of studies carried out previously [I. Bernal, Inorg. Chim. Acta 96 (1985) 99; I. Bernal, Inorg. Chim. Acta (1986) 121; I. Bernal, E.O. Schlemper, C.K. Fair, Inorg. Chim. Acta 115 (1986) 25; I. Bernal, Inorg. Chim. Acta 101 (1985) 175; I. Bernal, J. Cetrullo, J. Coord. Chem. 20 (1989) 237], we have now expanded the nature and number of cations associated with the [trans-(NH₃)₂Co(NO₂)₄] anion in order to better document when, and how, this helical propeller species crystallizes as a conglomerate.[(tren)Co(NO₂)₂][trans-(NH₃)₂Co(NO₂)₄] (I) crystallizes as a racemate in space group P2₁/n with cell constants of a = 15.8900(2), b = 19.7800(3), c = 26.6200(4) Å, β = 101.970(3)°, z = 15.[(tren)Co(ox)][trans-(NH₃)₂Co(NO₂)₄] (II) crystallizes as a racemate in space group I2/a with cell constants of a = 21.592(11), b = 7.050(4), c = 26.46(2) Å, β = 93.09(6)°, z = 8.[(en)₂Co(ox)][trans-(NH₃)₂Co(NO₂)₄] (III) crystallizes as a racemate in space group P2₁/n with cell constants of a = 6.4740(1), b = 22.8950(6), c = 13.1660(3) Å, β = 97.3310(10)°, z = 4.[trans-(pn)₂Co(NO₂)₂][trans-(NH₃)₂Co(NO₂)₄] (IV) also crystallizes as a racemate in space group P(¯1; no. 2) with cell constants of a = 6.508(2), b = 8.829(5), c = 9.851(5) Å, α = 72.84(2), β = 80.15(3), and γ = 81.45(6)°, z = 1.The most notable results are as follows: (1) all four compounds studied are racemates unlike the previously studied [cis-Co(en)₂(NO₂)₂][trans-(NH₃)₂Co(NO₂)₄] [I. Bernal, Inorg Chim Acta 101 (1985) 175] (V) and K[trans-(NH₃)₂Co(NO₂)₄] (VI) that crystallize as conglomerates. Nevertheless, they share certain crystalline features, which are readily observed in their packing diagrams.In all the four cases the new data were collected at 295 K and 120 K, using Mo Kα radiation; the former with a Nonius CAD-4 diffractometer and the latter with a Nonius CCD instrument. Of primary interest to us are the changes in packing caused by repeated changes in the charge compensating cations. Comparisons with the packing observed previously in [cis-Co(en)₂(NO₂)₂][trans-(NH₃)₂Co(NO₂)₄] (V) and K[trans-(NH₃)₂Co(NO₂)₄] (VI) are made since, at the time of publications of those early papers, no detailed study of the packing characteristics of these anions was published and the existing graphic software were primitive compared with the current packages. This oversight is remedied below.     

Synthesis of the (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-stereoisomers of the respective E- and Z-isomers of ethyl 4-[(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoate using yeast whole cell bioreduction of the parent ketones

Saccharomyces cerevisiae, strain DBM 2115, was successfully employed in the reduction of the separated Z- and E-isomers of ethyl 4-[(2-oxocyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoates 1 and 2, in order to prepare the (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-enantiomers of the corresponding ethyl 4-[(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoates 3–6. The products were obtained with the required absolute configuration: (1S,2S)-3 (ee = 98%; yield 48%), (1R,2S)-4 (ee = >99%; yield 45%), (1S,2S)-5 (ee = 98.5%; yield 47%), and (1R,2S)-6 (ee = >99%; chemical yield 44%).     

Copper(I) complexes of heterocyclic thiourea ligands

The coordination of heterocyclic thiourea ligands (L = N-(2-pyridyl)-N′-phenylthiourea (1), N-(2-pyridyl)-N′-methylthiourea (2), N-(3-pyridyl)-N′-phenylthiourea (3), N-(3-pyridyl)-N′-methylthiourea (4), N-(4-pyridyl)-N′-phenylthiourea (5), N-(2-pyrimidyl)-N′-phenylthiourea (6), N-(2-pyrimidyl)-N′-methylthiourea (7), N-(2-thiazolyl)-N′-methylthiourea (8), N-(2-benzothiazolyl)-N′-methylthiourea (9), N,N′-bis(2-pyridyl)thiourea (10) and N,N′-bis(3-pyridyl)thiourea (11)) with CuX (X = Cl, Br, I, NO₃) has been investigated. CuX:L product stoichiometries of 1:1–1:5 were found, with 1:1 being most common. X-ray structures of four 3-coordinate mononuclear CuXL₂ complexes (CuCl(6)₂, CuCl(7)₂, CuBr(6)₂, and CuBr(9)₂) are reported. In contrast, CuBr(1)₂ is a 1D sulfur-bridged polymer. CuIL structures (L = 7, 8) are 1D chains with corner-sharing Cu₂(μ-I)₂ and Cu₂(μ-S)₂ units, and CuCl(10) is a 2D network having μ-Cl and N-/S-bridging L. Two [CuL₂]NO₃ structures are reported: a mononuclear 4-coordinate copper complex with chelating ligands (L = 10) and a 1D link-chain with N-/S-bridging L (L = 3). Two ligand oxidative cyclizations were encountered during crystallization. CuI crystallized with 6 to produce zigzag ladder polymer [(CuI)₂(12)]·½CH₃CN (12 = N-(pyrimidin-2-yl)benzo[d]thiazol-2-amine) and CuNO₃ crystallized with 10 to form [Cu₂(NO₃)(13)₂(MeCN)]NO₃ (13 = dipyridyltetraazathiapentalene).     

Reactions of a hydrido(hydrosilylene)tungsten complex with oxiranes

Reactivity of a hydrido(hydrosilylene)tungsten complex, Cp¹(CO)₂(H)WSi(H)[C(SiMe₃)₃] (1), toward oxiranes was investigated. Treatment of 1 with racemic mono-substituted oxiranes with a substituent R (R = Ph, vinyl, ^tBu, or ⁿBu) at room temperature produced dihydrido(vinyloxysilyl)tungsten complexes, (E)- and/or (Z)-Cp¹(CO)₂(H)₂W{Si(H)(OCHCHR)[C(SiMe₃)₃]} [(E/Z)-2: R = Ph, (E)-3: R = vinyl, (E)-4: R = ^tBu, (E/Z)-5: R = ⁿBu] in high yields via regioselective ring-opening of oxiranes. When the substituent R on oxirane was relatively large, (E)-isomers (2, 3, and 4) were obtained predominantly (87–97%), while the substituent was a relatively small ⁿBu group, an approximately 1:1 mixture of (E)- and (Z)-isomers [(E/Z)-5] was obtained. Reaction of 1 with 2,2-dimethyloxirane afforded the corresponding complex, Cp¹(CO)₂(H)₂W{Si(H)(OCHCMe₂)[C(SiMe₃)₃]} (6), quantitatively. A reaction mechanism is also discussed.     

Uranium(VI) bis(imido) disulfonamide and dihalide complexes: Synthesis density functional theory analysis

Novel cis- and trans-bis(imido) uranium disulfonamide derivatives have been prepared from iodide metathesis reactions between two equivalents of K[N(Me)(SO₂Ar’)] (Ar’ = 4-Me-C₆H₄) and U(N^tBu)₂(I)₂(L)_x (L = OPPh₃, x = 2; Me₂bpy, x = 1; Me₂bpy = 4,4’-dimethyl-2,2’-bipyridyl). These bis(amide) derivatives serve as useful precursors for the synthesis of the trans-diphenolate complex U(N^tBu)₂(O-2-^tBuC₆H₄)₂(OPPh₃)₂ (5), cis- and trans-dithiolate complexes U(N^tBu)₂(SPh)₂(L)_x (L = OPPh₃ (6); Me₂bpy (7)), and cis- and trans-dihalide complexes with the general formulas U(N^tBu)₂(X)₂(L)_x (X = Cl, L = OPPh₃ (8), L = Me₂bpy (10); X = Br, L = OPPh₃ (9), L = Me₂bpy (11)). DFT calculations performed on the trans-dihalide series U(N^tBu)₂(X)₂(L)₂ and the UO₂²⁺ analogues UO₂X₂(OPPh₃)₂ suggest that the uranium centers in the [U(N^tBu)₂]²⁺ ions possess more covalent character than analogous UO₂²⁺ derivatives but that the U-X bonds in the U(N^tBu)₂X₂L₂ complexes possess a more ionic nature.     

New chemical and chemo-enzymatic routes for the synthesis of (RS)- and (S)-enciprazine

The chemo-enzymatic synthesis of racemic and enantiopure (RS)- and (S)-enciprazine 1, a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic drug, is described herein. The synthesis started from 1-(2-methoxyphenyl) piperazine 3, which was treated with 2-(chloromethyl) oxirane (RS)-4 using lithium bromide to afford a racemic alcohol, 1-chloro-3-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl) piperazin-1-yl) propan-2-ol (RS)-6 in 85% yield. Intermediate (S)-6 was synthesized from racemic alcohol (RS)-6 using Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) with vinyl acetate as the acyl donor. Various reaction parameters such as temperature, time, substrate, enzyme concentration, and the effect of the reaction medium on the conversion and enantiomeric excess for the transesterification of (RS)-6 by CRL were optimized. It was observed that 10 mM of (RS)-6, 50 mg/mL of CRL in 4.0 mL of toluene with vinyl acetate (5.4 mmol) as acyl donor at 30 °C gave good conversion (C = 49.4%) and enantiomeric excess (ee_P = 98.4% and ee_S = 96%) after 9 h of reaction. Compound (S)-6 is a key intermediate for the synthesis of enantiopure (S)-1. The (RS)- and (S)-enciprazine drug 1 was synthesized by treating (RS)- and (S)-6 with 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenol 5 using MeCN as a solvent and K₂CO₃ as a base.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and thermal behaviour of [La(hfa)3(Phen)2] (hfa = hexafluoroacetylacetonate,Phen = o-phenanthroline)

The mixed ligand complex [La(hfa)₃(Phen)₂] (I) was obtained by the interaction of La(hfa)₃ and Phen; its composition does not depend on the stoichiometry of the reagents. According to the X-ray single crystal analysis data, complex I crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n, with a = 13.583(3) Å, b = 16.959(3) Å, c = 18.860(4) Å, β = 94.71(3)° and Z = 4. The structure of I consists of isolated mononuclear molecules, the coordination number of La being 10. Thermal behaviour and composition of the vapor phase have been studied for I by thermal analysis and mass-spectrometry using a Knudsen cell. The mixed ligand complex I was found to sublime congruently in the temperature range 370–460 K: [La(hfa)₃(Phen)₂]_(s) = [La(hfa)₃(Phen)]_(g) + Phen_(g), Δ_rH⁰(T) = 316.2 ± 1.8 kJ/mol.     

Approaches to (R)- and (S)-1′-(1-aminoethyl)ferrocene-1-carboxylic acid derivatives

Lipase-catalyzed esterification of (±)-methyl 1′-(1-hydroxyethyl)ferrocene-1-carboxylate 4 afforded its (R)-acetate (−)-5 (ee = 99%) and (S)-(+)-4 (ee = 90%). Stereoretentive azidation/amination/acetylation of (R)-(−)-5 gave (R)-(+)-methyl 1′-(1-acetamidoethyl)ferrocene-1-carboxylate (R)-3 (ee = 98%). In a similar manner (S)-(+)-4 was converted into (S)-(−)-3 (ee = 84%). Both enantiomers of 3 were obtained in high chemical yields without a loss of enantiomeric purity. The title compounds can be coupled with natural amino acids and peptides on both C- and N-termini.     

Synthesis of modified H4-BINOL ligands and their applications in the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes

Two new ligands (S,S)-3-(1,1′-bi-2-naphthol-3-yl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol [(S,S)-1] and (S)-3-(morpholin-4-ylmethyl)-H₄-BINOL [(S)-2] have been synthesized via Suzuki cross-coupling reaction and a Mannich-type reaction, respectively. In the presence of titanium tetraisopropoxide, 0.8 mol % of ligand (S,S)-1 catalyzed the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes in good yield and with high enantioselectivity.     

Magnetic interactions of (μ-pyrazolato)-bridged copper(II) complexes determined by solid-state MAS NMR

We investigated electron spin densities of pyrazolato-bridged complexes [Cu(pz)₂]_n (1) and [Cu₂(pz)₂(NO₃)(H₂O)(phen)₂]NO₃ (2) (Hpz = pyrazole, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) using solid-state high-resolution NMR to elucidate the magnetic interaction paths with the help of molecular orbital theory. We prepared deuterated analogue of these complexes, 1-d₆ and 2-d₆, to measure temperature dependence of ²H and ¹³C NMR shifts between 190 and 350 K. The hyperfine coupling constants (HFCCs) and electron spin densities were determined from the slopes of the shifts as a function of the magnetic susceptibilities. The derived spin densities were all positive, which indicates the dominant magnetic interaction paths of these complexes are not π but σ orbitals of the pyrazolate ligand. The NMR results reasonably agreed with those of density functional theory (DFT) calculations for molecular models of 1 and 2.     

New α,ω-dicarboxylate coordination polymers with 4,4′-bipyridine: Cu(bpy)(C5H6O4), Zn(bpy)(C5H6O4), Zn(bpy)(C6H8O4) and Mn(bpy)(C8H12O4) · H2O

Four 4,4′-bipyridine α,ω-dicarboxylate coordination polymers Cu(bpy)(C₅H₆O₄) (1), Zn(bpy)(C₅H₆O₄) (2), Zn(bpy)(C₆H₈O₄) (3) and Mn(bpy)(C₈H₁₂O₄) · H₂O (4) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods (bpy = 4,4-bipyridine, (C₅H₆O₄)²⁻ = glutarate anion, (C₆H₈O₄)²⁻ = adipate anion, (C₈H₁₂O₄)²⁻ = suberate anion). Their crystal structures are featured by dimeric metal units, which are co-bridged by 4,4′-bipyridine ligands and dicarboxylate anions such as glutarate, adipate and suberate anions to generate 2D layers with a (4,4) topology in 1, 2 and 4 as well as to form 3D frameworks in 3. Two 3D frameworks in 3 interpenetrate with each other to form a topology identical to the well-known Nb₆F₁₅ cluster compound. Over 5–300 K, the paramagnetic behavior of 4 follows the Curie–Weiss law χ_m(T − Θ) = 4.265(5) cm³ mol⁻¹ with the Weiss constant Θ = −6.3(2) K. Furthermore, the thermal behavior of 3 and 4 is also discussed.     

Rational synthesis of hexanuclear metallacycles by alkylation reactions of an S-bridged CoIIIPdIICoIII trinuclear complex containing non-binding thiolato groups

The reaction of an S-bridged Co^IIIPd^IICo^III trinuclear complex containing two non-bridging thiolato groups, [Pd{Co(aet)₃}₂]²⁺ (aet = 2-aminoethanethiolate), with o-dibromoxylene (o-xylBr₂) in water produced a cyclic Co^III₄Pd^II₂ hexanuclear complex, [{Co₂Pd(aet)₄}₂(o-L)₂]⁸⁺ ([1]⁸⁺; o-L = o-bis(2-aminoethylthiomethyl)benzene), in which two Co^IIIPd^IICo^III trinuclear units are linked by two o-xyl²⁺ moieties through C–S bonds. A similar cyclic Co^III₄Pd^II₂ complex, [{Co₂Pd(aet)₄}₂(m-L)₂]⁸⁺ ([2]⁸⁺; m-L = m-bis(2-aminoethylthiomethyl)benzene), bearing a relatively large cavity that accommodates water molecule(s), was synthesized by the reaction of [Pd{Co(aet)₃}₂]²⁺ with m-dibromoxylene (m-xylBr₂) in water. While [1]⁸⁺ afforded only the racemic (Δ₄/Λ₄) isomer, both the racemic ([2a]⁸⁺; Δ₄/Λ₄) and the meso ([2b]⁸⁺; Δ₂Λ₂) isomers were formed for [2]⁸⁺. In addition, the meso [2b]⁸⁺ was found to exist as a mixture of two diastereomers, (Δ_S)₂(Λ_R)₂ and (Δ_SΔ_R)(Λ_RΛ_S), which arise from the difference in chiral configurations (R and S) of asymmetric sulfide S atoms, while the racemic [1]⁸⁺ and [2a]⁸⁺ existed as a pair of enantiomers, (Δ_S)₄ and(Λ_R)₄, which were optically resolved. The complexes obtained were characterized on the basis of electronic absorption, CD, and NMR spectroscopies, along with single crystal X-ray analyses.     

Organo-aluminum,zinc and magnesium derivatives of the imidotris(amido)phosphate Me3SiNP(NHtBu)3

Reactions of (^tBuHN)₃PNSiMe₃ (1) with the alkyl-metal reagents dimethylzinc, trimethylaluminum and di-n-butylmagnesium yield the monodeprotonated complexes [MeZn{(N^tBu)(NSiMe₃)P(NH^tBu)₂}] (2), [Me₂Al{(N^tBu)(NSiMe₃)P(NH^tBu)₂}] (3) and [Mg{(N^tBu)(NSiMe₃)P(NH^tBu)₂}₂] (4), respectively. Attempts to further deprotonate complex 2 with n-butyllithium or di-n-butylmagnesium result in nucleophilic displacement of the methylzinc fragment by lithium or magnesium. The two remaining amino protons of 3 are removed by reaction with di-n-butylmagnesium to give a heterobimetallic complex in which the coordination sphere of magnesium is completed by two molecules of THF (5 · 2THF) or one molecule of TMEDA (5 · TMEDA). Reaction of complex 3 with 1 equiv. of n-butyllithium followed by treatment of the product with di-n-butylmagnesium yields the complex {Me₂Al[(N^tBu)(NSiMe₃)P(N^tBu)₂]MgBu} Li · 4THF (6 · 4THF), the first example of a triply deprotonated complex of 1 containing three different metals. Reaction of complex 5 with iodine results in cleavage of an Al–Me group to give {MeIAl[(N^tBu)(NSiMe₃)P(N^tBu)₂Mg]} (7). Complexes 5 · 2THF, 5 · TMEDA, 6 · 4THF and 7 have been characterized in solution by multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P and ⁷Li) NMR spectroscopy, while the solid-state structures of 2, 4 and 5 · 2THF have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Activation process of 3-alkyl-substituted ansa-bis(indenyl) zirconocenes by MAO

The ansa-indene compound {1-Me₂Si(3-C₉H₆Et)₂} (1) was prepared by alkylation of the unsubstituted ansa-indene. This compound was converted, by reaction with nBuLi, to the dilithium compound [Li₂{1-Me₂Si(3-C₉H₅Et)₂}] (2). ansa-Zirconocene [Zr{1-Me₂Si(3-η⁵-C₉H₅Et)₂}Cl₂] (3) was prepared by the reaction of ZrCl₄ with 2 in ether/toluene at −78 °C. The molecular structure of meso-3 was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The ansa-zirconocene 3 exhibits a greater activity in ethylene polymerization than reference complexes such as [Zr{1-Me₂Si(η⁵-C₉H₆)₂}Cl₂] and [Zr{1-C₂H₄(η⁵-C₉H₅)₂}Cl₂] and, in addition, it maintained a reasonable level of activity after 12 h of contact with MAO solution. Furthermore, the different elementary steps in the activation process of ethylene polymerization for substituted complexes [Zr{1-Me₂Si(3-η⁵-C₉H₅R)₂}Cl₂] (R = Et 3, Me 4, nPr 5 and nBu 6) by commercial methylaluminoxane (MAO) have been studied by UV–vis spectroscopy. Addition of MAO in large excess ([Al]/[Zr] = 2000) at −78 °C yields a previously unreported intermediate in the activation process of metallocenes; this intermediate has an absorption band centered at λ = 639 nm. We report here the influence of the type of catalyst, ring substitution, type of cocatalyst and addition of THF on the activation process of these metallocenes.     

Dialkyl- and diaryl-platinum(II) complexes with secondary phosphines: Preparation,structure and thermal reaction giving the metallopolymer

Alkyl and arylplatinum complexes with 1,5-cyclooctadiene ligand, [PtR₂(cod)] (R = Me, Ph, C₆H₄-p-CF₃, C₆F₅), react with secondary phosphines, PHR′₂ (R′ = i-Bu, t-Bu, Ph), to afford the mononuclear platinum complexes, cis-[PtR₂(PHR′₂)₂] (1a: R = Me, R′ = i-Bu; 1b: R = Me, R′ = t-Bu; 1c: R = Me, R′ = Ph; 2a: R = Ph, R′ = i-Bu; 2b: R = Ph, R′ = t-Bu; 2c: R = R′ = Ph; 3a: R = C₆H₄-p-CF₃, R′ = i-Bu; 3b: R = C₆H₄-p-CF₃, R′ = t-Bu; 3c: R = C₆H₄-p-CF₃, R′ = Ph; 4a: R = C₆F₅, R′ = i-Bu; 4c: R = C₆F₅, R′ = Ph) in 81–98% yields. Molecular structures of the complexes except for 1a, 1c and 2a were determined by X-ray crystallography. Complex 1b has a square-planar structure with Pt–C(methyl) bonds of 2.083(8) and 2.109(8) Å, while the Pt–C(aryl) bonds of 2b–c, 3a–c, 4a and 4c (2.055(1)–2.073(8) Å) are shorter than them. Thermal decomposition of 1b, 2a–c, and 3a–c releases methane, biphenyl or 4,4′-bis(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl as the organic products, which are characterized by NMR spectroscopy. The solid product of the thermal reactions of 2b and 2c were characterized as the metallopolymers formulated as [Pt(PR′₂)₂]_n (5b: R′ = ^tBu; 5c: R′ = Ph), based on the solid-state NMR and elemental analyses.     

Synthesis,X-ray structure and reactivity of μ-(CF3COO)2-[Mo(N-2,6-i-Pr2-C6H3)(CHCMe2Ph)(OOCCF3)(Et2O)]2, the first Bis(trifluoroacetate) derivative of a Schrock catalyst

Reaction of Mo(N-2,6-i-Pr₂-C₆H₃)(CHCMe₂C₆H₅)(OSO₂CF₃)(DME) (DME = 1,2-dimethoxyethane) with 2 equiv. of CF₃COOK yields μ-(CF₃COO)₂-[Mo(N-2,6-i-Pr₂-C₆H₃)(CHCMe₂Ph)(OOCCF₃)(Et₂O)]₂ (1). Compound 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pna2₁ with a = 17.2485(3), b = 17.0336(3), c = 25.4031(5) Å, α = β = γ = 90°, V = 7463.5(2) Å³, Z = 4. In contrast to alkoxide based Schrock type initiators, 1 is virtually inactive in numerous metathesis reactions including ring-closing metathesis (RCM) and homo metathesis reactions, the cyclopolymerization of 1,6-heptadiynes, and even ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norborn-2-ene. However, addition of quinuclidine results in the in situ formation of 1a (Mo(N-2,6-i-Pr₂-C₆H₃)(CHCMe₂C₆H₅)(OOCCF₃)₂(quinuclidine) which displays moderate activity in ROMP, cyclopolymerization of 1,6-heptadiynes and RCM. Theoretical investigations carried out on the B3LYP/LACVP¹ level provide substantial explanation for these findings.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of a photoresponsive organodirhodium complex with active S–S bonds: [(CpPhRh)2(μ-CH2)2(μ-O2SSO2)] (CpPh = η5-C5Me4Ph)

A photoresponsive rhodium dinuclear complex having phenyltetramethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp^Ph = η⁵-C₅Me₄Ph) and photosensitive dithionite (μ-O₂SSO₂) ligands, [(Cp^PhRh)₂(μ-CH₂)₂(μ-O₂SSO₂)] (1), has been synthesized. The crystal of complex 1 (monoclinic, C2/m (No. 12), a = 24.805(2) Å, b = 29.111(2) Å, c = 10.8475(11) Å, β = 105.9830(7)°, V = 7530.0(12) Å³, Z = 8) consists of two independent molecules, 1-cis and 1-trans, with different arrangement of the Cp^Ph ligands. The flexibility, volume, and shape of the reaction cavities around the dithionite unit of 1-cis and 1-trans in the crystal are discussed. The crystal structures of the precursors of 1, trans-[(Cp^PhRh)₂(μ-Cl)₂Cl₂] and trans-[(Cp^PhRh)₂(μ-CH₂)₂Me₂], are also reported.     

Ruthenium(II) and iron(II) complexes of N-pyridyl substituted imidazolin-2-ylidenes

N-mesityl-N′-pyridyl-imidazolium chloride 1a and the corresponding bromide salt 1b have been deprotonated with NaH in THF giving the free N-heterocyclic carbene N-mesityl-N′-pyridyl-imidazolin-2-ylidene 2 in 80% yield (starting from 1a). Imidazolium salt 1a reacts with RuCl₃ · xH₂O to give a racemic mixture of dinuclear di-μ-chloro bridged ruthenium complexes [(κ²-2)₂Ru(μ-Cl)₂Ru(κ²-2)₂]²⁺ [3a]²⁺. The carbene carbon atoms as well as the halides are arranged in cis-positions to each other whereas the nitrogen atoms adopt a trans-configuration. The di-μ-bromo bridged derivative [(κ²-2)₂Ru(μ-Br)₂Ru(κ²-2)₂]²⁺ [3b]²⁺ was obtained from RuCl₃ · xH₂O and 1b. The bridging halide ligands can be removed by the reaction with silver or sodium salts of bidentate Lewis acids. Complex [3a]²⁺ reacts with silver pyridylcarboxylate to give a racemic mixture of the mononuclear complex [4]⁺. Reaction of [3a]²⁺ with the sodium salt of l-proline resulted in a diastereomeric mixture of complexes [5]⁺. The free N-heterocyclic carbene 2 reacts with [FeCl₂(PPh₃)₂] to give after anion exchange with NaBPh₄ cis/cis/trans coordinated [Fe(κ²-2)₂(MeCN)₂](BPh₄)₂ [6](BPh₄)₂. The molecular structures of [3b](PF₆)₂, [4]PF₆ and [6](BPh₄)₂ · H₂O are reported.     

Insight into the mechanism of diazocompounds transformation catalyzed by hetero cuboidal clusters [Mo3CuQ4(MeBPE)3X4]+, (Q = S,Se; X = Cl,Br): The catalytically active species

Two enantiomerically pure trinuclear compounds of formula (P)-[Mo₃S₄{(R,R)-Me–BPE}₃Br₃]Br and (P)-[Mo₃Se₄{(R,R)-Me–BPE}₃Cl₃]Cl, (P)-1b.Br and (P)-1c.Cl, respectively, have been synthesized in a good yield and a stereospecific manner by excision of polymeric [Mo₃Q₇X₄]_n (Q = S or Se, X = Cl or Br) phases with (R,R)-Me–BPE{1,2-bis[(2R,5R)-2,5-(dimethylphospholan-1-yl)]ethane}. They have been transformed into chiral hetereo cuboidal compounds [Mo₃S₄{(R,R)-Me–BPE}₃Br₃]PF₆, (P)-2b.PF₆, and [Mo₃Se₄{(R,R)-Me–BPE}₃Cl₃]PF₆, (P)-2c.PF₆, by reaction with copper salts. All these compounds have been characterized by ³¹P NMR, IR, UV–Vis, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and chiral dichroism. The catalytic potential of tetranuclear cuboidal compounds has been assessed in the paradigm intermolecular cyclopropanation reaction of styrene with ethyl diazoacetate. Results are compared with those obtained for the analogue [Mo₃S₄{(R,R)-Me–BPE}₃Cl₃]PF₆, (P)-2a.PF₆. The catalytic data demonstrate that the Se derivative (P)-2c.PF₆ is less reactive than the S analogues, but it leads to a similar product distribution as the sulfide analogue (P)-2a.PF₆. By contrast, exchange of chlorine by the bulky bromine gives rise to a catalyst which makes the carbene dimerization more competitive. These data agree with temporal breaking of one of the Cu–Q bonds to generate an active catalytic species.