Aqueous organometallic chemistry. 3. Catalytic hydride transfer reactions with ketones and aldehydes using [Cp∗Rh(bpy)(H2O)](OTf)2 as the precatalyst and sodium formate as the hydride source: Kinetic and activation parameters, and the significance of steric and electronic effects

The reaction of a precatalyst, [Cp∗Rh(bpy)(H₂O)](OTf)₂ (1), with sodium formate provided the hydride complex, [Cp∗Rh(bpy)(H)]⁺ (2), in situ, at pH 7.0, which was then evaluated in an aqueous, catalytic hydride transfer process with water soluble substrates that encompass 2-pentanone (3), cyclohexanone (4), acetophenone (5), propionaldehyde (6), benzaldehyde (7), and p-methoxybenzaldehyde (8). The initial rates, r_i, of appearance of the reduction product alcohols at 23 °C provided a relative rate scale: 8 > 7 ≈ 6 > 5 > 4 > 3, while the effect of concentration of substrate, precatalyst, and sodium formate on r_i, using 7 as an example, implicates [Cp∗Rh(bpy)(H)]⁺ formation as the rate-limiting step. The experimental kinetic rate expression was found to be: d[alcohol]/dt = k_cat[1][HCO₂Na]; substrate being pseudo zero order in water. The steric effects were also analyzed and appeared to be of less importance intra both the ketone and aldehyde series, but an inter series comparison appeared to show that the aldehydes had less of a steric effect on the initial rate, i.e., 7 > 4 by a factor of 3.6, while the aldehyde series appeared to have some moderate electronic influence on rates, presumably via electron donation to increase binding to the Cp∗Rh metal ion center, in accordance with these proposed concerted binding/hydride transfer reactions. A proposed catalytic cycle will also be presented.     

Synthesis,characterization, DNA-binding and DNA-photocleavage studies of [Ru(bpy)2(BPIP)] and [Ru(phen)2(BPIP)] (BPIP = 2-(4′-biphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline)

New ligand 2-(4′-biphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline (BPIP) and its complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(BPIP)]²⁺ (1) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and [Ru(phen)₂(BPIP)]²⁺ (2) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized by mass spectroscopy, ¹H NMR and cyclic voltammetry. The interaction of two Ru(II) complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated by spectroscopic and viscosity measurements. Results indicate that both complexes bind to DNA via an intercalative mode and the DNA-binding affinity of complex 2 is much greater than that of complex 1. Furthermore, when irradiated at 365 nm, both complexes have also been found to promote the photocleavage of plasmid pBR 322 DNA.     

Nucleophilic properties of Ru(CCH)(dppe)Cp∗: Synthesis and structure of Ru{c-CCArC(O)C(O)O}(dppe)Cp∗ [Ar = 2,4-(NO2)2C6H3]

The complex Ru{c-CCArC(O)C(O)O}(dppe)Cp∗ [Ar = 2,4-(NO₂)₂C₆H₃] 2, containing a dihydrofuran-3,4-dione ligand, was obtained from a reaction between the strong nucleophile Ru(CCH)(dppe)Cp∗ 1 and bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl) oxalate. The X-ray determined molecular structure of 2 is reported, together with a plausible route for its formation.     

Some complexes containing carbon chains end-capped by M(CO)2Tp′ [M = Mo, W; Tp′ = HB(pz)3, HB(dmpz)3] groups

Complexes M(CCCSiMe₃)(CO)₂Tp′ (Tp′ = Tp [HB(pz)₃], M = Mo 2, W 4; Tp′ = Tp^∗ [HB(dmpz)₃], M = Mo 3) are obtained from M(CCCSiMe₃)(O₂CCF₃)(CO)₂(tmeda) (1) and K[Tp′].Reactions of 2 or 4 with AuCl(PPh₃)/K₂CO₃ in MeOH afforded M{CCCAu(PPh₃)}(CO)₂Tp′ (M = Mo 5, W 6) containing C₃ chains linking the Group 6 metal and gold centres.In turn, the gold complexes react with Co₃(μ₃-CBr)(μ-dppm)(CO)₇ to give the C₄-bridged {Tp(OC)₂M}CCCC{Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} (M = Mo 7, W 8), while Mo(CBr)(CO)₂Tp^∗ and Co₃{μ₃-C(CC)₂Au(PPh₃)}(μ-dppm)(CO)₇ give {Tp^∗(OC)₂Mo}C(CC)₂C{Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} (9) via a phosphine-gold(I) halide elimination reaction. The C₃ complexes Tp′(OC)₂MCCCRu(dppe)Cp^∗ (Tp′ = Tp, M = Mo 10, W 11; Tp′ = Tp^∗, M = Mo 12) were obtained from 2-4 and RuCl(dppe)Cp^∗ via KF-induced metalla-desilylation reactions. Reactions between Mo(CBr)(CO)₂Tp^∗ and Ru{(CC)_nAu(PPh₃)}(dppe)Cp^∗ (n = 2, 3) afforded {Tp^∗(OC)₂Mo}C(CC)_n{Ru(dppe)Cp^∗} (n = 2 13, 3 14), containing C₅ and C₇ chains, respectively. Single-crystal X-ray structure determinations of 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 and 12 are reported.     

Novel octahedral nickel(II) dithiocarbamates with bi- or tetradentate N-donor ligands: X-ray structures of [Ni(Bzppzdtc)(phen)2]ClO4 · CHCl3 and [Ni(Bz2dtc)2(cyclam)]

A series of novel octahedral nickel(II) dithiocarbamate complexes involving bidentate nitrogen-donor ligands (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) or a tetradentate ligand (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacycloteradecane) of the composition [Ni(BzMetdtc)(phen)₂]ClO₄ (1), [Ni(Pe₂dtc)(phen)₂]ClO₄ (2), [Ni(Bzppzdtc)(phen)₂]ClO₄ · CHCl₃ (3), [Ni(Bzppzdtc)(phen)₂](SCN) (4), [Ni(BzMetdtc)(bpy)₂]ClO₄ · 2H₂O (5), [Ni(Pe₂dtc)(cyclam)]ClO₄ (6), [Ni(BzMetdtc)₂(cyclam)] (7), [Ni(Bz₂dtc)₂(cyclam)] (8) and [Ni(Bz₂dtc)₂(phen)] (9) (BzMetdtc = N,N-benzyl-methyldithiocarbamate(1-) anion, Pe₂dtc = N,N-dipentyldithiocarbamate(1-) anion, Bz₂dtc = N,N-dibenzyldithiocarbamate(1-) anion, Bzppzdtc = 4-benzylpiperazinedithiocarbamate(1-) anion), have been synthesized. Spectroscopic (electronic and infrared), magnetic moment and molar conductivity data, and thermal behaviour of the complexes are discussed. Single crystal X-ray analysis of 3 and 8 confirmed a distorted octahedral arrangement in the vicinity of the nickel atom with a N₄S₂ donor set. They represent the first X-ray structures of such type complexes. The catalytic influence of complexes 2, 3, 6, and 7 on graphite oxidation was studied and discussed.     

Reactions of Mo(II)-tetraphosphine complex [MoCl2{meso-o-C6H4(PPhCH2CH2PPh2)2}] with a series of small molecules

Reactions of Mo(II)-tetraphosphine complex [MoCl₂(κ⁴-P4)] (2; P4 = meso-o-C₆H₄(PPhCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂) with a series of small molecules have been investigated. Thus, treatment of 2 with alkynes RCCR′ (R = Ph, R′ = H; R = p-tolyl, R′ = H; R = Me, R′ = Ph) in benzene or toluene gave neutral mono(alkyne) complexes [MoCl₂(RCCR′)(κ³-P4)] containing tridentate P4 ligand, which were converted to cationic complexes [MoCl(RCCR′)(κ⁴-P4)]Cl having tetradentate P4 ligand upon dissolution into CDCl₃ or CD₂Cl₂. The latter complexes were available directly from the reactions of 2 with the alkynes in CH₂Cl₂. On the other hand, treatment of 2 with 1 equiv. of XyNC (Xy = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃) afforded a seven-coordinate mono(isocyanide) complex [MoCl₂(XyNC)(κ⁴-P4)] (7), which reacted further with XyNC to give a cationic bis(isocyanide) complex [MoCl(XyNC)₂(κ⁴-P4)]Cl (8). From the reaction of 2 with CO, a mono(carbonyl) complex [MoCl₂(CO)(κ⁴-P4)] (9) was obtained as a sole isolable product. Reaction of 9 with XyNC afforded [MoCl(CO)(XyNC)(κ⁴-P4)]Cl (10a) having a pentagonal-bipyramidal geometry with axial CO and XyNC ligands, whereas that of 7 with CO resulted in the formation of a mixture of 10a and its isomer 10b containing axial CO and Cl ligands. Structures of 7 and 9 as well as [MoCl(XyNC)₂(κ⁴-P4)][PF₆](8′) and [MoCl(CO)(XyNC)(κ⁴-P4)][PF₆] (10a′) derived by the anion metathesis from 8 and 10a, respectively, were determined in detail by the X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activities in syndiospecific polymerization of styrene for half-sandwich titanium complexes with non-Cp tridentate dianionic ligands MeN(CH2CR2O)2

New half-titanocenes, Cp^∗TiCl[(OCR₂CH₂)NMe(CH₂CR^′₂O)] [R,R′ = H (1), R,R′ = Me, H, (2), R,R′ = Me (3)], were prepared from Cp^∗TiCl₃ (4) with the corresponding alcohols in the presence of triethylamine. X-ray analysis shows that 1 has slightly distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry around Ti. These complexes exhibited moderate catalytic activities for syndiospecific styrene polymerization in the presence of MAO and the activity increased in the order: 2 > 1 > 4 > 3 (at 50 °C), 1 > 2 > 4 > 3 (at 70 °C and 90 °C).     

Synthesis and characterization of hetero-binuclear Co-Rh complexes [CpCoS2C2(B9H10)][Rh(COD)] and [CpCoSe2C2(B10H10)][Rh(COD)]

Two hetero-binuclear complexes [Cp^∗CoS₂C₂(B₉H₁₀)][Rh(COD)] (2a) and [Cp^∗CoSe₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)][Rh(COD)] (2b) [Cp^∗ = η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, COD = cyclo-octa-1,5-diene (C₈H₁₂)] were synthesized by the reactions of half-sandwich complexes [Cp^∗CoE₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] [E = S (1a), Se (1b)] with low valent transition metal complexes [Rh(COD)(OEt)]₂ and [Rh(COD)(OMe)]₂. Although the reaction conditions are the same, the structures of two products for dithiolato carborane and diselenolato carborane are different. The cage of the carborane in 2a was opened; However, the carborane cage in 2b was intact. Complexes 2a and 2b have been fully characterized by ¹H, ¹¹B NMR and IR spectroscopy, as well as by elemental analyses. The molecular structures of 2a and 2b have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and strong metal-metal interactions between cobalt and rhodium atoms (2.6260 Å (2a) and 2.7057 Å (2b)) are existent.     

Self-assembly directed by C-H activation: Synthesis and characterization of [(CpIr)2(R-NC-Ph-CNR)]2(4,4-bipyridine)2·(OTf)4 (R = Ph, Me)

Self-assembly of a novel class of bis-imine-cyclometalated macrocycles [(Cp^∗Ir)₂(Ph-NC-Ph-CN-Ph)]₂(4,4′-bipyridine)₂·(OTf)₄ (3a) and [(Cp^∗Ir)₂(Me-NC-Ph-CN-Me)]₂(4,4′-bipyridine)₂·(OTf)₄ (3b) was directed by double-site C-H activations of aromatic bis-imine substrates. Two synthetic routes were established, using either (i) binuclear cyclometalated complexes (Cp^∗Ir)₂L1Cl₂ (1a) and (Cp^∗Ir)₂L2Cl₂ (1b) or (ii)4,4′-bipyridine(bpy)-bridged complex (Cp^∗IrCl₂)₂(bpy) (2) as starting materials. All the products were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR and EA. Isomers were found in macrocyclic complexes, which were thermodynamically stable from reversible transformation in days. Highly robust structure of the cyclometalated macrocycles was indicated by the existence of stable isomer pairs. One isomer of 3b was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It was a rare case for half-sandwich metallosupramolecular macrocycles that weak interactions between macrocycles and OTf ions were fully captured in detail, and were demonstrated to be essential for the maintenance of tunnel structures of macrocycles in crystal packing.     

Reactivity studies of cyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II), osmium(II) and pentamethylcyclopentadienyl iridium(III) complexes towards 2-(2′-pyridyl)imidazole derivatives

The reaction of [CpRu(PPh₃)₂Cl] and [CpOs(PPh₃)₂Br] with chelating 2-(2′-pyridyl)imidazole (N ∩ N) ligands and NH₄PF₆ yields cationic complexes of the type [CpM(N ∩ N)(PPh₃)]⁺ (1: M = Ru, N ∩ N = 2-(2′-pyridyl)imidazole; 2: M = Ru, N ∩ N = 2-(2′-pyridyl)benzimidazole; 3: M = Ru, N ∩ N = 2-(2′-pyridyl)-4,5-dimethylimidazole; 4: M = Ru, N ∩ N = 2-(2′-pyridyl)-4,5-diphenylimidazole; 5: M = Os, N ∩ N = 2-(2′-pyridyl)imidazole; 6: M = Os, N ∩ N = 2-(2′-pyridyl)benzimidazole). They have been isolated and characterized as their hexafluorophosphate salts. Similarly, in the presence of NH₄PF₆, [Cp∗Ir(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ reacts in dry methanol with N ∩ N chelating ligands to afford in excellent yield [Cp∗Ir(N ∩ N)Cl]PF₆ (7: N ∩ N = 2-(2′-pyridyl)imidazole; 8: N ∩ N = 2-(2′-pyridyl)benzimidazole). All the compounds have been characterized by infrared and NMR spectroscopy and the molecular structure of [1]PF₆, [2]PF₆ and [7]PF₆ by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis.     

Substituted lithiumtrimethylsiloxysilanides LiSiRR′(OSiMe3) - Investigations of their synthesis, stability and reactivity

The reactions of the trimethylsiloxychlorosilanes (Me₃SiO)RR′SiCl (1a-h: R′ = Ph, 1a: R = H, 1b: R = Me, 1c: R = Et, 1d: R = ⁱPr, 1e: R = ^tBu, 1f: R = Ph, 1g: R = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂ (Mes), 1h: R = 2,4,6-(Me₂CH)₃C₆H₂ (Tip); 1i: R = R′ = Mes) with lithium metal in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at −78 °C and in a mixture of THF/diethyl ether/n-pentane in a volume ratio 4:1:1 at −110 °C lead to mixtures of numerous compounds. Dependent on the substituents silyllithium derivatives (Me₃SiO)RR′SiLi (2b-i), Me₃SiO(RR′Si)₂Li (3a-g), Me₃SiRR′SiLi (4a-h), (LiO)RR′SiLi (12e, 12g-i), trisiloxanes (Me₃SiO)₂SiRR′ (5a-i) and trimethylsiloxydisilanes (6f^∗, 6h^∗, 6i^∗) are formed. All silyllithium compounds were trapped with Me₃SiCl or HMe₂SiCl resulting in the following products: (Me₃SiO)RR′SiSiMe₂R″ (6b-i: R″ = Me, 7c-i: R″ = H), Me₃SiO(RR′Si)₂SiMe₂R″ (8a-g: R″ = Me, 9a-g: R″ = H), Me₃SiRR′SiSiMe₂R″ (10a-h: R″ = Me, 11a-h: R″ = H) and (HMe₂SiO)RR′SiSiMe₂H (13e, 13g-i). The stability of trimethylsiloxysilyllithiums 2 depends on the substituents and on the temperature. (Me₃SiO)Mes₂SiLi (2i) is the most stable compound due to the high steric shielding of the silicon centre. The trimethylsiloxysilyllithiums 2a-g undergo partially self-condensation to afford the corresponding trimethylsiloxydisilanyllithiums Me₃SiO(RR′Si)₂Li (3a-g). (Me₃)Si-O bond cleavage was observed for 2e and 2g-i. The relatively stable trimethylsiloxysilyllithiums 2f, 2g and 2i react with n-butyllithium under nucleophilic butylation to give the n-butyl-substituted silyllithiums ⁿBuRR′SiLi (15g, 15f, 15i), which were trapped with Me₃SiCl. By reaction of 2g and 2i with 2,3-dimethylbuta-1,3-diene the corresponding 1,1-diarylsilacyclopentenes 17g and 17i are obtained.X-ray studies of 17g revealed a folded silacyclopentene ring with the silicon atom located 0.5 Å above the mean plane formed by the four carbon ring atoms.     

4,5-Bis[(triorganotin)thiolato]-1,3-dithiole-2-thione, (R3Sn)2(dmit), 4,5-bis[(triorganotin)thiolato]-1,3-dithiole-2-one, (R3Sn)2(dmio), compounds: Crystal structures of (cyclohexyl3Sn)2(dmio), (Ph3Sn)2(dmit) and (Ph3Sn)2(dmio)

The synthesis and crystal structures of 4,5-bis[(triorganotin)thiolato]-1,3-dithiole-2-thione, (R₃Sn)₂(dmit), 1, and 4,5-bis[(triorganotin)thiolato]-1,3-dithiole-2-one, (R₃Sn)₂(dmio), 2, compounds are reported. Compounds, (1 or 2: R = Ph or cyclohexyl, Cy), have been obtained from reaction of R₃SnCl with Cs₂dmit or Na₂dmio. The presence of the two tin centres in (2: R = Ph) is shown in the ¹³C NMR spectrum by the couplings of both Sn atoms to the dmio olefinic carbons with J values of 29.4 and 24.7 Hz. The δ¹¹⁹ Sn values for (1: R = Ph) and (2: R = Ph) differ by about 30 ppm, values being −20.7 and −50.1 ppm, respectively, in CDCl₃ solution. X-ray structure determinations for (1: R = Ph) and (2: R = Ph or Cy) reveal the compounds to have 4-coordinate, distorted tetrahedral tin centres. The dithiolato ligands, dmit and dmio, act as bridging ligands, in contrast to their chelating roles in R₂Sn(dmit) and R₂Sn(dmio). A further difference between R₂Sn(dmit) and R₂Sn(dmio), on one hand, and 1 and 2 on the other, is that intermolecular Sn-S and Sn-O interactions are absent in 1 and 2. However, weak intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions are found in (1: R = Ph) [C-H?π] and in (2: R = Ph) [C-H?π and C-H?O].     

Synthesis and structures of bimetallic silicon-containing imido alkylidene complexes of tungsten (R′O)2(ArN)WCH-SiR2-CHW(NAr)(OR′)2 (R = Me, Ph) and (R′O)2(ArN)WCH-SiMe2SiMe2-CHW(NAr)(OR′)2

Bimetallic alkylidene complexes of tungsten (R′O)₂(ArN)WCH-SiR₂-CHW(NAr)(OR′)₂ (R = Me (1), Ph (2)) and (R′O)₂(ArN)WCH-SiMe₂SiMe₂-CHW(NAr)(OR′)₂ (3) (Ar = ; R′ = CMe₂CF₃) have been prepared by the reactions of divinyl silicon reagents R₂Si(CHCH₂)₂ with known alkylidene compounds R′′-CHMo(NAr)(OR′)₂. (R′′ = Bu^t, PhMe₂C) Complexes 1-3 were structurally characterized. Ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclooctene using compounds 1-3 as initiators led to the formation of high molecular weight polyoctenamers with predominant trans-units content in the case of 1 and 3 and predominant cis-units content in the case of 2.     

Monomeric and dimeric ruthenium thiooxalate complexes: Structures of CpRu(PPh3)2SCOCO2Me and CpRu(dppe)SCOCO2Et

The hydrosulfido complexes CpRu(L)(L′)SH react with one equivalent of O-alkyl oxalyl chlorides (ROCOCOCl) to form the corresponding O-alkylthiooxalate complexes CpRu(L)(L′)SCOCO₂R (L = L′ = PPh₃ (1), (2); L = PPh₃, L′ = CO (3); R = Me (a), Et (b)). The reactions of the hydrosulfido complexes with half equivalent of oxalyl chloride produce the bimetallic complexes [CpRu(L)(L′)SCO]₂ (L = L′ = PPh₃ (4), (5); L = PPh₃, L′ = CO (6)). The crystal structures of CpRu(PPh₃)₂SCOCO₂Me (1a) and CpRu(dppe)SCOCO₂Et (2b) are reported.     

Reactivity of 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine with [Re2(CO)8(CH3CN)2]: Molecular structures of [Re2(CO)8(C14H10N4)] and [Re2(CO)8(C14H10N4)Re2(CO)8]

The reaction of the labile compound [Re₂(CO)₈(CH₃CN)₂] with 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine in dichloromethane solution at reflux temperature afforded the structural dirhenium isomers [Re₂(CO)₈(C₁₄H₁₀N₄)] (1 and 2), and the complex [Re₂(CO)₈(C₁₄H₁₀N₄)Re₂(CO)₈] (3). In 1, the ligand is σ,σ′-N,N′-coordinated to a Re(CO)₃ fragment through pyridine and pyrazine to form a five-membered chelate ring. A seven-membered ring is obtained for isomer 2 by N-coordination of the 2-pyridyl groups while the pyrazine ring remains uncoordinated. For 2, isomers 2a and 2b are found in a dynamic equilibrium ratio [2a]/[2b]  =  7 in solution, detected by ¹H NMR (−50 °C, CD₃COCD₃), coalescence being observed above room temperature. The ligand in 3 behaves as an 8e-donor bridge bonding two Re(CO)₃ fragments through two (σ,σ′-N,N′) interactions. When the reaction was carried out in refluxing tetrahydrofuran, complex [Re₂(CO)₆(C₁₄H₁₀N₄)₂] (4) was obtained in addition to compounds 1-3. The dinuclear rhenium derivative 4 contains two units of the organic ligand σ,σ′-N,N′-coordinated in a chelate form to each rhenium core. The X-ray crystal structures for 1 and 3 are reported.     

Group 12 metal aryl selenolates. Crystal and molecular structure of [2-(Et2NCH2)C6H4]2Se2 and [2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4Se]2M (M = Zn, Cd)

Diorganodiselenide [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]₂Se₂ (1) was obtained by hydrolysis/oxidation of the corresponding [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeLi derivative. The treatment of [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]₂Se₂ with elemental sodium in THF resulted in [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeNa (2). Reactions between alkali metal selenolates [2-(R₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeM′ (R = Me, Et; M′ = Li, Na) and MCl₂ (M = Zn, Cd) in a 2:1 molar ratio resulted in the [2-(R₂NCH₂)C₆H₄Se]₂M species [R = Me, M = Zn (3), Cd (4); R = Et, M = Zn (5), Cd (6)]. The new compounds were characterized by multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ⁷⁷Se, ¹¹³Cd) and mass spectrometry. The crystal and molecular structures of 1, 3 and 4 revealed monomeric species stabilized by N → Se (for 1) and N → M (for 3 and 4) intramolecular interactions.     

Theoretical studies on structures and spectroscopic properties of bis-cyclometalated iridium complexes [Ir(ppy)2X2]

The electronic structures and spectroscopic properties of a series of mixed bis-cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes [Ir(ppy)₂X₂]⁻ (X = CN, 1; X = NCS, 2; X = NCO, 3; ppy = 2-phenylpyridl) were investigated at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ and CIS/LANL2DZ levels. The calculated geometry parameters in the ground state are well consistent with the corresponding experimental values. The HOMO of 1 is dominantly localized on Ir atom and ppy ligand, but the HOMO of 2 and 3 have significant X ligand composition. Under the TD-DFT level with PCM model, the absorption and phosphorescence in CH₂Cl₂ media were calculated based on the optimized geometries in the ground and excited states, respectively. The lowest-lying absorption of 1 at 403 nm is attributed to {[d_x²-y²(Ir)+d_xy(Ir)+π(ppy)]→[π^∗(ppy)]} transition with metal-to-ligand and intraligand charge transfer (MLCT/ILCT) transition characters, whereas those of 2 (449 nm) and 3 (475 nm) are related to {[d_x²-y²(Ir)+d_xy(Ir)+π(ppy)+π(NCS/NCO)]→[π^∗(ppy)]} transition with MLCT/ILCT and ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (LLCT) transition characters. The phosphorescence of 1 at 466 nm can be described as originating from ³{[d_x²-y²(Ir)+d_xy(Ir)+π(ppy)][π^∗(ppy)]} excited state, while those of 2 (487 nm) and 3 (516 nm) originate from ³{[d_x²-y²(Ir)+d_xy(Ir)+π(ppy)+π(NCS/NCO)][π^∗(ppy)]} excited states. The calculated results showed that the transition character of the absorption and emission can be changed by adjusting the π electron-accepting abilities of the X ligands and the phosphorescent color can be tuned by altering the X ligands.     

Crystal structures of (azido)(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)iridium(III) complexes containing various types of bidentate ligands

Several (azido)iridium(III) complexes having a pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp∗) group, [Cp∗Ir(N₃)₂(Ph₂Ppy-κP)] (1: Ph₂Ppy = 2-diphenylphosphinopyridine), [Cp∗Ir(N₃)(Ph₂Ppy-κP,κN)]CF₃SO₃ (2), [Cp∗Ir(N₃)(dmpm)]PF₆ (3: dmpm = bis(dimethylphosphino)methane), [Cp∗Ir(N₃)(Ph₂Pqn)]PF₆·$·$CH₃OH (4·$·$CH₃OH: Ph₂Pqn = 8-diphenylphosphinoquinoline), and [Cp∗Ir(N₃)(pybim)] (5: Hpybim = 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole) have been prepared and their crystal structures have been analyzed by X-ray diffraction. In complex 1, the Ph₂Ppy ligand is only coordinated via the P atom (-κP), while in 2 it acts as a bidentate ligand through the P and N atoms (-κP,κN) to form a four-membered chelate ring. Comparing the structural parameters of the chelate ring in 2 with those of a similar five-membered chelate ring formed by Ph₂Pqn in 4, it became apparent that the angular distortion in the Ph₂Ppy-κP,κN ring was remarkable, although the Ir–P and Ir–N bonds in the Ph₂Ppy-κP,κN ring were not elongated very much from the corresponding bonds in the Ph₂Pqn-κP,κN ring. In the pybim complex 5, the five-membered chelate ring was coplanar with the pyridine and benzimidazolyl rings. With the related (azido)iridium(III) complexes analyzed previously, comparison of the structural parameters of the Ir–N₃ moiety in [Cp∗Ir^III(N₃)(L–L′)]^+/0 complexes reveals an anomalous feature of the 2,2′-bipyridyl (bpy) complex, [Cp∗Ir(N₃)(bpy)]PF₆.