Reactions of small boranes with ruthenium phosphine hydrides: Oligomerisation of monoborane-tetrahydrofuran to a nido-hexaruthenaborane

Reaction of [Ru(PPh₃)₄H₂] with BH₃ · thf at room temperature gives borane oligomerisation with the formation of the 6-vertex metallaborane nido-2-[Ru(PPh₃)₂(H)B₅H₁₀] (1). This cluster is also formed by reaction of [Ru(PPh₃)₄H₂] with nido-B₅H₉. Compound (1) is readily deprotonated by KH in thf at the unique basal B-H-B bridge to give (2). In contrast to [Ru(PPh₃)₄H₂] reaction of [cis-Ru(PMe₃)₄H₂] with BH₃ · thf gives initially the known borohydride [Ru(PMe₃)₃(H)(η²-BH₄)] which reacts with excess BH₃ · thf to give the 5-vertex metallaborane nido-2-[Ru(PMe₃)₃B₄H₈] (3). Reaction of [cis-Ru(PMe₃)₄H₂] with nido-B₅H₉ also gives (3) and nido-2-[Ru(PMe₃)₃B₉H₁₃] (4). [cis-Ru(PMe₃)₄H₂] is conveniently prepared in high yield in a one-pot synthesis by the sodium amalgam reduction of RuCl₃ · 3H₂O in thf with excess PMe₃ under dinitrogen.     

N-arylammonio- and N-pyridinium-substituted derivatives of dodecahydro-closo-dodecaborate(2-)

We report two methods for preparing N-arylammonio, N-pyridyl and N-arylamino dodecaborates: heating of the tetrabutylammonium salt of dodecahydro-closo-dodecaborate(2-) with aryl and pyridyl amines, or nucleophilic attack of [closo-B₁₂H₁₁NH₂]²⁻ on a strongly deactivated aromatic system. With aryl amines we obtained [1-closo-B₁₂H₁₁N(R¹)₂C₆H₅]⁻ (R¹ = H, CH₃). With 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine, [1-closo-(B₁₂H₁₁NC₅H₄)-4-N(CH₃)₂]⁻, with a bond between the boron and the pyridinium nitrogen, was obtained. A presumable mechanism for this kind of reactions is reported. By nucleophilic substitution, two products, [1-closo-(B₁₂H₁₁NHC₆H₃)-3,4-(CN)₂]²⁻ and [1-closo-(B₁₂H₁₁NHC₆H₂)-2-(NO₂)-4,5-(CN)₂]²⁻, were formed with 4-nitrophthalonitrile and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene gave [1-closo-(B₁₂H₁₁NHC₆H₃)-2,4-(NO₂)₂]²⁻. For [1-closo-B₁₂H₁₁N(CH₃)₂C₆H₅]⁻ and [1-closo-(B₁₂H₁₁NHC₆H₃)-2,4-(NO₂)₂]²⁻ single crystal X-ray structures were obtained.     

New approaches to cluster modification in the 12-vertex metallatricarbollide series

Cluster opening of [2-Cp-9-^tBuNH-closo-2,1,7,9-FeC₃B₈H₁₀] (1) , followed by oxidation, generates complexes [2-Cp-8-^tBuNH-closo-2,1,8,10-FeC₃B₈H₁₀] (2), [2-Cp-4-^tBuNH-closo-2,1,4,12-FeC₃B₈H₁₀] (3), [2-Cp-1-^tBuNH-closo-2,1,7,10-FeC₃B₈H₁₀] (4), and [1-Cp-10-^tBuNH-closo-1,2,3,10-FeC₃B₇H₉] (5). Another variation of the syntheses led to compounds [2-Cp-closo-2,1,8,10-FeC₃B₈H₁₁] (6), [4-Cp-1-^tBuNH-closo-4,1,6,8,-FeC₃B₉H₁₁] (7) and to two isomeric, not yet fully characterized, 13-vertex compounds of general nido structure [^tBuNH-Cp-FeC₃B₉H₁₂] (8 and 9).     

Synthesis and reactivity of rhodium(III) pentamethylcyclopentadienyl complexes of N-B-PTA(BH3): X-ray crystal structures of [CpRhCl2{N-B}-PTA(BH3)] and [CpRh{N-B-PTA(BH3)}(η-CH2 = CHPh)]

The reaction between 1-boranyl-1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane ligand N-B-PTA(BH₃) and [Cp^∗RhCl(μ-Cl)]₂ affords [Cp^∗Rh{N-B-PTA(BH₃)}Cl₂] (3) or [Cp_∗Rh{N-B-PTA(BH₃)}₂Cl]Cl (5) containing one or two P-bonded boronated PTA ligands. The hydride [Cp_∗Rh{N-B-PTA(BH₃)}H₂] (8) was also obtained by reaction of 3 with NaBH₄ and alternatively by direct hydroboration of [Cp^∗Rh(PTA)Cl₂] with excess NaBH₄. Moderately slow hydrolysis of the N-boranyl rhodium complexes affords dihydrogen, H₃BO₃ and the corresponding PTA derivatives, including the water-soluble dihydride [Cp^∗Rh(PTA)H₂] (9). Finally, the reaction of 8 with electron poor alkynes gives the alkene complexes [Cp^∗Rh{N-B-PTA(BH₃)}(η²-CH₂ = CHR)] (R = Ph, 10; C(O)OEt, 11) as a mixture of rotamers η²-coordinated to rhodium without affecting the N-BH₃ moiety. The X-ray crystal structures of 3 and 10 were also obtained and are here discussed.     

Metal-Stabilized [B8H8]2− Derivatives with Dodecahedral Structure in the Solid and Solution States: [(Cp2MBH3)2B8H6] (Cp=η5-C5H5; M=Zr (1-Zr) and Hf (1-Hf)).

Despite the synthesis and structural characterization of closo-hydroborate dianions, [B_nH_n]²⁻ (n=6–12) more than 50 years ago, some ambiguity remains about the structure of [B₈H₈]²⁻. Although the solid-state structure of [B₈H₈]²⁻ was established by single-crystal X-ray studies in 1969, fast rearrangements in solution at accessible temperatures prevented its detailed characterization. We therefore stabilized a derivative of [B₈H₈]²⁻ by using Cp₂MBH₃ and structurally characterized two new octaborane analogues, [(Cp₂MBH₃)₂B₈H₆] (Cp=η⁵-C₅H₅; M=Zr ( 1-Zr ) and Hf ( 1-Hf )), so that the dynamics of the B₈ skeleton were arrested. The solid-state structures of both 1-Zr and 1-Hf comprise a dodecahedron core protected by {Cp₂MBH₃} moieties on both sides of the cluster. Spectroscopic characterization (¹¹B NMR) validates the intactness of the B₈ dodecahedron core in solution as well. Theoretical calculations establish that the two exo-{Cp₂MBH₃} fragments provide structural and electronic structural stability to the B₈ core and its intact dodecahedral dianionic nature. Furthermore, we propose isodesmic equations for the formation of higher analogues of the B_n core (n>8) guarded by different group 4 transition metals. Our analysis suggests that, as we move to higher polyhedra (n>10), the formation becomes unfavourable irrespective of metal.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of two new hydrated borates, Zn8[(BO3)3O2(OH)3] and Pb[B5O8(OH)]·1.5H2O

Two new hydrated borates, Zn₈[(BO₃)₃O₂(OH)₃] and Pb[B₅O₈(OH)]·1.5H₂O, have been prepared by hydrothermal reactions at 170 °C. Single-crystal X-ray structural analyses showed that Zn₈[(BO₃)₃O₂(OH)₃] crystallizes in a non-centrosymmetric space group R32 with a=8.006(2) Å, c=17.751(2) Å, Z=3 and Pb[B₅O₈(OH)]·1.5H₂O in a triclinic space group P1¯ with a=6.656(2) Å, b=6.714(2) Å, c=10.701(2) Å, α=99.07(2)°, β=93.67(2)°, γ=118.87(1)°, Z=2. Zn₈[(BO₃)₃O₂(OH)₃] represents a new structure type in which Zn-centered tetrahedra are connected via common vertices leading to helical ribbons _∞¹[Zn₈O₁₅(OH)₃]¹⁷⁻ that pack side by side and are further condensed through sharing oxygen atoms to form a three-dimensional _∞³[Zn₈O₁₁(OH)₃]⁹⁻ framework. The boron atoms are incorporated into the channels in the framework to complete the final structure. Pb[B₅O₈(OH)]·1.5H₂O is a layered compound containing double ring [B₅O₈(OH)]²⁻ building units that share exocyclic oxygen atoms to form a two-dimensional layer. Symmetry-center-related layers are stacked along the c-axis and held together by interlayer Pb²⁺ ions and water molecules via electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions. The IR spectra further confirmed the existence of both triangular BO₃ and OH groups in Zn₈[(BO₃)₃O₂(OH)₃], and BO₃, BO₄, OH groups as well as guest water molecules in Pb[B₅O₈(OH)]·1.5H₂O.     

Syntheses of C-substituted icosahedral dicarbaboranes bearing the 8-dioxane-cobalt bisdicarbollide moiety

The treatment of 1,2-, 1,7- and 1,12-carbaborane lithiated isomers with [3,3′-Co-8-(CH₂CH₂O)₂-(1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)-(1′,2′-C₂B₉H₁₁)] (1) at molar ratios 1:1 or 1:2 at room temperature in THF leads generally to the formation of a series of orange double-cluster mono and dianions. These were characterized by NMR and MS methods as [1′′-X-1′′,2′′-closo-C₂B₁₀H₁₁]⁻, [2]⁻; [1′′-X-1′′,7′′-closo-C₂B₁₀H₁₁]⁻, [3]⁻ and [1′′-X-1′′,12′′-closo-C₂B₁₀H₁₁], [4]⁻ for the monoanions, whereas [1′′,2′′-X₂-1′′,2′′-closo-C₂B₁₀H₁₀]²⁻, [2]²⁻; [1′′,7′′-X₂-1′′,7′′-closo-C₂B₁₀H₁₀]²⁻, [3]²⁻; and [1′′,12′′-X₂-1′′,12′′-closo-C₂B₁₀H₁₀]²⁻, [4]²⁻ for the dianions (where X = 3,3′-Co-8-(CH₂CH₂O)₂-(1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)-1′,2′-(C₂B₉H₁₁)). Moreover, these borane-cage subunits can be easily modified via attaching variable substituents onto cage carbon and boron vertices, which makes these compounds structurally flexible potential candidates for BNCT of cancer and HIV-PR inhibition.     

Interaction of polyhedral boron hydride anions [B10H10] and [B12H12] with cyclic copper and silver 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolate complexes

The interactions of cyclic trinuclear copper {[3,5-(CF₃)₂Pz]Cu}₃ and silver {[3,5-(CF₃)₂Pz]Ag}₃ complexes with polyhedral borate anions [B₁₀H₁₀]²⁻ and [B₁₂H₁₂]²⁻ in solvents of low-polarity were studied using IR spectroscopy (190-290 K). Two types of complexes were found in solution: {[((3,5-CF₃)₂PzM)₃][B_nH_n]}²⁻ and {[((3,5-CF₃)₂PzM)₃]₂[B_nH_n]}²⁻ (M = Ag, Cu; n = 10, 12). The stability constants of these complexes were determined from IR-spectra.     

Thermochemistry of dicesium calcium tetraborate octahydrate

The enthalpies of solution of Cs₂Ca[B₄O₅(OH)₄]₂·8H₂O(s) in approximately 1 mol dm⁻³ aqueous hydrochloric acid and of CsCl(s) in aqueous (hydrochloric acid + boric acid + calcium oxide) were determined. From these results and the enthalpies of solution of H₃BO₃(s) in approximately 1 mol dm⁻³ HCl(aq) and of CaO(s) in aqueous (hydrochloric acid + boric acid), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of −(10328 ± 6) kJ mol⁻¹ for Cs₂Ca[B₄O₅(OH)₄]₂·8H₂O(s) was obtained from the standard molar enthalpy of formation of CaO(s), CsCl(s), H₃BO₃(s) and H₂O(l). The standard molar entropy of formation of Cs₂Ca[B₄O₅(OH)₄]₂·8H₂O(s) was calculated from the thermodynamic relation with the standard molar Gibbs free energy of formation of Cs₂Ca[B₄O₅(OH)₄]₂·8H₂O(s) computed from a group contribution method.     

Fine Tuning of Metallaborane Geometries: Chemistry of Metallaboranes of Early Transition Metals Derived from Metal Halides and Monoborane Reagents

Reaction of [Cp_nMCl_4?x] (M=V: n=x=2; M=Nb: n=1, x=0) or [Cp*TaCl₄] (Cp=η⁵‐C₅H₅, Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅), with [LiBH₄?thf] at ?70 °C followed by thermolysis at 85 °C in the presence of [BH₃?thf] yielded the hydrogen‐rich metallaboranes [(CpM)₂(B₂H₆)₂] ( 1 : M=V; 2 : M = Nb) and [(Cp*Ta)₂(B₂H₆)₂] ( 3 ) in modest to high yields. Complexes 1 and 3 are the first structurally characterized compounds with a metal–metal bond bridged by two hexahydroborate (B₂H₆) groups forming a symmetrical complex. Addition of [BH₃?thf] to 3 results in formation of a metallaborane [(Cp*Ta)₂B₄H₈(μ‐BH₄)] ( 4 ) containing a tetrahydroborate ligand, [BH₄]^?, bound exo to the bicapped tetrahedral cage [(Cp*Ta)₂B₄H₈] by two Ta‐H‐B bridge bonds. The interesting structural feature of 4 is the coordination of the bridging tetrahydroborate group, which has two B? H bonds coordinated to the tantalum atoms. All these new metallaboranes have been characterized by mass, ¹H, ¹¹B, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis and the structural types were established unequivocally by crystallographic analysis of 1 – 4 .     

Olefin-aminocarbyne coupling in diiron complexes: Synthesis of new bridging aminoallylidene complexes

The bridging aminocarbyne complexes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, 1a; Xyl, 1b; 4-C₆H₄OMe, 1c; Xyl = 2,6-Me₂C₆ H₃) react with acrylonitrile or methyl acrylate, in the presence of Me₃NO and NaH, to give the corresponding μ-allylidene complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³- C_α(N(Me)(R))C_β(H)C_γ(H)(R′)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R = Me, R′ = CN, 3a; R = Xyl, R′ = CN, 3b; R = 4-C₆H₄OMe, R′ = CN, 3c; R = Me, R′ = CO₂Me, 3d; R = 4-C₆H₄OMe, R′ = CO₂Me, 3e). Likewise, 1a reacts with styrene or diethyl maleate, under the same reaction conditions, affording the complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(NMe₂)C_β(R′)C_γ(H)(R″)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R′ = H, R″ = C₆H₅, 3f; R′ = R″ = CO₂Et, 3g). The corresponding reactions of [Ru₂{μ-CN(Me)(CH₂Ph)}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (1d) with acrylonitrile or methyl acrylate afford the complexes [Ru₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(N(Me)(CH₂Ph))C_β(H)C_γ(H)(R′)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R′ = CN, 3h; CO₂Me, 3i), respectively.The coupling reaction of olefin with the carbyne carbon is regio- and stereospecific, leading to the formation of only one isomer. C-C bond formation occurs selectively between the less substituted alkene carbon and the aminocarbyne, and the C_β-H, C_γ-H hydrogen atoms are mutually trans.The reactions with acrylonitrile, leading to 3a-c and 3h involve, as intermediate species, the nitrile complexes [M₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(NC-CHCH₂)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (M = Fe, R = Me, 4a; M = Fe, R = Xyl, 4b; M = Fe, R = 4-C₆H₄OMe, 4c; M = Ru, R = CH₂C₆H₅, 4d).Compounds 3a, 3d and 3f undergo methylation (by CH₃SO₃CF₃) and protonation (by HSO₃CF₃) at the nitrogen atom, leading to the formation of the cationic complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(N(Me)₃)C_β(H)C_γ(H)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = CN, 5a; R = CO₂Me, 5b; R = C₆H₅, 5c) and [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(N(H)(Me)₂)C_β(H)C_γ(H)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = CN, 6a; R = CO₂Me, 6b; R = C₆H₅, 6c), respectively.Complex 3a, adds the fragment [Fe(CO)₂(THF)(Cp)]⁺, through the nitrile functionality of the bridging ligand, leading to the formation of the complex [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(NMe₂)C_β(H)C_γ(H)(CNFe(CO)₂Cp)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (9).In an analogous reaction, 3a and [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃], in the presence of Me₃NO, are assembled to give the tetrameric species [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(NMe₂)C_β(H)C_γ(H)(CN[Fe₂{μ- CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂])}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, 10a; R = Xyl, 10b; R = 4-C₆H₄OMe, 10c).The molecular structures of 3a and 3b have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Rational synthesis of trinuclear (WIr2) cluster from the 16-electron half-sandwich complex Cp*Ir[Se2C2(B10H10)]

A trinuclear cluster {Cp*Ir[Se₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)]}₂W(CO)₂ (3) containing Ir-W bonding was obtained from the reaction of 16-electron complex Cp*Ir[Se₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] with [W(CO)₃(py)₃] in the presence of BF₃ · OEt₂, and its structure has been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Reactions of pentaborane(9) with electron-rich molybdenum and tungsten phosphine polyhydrides

Reaction of [W(PMe₂Ph)₃H₆] with pentaborane(9) gives nido-2-[W(PMe₂Ph)₃H₂B₄H₈] (1) as well as nido-2-[W(PMe₂Ph)₃HB₅H₁₀] (2). The crystal structure of (2) has been determined. Compound (2) has a novel metallaborane structure containing an edge-bridging {BH₃} group between the tungsten atom and one of the basal boron atoms in a “nido-WB₄” pyramid. Reaction of [W(PMe₃)₄(η²-CH₂PMe₂)H] with pentaborane(9) gives nido-2-[W(PMe₃)₃H₂B₄H₈] (3) whilst reaction of [Mo(L)₄H₄] with pentaborane(9) gives nido-2-[Mo(L)₃H₂B₄H₈] [L = PMe₃ (4), PMe₂Ph (5)]. Treatment of [Mo(PMe₃)₄H₄] with excess BH₃ · thf gives the known borohydride [Mo(PMe₃)₄H(η²-BH₄)].     

Thermochemistry of NaRb[B4O5(OH)4]·4H2O

The enthalpies of solution of NaRb[B₄O₅(OH)₄]·4H₂O in approximately 1 mol dm⁻³ aqueous hydrochloric acid and of RbCl in aqueous (hydrochloric acid + boric acid + sodium chloride) were determined. From these results and the enthalpy of solution of H₃BO₃ in approximately 1 mol dm⁻³ HCl(aq) and of sodium chloride in aqueous (hydrochloric acid + boric acid), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of −(5128.02 ± 1.94) kJ mol⁻¹ for NaRb[B₄O₅(OH)₄]·4H₂O was obtained from the standard molar enthalpies of formation of NaCl(s), RbCl(s), H₃BO₃(s) and H₂O(l). The standard molar entropy of formation of NaRb[B₄O₅(OH)₄]·4H₂O was calculated from the Gibbs free energy of formation of NaRb[B₄O₅(OH)₄]·4H₂O computed from a group contribution method.     

Syntheses and characterization of cyano-bridged homo and hetero bimetallic complexes containing η and η-cyclic hydrocarbons

The reactions of [(ind)Ru(PPh₃)₂CN] (ind = η⁵-C₉H₇) (1) and [CpRu(PPh₃)₂CN] (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅) (2) with [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(bipy)Cl]Cl (bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) (3) in the presence of AgNO₃/NH₄BF₄ in methanol, respectively, yielded dicationic cyano-bridged complexes of the type [(ind)(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Ru(bipy)(η⁶-p-cymene)](BF₄)₂ (4) and [Cp(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Ru(bipy)(η⁶-p-cymene)](BF₄)₂ (5). The reaction of [CpRu(PPh₃)₂CN] (2), [CpOs(PPh₃)₂CN] (6) and [CpRu(dppe)CN] (7) with the corresponding halide complexes and [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂ formed the monocationic cyano-bridge complexes [Cp(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Os(PPh₃)₂Cp](BF₄) (8), [Cp(PPh₃)₂Os(μ- CN)Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp](BF₄) (9) and [Cp(dppe)Ru(μ-CN)Os(PPh₃)₂Cp](BF₄) (10) along with the neutral complexes [Cp(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Ru (η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂] (11), [Cp(PPh₃)₂Os(μ-CN)Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂] (12), and [Cp(dppe) Ru(μ-CN)Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂] (13). These complexes were characterized by FT IR, ¹H NMR, ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy and the molecular structures of complexes 4, 8 and 11 were solved by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Reaction studies on some functionalized alkyl transition metal compounds and the crystal structure of [Cp(CO)3W{(CH2)3NO2}]

The reactions of the halogenoalkyl compounds [Cp(CO)₃W{(CH₂)_nX}] (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅; n = 3-5; X = Br, I) and [Cp(CO)₂(PPhMe₂)Mo{(CH₂)₃Br}] with the nucleophiles Z = CN⁻ and gave compounds of the type [Cp(CO)₃W{(CH₂)_nZ}] for the tungsten compounds, whilst cyclic carbene compounds were obtained from the reactions of the molybdenum compound. The reactions of [Cp(CO)₃W{(CH₂)_nBr}] (n = 3, 4) and [Cp(CO)₂(PPhMe₂)Mo{(CH₂)₃Br}] with gave [Cp(CO)₃W{(CH₂)_nONO₂}] and [Cp(CO)₂(PPhMe₂)Mo{(CH₂)₃ONO₂}], respectively. The reaction of [Cp(CO)₃W{(CH₂)_nBr}] with AgNO₂ gave [Cp(CO)₃W{(CH₂)_nNO₂}]. In the solid state the complex [Cp(CO)₃W{(CH₂)₃NO₂}] crystallizes in a distorted square pyramidal geometry. In this molecule the nitropropyl chain deviates from the ideal, all-trans geometry as a result of short, non-hydrogen intermolecular N-O?O-N contacts. The reactions of the heterobimetallic compounds [Cp(CO)₃W{(CH₂)₃}ML_y] {ML_y = Mo(CO)₃Cp, Mo(CO)₃Cp^∗ and Mo(CO)₂(PMe₃)Cp; Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅(CH₃)₅} with PPh₃ and CO were found to be totally metalloselective, with the ligand always attacking the metal site predicted by the reactions of the corresponding monometallic analogues above with nucleophiles. Thus the compounds [Cp(CO)₃W{(CH₂)₃}C(O)ML_z] {ML_z = Mo(CO)₂YCp, Mo(CO)₂YCp^∗ and Mo(CO)Y(PMe₃)Cp; Y = PPh₃ or CO} were obtained. Similarly, the reaction of [Cp(CO)₂Fe{(CH₂)₃}Mo(CO)₂(PMe₃)Cp] with CO gave only [Cp(CO)₂Fe{(CH₂)₃C(O)}Mo(CO)₂(PMe₃)Cp]. Hydrolysis of the bimetallic compound, [Cp(CO)₃W(CH₂)₃C(O)Mo(CO)(PPh₃)(PMe₃)Cp], gave the carboxypropyl compound [Cp(CO)₃W{(CH₂)₃COOH}]. Thermolysis of the compound [Cp(CO)₂Fe(CH₂)₃Mo(CO)₃(PMe₃)Cp] gave cyclopropane and propene, indicating that β-elimination and reductive processes had taken place.     

Stabilisation of heterobimetallic networks by crown ethers and hydrogen-bonding in [Ni(H2O)6][Cu3Cl8(H2O)2] · (15-crown-5)2 · 2H2O: Structure and magnetism

[Ni(H₂O)₆][Cu₃Cl₈(H₂O)₂] · (15-crown-5)₂ · 2H₂O can be conveniently prepared by the interaction of NiCl₂ · 6H₂O, CuCl₂ · 2H₂O and 15-crown-5 in water. The X-ray crystal structure reveals an ionic complex involved in a hydrogen-bonded two dimensional network with the [Ni(H₂O)₆]²⁺ and [Cu₃Cl₈(H₂O)₂]²⁻ ions sandwiched between the 15-crown-5 macrocycles. The magnetic susceptibility data (4–300 K) and magnetisation isotherms (2–5.5 K; 0–5 T) are best interpreted in terms of intra-trimer ferromagnetic coupling within the [Cu₃Cl₈(H₂O)₂]²⁻ moieties, with J ∼ 6 cm⁻¹, and antiferromagnetic coupling between the trimers, the latter mediated by H-bonding pathways. Comparisons are made to other reported quaternary ammonium salts of [Cu₃Cl₈]²⁻ and [Cu₃Cl₁₂]⁶⁻, most of which display structures that involve close stacking of such Cu(II) trimers, rather than being of the present isolated, albeit H-bonded, types.     

The Versatile Coordination Modes of Monophosphine‐o‐Carborane in the Formation of Iridium and Rhodium Complexes: Synthesis,Reactivity, and Characterization

Monophosphine‐o‐carborane has four competitive coordination modes when it coordinates to metal centers. To explore the structural transitions driven by these competitive coordination modes, a series of monophosphine‐o‐carborane Ir,Rh complexes were synthesized and characterized. [Cp*M(Cl)₂{1‐(PPh₂)‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₁}] (M=Ir ( 1 a ), Rh ( 1 b ); Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅), [Cp*Ir(H){7‐(PPh₂)‐7,8‐C₂B₉H₁₁}] ( 2 a ), and [1‐(PPh₂)‐3‐(η⁵‐Cp*)‐3,1,2‐MC₂B₉H₁₀] (M=Ir ( 3 a ), Rh ( 3 b )) can be all prepared directly by the reaction of 1‐(PPh₂)‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₁ with dimeric complexes [(Cp*MCl₂)₂] (M=Ir, Rh) under different conditions. Compound 3 b was treated with AgOTf (OTf=CF₃SO₃^?) to afford the tetranuclear metallacarborane [Ag₂(thf)₂(OTf)₂{1‐(PPh₂)‐3‐(η⁵‐Cp*)‐3,1,2‐RhC₂B₉H₁₀}₂] ( 4 b ). The arylphosphine group in 3 a and 3 b was functionalized by elemental sulfur (1 equiv) in the presence of Et₃N to afford [1‐{(S)PPh₂}‐3‐(η⁵‐Cp*)‐3,1,2‐MC₂B₉H₁₀] (M=Ir ( 5 a ), Rh ( 5 b )). Additionally, the 1‐(PPh₂)‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₁ ligand was functionalized by elemental sulfur (2 equiv) and then treated with [(Cp*IrCl₂)₂], thus resulting in two 16‐electron complexes [Cp*Ir(7‐{(S)PPh₂}‐8‐S‐7,8‐C₂B₉H₉)] ( 6 a ) and [Cp*Ir(7‐{(S)PPh₂}‐8‐S‐9‐OCH₃‐7,8‐C₂B₉H₉)] ( 7 a ). Compound 6 a further reacted with nBuPPh₂, thereby leading to 18‐electron complex [Cp*Ir(nBuPPh₂)(7‐{(S)PPh₂}‐8‐S‐7,8‐C₂B₉H₁₀)] ( 8 a ). The influences of other factors on structural transitions or the formation of targeted compounds, including reaction temperature and solvent, were also explored.     

Synthesis and structure of halogen derivatives of 9-dimethylsulfonium-7,8-dicarba-nido-undecaborane [9-Me2S-7,8-C2B9H11]

Halogenation of 9-dimethylsulfonium-7,8-dicarba-nido-undecaborane [9-SMe₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₁] with N-chlorosuccinimide, bromine and iodine gave the expected corresponding halogen derivatives [9-SMe₂-11-X-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀], where X = Cl (1), Br (2), I (3). In the bromination reaction, [9-SMe₂-6-Br-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀] (4) was isolated as a minor product being the first example of substitution at a “lower” belt of the 7,8-dicarba-nido-undecaborate cage. The use of excess of bromine resulted in dibromo derivative [9-SMe₂-6,11-Br₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₉] (5). Structures of the compounds prepared were determined using ¹¹B-¹¹B COSY NMR spectroscopy (for all halogen derivatives) and single crystal X-ray diffraction (for compounds 2, 3, and 5).     

An unexpected cluster opening upon the formation of electronically unsaturated η-(cyclooctenyl)metallacarboranes of rhodium(III) and iridium(III) with sterically reduced [(PhCH2)2C2B9H9] ligand

The room-temperature metallation reactions of the K⁺ salt of the [7,8-(PhCH₂)₂-7,8-nido-C₂B₉H₁₀]⁻ anion (1) with the COD-metal μ-chloride dimers [(η⁴-C₈H₁₂)₂Rh₂(μ-Cl)₂] (2) and [(η⁴-C₈H₁₂)₂Ir₂(μ-Cl)₂] (3) in benzene/ethanol solution gave formally 16-electron pseudocloso-type complexes with the η³-cyclooctenyl ligand at the metal vertices, [3-{(1-3-η³)-C₈H₁₃}-1,2-(PhCH₂)₂-pseudocloso-3,1,2-MC₂B₉H₉] [4, M = Rh(III); 5, M = Ir(III)]. No evidence supporting the existence of an agostic C-H?M bonding interaction in these compounds was obtained either from the crystallographic or the phase-sensitive 2-D [¹H-¹H] NOESY/EXSY studies of 4. The extraordinary stability of complexes 4 and 5 can therefore be associated with their cage-deformed cluster structures, where electronically-deficient (16-electron) metal centers are believed to be stabilized by additional electron density released from the polyhedral C-C bond cleavage. DFT solid-state calculations performed for closo (18-electron) and pseudocloso (16-electron) Rh(III) complexes, [3-(η⁵-C₅Me₅)-1,2-(PhCH₂)₂-closo-3,1,2-RhC₂B₉H₉] (6, C-C, 1.7397 Å) and [3-{(1-3-η³)-C₈H₁₃}-1,2-(4′-MeC₆H₄)₂-pseudocloso-3,1,2-RhC₂B₉H₉] (9, C?C, 2.420(2) Å), showed that the electron density transfer from the carborane moiety to the rhodium center is marginally greater for complex 9, in accordance with the idea that electronics rather than sterics play a crucial role in the stabilization of 16-electron pseudocloso-metallacarborane species.