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.     

Synthesis and spectral studies on heterobimetallic complexes of manganese and ruthenium derived from bis[N-(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylene]oxaloyldihydrazide

The complex [Mn(L)(H₂O)₂] [H₄L = bis[N-(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylene]-oxaloyldihydrazide] reacts with activated ruthenium(III) chloride in methanol in 1:1.2 M ratio under reflux resulting in heterobimetallic complex of the composition [Mn(L)(H₂O)₄RuCl₂]Cl. The complexes of the composition [Mn(L)(A)₄RuCl₂]Cl were obtained when the above reaction was carried out in presence of heterocyclic nitrogen bases(A) such as pyridine(py), 3-picoline(3-pic) and 4-picoline(4-pic). The molar conductance values for these complexes in DMF(N,N-dimethyl formamide) solution indicate their 1:1 electrolytic nature. Magnetic moment values suggest that these heterobimetallic complexes contain Mn(IV) and Ru(III) in the same structural unit. Electronic spectral studies suggest six coordinated metal ions in these complexes. IR spectra reveal that the H₄L ligand coordinates in its keto-form to Mn(IV) and Ru(III).     

Fulvalenediyl-bridged heterobimetallic complexes consisting of sandwich and half-sandwich compounds with early-late transition metals

A straightforward synthesis methodology for the preparation of heterobimetallic [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₄-C₅Me₄)M] (3a, M = Fe; 3b, M = Ru) and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)((μ-η⁵:η⁵-C₅H₄-C₅Me₄)TiCl₃)M] (4a, M = Fe; 4b, M = Ru) in which early and late transition metals are connected by a fulvalenediyl bridge is reported.The structures of molecules 3b and 4a in the solid state are discussed. Most noteworthy in 4a is the exo arrangement of the iron and titanium atoms coordinated by the fulvalenediyl unit which itself is twisted with a dihedral angle between the joined cyclopentadienyl rings of 19.33(9)°. Electrochemical, UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopic and spectroelectrochemical experiments on 4a and Cp∗TiCl₃, for comparison, provide evidence for some transfer of electronic information between the conjoined ferrocene and half-sandwich titanocene trichloride subunits of 4a. Evidence comes from systematic potential shifts and the presence of a fairly intense Fe → Ti charge-transfer absorption band that vanishes upon oxidation and reduction of 4a.     

Synthesis of chiral-at-metal half-sandwich ruthenium(II) complexes with the CpH(PNMent) tripod ligand

Treatment of the chiral tripod ligand (L_Ment,S_C)-CpH(PN_Ment) with (Ph₃P)₃RuCl₂ in ethanol afforded the two chiral-at-metal diastereomers (L_Ment,S_C,R_Ru)- and (L_Ment,S_C,S_Ru)-[Cp(PN_Ment)Ru(PPh₃)Cl] (70% de) in which the cyclopentadienyl group and the P atom of the ligand coordinated at the metal center. The (L_Ment,S_C,R_Ru)-diastereomer was isolated by crystallization from ethanol-pentane and its structure was established by X-ray crystallography. The (L_Ment,S_C,R_Ru)-diastereomer epimerized in CDCl₃ solution at 60 °C in a first-order reaction with a half-life of 5.66 h. In alcoholic solution epimerization occurred at room temperature. Substitution of the chloride ligand in (L_Ment,S_C,R_Ru)- and (L_Ment,S_C,S_Ru)-[Cp(PN_Ment)Ru(PPh₃)Cl] by nitriles NCR (R = Me, Ph, CH₂Ph) in the presence of NH₄PF₆ gave mixtures of the diastereomers (L_Ment,S_C,R_Ru)- and (L_Ment,S_C,S_Ru)-[Cp(PN_Ment)Ru(PPh₃)NCR]PF₆. Treatment of (L_Ment,S_C,R_Ru)- and (L_Ment,S_C,S_Ru)-[Cp(PN_Ment)Ru(PPh₃)Cl] with piperidine or morpholine in the presence of NH₄PF₆ led to the chiral-at-metal diastereomers (L_Ment,S_C,R_Ru)- and (L_Ment,S_C,S_Ru)-[Cp(PN_Ment)Ru(PPh₃)NH₃]PF₆ (6% de).     

Synthesis and spectral studies on heterobimetallic complexes of manganese and ruthenium derived from N-(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylenebenzoylhydrazide

The complex [Mn^IV(napbh)₂] (napbhH₂ = N-(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylenebenzoylhydrazide) reacts with activated ruthenium(III) chloride in methanol in 1 : 1.2 molar ratio under reflux, giving heterobimetallic complexes, [Mn^IV(napbh)₂Ru^IIICl₃(H₂O)] · [Ru^III(napbhH)Cl₂(H₂O)] reacts with Mn(OAc)₂·4H₂O in methanol in 1 : 1.2 molar ratio under reflux to give [Ru^III(napbhH)Cl₂(H₂O)Mn^II(OAc)₂]. Replacement of aquo in these heterobimetallic complexes has been observed when the reactions are carried out in the presence of pyridine (py), 3-picoline (3-pic), or 4-picoline (4-pic). The molar conductances for these complexes in DMF indicates 1 : 1 electrolytes. Magnetic moment values suggest that these heterobimetallic complexes contain Mn^IV and Ru^III or Ru^III and Mn^II in the same structural unit. Electronic spectral studies suggest six coordinate metal ions. IR spectra reveal that the napbhH₂ ligand coordinates in its enol form to Mn^IV and bridges to Ru^III and in the keto form to Ru^III and bridging to Mn^II.     

Chiral copper-bipyridine complexes: Synthesis, characterization and mechanistic studies on asymmetric cyclopropanation

Chiral bipyridine ligands of different steric properties when reacted with CuCl₂ formed orange, yellow or green solids of new copper(II) complexes, [Cu(L)Cl₂] (L = L2-6), in good yield. Together with [Cu(L1)Cl₂], these complexes were characterized in solution by UV-Vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The complexes give d-d transitions between 860 and 970 nm, and exhibit one quasi-reversible Cu(II)/Cu(I) couple between +0.405 V and +0.516 V versus NHE. Two of the copper(II) complexes, [Cu(L5)Cl₂] and [Cu(L6)Cl₂], and a copper(I) complex of L1, [Cu(L1)Cl], were characterized by X-ray crystallography. The triflate derivatives of both the Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes are active catalysts towards the cyclopropanation of ethyl diazoacetate with styrene. The asymmetric induction suffers when the size difference between the alkyl and alkoxyl groups was minimized. The mechanism of the cyclopropanation was studied with kinetic and competition experiments. The rate is first order in catalyst and ethyl diazoacetate, inverse order with styrene and is strongly affected by the counterion.     

Syntheses and characterization of novel ruthenium complexes based on 1,3-dicyanobenzene

The syntheses and full characterization of novel ruthenium complexes based on 1,3-dicyanobenzene are described. Crystal structures are reported for both [1,3-(cis-RuCl(P(CH₃)₃)₄NC)₂C₆H₄][PF₆]₂ (1cis) and [1,3-(trans-RuCl(dppe)₂NC)₂C₆H₄][H₂PO₄]₂ (3′). Ligand substitution in the homobimetallic complex (3) leads easily to the monometallic analogue, [1,3-(trans-RuCl(dppe)₂NC)C₆H₄(CN)][PF₆] (4). A heterobimetallic complex, [1,3-(trans-RuCl(dppe)₂NC)C₆H₄(CN-FeCp(dppe))][PF₆]₂ (5), of satisfactory purity is also obtained.     

Cationic arene ruthenium complexes containing chelating 1,10-phenanthroline ligands

The monocationic chloro complexes containing chelating 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligands [(arene)Ru(N∩N)Cl]⁺ (1: arene = C₆H₆, N∩N = phen; 2: arene = C₆H₆, N∩N = 5-NO₂-phen; 3: arene = p-MeC₆H₄Prⁱ, N∩N = phen; 4: arene = p-MeC₆H₄Prⁱ, N∩N = 5-NO₂-phen; 5: arene = C₆Me₆, N∩N = phen; 6: arene = C₆Me₆, N∩N = 5-NO₂-phen; 7: arene = C₆Me₆, N∩N = 5-NH₂-phen) have been prepared and characterised as the chloride salts. Hydrolysis of these chloro complexes in aqueous solution gave, upon precipitation of silver chloride, the corresponding dicationic aqua complexes [(arene)Ru(N∩N)(OH₂)]²⁺ (8: arene = C₆H₆, N∩N = phen; 9: arene = C₆H₆, N∩N = 5-NO₂-phen; 10: arene = p-MeC₆H₄Prⁱ, N∩N = phen; 11: arene = p-MeC₆H₄Prⁱ, N∩N = 5-NO₂-phen; 12: arene = C₆Me₆, N∩N = phen; 13: arene = C₆Me₆, N∩N = 5-NO₂-phen; 14: arene = C₆Me₆, N∩N = 5-NH₂-phen), which have been isolated and characterised as the tetrafluoroborate salts. The catalytic potential of the aqua complexes 8-14 for transfer hydrogenation reactions in aqueous solution has been studied: complexes 12 and 14 catalyse the reaction of acetophenone with formic acid to give phenylethanol and carbon dioxide with turnover numbers around 200 (80 °C, 7 h). In the case of 12, it was possible to observe the postulated hydrido complex [(C₆Me₆)Ru(phen)H]⁺ (15) in the reaction with sodium borohydride; 15 has been characterised as the tetrafluoroborate salt, the isolated product [15]BF₄, however, being impure. The molecular structures of [(C₆Me₆)Ru(phen)Cl]⁺ (1) and [(C₆Me₆)Ru(phen)(OH₂)]²⁺ (12) have been determined by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of [1]Cl and [12](BF₄)₂.     

Spectral,catalytic, and antifungal studies of ruthenium(II) chalcone complexes

Reactions of [RuHCl(CO)(B)(EPh₃)₂] (B = EPh₃ or Py; E = P or As) and chalcones in benzene with equal molar ratio led to the formation of new complexes of the type [RuCl(CO)(EPh₃)(B)(L^1?4)] (B = PPh₃, AsPh₃ or Py; E = P or As; L = chalcone). The new complexes have been characterized by analytical and spectroscopic (IR-, electronic, ¹H-, ³¹P-, and ¹³C-NMR) data. Based on these data, an octahedral structure has been assigned for all the complexes. The chalcones are monobasic bidentate (O,O) donors and coordinate to ruthenium via phenolic and carbonyl oxygen. The new complexes exhibit efficient catalytic activity for the transfer hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds. Antifungal properties of the ligands and their complexes have been examined and compared with standard Bavistin.     

p-Cymene ruthenium thioether complexes

Thioethers PhC₂H₄SMe, PhC₃H₆SⁱPr and MeSAllyl form substitutionally labile monomeric adducts (p-cymene)RuCl₂(SRR′) (2a-c) upon treatment with the {(p-cymene)RuCl₂}₂ dimer (p-cymene = η⁶-MeC₆H₄ⁱPr-1,4). Pure adducts were obtained by crystallization from CH₂Cl₂/Et₂O, and 2a,c as well as the bis(thioether) complex (3) were studied by X-ray crystallography. The trichloro bridged diruthenium complex is formed as a byproduct in the preparation of 3 and was also crystallographically characterized. In solution, pure samples 2a-c equilibrate with free thioether and the dimeric starting complex 1. The amount of 1 present in these mixtures increases with increasing bulk of the thioether substituents. Attempts to thermally replace the cymene ligand by the dangling arene substituent of the thioether ligand of 2a,b failed. Complexes 2a-c as well as the dimethylsufide derivative 2d were studied by cyclic voltammetry and display a close to reversible (2a,c,d) or partially reversible (2b) oxidation near +0.85 V and an irreversible reduction at rather negative potential. New peaks observed after oxidation and reduction point to dissociation of the thioether ligand as the main decomposition pathway of the associated radical cations and anions.     

Synthesis,spectral, and catalytic studies of ruthenium(II) unsymmetrical Schiff-base complexes

Unsymmetrically-substituted ruthenium(II) Schiff-base complexes, [Ru(CO)(B)(L ^x )] [B = PPh₃, AsPh₃ or Py; L ^x = dianion of tetradentate unsymmetrical Schiff-base ligand; x = 4–7, L⁴ = salen-o-hyac, L⁵ = valen-o-hyac, L⁶ = salphen-o-hyac, L⁷ = valen-2-hacn], were prepared and characterized by analytical, IR, electronic, and ¹H NMR spectral studies. The new complexes were tested for their catalytic activity towards the oxidation of benzylalcohol to benzaldehyde.     

Preparation of hydride complexes of ruthenium with bidentate phosphite ligands

Hydride complex RuH₂(PFFP)₂ (1) [PFFP = (CF₃CH₂O)₂PN(CH₃)N(CH₃)P(OCH₂CF₃)₂] was prepared by allowing the compound RuCl₄(bpy) · H₂O (bpy = 1,2-bipyridine) to react first with the phosphite PFFP and then with NaBH₄. Chloro-complex RuCl₂(PFFP)₂ (2) was also prepared, either by reacting RuCl₄(bpy) · H₂O with PFFP and zinc dust or by substituting triphenylphosphine with PFFP in the precursor complex RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃. Hydride derivative RuH₂(POOP)₂ (3) (POOP = Ph₂POCH₂CH₂OPPh₂) was prepared by reacting compound RuCl₃(AsPh₃)₂(CH₃OH) first with the phosphite POOP and then with NaBH₄. Depending on experimental conditions, treatment of carbonylated solutions of RuCl₃ · 3H₂O with POOP yields either the cis- or trans-RuCl₂(CO)(PHPh₂)(POOP) (4) derivative. Reaction of both cis- and trans-4 with LiAlH₄ in thf affords dihydride complex RuH₂(CO)(PHPh₂)(POOP) (5). Chloro-complex all-trans-RuCl₂(CO)₂(PPh₂OMe)₂ (6) was obtained by reacting carbonylated solutions of RuCl₃ · 3H₂O in methanol with POOP. Treatment of chloro-complex 6 with NaBH₄ in ethanol yielded hydride derivative all-trans-RuH₂(CO)₂(PPh₂OMe)₂ (7). The complexes were characterised spectroscopically and the X-ray crystal structures of complexes 1, 3, cis-4 and 6 were determined.     

Synthesis, characterization, and X-ray structural analysis of some half-sandwich ruthenium(II) arene complexes with new N,S-donor Schiff base ligands

A series of cationic, half-sandwich ruthenium complexes with the general formula [(η⁶-arene)RuCl(R¹S-C₆H₄-2-CHNR²)]⁺ (arene = p-cymene or hexamethylbenzene; R¹ = CH₂Ph, ⁱPr, or Et; R² = aryl) have been prepared from the reaction of [(η⁶-arene)RuCl₂]₂ with various N,S-donor Schiff base ligands derived from 2-(alkylthio)benzaldehyde and several primary amines. All of the ruthenium complexes were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, electrochemistry, and UV/Vis spectroscopies. The p-cymene complexes undergo irreversible oxidations while the hexamethylbenzene complexes undergo quasi-reversible oxidations. The molecular structures of ligand 1a and complexes 4a, 4l, and 5e were determined by X-ray crystallography.     

The effect of titanium alkoxides in the synthesis of heterobimetallic complexes by titanocene(III) alkoxide-induced metal-metal bond cleavage of metal carbonyl dimers

A series of titanocene(III) alkoxides L₂Ti(III)OR where L = Cp, R = Et(1b), ^tBu(1a), 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃(1c), 2,6-^tBu₂-4-Me-C₆H₂(1d), or L = Cp*, R = Me(2e), ^tBu(2a), Ph(2f) was synthesized and subjected to reaction with [CpM(CO)₃]₂ [M = Mo, W], [CpRu(CO)₂]₂, and Co₂(CO)₈. The Ti(III) precursors 1a, 1c, 2a, 2e, and 2f reacted with [CpM(CO)₃]₂ [M = Mo, W] to form heterobimetallic complexes L₂Ti(OR)(μ-OC)(CO)₂MCp [M = Mo, W], of which Ti and M are linked by an isocarbonyl bridge. Reactions of these Ti(III) complexes with Co₂(CO)₈ resulted in formation of Ti-Co₁ heterobimetallic complexes, from 2a, 2e, or 2f, or Ti-Co₃ tetrametallic complexes, Cp₂Ti(O^tBu)(μ-OC)Co₃(CO)₉ from 1a, 1b, or 1c. The products were characterized by NMR, IR, and X-ray crystallography. Reaction mechanisms were proposed from these results, in particular, from steric/electronic effects of titanium alkoxides.     

Synthesis, characterization and photophysics of bimetallic manganese(I) and ruthenium(II) complexes

A series of new manganese(I) and ruthenium(II) monometallic and bimetallic complexes made of 2,2′-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline ligands, [Mn(CO)₃(NN)(4,4′-bpy)]⁺, [{(CO)₃(NN)Mn}₂(4,4′-bpy)]²⁺ and [(CO)₃(NN)Mn(4,4′-bpy)Ru(NN)₂Cl]²⁺ (NN = 2,2′-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline; 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine) are synthesized and characterized, in addition to already known ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(NN)₂Cl(4,4′-bpy)]⁺ and [Cl(NN)₂Ru(4,4′-bpy)Ru(NN)₂Cl]²⁺. The electrochemical properties show that there is a weak interaction between two metal centers in Mn–Ru heterobimetallic complexes. The photophysical behavior of all the complexes is studied. The Mn(I) monometallic and homobimetallic complexes have no detectable emission. In Mn–Ru heterobimetallic complexes, the attachment of Mn(I) with Ru(II) provides interesting photophysical properties.     

Diversity oriented synthesis of conjugate dienes and alkenylcyclopropanes utilizing silyl group-substituted titanium carbene complexes as bimetallic synthetic reagents

Diversity oriented synthesis of conjugate dienes and alkenylcyclopropanes by the sequential reactions using silyl group-substituted titanium carbene complexes was studied. Dienylsilanes were obtained by the olefination of carbonyl compounds with γ-silylvinylcarbene complexes. Cyclopropanation of 1-alkenes with the vinylcarbene complexes produced (E)-(β-silylvinyl)cyclopropanes with high stereoselectivity. The reaction of β-(trialkylsilyl)carbene complexes with zinc alkoxides of homopropargyl alcohols produced 6-silyl-3,5-hexadien-1-ols with high regio- and stereoselectivity. The (E)-alkenylsilanes thus obtained were transformed into a range of unsaturated compounds by the palladium-catalyzed or copper(I)-promoted cross-coupling with organic halides with retention of configuration.     

Synthesis of chiral chelating N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of ruthenium

The first 9-membered chiral chelating bidentate imidazol-2-ylidene ruthenium (II) benzylidene complexes based on a cyclopentane backbone were synthesised and characterised via NMR and HRMS.     

Ruthenium(III) and iridium(III) complexes with nicotine

A new chloride-dimethylsulfoxide-ruthenium(III) complex with nicotine trans-[Ru^IIICl₄(DMSO)[H-(Nicotine)]] (1) and three related iridium(III) complexes; [H-(Nicotine)]trans-[Ir^IIICl₄(DMSO)₂] (2), trans-[Ir^IIICl₄(DMSO)[H-(Nicotine)]] (3) and mer-[Ir^IIICl₃(DMSO)(Nicotine)₂] (4) have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques and by single crystal X-ray diffraction (1, 2, and 4). Protonated nicotine at pyrrolidine nitrogen is present in complexes 1 and 3 while two neutral nicotine ligands are observed in 4. In these three inner-sphere complexes coordination occurs through the pyridine nitrogen. Moreover, in the outer-sphere complex 2, an electrostatic interaction is observed between a cationic protonated nicotine at the pyrrolidine nitrogen and the anionic trans-[Ir^IIICl₄(DMSO)₂]^¯ complex.     

Ruthenium(II) chalconate complexes: Synthesis, characterization, catalytic, and biological studies

A series of new hexa-coordinated ruthenium(II) carbonyl complexes of the type [RuCl(CO)(EPh₃)(B)(L)] (E = P or As; B = PPh₃, AsPh₃ or Py; L = 2′-hydroxychalcones) have been prepared by reacting [RuHCl(CO)(EPh₃)₂(B)] (E = P or As; B = PPh₃, AsPh₃ or Py) with 2′-hydroxychalcones in benzene under reflux. The new complexes have been characterized by analytical and spectral (IR, electronic, ¹H, ³¹P and ¹³C NMR) data. Based on the above data, an octahedral structure has been assigned for all the complexes. The new complexes exhibit catalytic activity for the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols into their corresponding aldehydes and ketones in the presence of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMO) as co-oxidant and also found efficient catalyst in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones. The antifungal properties of the complexes have also been examined and compared with standard Bavistin.