Synthesis and structural characterisation of rhodium hydride complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

Addition of excesses of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) IEt₂Me₂, IⁱPr₂Me₂ or ICy (IEt₂Me₂ = 1,3-diethyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene; IⁱPr₂Me₂ = 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene; ICy = 1,3-dicyclohexylimidazol-2-ylidene) to [HRh(PPh₃)₄] (1) affords an isomeric mixture of [HRh(NHC)(PPh₃)₂] (NHC = IEt₂Me₂ (cis-/trans-2), IⁱPr₂Me₂ (cis-/trans-3), ICy (cis-/trans-4) and [HRh(NHC)₂(PPh₃)] (IEt₂Me₂(cis-/trans-5), IⁱPr₂Me₂ (cis-/trans-6), ICy (cis-/trans-7)). Thermolysis of 1 with the aryl substituted NHC, 1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene (IMesH₂), affords the bridging hydrido phosphido dimer, [{(PPh₃)₂Rh}₂(μ-H)(μ-PPh₂)] (8), which is also the reaction product formed in the absence of carbene. When the rhodium precursor was changed from 1 to [HRh(CO)(PPh₃)₃] (9) and treated with either IMes (=1,3-dimesitylimidazol-2-ylidene) or ICy, the bis-NHC complexes trans-[HRh(CO)(IMes)₂] (10) and trans-[HRh(CO)(ICy)₂] (11) were formed. In contrast, the reaction of 9 with IⁱPr₂Me₂ gave [HRh(CO)(IⁱPr₂Me₂)₂] (cis-/trans-12) and the unusual unsymmetrical dimer, [(PPh₃)₂Rh(μ-CO)₂Rh(IⁱPr₂Me₂)₂] (13). The complexes trans-3, 8, 10 and 13 have been structurally characterised.     

Half sandwich complexes of Ru(II) and complexes of Pd(II) and Pt(II) with seleno and thio derivatives of pyrrolidine: Synthesis, structure and applications as catalysts for organic reactions

The reactions of PhSe⁻, PhS⁻ and Se²⁻ with N-{2-(chloroethyl)}pyrrolidine result in N-{2-(phenylseleno)ethyl}pyrrolidine (L1), N-{2-(phenylthio)ethyl}pyrrolidine (L2), and bis{2-pyrrolidene-N-yl)ethyl selenide (L3), respectively, which have been explored as ligands. The complexes [PdCl₂(L1/L2)] (1/7), [PtCl₂(L1/L2)] (2/8), [RuCl(η⁶-C₆H₆)(L1/L2)][PF₆] (3/9), [RuCl(η⁶-p-cymene)(L1/L2)][PF₆] (4/10), [RuCl(η⁶-p-cymene)(NH₃)₂][PF₆] (5) and [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(L1)(CH₃CN)][PF₆]₂·CH₃CN (6) have been synthesized. The L1-L3 and complexes were found to give characteristic NMR (Proton, Carbon-13 and Se-77). The crystal structures of complexes 1, 3-6, 9 and 10 have been solved. The Pd-Se and Ru-Se bond lengths have been found to be 2.353(2) and 2.480(11)/2.4918(9)/2.4770(5) Å, respectively. The complexes 1 and 7 have been explored for catalytic Heck and Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions. The value of TON has been found up to 85 000 with the advantage of catalyst’s stability under ambient conditions. The efficiency of 1 is marginally better than 7. The Ru-complexes 3 and 9 are good for catalytic oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols in CH₂Cl₂ in the presence of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMO). The TON value varies between 8.0 × 10⁴ and 9.7 × 10⁴ for this oxidation. The 3 is somewhat more efficient catalyst than 9.     

Au(I) and Au(III) complexes of a sterically bulky benzimidazole-derived N-heterocyclic carbene

The reaction of [AuCl(SMe₂)] with in situ generated [AgCl(ⁱPr₂-bimy)] (ⁱPr₂-bimy = 1,3-diisopropylbenzimidazolin-2-ylidene), which in turn was obtained by the reaction of Ag₂O with 1,3-diisopropylbenzimidazolium bromide (ⁱPr₂-bimyH⁺Br⁻, A), afforded the monocarbene Au(I) complex [AuCl(ⁱPr₂-bimy)] (1). Subsequent reaction of 1 and the ligand precursor ⁱPr₂-bimyH⁺BF₄⁻, (B) in acetone in the presence of K₂CO₃ yielded the bis(carbene) complex [Au(ⁱPr₂-bimy)₂]BF₄ (2) as a white powder in 80% yield. The oxidative addition of elemental iodine to complex 2 gave the bis(carbene) Au(III) complex trans-[AuI₂(ⁱPr₂-bimy)₂]BF₄ (3) as an orange-red powder in 92% yield. All complexes 1-3 have been fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopies, ESI mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and X-ray single crystal diffraction. Complexes 1 and 2 adopt a linear geometry around metal centers as expected for d¹⁰ metals. The geometry around the Au(III) metal center in 3 is essentially square-planar with two carbene ligands in trans-position to each other. Complex 3 shows absorption and photoluminescence properties owing to a ligand to metal charge transfer.     

Derivatisation of boryl substituted titanium half-sandwich complexes - Molecular structures of [Ti{(η-C5H4)B(NiPr2)N(H)tBu}Cl2(NMe2)] and [{TiCl2(μ-{OB(NHMe2)-η-C5H4})}2-μ-O]

The half-sandwich complex [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)N(H)iPr}(NMe₂)₃] (6) was prepared from (η¹-C₅H₅)B(NiPr₂)N(H)iPr (5) and [Ti(NMe₂)₄] with cleavage of one equivalent of HNMe₂ and further converted into the corresponding constrained geometry complex [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)NiPr}(NMe₂)₂] (7) by elimination of a second equivalent of HNMe₂. Reaction of the half-sandwich complexes [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)N(H)R}(NMe₂)₃] (R = iPr, tBu) with excess Me₃SiCl yielded the corresponding dichloro complexes [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)N(H)R}Cl₂(NMe₂)] (R = tBu (10), iPr (11)). The intermediate species [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)N(H)iPr}Cl(NMe₂)₂] (9) could also be spectroscopically characterised. Partial hydrolysis of 10 and 11, respectively, resulted in formation of [{TiCl₂(μ-{OB(NHMe₂)-η⁵-C₅H₄})}₂-μ-O] (12). The molecular structures of 10 and 12 have been determined by X-ray crystallographic analyses. Complex 10, when activated with MAO, was found to be a highly active styrene polymerisation catalyst while being inactive towards the polymerisation of ethylene.     

A ferrocenyl-bridged intramolecularly coordinated bis(diorganostannylene): Synthesis, molecular structure and reactivity of [4-t-Bu-2,6-{P(O)(O-i-Pr)2C6H2Sn}C5H4]2Fe

The intramolecularly coordinated heteroleptic stannylene [4-t-Bu-2,6-{P(O)(O-i-Pr)₂}₂C₆H₂]SnCl serves as synthon for the synthesis of the ferrocenyl-bridged bis(diorganostannylene) [4-t-Bu-2,6-{P(O)(O-i-Pr)₂}₂C₆H₂SnC₅H₄]₂Fe (1) which in turn reacts with W(CO)₆ and Cr(CO)₄(C₇H₈) to provide the corresponding transition metal complexes [4-t-Bu-2,6-{P(O)(O-i-Pr)₂}₂C₆H₂Sn{W(CO)₅}C₅H₄]₂Fe (2) and [4-t-Bu-2,6-{P(O)(O-i-Pr)₂}₂C₆H₂SnC₅H₄]₂Fe · Cr(CO)₄ (3), respectively. Reaction of compound 1 with sulphur and atmospheric moisture gave, under partial tin-carbon and oxygen-carbon bond cleavage, a tetranuclear organotin-oxothio cluster 5. All compounds were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P, and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR, and IR spectroscopy, as well as by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 1 and 3 were also investigated by Mössbauer spectroscopy. Cyclovoltametric studies reveal the influence of the organostannyl moieties on the redox-behaviour of compounds 1-3 in comparison with unsubstituted ferrocene.     

Structural studies of phosphor-1,1-diselenoato Mn(I) and Re(I) complexes

Mononuclear complexes of the type, M(CO)₄[Se₂P(OR)₂] (M = Mn, R = ⁱPr, 1a; Et, 1b; M = Re, R = ⁱPr, 3a; Et, 3b) can be prepared from either [-Se(Se)P(OⁱPr)₂]₂ (A) or [Se{-Se(Se)P(OEt)₂}₂] (B) with M(CO)₅Br. O,O′-dialkyl diselenophosphate ([(RO)₂PSe₂]^-, abbreviated as dsep) ligands generated from A and B act as a chelating ligand in these complexes. Upon refluxing in acetonitrile, these mononuclear complexes yield dinuclear complexes with a general formula of [M₂(CO)₆{Se₂P(OR)₂}₂] (M = Mn, R = ⁱPr, 2a; Et, 2b; M = Re, R = ⁱPr, 4a; Et, 4b). Dsep ligands display a triconnective, bimetallic bonding mode in the dinuclear compounds and this kind of connective pattern has never been identified in any phosphor-1,1-diselenoato metal complexes. Compounds 2b, 3b, and 4 are structurally characterized. Compounds 2b and 3b display weak, secondary Se?Se interactions in their lattices.     

Synthesis and structure of isopropyldimethylsilyl-substituted octamethyltitanocene

Reduction of isopropyldimethylsilyl-substituted titanocene dichloride [TiCl₂(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂Prⁱ)₂] (1) by excess magnesium in the presence of excess bis(trimethylsilyl)ethyne (btmse) in tetrahydrofuran at 60 °C yielded a mixture of products amongst them only the trinuclear Ti-Mg-Ti hydrido-bridged complex Mg[Ti(μ-H)₂(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂Prⁱ)]₂ (3) was isolated and characterized. The precursor of titanocene, [Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂Prⁱ)₂(η²-btmse)] (6), was obtained from the identical system which, after initial formation of [TiCl(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂Prⁱ)₂] (2), reacted at −18 °C overnight and then the solution was rapidly separated from the remaining magnesium. Titanocene [Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂Prⁱ)₂] (7) was obtained by thermolysis of 6 at 75 °C in vacuum. Crystal structures of 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7 were determined.     

Trichlorostannyl complexes of iridium with both P-donor and N-donor ligands: Preparation and activity as hydrogenation catalysts

Bis(trichlorostannyl) complex IrH(SnCl₃)₂(PPh₃)₂ (1) was prepared by allowing the chloro-derivative IrHCl₂(PPh₃)₃ to react with SnCl₂·2H₂O in ethanol. Instead, treatment of phosphite complexes IrHCl₂P₃ [P = P(OEt)₃ and PPh(OEt)₂] with SnCl₂·2H₂O gave stannyl derivatives IrCl₂(SnCl₃)P₃ (2). Pyrazole-trichlorostannyl complexes IrHCl(SnCl₃)(HRpz)P₂ (3, 4) (R = H, 3-Me; P = PPh₃, PⁱPr₃) were prepared by allowing chloro-derivatives IrHCl₂(HRpz)P₂ to react with SnCl₂·2H₂O. 1,2-Bipyridine-trichlorostannyl complexes IrHCl(SnCl₃)(bpy)P (5) (P = PPh₃, PⁱPr₃) were also prepared. Complexes 1-5 were characterised spectroscopically (IR, ¹H, ³¹P, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR) and a geometry in solution was also established. The trichlorostannyl iridium complexes were evaluated as catalyst precursors for the hydrogenation of 2-cyclohexen-1-one and cinnamaldehyde. The influence of the stannyl group, as well as the steric hindrance of both N-donor and P-donor ligands in the catalytic activity of the complexes is discussed.     

Cp*rhodium complexes with salicyloxazolines: Diastereoselective synthesis, configurational stability and use as asymmetric catalysts for a Diels-Alder reaction

Reaction of [RhCl₂Cp*]₂ (Cp* = η-C₅Me₅) with salicyloxazolines in the presence of NaOMe gives complexes [RhCl(R-saloxaz)Cp*] (1-4) which have been fully characterised. The diastereoselectivity of complexation depends on the substituents and the absolute configuration at the metal centre is unstable in solution. Treatment of 2 with 4-methylpyridine and NaSbF₆ in methanol at reflux gave [Rh(4-Mepy){(S)-ⁱPr-saloxaz}Cp*][SbF₆] (5) whilst [Rh(OH₂)(Me₂-saloxaz)Cp*][SbF₆] (6) was prepared by reaction of 1 with AgSbF₆. Three complexes, [RhCl(Me₂-saloxaz)Cp*] (1), [RhCl{(S)-ⁱPr-saloxaz}Cp*] (2), and [Rh(OH₂)(Me₂-saloxaz)Cp*][SbF₆] (6) have been characterised by X-ray crystallography. Some of the complexes, after treatment with AgSbF₆, have been tested as enantioselective catalysts for the Diels-Alder reaction of methacrolein with cyclopentadiene.     

Partial incorporation of a cyclopentadienyl ligand into a molybdaborane to form a molybdacarbaborane

Reaction of the molybdaborane arachno-2-[Mo(η-C₅H₅)(η⁵:η¹-C₅H₄)B₄H₇] (I) with NEt₃ in toluene at 120 °C for 7 days gives a 90% yield of the molybdacarbaborane nido-1-[Mo(η-C₅H₅)(η³:η²-C₃H₃)C₂B₃H₅] (II). Two of the carbon atoms in the substituted cyclopentadienyl ring in I are incorporated into the metallacarbaborane cluster II. The carbaborane {C₂B₃H₅} fragment in II is attached to an allylic {C₃H₃} group and can be thought of as a new non-planar {C₅B₃H₈} ligand providing seven electrons to the molybdenum atom. Reaction of I with KH in thf at 20 °C gives the anion via deprotonation of a B-H-B bridging proton.     

Pd(II) complexes of a sterically bulky, benzannulated N-heterocyclic carbene and their catalytic activities in the Mizoroki-Heck reaction

The bis(N,N′-diisopropylbenzimidazolin-2-ylidene)Pd(II) complexes trans-[PdBr₂(ⁱPr₂-bimy)₂] (trans-1) and trans-[PdI₂(ⁱPr₂-bimy)₂] (trans-2) have been prepared in good yields by in situ deprotonation of the corresponding N,N′-diisopropylbenzimidazolium salt (ⁱPr₂-bimyH⁺X⁻) (A: X = Br, B: X = I) with Pd(OAc)₂ in DMSO at elevated temperature. Salt metathesis of trans-1 or trans-2 with AgO₂CCF₃ in refluxing CH₃CN afforded the novel mixed carbene-carboxylato complex cis-[Pd(O₂CCF₃)₂(ⁱPr₂-bimy)₂] (cis-3). This halo/trifluorocarboxylato ligand substitution can be regarded as a selective method for the synthesis of cis-configured bis(carbene) complexes. All compounds have been fully characterized by multinuclei NMR spectroscopies and ESI mass spectrometry. X-ray diffraction studies on single crystals of trans-1, trans-2 and cis-3 revealed a square planar geometry and a fixed orientation of the N-isopropyl substituents with the C-H protons pointing to the metal center to maximize rare C-H?Pd preagostic interactions. These interactions are also retained in solution as indicated by the large downfield shift of the isopropyl C-H protons in the ¹H NMR spectrum compared to those in precursor salts A or B. A preliminary catalytic study revealed that all complexes are highly active in the Mizoroki-Heck coupling of aryl bromides and chlorides. However, these complexes gave slower conversions as compared to catalysts with less bulky benzimidazolin-2-ylidenes. This is most likely due to the steric bulk of the ligands, which hamper a fast reductive formation of catalytically active Pd(0) species.     

Novel (η-arene)-ruthenium(II) complexes containing bis(iminophosphorano)methanide and methandiide ligands

The novel bis(iminophosphorano)methanes CH₂[P{NP(S)(OR)₂}Ph₂]₂ (R = Ph (1a), Et (1b)) have been obtained by oxydation of dppm with the corresponding thiophosphorylated azides (RO)₂P(S)N₃. Deprotonation of 1a,b with KH generates the methanide species KCH[P{NP(S)(OR)₂}Ph₂]₂ (R = Ph (2a), Et (2b)). The ruthenium(II) dimer [{Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(μ-Cl)Cl}₂] reacts with 2a,b to afford the cationic complexes [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(κ³-C,N,S-CH[P{NP(S)(OR)₂}Ph₂]₂)]⁺ (R = Ph (3a), Et (3b)), via selective κ³-C,N,S-coordination of the bis(iminophosphorano)methanide anions to ruthenium. The structure of [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(κ³-C,N,S-CH[P{NP(S)(OEt)₂}Ph₂]₂)][PF₆] (3b) has been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Deprotonation of complexes 3a,b with NaH leads to the neutral carbene derivatives [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(κ²-C,N-C[P{NP(S)(OR)₂}Ph₂]₂)] (R = Ph (4a), Et (4b)).     

Synthesis, characterisation and redox behaviour of isocyanide incorporated, chalcogen stabilised mixed-metal clusters

Room temperature reaction of a benzene solution of [Cp₂Mo₂Fe₂(CO)₇(μ₃-E)(μ₃-E^′)] (EE^′=Se₂ (1), STe (2), SeTe (3)) with PrⁱNC or Bu^tNC resulted in the formation of iron bonded isocyanide clusters [Cp₂Mo₂Fe₂(RNC)(CO)₆ (μ₃-E)(μ₃-E^′)], [E=E^′=Se, R=Prⁱ (5) or Bu^t (9); E=S, E^′=Te, R=Prⁱ (6a, 6b) or R=Bu^t (10a, 10b); E=Se, E^′=Te, R=Prⁱ (7a, 7b) or R=Bu^t (11a, 11b)] and molybdenum bonded isocyanide clusters [Cp₂(RNC)Mo₂Fe₂(CO)₆(μ₃-E)(μ₃-E^′)], [E=E^′=Se, R=Prⁱ(13) or Bu^t (17); E=S, E^′=Te, R=Prⁱ (14) or R=Bu^t, (18); E=Se, E^′=Te, R=Prⁱ (15) or R=Bu^t (19)]. Two isomers (a and b) were detected by ¹H NMR spectroscopy for the mixed-chalcogen clusters 6, 7, 10 and 11, where the isocyanide group is bonded to an iron atom. Thermolytic reaction conditions were necessary for the reaction of [(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Mo₂Fe₂(CO)₇(μ₃-Te)₂] (4) with Prⁱ NC or Bu^t NC to give [Cp₂Mo₂Fe₂(RNC)(CO)₆(μ₃-Te)₂] (R=Prⁱ (8) or R=Bu^t, (12)) and [Cp₂(RNC)Mo₂Fe₂(CO)₆(μ₃-Te)₂] (R=Prⁱ (8)). Compounds 5-19 have been characterised by IR and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The Se- and Te-bridged compounds have been further characterised by ⁷⁷Se and ¹²⁵Te NMR spectroscopy. The structures of compounds 12 and 14 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Redox properties of the mixed-metal clusters, 2, 6, 8, 12 and 14 have been studied by cyclic voltammetry in the potential range ±2.5 V at 298 K, using a platinum working electrode.     

Ruthenium and rhodium nitrosyl complexes containing dichalcogenoimidodiphosphinate ligands

Interaction of [Ru(NO)Cl₃(PPh₃)₂] with K[N(R₂PS)₂] in refluxing N,N-dimethylformamide afforded trans-[Ru(NO)Cl{N(R₂PS)₂}₂] (R = Ph (1), Prⁱ (2)). Reaction of [Ru(NO)Cl₃(PPh₃)₂] with K[N(Ph₂PSe)₂] led to formation of a mixture of trans-[Ru(NO)Cl{N(Ph₂PSe)₂}₂] (3) and trans-[Ru(NO)Cl{N(Ph₂PSe)₂}{Ph₂P(Se)NPPh₂}] (4). Reaction of Ru(NO)Cl₃ · xH₂O with K[N(Ph₂PO)₂] afforded cis-[Ru(NO)(Cl){N(Ph₂PO)₂}₂] (5). Treatment of [Rh(NO)Cl₂(PPh₃)₂] with K[N(R₂PQ)₂] gave Rh(NO){N(R₂PQ)₂}₂] (R = Ph, Q = S (6) or Se (7); R = Prⁱ, Q = S (8) or Se (9)). Protonation of 8 with HBF₄ led to formation of trans-[Rh(NO)Cl{HN(Prⁱ₂PS)₂}₂][BF₄]₂ (10). X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the nitrosyl ligands in 2 and 4 are linear, whereas that in 9 is bent with the Rh–N–O bond angle of 125.7(3)°.     

Synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of new types of constrained geometry group 4 metal complexes derived from picolyl-substituted dicarbollide ligand systems

The syntheses of group 4 metal complexes containing the picolyldicarbollyl ligand Dcab^PyH [nido-7-HNC₅H₄(CH₂)-8-R-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀] (2) are reported. New types of constrained geometry group 4 metal complexes (Dcab^Py)MCl₂, [{(η⁵-RC₂B₉H₉)(CH₂)(η¹-NC₅H₄)}MCl₂] (M = Ti, 3; Zr, 4; R = H, a; Me, b), were prepared by the reaction of 2 with M(NMe₂)₂Cl₂ (M = Ti, Zr). The reaction of 2 with M(NMe₂)₄ in toluene afforded (Dcab^Py)M(NMe₂)₂, [{(η⁵-RC₂B₉H₉)(CH₂)(η¹-NC₅H₄)}M(NMe₂)₂] (M = Ti, 5; Zr, 6; R = H, a; Me, b), which readily reacted with Me₃SiCl to yield the corresponding chloride complexes (Dcab^Py)MCl₂ (M = Ti, 3; Zr, 4; R = H, a; Me, b). The structures of the diamido complexes (Dcab^Py)M(NMe₂)₂ (M = Ti, 5; Zr, 6) were established by X-ray diffraction studies of 5a, 5b, and 6a, which verified an η⁵:η¹-bonding mode derived from the dicarbollylamino ligand. Related constrained geometry catalyst CGC-type alkoxy titanium complexes, (Dcab^Py)Ti(OⁱPr)₂ (7), were synthesized by the reaction of 2 with Ti(OⁱPr)₄. Sterically less demanding phenols such as 2-Me-C₆H₄OH replaced the coordinated amido ligands on (Dcab^Py)Ti(NMe₂)₂ (5a) to yield aryloxy stabilized CGC complexes (Dcab^Py)Ti(OPh^Me)₂(Ph^Me  =  2- Me-C₆H₄, 8). NMR spectral data suggested that an intramolecular Ti-N coordination was intact in solution, resulting in a stable piano-stool structure with two aryloxy ligands residing in two of the leg positions. The aryloxy coordinations were further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies on complexes (Dcab^Py)Ti(OPh^Me)₂ (8).     

Ruthenium carbene complexes containing bidentate and tridentate PO ligands

Treatment of [Ru(CHR)Cl₂(PCy₃)₂] (Cy = cyclohexyl) with Tl[N(Pr₂ⁱPO)₂] and AgL_OEt (L_OEt⁻ = [CpCo{P(O)(OEt)₂}₃]⁻) afforded the Ru carbene complexes [Ru(CHPh)(PCy₃)Cl{N(Pr₂ⁱPO)₂}] (1) and [L_OEtRu(CHR)(PCy₃)Cl] (2), respectively. Chloride abstraction of complex 2 with TlPF₆ in MeCN afforded [L_OEtRu(CHPh)(PCy₃)(MeCN)][PF₆] (3). Complexes 1 and 2 are capable of catalyzing ring-closing metathesis of diethyl 1,2-diallylmalonate. The crystal structure of complex 2 has been determined.     

Synthesis and characterisation of [AlMen{Si(SiMe3)3}3−n(thf)] (n = 1 or 2)

The crystalline compounds [AlMe_n{Si(SiMe₃)₃}_3−n(thf)] [n = 2 (1) or 1 (2)] were prepared from the lithium sisyl [Li{Si(SiMe₃)₃}(thf)₃] (A) and the appropriate methylaluminium chloride [AlCl_3−nMe_n] in thf. The X-ray structure of 1 is reported. Unlike A or a magnesium sisyl [Mg{Si(SiMe₃)₃}₂(thf)₂] (B), neither 1 nor 2 underwent an insertion reaction with an α-H-free nitrile.     

Bimetallic complexes with ruthenium and tantalocene moieties: Synthesis and use in a catalytic cyclopropanation reaction

The reaction of the tantalocene dichloride monophosphines (1-2) with the binuclear complex [(p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂ gives the heterobimetallic compounds (p-cymene)[(η⁵-C₅H₅)(μ-η⁵:η¹-C₅H₄(CH₂)₂PR₂)TaCl₂]RuCl₂ (3-4). The air oxidation of these bimetallic species 3-4, leads to the cationic hydroxo tantalum ruthenium derivatives 5-6. The last ones are easily deprotonated by a base to afford the oxo analogues 7-8. A preliminary assessment in catalytic cyclopropanation of styrene with tantalum ruthenium bimetallic complexes 3-8 as precatalysts revealed a cooperative effect with a subtle role of the early metal fragment.