Synthesis, reactivity and structural studies of carboranyl thioethers and disulfides

The equimolar reaction of 1-SH-2-R-1,2-closo-C2B10H10(R=Me, H, Ph) with KOH in ethanol produces the thiolate species [1-S-2-R-1,2-closo-C2B10H10]-. These react with iodine to give the disulfide bridged dicluster (1-S-2-R-1,2-closo-C2B10H10)2(R=H, Me, Ph) compounds as analytically pure, white and air-stable solids in high yield. Synthesis of monothioether bridged species is synthetically more difficult. In fact three procedures have been tested to obtain the thioether bridged dicluster compounds (2-R-1,2-closo-C2B10H10)2S (R=Me, H, Ph) but only (2-Me-1,2-closo-C2B10H10)2S was successfully synthesized and characterized. Attempts to produce mixed compounds (1-R-1,2-closo-C2B10H10)S(1-R'-1,2-closo-C2B10H10), R not=R', were unsuccessful. Deboronation reaction of this dicarboranylthioether lead, depending on the reaction conditions, to monoanionic [(2-Me-1,2-closo-C2B10H10)S(8-Me-7,8-nido-C2B9H10)]- or dianionic [(8-Me-7,8-nido-C2B9H10)2S]2- sulfur bridge anions. Deboronation of carboranyl disulfides gave the corresponding dianionic [(7-S-8-R-7,8-nido-C2B9H10)2]2-(R=H, Me, Ph) species. This reaction was very dependent, however, on the reaction conditions. With slight variation of the reaction conditions, splitting of the S-S bond leading to the thiolate species with retention of the closo cluster was also found. Carboranyl disulfides (1-S-2-R-1,2-closo-C2B10H10)2(R=H, Me, Ph) do not lead to thiosulfinates R-S(O)-S-R' by oxidation with H2O2 or I2 as organic disulfides do. This behaviour is attributed to the presence of the sulfur atom directly bonded to the carbon cluster that produces electronic transfer from the filled orbitals on the sulfur atom into the cage LUMO (largely located on the cage Cc-Cc bond). This causes a depletion of electron density on the sulfur, thence impairing sulfur oxidation, and facilitating S-S breaking. Crystal structures of monothioethers (2-Me-1,2-closo-C2B10H10)2S, [NMe4][(2-Me-1,2-closo-C2B10H10)S(8-Me-7,8-nido-C2B9H10)](the first example reported in the literature of a two cluster compound incorporating the closo C2B10 and the nido[C2B9]- moieties linked by a one member spacer) and disulfides (1-S-1,2-closo-C2B10H11)2, (1-S-2-Me-1,2-closo-C2B10H10)2, (1-S-2-Ph-1,2-closo-C2B10H10)2 are reported which support the behaviour of these species.     

Synthesis, reactivity and structural studies of selenide bridged carboranyl compounds

Reaction of the lithium salt Li[1-R-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(10)] with selenium under mild conditions, followed by hydrolysis gave the diselenide compound (1-Se-2-R-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(10))(2) in contrast to the well-reported mercapto compounds 1-SH-2-R-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(10) obtained using a similar synthetic procedure. Details for the preparation and X-ray structural characterisation of the new compounds (2-Me-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(10))(2)Se, (1-Se-2-R-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(10))(2) (R = Me, Ph, ) are specified. To further explore the mechanism of the dimerization reaction, the complex [Au(1-Se-2-Me-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(10))(PPh(3))] was synthesized, confirming the existence of the intermediate Li[1-Se-2-R-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(10)] at the early stages of the reaction before selenium oxidation. Theoretical calculations and cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies were carried out to compare the bonding nature of the sulfur and the selenium analog compounds. It was determined that diselenides have a higher tendency to reduce with respect to the disulfides and all chalcogen atoms were found to be positively charged.     

Self-assembled 2D supramolecular networks of copper(I) carborane complexes through C-H..H-B dihydrogen bonding interactions

Three dinuclear copper(i) complexes with the formula [Cu(2)(mu-X)(2)(1,2-(P(i)Pr(2))(2)-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(2)] (X = Cl (), Br (), I ()) containing the closo carborane diphosphine ligand 1,2-(P(i)Pr(2))(2)-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR and X-ray structure determination. The X-ray structure analyses revealed that the three complexes were isostructural and crystallized in the monoclinic system and space group C2/m. The carborane cage ligand was coordinated bidentately to the Cu(i) center through its two phosphorus atoms, and the coordination geometry around each copper atom was distorted tetrahedral. Two halogen atoms bridged the metal centers forming a dimer structure [Cu(2)(mu-X)(2)(1,2-(P(i)Pr(2))(2)-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(2)], which were linked into 2D supramolecular networks through novel C-HH-B dihydrogen bonding interactions.     

Spectroscopic, structural, computational and (spectro)electrochemical studies of icosahedral carboranes bearing fluorinated aryl groups

The icosahedral carboranes 1-C(6)F(5)-2-Ph-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(10) (1), 1-(4'-F(3)CC(6)H(4))-2-Ph-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(10) (2), 1,2-(4'-F(3)CC(6)H(4))(2)-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(10) (3), 1-(4'-H(3)CC(6)F(4))-2-Ph-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(10) (4), 1-(4'-F(3)CC(6)F(4))-2-Ph-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(10) (5), 1,2-(4'-F(3)CC(6)F(4))(2)-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(10) (6), 1,7-(4'-F(3)CC(6)F(4))(2)-1,7-closo-C(2)B(10)H(10) (7) and 1,12-(4'-F(3)CC(6)F(4))(2)-1,12-closo-C(2)B(10)H(10) (8), with fluorinated aryl substituents on cage carbon atoms, have been prepared in good to high yields and characterised by microanalysis, (1)H, (11)B and (19)F NMR spectroscopies, mass spectrometry, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and (spectro)electrochemistry. By analysis of <δ(11)B>, the weighted average (11)B chemical shift, a ranking order for the ortho carboranes 1-6 is established based on the combined electron-withdrawing properties of the C-substituents, and is in perfect agreement with that established independently by electrochemical study. In a parallel computational study the effects of a wide range of different substituents on the redox properties of carboranes have been probed by comparison of ΔE values, where ΔE is the energy gap between the DFT-optimised [7,9-R(2)-7,9-nido-C(2)B(10)](2-) anion and its DFT-optimised basket-shaped first oxidation product. The overall conclusion from the NMR spectroscopic, electrochemical and computational studies is that strongly electron withdrawing substituents significantly stabilise [7,9-nido-C(2)B(10)](2-) dianions with respect to oxidation, and that the best practical substituent is 4-F(3)CC(6)F(4). Thus attention focussed on the reduction of 1,2-(4'-F(3)CC(6)F(4))(2)-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(10), compound 6. The sequence 6/[6](-)/[6](2-) appears reversible on the cyclic voltammetric timescale but on the longer timescale of macroelectrolysis the radical anion is only partially stable. EPR study of the electrogenerated monoanions from the ortho-carboranes 1-6 confirms the cage-centred nature of the redox processes. In contrast, the reduction of the meta- and para-carboranes 7 and 8, respectively, appears to be centred on the aromatic substituents, a conclusion supported by the results of DFT calculation of the LUMOs of compounds 6-8. Bulk 2-electron reduction of 6 affords a dianion which is remarkably stable to reoxidation, surviving for several hours in the open laboratory in the absence of halogenated solvents.     

Mononuclear and dinuclear palladium and nickel complexes of phosphinimine-based tridentate ligands

The tridentate bis-phosphinimine ligands O(1,2-C(6)H(4)N=PPh(3))(2)1, HN(1,2-C(2)H(4)N=PR(3))(2) (R = Ph 2, iPr 3), MeN(1,2-C(2)H(4)N=PPh(3))(2)4 and HN(1,2-C(6)H(4)N=PPh(3))(2)5 were prepared. Employing these ligands, monometallic Pd and Ni complexes O(1,2-C(6)H(4)N=PPh(3))(2)PdCl(2)6, RN(1,2-CH(2)CH(2)N=PPh(3))(2)PdCl][Cl] (R = H 7, Me 8), [HN(1,2-CH(2)CH(2)N=PiPr(3))(2)PdCl][Cl] 9, [MeN(1,2-CH(2)CH(2)N=PPh(3))(2)PdCl][PF(6)] 10, [HN(1,2-CH(2)CH(2)N=PPh(3))(2)NiCl(2)] 11, [HN(1,2-CH(2)CH(2)N=PR(3))(2)NiCl][X] (X = Cl, R = iPr 12, X = PF(6), R = Ph 13, iPr 14), and [HN(1,2-C(6)H(4)N=PPh(3))(2)Ni(MeCN)(2)][BF(4)]Cl 15 were prepared and characterized. While the ether-bis-phosphinimine ligand 1 acts in a bidentate fashion to Pd, the amine-bis-phosphinimine ligands 2-5 act in a tridentate fashion, yielding monometallic complexes of varying geometries. In contrast, initial reaction of the amine-bis-phosphinimine ligands with base followed by treatment with NiCl(2)(DME), afforded the amide-bridged bimetallic complexes N(1,2-CH(2)CH(2)N=PR(3))(2)Ni(2)Cl(3) (R = Ph 16, iPr 17) and N(1,2-C(6)H(4)N=PPh(3))(2)Ni(2)Cl(3)18. The precise nature of a number of these complexes were crystallographically characterized.     

Gold(I) Complexes with the nido-Diphosphino Ligand [7,8-(Ph(2)P)(2)-7,8-C(2)B(9)H(10)](-). Preparation of the First Metallocarborane Complex of this Ligand. Crystal Structures of [Au{(PPh(2))(2)C(2)B(9)H(10)}(PPh(3))].CH(2)Cl(2) and [Au(2){(PPh(2))(2)C(2)B(9)H(10)}(2){(PPh(2))(2)(CH(2))(3)}].3Me(2)CO

The reaction of [AuCl(PR(3))] with [1,2-(Ph(2)P)(2)-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10)] in refluxing ethanol proceeds with partial degradation (removal of a boron atom adjacent to carbon) of the closo species to give [Au{(PPh(2))(2)C(2)B(9)H(10)}(PR(3))] [PR(3) = PPh(3) (1), PPh(2)Me (2), PPh(2)(4-Me-C(6)H(4)) (3), P(4-Me-C(6)H(4))(3) (4), P(4-OMe-C(6)H(4))(3) (5)]. Similarly, the treatment of [Au(2)Cl(2)(&mgr;-P-P)] with [1,2-(Ph(2)P)(2)-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10)] under the same conditions leads to the complexes [Au(2){(PPh(2))(2)C(2)B(9)H(10)}(2)(&mgr;-P-P)] [P-P = dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (6), dppp = 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (7)], where the dppe or dppp ligands bridge two gold nido-diphosphine units. The reaction of 1 with NaH leads to removal of one proton, and further reaction with [Au(PPh(3))(tht)]ClO(4) gives the novel metallocarborane compound [Au(2){(PPh(2))(2)C(2)B(9)H(9)}(PPh(3))(2)] (8). The structure of complexes 1 and 7 have been established by X-ray diffraction. [Au{(PPh(2))(2)C(2)B(9)H(10)}(PPh(3))] (1) (dichloromethane solvate) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, with a = 17.326(3) ?, b = 20.688(3) ?, c = 13.442(2) ?, beta = 104.710(12) degrees, Z = 4, and T = -100 degrees C. [Au(2){(PPh(2))(2)C(2)B(9)H(10)}(2)(&mgr;-dppp)] (7) (acetone solvate) is triclinic, space group P&onemacr;, a = 13.432(3) ?, b = 18.888(3) ?, c = 20.021(3) ?, alpha = 78.56(2) degrees, beta = 72.02(2) degrees, gamma = 73.31(2) degrees, Z = 2, and T = -100 degrees C. In both complexes the gold atom exhibits trigonal planar geometry with the 7,8-bis(diphenylphosphino)-7,8-dicarba-nido-undecaborate(1-) acting as a chelating ligand.     

Untethered 4,1,2-MC(2)B(10) supraicosahedral metallacarboranes, their C,C'-dimethyl 4,1,6-, 4,1,8- and 4,1,12-MC(2)B(10) analogues, and DFT study of the (4,)1,2- to (4,)1,6-isomerisations of C(2)B(11) carboranes and MC(2)B(10) metallacarboranes

Reduction of the tethered carborane 1,2-μ-(CH(2)SiMe(2)CH(2))-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(10) followed by metallation with {CpCo} or {(p-cymene)Ru} fragments affords both C,C'-dimethyl 4,1,2-MC(2)B(10) and 4,1,6-MC(2)B(10) species. DFT calculations indicate that the barriers to isomerisation of both 4-Cp-4,1,2-closo-CoC(2)B(10)H(12) and 4-(η-C(6)H(6))-4,1,2-closo-RuC(2)B(10)H(12) to their respective 4,1,6-isomers are too high for this to be the origin of the unexpected formation of 4,1,6-MC(2)B(10) products (in marked contrast to the related isomerisation of 1,2-closo-C(2)B(11)H(13) to 1,6-closo-C(2)B(11)H(13)), and, indeed, the 4,1,2-species are recovered unchanged from refluxing toluene. Equally, the DFT-calculated profile for the isomerisation of [7,8-nido-C(2)B(10)H(12)](2-) to [7,9-nido-C(2)B(10)H(12)](2-) suggests that the unexpected formation of 4,1,6-metallacarboranes is unlikely to result from isomerisation of a reduced (nido) carborane following desilylation. Instead, the source of the 4,1,6-MC(2)B(10) compounds is traced to desilylation of 1,2-μ-(CH(2)SiMe(2)CH(2))-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(10) by Li or Na prior to reduction. The supraicosahedral metallacarboranes 1,8-Me(2)-4-Cp-4,1,8-closo-CoC(2)B(10)H(10), 1,12-Me(2)-4-Cp-4,1,12-closo-CoC(2)B(10)H(10) and 1,12-Me(2)-4-(p-cymene)-4,1,12-closo-RuC(2)B(10)H(10) are also reported with all new species characterised both spectroscopically and crystallographically.     

Preparation and structure of mono- and binuclear half-sandwich iridium, ruthenium, and rhodium carbene complexes containing 1,2-dichalcogenolao 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes

The synthesis of half-sandwich transition metal complexes containing both 1,2-dichalcogenolato-1,2-dicarba-closo-docecaborane (Cab(E,E)) [Cab(E,E)=E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10)); E = S, Se] and N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands is described. Addition of mono-NHC ligand to the 16e half-sandwich dichalcogenolato carborane complexes [Cp*Rh(Cab(E,E))], [Cp*Ir(Cab(S,S))], [(p-cymene)Ru(Cab(S,S))] (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) gives corresponding mononuclear 18e dithiolate complexes of the type [LM(Cab(E,E))(NHC)]: [Cp*M(Cab(S,S))(1-ethenyl-3-methylimidazolin-2-ylidene)] (M = Ir (2), Rh (3)), [Cp*Rh(Cab(E,E))(3-methyl-1-picolyimidazolin-2-ylidene)] [E = S (6), Se (7)], [(p-cymene)Ru(Cab(S,S))(NHC)] [NHC = 1-ethenyl-3-methylimidazolin-2-ylidene (4), 3-methyl-1-picolyimidazolin-2-ylidene (8)], whereas bis-NHC give centrosymmetric binuclear complexes [{Cp*M(Cab(S,S))}(2)(1,1'-dimethyl-3,3'-methylene(imidazolin-2-ylidene))] [M = Rh (10), Ir (11)]. The complexes were characterized by IR, NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. In addition, X-ray structure analyses were performed on complexes 2-4, 6, 8, 10 and 11.     

The synthesis and characterisation of 4,1,2-MC2B10 metallacarboranes

Reduction of the tethered carborane 1,2-(CH2)3-1,2-closo-C2B10H10 followed by treatment with CoCl2/NaCp, [(p-cymene)RuCl2]2(p-cymene=C6H4MeiPr-1,4), (PMe2Ph)2PtCl2 or (dppe)NiCl2(dppe=Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2) affords reasonable yields of the new 13-vertex metallacarboranes 1,2-(CH2)3-4-Cp-4,1,2-closo-CoC2B10H10 (1), 1,2-(CH2)3-4-(p-cymene)-4,1,2-closo-RuC2B10H10 (2), 1,2-(CH2)3-4,4-(PMe2Ph)2-4,1,2-closo-PtC2B10H10 (3) and 1,2-(CH2)3-4,4-(dppe)-4,1,2-closo-NiC2B10H10 (4), respectively. All compounds were characterised spectroscopically and crystallographically. The cobalt and ruthenium species 1 and 2 have Cs symmetry in both solution and the solid state, having henicosahedral cage structures featuring a trapezoidal C1C2B9B5 face. The platinum and nickel compounds 3 and 4 have asymmetric docosahedral cage structures in the crystal (the more so for 4 than for 3) although both appear, by 11B and 31P NMR spectroscopy, to have Cs symmetry in solution. Low-temperature experiments on the more soluble platinacarborane could not freeze out the diamond-trapezium-diamond fluctional process that we assume is operating in solution, and we therefore conclude that this process has a relatively low activation barrier, probably <35 kJ mol-1.     

Metal-induced B-H activation: addition of acetylene, propyne, or 3-methoxypropyne to Rh(Cp*), Ir(Cp*), Ru(p-cymene), and Os(p-cymene) half-sandwich complexes containing a chelating 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane-1,2-dichalcogenolato ligand

The addition reactions of the 16e half-sandwich complexes [M(eta5-Cp*)[E2C2(B10H10)]] (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl: 1S: E=S, M=Rh; 2S: E=S; M=Ir; 2Se: E=Se, M=Ir) and [M(eta6-p-cymene)[S2C2(B10H10)]] (p-cymene=4-isopropyltoluene; 3S: M=Ru; 4S: M=Os), with acetylene, propyne, and 3-methoxypropyne lead to the 18e complexes 5-19 with a metal-boron bond in each case. The reactions start with an insertion of the alkyne into one of the metal-chalcogen bonds, followed by B-H activation, transfer of one hydrogen atom from the carborane via the metal to the terminal carbon of the alkyne, and concomitant ortho-metalation of the carborane. The E-eta2-CC and the C(1)B units are arranged either cisoid or transoid at the metal. X-ray structural analyses are reported for one of the starting 16e complexes (4S), the cisoid complex 12S (from 2S and HC[triple bond]C-CH3), and the transoid complexes 9S and 14S (from 1S and HC[triple bond]C-CH2OMe, and from 3S and HC[triple bond]CH, respectively). All new complexes 5-19 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy (1H, 11B, 13C, and 77Se and 103Rh NMR spectroscopy when appropriate).     

Influence of the solvent and R groups on the structure of (carboranyl)R2PI2 compounds in solution. Crystal structure of the first iodophosphonium salt incorporating the anion [7,8-nido-C2B9H10]-

The influence of the electron-donor or electron-acceptor capacity of the R groups (R = (i)Pr, Ph, Et) and the solvent on the molecular geometry in solution of adducts of carboranylphosphanes [(carboranyl)(i)Pr2P, (carboranyl)Ph2P and (carboranyl)Et2P] with I2 in 1 : 1 ratios, has been studied in detail by 31P{1H} and 11B{1H} NMR spectroscopies. The more electron-accepting Ph groups make the (carboranyl)Ph2P less nucleophilic, thus stabilizing the I2 encapsulated neutral biscarboranylphosphane-diiodine adducts in solution, such as (carboranyl)Ph2PI-IPPh2(carboranyl), generating P---I-I---P motifs. Even in a polar solvent, such as EtOH, the arrangement is preserved. The expected basicity of these carboranylphosphanes is: (carboranyl)(i)Pr2P > (carboranyl)Et2P > (carboranyl)Ph2P. Thus, the comparatively higher basicity of (carboranyl)Et2P vs. (carboranyl)Ph(2)P facilitates a higher transfer of electron density to the I2 sigma*, generating the ionic species, [(carboranyl)Et2PI]+I-, even in low polar solvents, such as CH2Cl2 and toluene, with no degradation of the cluster. However, in EtOH, the formation of the anionic [7,8-nido-C2B(9)H10]- cluster takes place by removal of one boron atom from the closo cluster. The basicity of (carboranyl)(i)Pr(2)P should be the highest, superior to (carboranyl)Et2P. This is observed in the reaction of these carboranylphosphanes with I(2) in EtOH. Whereas the formation of P four-coordinated molecular "spoke" charge-transfer complexes, (carboranyl)(i)Pr2P-I-I, are suggested for (carboranyl)(i)Pr2P in low polarity solvents, ionic species are formed in ethanolic solutions, which deboronate in a few days, faster than (carboranyl)Et2P, to yield the zwitterionic species. This is attributed to the higher basicity of (carboranyl)(i)Pr2P vs. (carboranyl)Et2P. The X-ray crystal structure of [7-PI(i)Pr2-8-Ph-7,8-nido-C2B9H10], 2c, obtained from the reaction of 1-P(i)Pr2-2-Ph-closo-1,2-closo-C2B10H10 with I(2) in EtOH, confirms the formation of the zwitterion. These results prove that minor changes in the nature of the R substituents on the P atom in carboranylphosphanes, along with the solvent in which the reaction takes place, produce major alterations in the geometry of the (carboranyl)R2P-I-I species in solution, and in their possible further reactivity.     

Studies on the properties of organoselenium(IV) fluorides and azides

The reaction of organoselenides and -diselenides (R2Se and (RSe)2) with XeF2 furnished the corresponding organoselenium(IV) difluorides R2SeF2 (R=Me (1), Et (2), iPr (3), Ph (4), Mes (=2,4,6-(Me)3C6H2) (5), Tipp (=2,4,6-(iPr)3C6H2) (6), 2-Me 2NCH2C6H4 (7)), and trifluorides RSeF3 (R=Me (8), iPr (9), Ph (10), Mes (11), Tipp (12), Mes* (=2,4,6-(tBu) 3C6H2) (13), 2-Me2NCH2C6H4 (14)), respectively. In addition to characterization by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, the first molecular structure of an organoselenium(IV) difluoride as well as the molecular structures of subsequent decomposition products have been determined. The substitution of fluorine atoms with Me3SiN3 leads to the corresponding organoselenium(IV) diazides R2Se(N3)2 (R=Me (15), Et (16), iPr (17), Ph (18), Mes (19), 2-Me 2NCH2C6H4 (20)) and triazides RSe(N3)3 (R=Me (21), iPr (22), Ph (23), Mes (24), Tipp (25), Mes* (26), 2-Me2NCH2C6H4 (27)), respectively. The organoselenium azides are extremely temperature-sensitive materials and can only be handled at low temperatures.     

Lanthanide chalcogenolate complexes: synthesis and crystal structures of the isoleptic series [Sm(TpMe,Me)2ER] (E = O, S, Se, Te; TpMe,Me = tris-3,5-dimethylpyrazolylborate)

A series of lanthanide complexes containing a chalcogenolate ligand supported by two TpMe,Me (tris-3,5-dimethylpyrazolylborate) groups has been prepared and crystallized and provides direct comparisons of bonding to hard and soft ligands at lanthanide centers. Reaction of [Sm(TpMe,Me)2Cl] with NaOR (R = Ph, Ph-Bu(t)) gives [Sm(TpMe,Me)2OR] (1a and 1b, respectively) in good yields. Reductive cleavage of dichalcogenides by samarium(II) was used to prepare the heavier congeners. Complexes of the type [Sm(TpMe,Me)2ER] for E = S, R = Ph (2a), E = S, R = Ph-4-Me (2b), E = S, R = CH2Ph (2c), E = Se, R = Ph (3a), E = Se, R = Ph-4-Bu(t) (3b), E = Se, R = CH2Ph (3c), and E = Te, R = Ph (4) have been prepared together with the corresponding complexes with TpMe,Me,4-Et as ancillary. The X-ray crystal structures of 1b, 2b, 3a, 3b, and 4 have been determined. The crystal of 1b (C40H57B2N12OSm.C7H8) was monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 10.6845(6) A, b = 18.5573(11) A, c = 24.4075(14) A, beta = 91.616(2) degrees, Z = 4. The crystal of 2b (C37H51B2N12SSm) was monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 15.0154(9) A, b = 13.1853(8) A, c = 21.1254(13) A, beta = 108.628(2) degrees, Z = 4. The crystal of 3a (C36H49B2N12SeSm.C7H8) was triclinic, P1, a = 10.7819(6) A, b = 19.3011(10) A, c = 23.0235(12) A, alpha = 79.443(2) degrees, beta = 77.428(2) degrees, gamma = 89.827(2) degrees, Z = 4. The crystal of 3b (C40H57B2N12SeSm) was triclinic, P1, a = 10.1801(6) A, b = 10.2622(6) A, c = 23.4367(14) A, alpha = 88.313(2) degrees, beta = 86.268(2) degrees, gamma = 62.503(2) degrees, Z = 2. The crystal of 4 (C36H49B2N12TeSm.C7H8) was monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 18.7440(10) A, b = 10.3892(6) A, c = 23.8351(13) A, beta = 94.854(2) degrees, Z = 4. The compounds form an isoleptic series of seven-coordinate complexes with terminal chalcogenolate ligands. Examination of 1b and other crystallographically characterized lanthanide alkoxides suggests that there is little correlation between bond angle and bond length. The structures of 3a and 3b, however, contain molecules in which one of the pyrazolylborate ligands undergoes a major distortion arising from twisting around a B-N bond so as to give an effectively eight-coordinate complex with pi-stacking of the phenyl group with one pyrazolyl ring. These distortions shed light on the fluxionality of these systems.     

Structural, spectroscopic and magnetic properties of M[R2P(E)NP(E)R'2]2 complexes, M = Co, Mn, E = S, Se and R, R' = Ph or iPr. Covalency of M-S bonds from experimental data and theoretical calculations

The S/Se-containing bidentate ligands LH of the type R2P(E)NHP(E)R'2, E = S, Se and R, R' = Ph or iPr have been employed to synthesize ML2 (M = Mn, Co) complexes which contain the biologically important MS4 core. Theoretical calculations on the LH and L- forms of the ligands probe the geometric and electronic changes induced by the deprotonation of the LH form, which are correlated with structural data from X-ray crystallography. These results reflect the flexibility of the ligands, which enables them to be rather versatile with respect to the formation of ML2 complexes with varied geometries and MEPNPE metallacycle conformations. A series of old and new ML2 complexes have been synthesized and their structural, spectroscopic and magnetic properties characterized in detail. The nephelauxetic ratio beta of the CoL2 complexes provides evidence of covalent interactions, whereas the EPR properties of the MnL2 complexes are interpreted on the basis of predominant ionic interactions, between the metal center and the ligands, respectively. Additional evidence for the existence of covalent interactions in the CoL2 complexes (R = Ph, iPr, or mixed Ph/iPr), is offered by comparisons between their 31P NMR. The aforementioned notations are supported by extensive theoretical calculations on the ML2 (E = S, R = Me) modelled structures, which probe the covalent and ionic character of the M-S bonds when M = Co or Mn. Wider implications of the findings of the present study on the M-S covalency and its importance in the active sites of various metalloenzymes are also discussed.     

Neutral and cationic alkylmanganese(II) complexes containing 2,6-bisiminopyridine ligands

Manganese alkyl complexes stabilised by 2,6-bis(N,N'-2,6-diisopropyl-phenyl)acetaldiminopyridine ((iPr)BIP) have been selectively prepared by reacting suitable alkylmanganese(II) precursors, such as homoleptic dialkyls [(MnR(2))(n)] or the corresponding THF adducts [{MnR(2)(thf)}(2)] with the mentioned ligand. For R=CH(2)CMe(2)Ph or CH(2)Ph, formally Mn(I) derivatives are produced, in which one of the two R groups migrates to the 4-position of the central pyridine ring in the (iPr)BIP ligand. In contrast, a true dialkyl complex [MnR(2)((iPr)BIP)] can be isolated for R=CH(2)SiMe(3). In solution, this compound slowly evolves to the corresponding Mn(I) monoalkyl derivative. A detailed study of this reaction provides insights on its mechanism, showing that it proceeds through successive alkyl migrations, followed by spontaneous dehydrogenation. Protonation of [Mn(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)((iPr)BIP)] with the pyridinium salt [H(Py)(2)][BAr'(4)] (Ar'=3,5-C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2)) leads to the cationic species [Mn(CH(2)SiMe(3))(Py)((iPr)BIP)](+). Alternatively, the same complex can be produced by reaction of the pyridine complex [{Mn(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(Py)}(2)] with the protonated ligand salt [H(iPr)BIP](+)[BAr'(4)](-). This last reaction allows the synthesis of analogous cationic alkylmanganese(II) derivatives, when precursors of type [MnR(2)((iPr)BIP)] are not available. Treatment of these neutral and cationic (iPr)BIP alkylmanganese derivatives with a range of typical co-catalysts (modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), B(C(6)F(5))(3), trimethyl or triisobutylaluminum) does not lead to active ethylene polymerisation catalysts.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel monocarbollide exo-closo-(pi-arene)biruthenacarboranes [(PPh3)mClRu(eta6-C6H5R)Ru'CB10H11-n(OMe)n] (where R = H, m = 2, n = 1; R = mu-PPh2, m = 1, n = 0, 1)

The monocarbon carborane [Cs][nido-7-CB(10)H(13)] reacts with the 16-electron [RuCl(2)(PPh(3))(3)] in a solution of benzene/methanol in the presence of N,N,N',N'-tetramethylnaphthalene-1,8-diamine as the base to give a series of 12-vertex monocarbon arene-biruthenacarborane complexes of two types: [closo-2-[7,11-exo-RuClPPh(3)(mu,eta(6)-C(6)H(5)PPh(2))]-7,11-(mu-H)(2)-2,1-RuCB(10)H(8)R] (5, R = H; 6, R = 6-MeO; 7, R = 3-MeO) and [closo-2-(eta(6)-C(6)H(6))-10,11,12-[exo-RuCl(PPh(3))(2)]-10,11,12-(mu-H)(3)-2,1-RuCB(10)H(7)R(1)] (8a, R(1) = 6-MeO; 8b, R(1) = 3-MeO, inseparable mixture of isomers) along with trace amounts of 10-vertex mononuclear hypercloso/isocloso-type complexes [2,2-(PPh(3))(2)-2-H-3,9-(MeO)(2)-2,1-RuCB(8)H(7)] (9) and [2,5-(Ph(3)P)-2-Cl-2-H-3,9-(MeO)(2)-2,1-RuCB(8)H(6)] (10). Binuclear ruthenacarborane clusters of both series were characterized by a combination of analytical and multinuclear NMR spectroscopic data and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of three selected complexes, 6-8. In solution, isomers 8a,b have been shown to undergo the isomerization process through the scrambling of the exo-[RuCl(PPh(3))(2)] fragment about two adjacent triangular cage boron faces B(7)B(11)B(12) and B(8)B(9)B(12).     

Synthesis, reactivity and complexation studies of N,S exo-heterodisubstituted o-carborane ligands. Carborane as a platform to produce the uncommon bidentate chelating (pyridine)N-C-C-C-s(H) motif

The synthesis of N,S-heterodisubstituted 1-(2'-pyridyl)-2-SR-1,2-closo-C2B10H10 compounds (R = Et, 2; R = (i)Pr, 3) has been accomplished starting from 1-(2'-pyridyl)-l,2-closo-C2B10H11 (1), and their partial deboronation reaction leading to the structurally chiral [7-(2'-pyridyl)-8-SR-7,8-nido-C2B9H10]-derivatives (R = Et, [4]-; R = (i)Pr, [5]-) has been studied. Capillary electrophoresis combined with the chiral selector alpha-cyclodextrin has permitted the separation of the electrophoretically pure racemic [7-(2'-pyridyl)-8-SR-7,8-nido-C2B9H11]- ions into two peaks each one corresponding to the interaction of one enantiomer with the alpha-cyclodextrin. The N,S-heterodisubstituted o-carborane containing a mercapto group, 1-(2'-pyridyl)-2-SH-1,2-closo-C2B10H10, 1, is one of the two examples of a rigid bidentate chelating (pyridine)N-C-C-C-S(H) motif having been structurally fully characterized. To study the potential of such a binding site, 1 has been tested as a ligand with metal ions requiring different coordination numbers, two (Au(+)) and four (Pd2+ and Rh+). The crystal structures of the Pd(II) and Au(I) complexes are reported. For the Pd(II) complex, 1 acts as a bidentate ligand whereas for Au(I), 1 acts as a monodentate ligand through the thiolate.     

A new route to achiral and chiral 1,2-bis(phosphino)ethanes, 1-arsino-2-phosphinoethanes, and 1,3-bis(phosphino)propanes and the molecular structure and catalytic activity of some rhodium(I) complexes derived thereof

A series of unsymmetrical 1,2-bis(phosphino)ethanes R(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PR'(2) and 1-arsino-2-phosphinoethanes R(2)AsCH(2)CH(2)PR'(2) mainly with bulky substituents R and R' were prepared from the cyclic sulfate by stepwise cleavage of the carbon-oxygen bonds by LiPR(2) and LiPR'(2) or LiAsR(2) and LiPR'(2), respectively. Analogously, racemic mixtures of R(2)PCH(2)CH(Me)PPh(2)(R =iPr, Cy ) as well as the enantiomers (R)-, (R)- and (R)-tBu(2)PCH(2)CH(Me)PPh(2)(R)- were obtained from the corresponding unsymmetrical cyclic sulfates and (S)-. On a similar route, the racemates of the 1,3-bis(phosphino)propanes R(2)PCH(2)CH(2)CH(Me)PPh(2)(R =iPr, tBu ), optically pure (R)- and (S,S)-iPr(2)PCH(Me)CH(2)CH(Me)PPh(2)(S,S)- were prepared. The reaction of [[RhCl([small eta](4)-C(8)H(12))](2)] with chelating ligands L-L, where L-L is R(2)PCH(2)P(men)(2)(R =iPr, Ph; men =(1S,2R,5S)-menthyl), Cy(2)AsCH(2)P(men)(2), or (R)-, (R)-, (R)-, (R)- and (S,S)-, in the presence of AgPF(6), gave the complexes [Rh(eta(4)-C(8)H(12))(L-L)]PF(6) which were used as pre-catalysts in the hydrogenation of the methyl ester of alpha-acetamidocinnamic acid (ACM). Depending on L-L, the solvent, the temperature and the pressure of H(2), optical yields of up to 69% ee were achieved. For two of the rhodium complexes, and, the molecular structures were determined by X-ray crystallography.