Further reactions of some bis(vinylidene)diruthenium complexes

Whereas {Ru(dppm)Cp*}₂(μ-CCCC) (2) is the only product formed by deprotonation of [{Ru(dppm)Cp*}₂{μ(CCHCHC)}]⁺ with dbu, a mixture of 2 with Ru{CCCHCH(PPh₂)₂[RuCp*]}(dppm)Cp* (3) and {Cp*Ru(PPh₂CHCCH-)}₂ (4) is obtained with KOBu^t. A similar reaction with [{Ru(dppm)Cp*}₂{μ(CCMeCMeC)}]⁺ (5) gave Ru{CCCMeCH(PPh₂)₂[RuCp*]}(dppm)Cp* (6). X-ray structures of 4, 5 and 6 confirm the presence of the 1-ruthena-2,4-diphosphabicyclo[1.1.1]pentane moiety, which is likely formed by an intramolecular attack of the deprotonated dppm ligand on C(1) of the vinylidene ligand. Protonation of {Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂(μ-CCCC) (8-Ru) regenerates its precursor [{Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂{μ(CCHCHC)}]²⁺ (7-Ru). Ready oxidation of the bis(vinylidene) complex affords the cationic carbonyl [Ru(CO)(dppe)Cp*]PF₆ (9) (X-ray structure).     

Silicon version of enamines: Amino-substituted disilenes by the reactions of the disilyne RSiSiR (R = SiPr[CH(SiMe3)2]2) with amines

The reaction of 1,1,4,4-tetrakis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]-1,4-diisopropyltetrasila-2-yne 1 with secondary or primary amines produced amino-substituted disilenes R(R₂′N)SiSiHR 2a-d (R = SiⁱPr[CH(SiMe₃)₂]₂, R₂′NEt₂N (2a), (CH₂CH₂)₂N (2b), ^tBu(H)N (2c), and Ph₂N (2d)). Spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic analyses of 2 showed that 2a-c have a nearly coplanar arrangement of the SiSi double bond and the amino group, giving π-conjugation between the SiSi double bond and the lone pair on the nitrogen atom, whereas 2d has a nearly perpendicular arrangement precluding such conjugation. Theoretical calculations indicate that π-conjugation between the π-orbital of the SiSi double bond and the lone pair on the nitrogen atom is markedly influenced by the torsional angle between the SiSi double-bond plane and the amino-group plane.     

Ethynyl[2.2]paracyclophanes and 4-isocyano[2.2]paracyclophane as ligands in organometallic chemistry

An alternative synthesis of (±)-4-ethynyl[2.2]paracyclophane (PCPCCH) (5) and 4,16-diethynyl[2.2]paracyclophane (6) via the Corey-Fuchs reaction has been developed. The olefinic intermediate 4-dibromovinyl[2.2]paracyclophane (3) has been isolated and structurally characterized. The racemic terminal alkyne 5 was employed as starting material for assembling of a luminescent extended π-conjugated system containing a thiophene unit and for a catalytic bis-silylation reaction yielding the olefinic dithioether Z-PhSCH₂Me₂SiC(H)C(PCP)SiMe₂CH₂SPh (9). The dimetallatetrahedran [Co₂(CO)₆(μ-η²-PCP-CCH)] (10) has been prepared and its crystal structure determined by an X-ray diffraction analysis. Alkyne 5 has also been used for the preparation of the Pt(0) complex [Pt(PPh₃)₂(PCPCCH)] (11) and the heterodinuclear dimetallacyclopentenone [(OC)₂Fe{μC(O)C(PCP)C(H)}(μ-dppm)Pt(PPh₃)] (12). The synthesis and reactivity of 4-isocyano[2.2]paracyclophane (15) towards heterobimetallic iron-platinum and palladium-platinum complexes is also presented. Opening of the dative iron → platinum bond of [(OC)₄Fe(μ-dppm)PtCl₂] (16) occurred upon addition of 15 to a CH₂Cl₂ solution of 16 leading to [(OC)₄Fe{μ-dppm}PtCl₂(CNPCP)] (17). Treatment of [ClPd(μ-dppm)₂PtCl] (18) with isocyanide 15 in a 1:1 ratio affords the A-frame compound [ClPd(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CNPCP)PtCl] (19), resulting from formal insertion of 15 into the Pd-Pt bond. Addition of 2 equiv. of 15-18 leads to the ionic A-frame compound [ClPd(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CNPCP)Pt(CNPCP)]Cl (20).     

The reactions of some σ-alkynylnickel complexes with 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane

The σ-alkynyl complexes Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)-CC-R (1), Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)-CC-X-CCH (2) and Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)-CC-X-CC-Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃) (3), reactwith 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane, TCNQ, at 30 °C by insertion of the alkyne CC into a CC(CN)₂ bond to give Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)-C{C₆H₄C(CN)₂}-C{C(CN)₂}-R (4), from 1, Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)-C{C₆H₄C(CN)₂}-C{C(CN)₂}-X-CCH (5), from 2, and Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)-C{C₆H₄C(CN)₂}-C{C(CN)₂}-X-CC-Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃) (6),and Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)-C{C₆H₄C(CN)₂}- C{C(CN)₂}-X-C{C(CN)₂}-C{C₆H₄C(CN)₂}-Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃) (7),from 3 {R = (a) C₆H₅, (b) 4-PhC₆H₄, (c) 4-Me₂NC₆H₄, (d) 1-C₁₀H₇ (1-naphthyl), (e) 2-C₁₀H₇ (2-naphthyl), (f) 9-C₁₄H₉ (9-phenanthryl), (g) 9-C₁₄H₉ (9-anthryl), (h) 3-C₁₆H₉ (3-pyrenyl), (i) 1-C₂₀H₁₁ (1-perylenyl), (j) 2-C₄H₃S (2-thienyl), (k) C₁₀H₉Fe (ferrocenyl = Fc) and (l) H; X = (a) nothing, (b) 1,4-C₆H₄, (c) 1,3-C₆H₄ and (d) 4,4′-C₆H₄-C₆H₄}. The reaction is regiospecificand the other possible insertion product, R-C{C₆H₄C(CN)₂}-C{C(CN)₂}-Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃) etc., is not formed. Under the same conditions, there is no evidencefor the reaction of TCNQ with the -CCH of 2, PhCCH, 1,4-C₆H₄(CCH)₂ or FcCCH, or for the reaction of more than one CC(CN)₂ of TCNQ with a Ni-alkynyl moiety. Complexes 4-7 are all air-stable, purple solids which have been characterised by elemental analysis and spectroscopy (IR, UV-Vis, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR),and by X-ray diffraction for 4a, 4b and 4l. The UV-Vis spectra of 4-7 are very similar. This implies that all contain the same active chromophore which, it is suggested, is Ni-C(5)C₆H₄C(CN)₂ and not R-C(4)C(CN)₂. This isconsistent with the molecular structures of 4a, 4b and 4l which show that the first of these potentially chromophoric fragments is planar or close to it with an in-built potential for delocalisation, whilst in the second the aryl group R is almost orthogonal to the CC(CN)₂ plane. The molecular structures of 4a, 4b and 4l also reveal a short Ni?C(4) separation, indicative of a Ni → C(4) donor-acceptor interaction. The electrochemistry of 4a shows aquasi reversible oxidation at ca. 1 V and complicated reduction processes. It is typical of most 4, but 4l is different in that it shows the same quasi reversible oxidation at ca. 1 V but two reversible reductions at −0.26 and −0.47 V (vs. [Fe(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂]^+/0 0.0 V).     

Some ruthenium complexes of fluorinated alkynylcyclopentenes

Reactions between 1,2-dichlorohexafluorocyclopentene and Ru(CCH)(dppe)Cp∗ or Ru(CCCCLi)(dppe)Cp∗ have given Ru(CC-c-C₅F₆Cl-2)(dppe)Cp∗ 4 and Ru(CCCC-c-C₅F₆Cl-2)(dppe)Cp∗ 7, respectively. Ready hydrolysis of 4 to the ketone Ru{CC[c-C₅F₄Cl(O)]}(dppe)Cp∗ 5 occurs, which can be converted to Ru{CC(c-C₅F₄Cl[C(CN)₂])}(dppe)Cp∗ 6 by treatment with CH₂(CN)₂/basic alumina. Spectroscopic, electrochemical and XRD structural studies for 4-7 are reported: for 6, these suggest that the cyanated fluorocarbon ligand is a very powerful electron-withdrawing group.     

Synthesis, structures and some reactions of Ru(CCCCFc)(PP)Cp (PP = dppm, dppe) and related compounds

The compounds Ru(CCCCFc)(PP)Cp [PP = dppe (1), dppm (2)], have been obtained from reactions between RuCl(PP)Cp and FcCCCCSiMe₃ in the presence of KF (1) or HCCCCFc and K[PF₆] (2), both with added dbu. The dppe complex reacts with Co₂(CO)₆(L₂) [L₂ = (CO)₂, dppm] to give 3, 4 in which the Co₂(CO)₄(L₂) group is attached to the outer CC triple bond. The PPh₃ analogue of 3 (5) has also been characterised. In contrast, tetracyanoethene reacts to give two isomeric complexes 6 and 7, in which the cyano-olefin has added to either CC triple bond. The reaction of RuCl(dppe)Cp with HCCCCFc, carried out in a thf/NEt₃ mixture in the presence of Na[BPh₄], gave [Ru{CCC(NEt₃)CHFc}(dppe)Cp]BPh₄ (8), probably formed by addition of the amine to an (unobserved) intermediate butatrienylidene [Ru(CCCCHFc)(dppe)Cp]⁺. The reaction of I₂ with 8 proceeds via an unusual migration of the alkynyl group to the Cp ring to give [RuI(dppe){η-C₅H₄CCC(NEt₃)CHFc}]I₃ (9). Single-crystal X-ray structural determinations of 1, 2 and 4-9 are reported.     

Synthesis, characterization and solid state structures of thiosemicarbazone palladacycles: Influence of hydrogen bonding in the molecular arrangement

Treatment of the thiosemicarbazones 4-FC₆H₄C(Me)NN(H)C(S)NHR, (R = Me, a; Ph, b) and 2-ClC₆H₄C(Me)NN(H)C(S)NHR (R = Ph, c) with lithium tetrachloropalladate(II) in methanol or palladium(II) acetate in acetic acid gave the tetranuclear cyclometallated complex [Pd{4-FC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHR}]₄ (1a, 1b) and [Pd{2-ClC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHPh}]₄ (1c). Reaction of these tetramers with the diphosphines dppe, t-dppe, dppp or dppb in a 1:2 molar ratio gave the dinuclear cyclometallated complexes [(Pd{4-FC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHR})₂(μ-Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂)], (n = 2, 2a, 2b; 3, 4a, 4b; 4, 5a, 5b), [(Pd{4-FC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHPh})₂(μ-Ph₂PCHCHPPh₂)], (3a, 3b) and [(Pd{2-ClC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHR})₂(μ-Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂)], (n = 2, 2c, 2d; 3, 4c, 4d; 4, 5c, 5d), [(Pd{2-ClC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHPh})₂(μ-PPh₂CHCHPPh₂)], (3c, 3d). The X-ray crystal structure of the ligand b and the complexes 3c, 4a and 4d were determined. The structures of complexes 4a and 4d show that the different disposition of the chain cyclometallated of the thiosemicarbazones (in the same orientation or in the opposite one) is due to the different H bonds produced.     

Palladacycles bearing pendant benzamidinate ligands as catalysts for the Suzuki and Heck coupling reactions

Three pendant benzamidines [Ph-C(NC₆H₅)-{NH(CH₂)₂NMe₂}] (1), [Ph-C(NC₆H₅)-{NH(CH₂Py)}] (2) and [Ph-C(NC₆H₅)-{NH(o-C₆H₄)(oxazoline)}] (3) are described. Reactions of 1, 2 or 3 with one molar equivalent of Pd(OAc)₂ in THF give the palladacyclic complexes [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(CH₂)₂NMe₂}]Pd(OAc) (4), [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N (CH₂Py)}]Pd(OAc) (5) and [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(o-C₆H₄)(oxazoline)}]Pd(OAc) (6), respectively. Treatment of 4, 5 or 6 with excess of LiCl in chloroform affords [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(CH₂)₂NMe₂}]PdCl (7), [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(CH₂Py)}]PdCl (8) and [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(o-C₆H₄)(oxazoline)}]PdCl (9). The crystal and molecular structures are reported for compounds 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7. The application of these palladacyclic complexes to the Suzuki and Heck coupling reactions was examined.     

Dimerisation and reactivity of HCCCCFc at ruthenium centres

In contrast to the simple diynyl complexes formed in reactions between HCCCCFc and MCl(dppe)Cp∗; (M = Fe, Ru), an analogous reaction with RuCl(PPh₃)₂Cp∗; in the presence of KPF₆ and dbu resulted in dimerisation of the diyne at the Ru centre to afford a mixture of [Ru{η¹,η²-C(CCFc)C(L)CHCCCHFc}(PPh₃)Cp∗]PF₆ (L = dbu 1, PPh₃2). Similar reactions with RuCl(PR₃)₂L gave [Ru{η¹,η²-C(CCFc)C(dbu)CHCCCHFc}(PR₃)L]PF₆ (L = Cp, R = Ph 3, m-tol 4; L = η⁵-C₉H₇, R = Ph 5). The reaction between 3 and I₂, followed by crystallization of the paramagnetic product from MeOH, afforded the dicationic [Ru{C(CCFc)C(dbu)CHC(OMe)C(OMe)CHFc}(PPh₃)Cp](I₃)₂6. The molecular structures of 2·2CH₂Cl₂ and 6.S (S = 2CH₂Cl₂, C₆H₆) were determined by single-crystal XRD studies.     

Synthesis and reactivity of η-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl-propenyl rhenium complexes: Molecular structure of [(η:η-C5Me4CH2CHCH2)Re(CO)2]

The fulvene complexes [(η⁶-C₅Me₄CH₂)Re(CO)₂(R)] (1a, RI; 1b, RC₆F₅) react at the exocyclic methylene carbon with a vinylmagnesium bromide solution to produce the anionic species [(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₂(R)]⁻. Protonation with HCl at 0 °C produces the hydride complexes [trans-(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₂(R)(H)] (2a, RI; 2b, RC₆F₅). Thermolysis of an hexane solution of the iodo-hydride (2a) under a CO atmosphere yields the complex [(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₃] (3) and [Re(CO)₅I] as by-product. Thermolysis of 2b produced three new products, mainly the chelated complex [(η⁵:η²-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₂] (4) and complex 3, with a non-coordinated olefin group, in moderated yield, and traces of [Re(CO)₅(C₆F₅)]. Thermolysis of an hexane solution of 2 in presence of an excess of PMe₃, afforded the phosphine derivative [(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₂(PMe₃)] (5). All the complexes were characterized by IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectroscopies and mass spectrometry. The molecular structure of 4 has also been determined. The molecule exhibits a formal three-legged piano-stool structure, with two CO groups, and the third position corresponding to the η²-coordination of the propenyl side arm of the η⁵-C₅Me₄ ring.     

Proton reduction catalysis by manganese vinylidene and allenylidene complexes

The present paper reports the unprecedented observation of a catalytic electrochemical proton reduction based on metallocumulene complexes. Manganese phenylvinylidene (η⁵-C₅H₅)(CO)(PPh₃)MnCC(H)Ph (1) and diphenylallenylidene (η⁵-C₅H₅)(CO)₂MnCCCPh₂ (3) are shown to catalyze the reduction of protons from HBF₄ into dihydrogen in CH₂Cl₂ or CH₃CN media at −1.60 and −0.84 V (in CH₃CN) vs. Fc, respectively. The working potential for 3 (−0.84 V vs. Fc in CH₃CN) is the lowest reported to date for protonic acids reduction in non-aqueous media. The similar catalytic cycles disclosed here include the protonation of 1, 3 into the carbyne cations [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(CO)(PPh₃)MnC-CH₂Ph]BF₄ ([2]BF₄), [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(CO)₂MnC-CHCPh₂]BF₄ ([4]BF₄) followed by their reduction to the corresponding 19-electron radicals 2, 4, respectively. Both carbyne radicals undergo a rapid homolytic cleavage of the C_β-H bond generating an H-radical producing molecular hydrogen with concomitant recovery of the neutral metallocumulenes thereby completing a catalytic cycle.     

Synthesis, structure and photo-physical properties of phosphorus-supported fluorescent probes

Various phosphorus-supported fluorescent probes have been synthesized by the condensation reaction of multi-functional phosphorus hydrazides with various fluorophore-containing carboxaldehydes. Compounds, thus prepared, in this study are (PhO)₂P(O)[N(Me)-NCH-R] (1a, 1b), Ph₂P(O)[N(Me)-NCH-R] (2b, 2c, 2d), PhP(O)[N(Me)-NCH-R]₂ (3b, 3c), P(S)[N(Me)-NCH-R]₃ (4b, 4c), P(O)[N(Me)-NCH-R]₃ (5a, 5b, 5c), N₃P₃(O₂C₁₂H₈)₂[N(Me)-NCH-R]₂ (6a, 6b, 6c), N₃P₃(O₂C₁₂H₈)[N(Me)-NCH-R]₄ (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) and N₃P₃[N(Me)-NCH-R]₆ (8b, 8c), where R=1-pyrenyl (a), 9-anthracenyl (b), 9-phenanthryl (c) and 7-(N,N′-diethylamino)-3-coumarinyl (d). All of these compounds have been characterized by various analytical techniques including ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 5c and 6d have also been characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis. All of these phosphorus-supported compounds exhibit excellent fluorescence properties in aqueous solution at near physiological conditions.     

Ferrole-type compounds containing thiophenic or thiepinic rings in the 3,4-positions of the metallacycle

The new ferrole Fe₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Fc)CC{C(H)C(R)S}CC(SiMe₃)] [R = SiMe₃ (1) and R = Fc (2)] and ruthenoles Ru₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Me₃Si)CC{SC(Fc)C(H)}CC(Fc)] 3 and Ru₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Me₃Si)CC(SCCFc)C(H)C(Fc)] 4, have been obtained from the reactions of M₃(CO)₁₂ (M = Fe, Ru) and FcCCSCCSiMe₃ through S-C bond activations and C-C coupling reactions. Thermolysis of Ru₂(CO)₆[μ₃-η²,η⁴,η³-(Me₃Si)CC{SC(Fc)C(SCCSiMe₃}Ru(CO)₃}CC(Fc)] alone and in the presence of HCCFc, yielded the compounds Ru₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Me₃Si)CC{SC(Fc)C(SCCSiMe₃)}CC(Fc)] 5 and Ru₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Me₃Si)CC{SC(Fc)C(SCCSiMe₃)C(H)C(Fc)}CC(Fc)] 6, respectively. The crystal structures of the compounds 1, 3, 4 and 6 are reported.     

Electrochemical, EPR and computational results on [Fe2Cp2(CO)2]-based complexes with a bridging hydrocarbyl ligand

The dimetallacyclopentenone complexes [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)(μ−CO){μ−η¹:η³−C_αHC_β(R)C(O)}] (R = CH₂OH, 1a; R = CMe₂OH, 1b; R = Ph, 1c) were prepared by photolytic reaction of [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₄] with alkyne according to the literature procedure. The X-ray and the electrochemical characterization of 1c are presented. The μ-allenyl compound [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₂(μ−CO){μ−η¹:η²_α,β−C_αHC_βCMe₂][BF₄] ([2][BF₄]), obtained by reaction of 1b with HBF₄, underwent monoelectron reduction to give a radical species which was detected by EPR at room temperature. The EPR signal has been assigned to [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₂(μ−CO){μ−η¹:η²_α,β-C_αHC_βCMe₂}], [2]^•. The molecular structures of [2]⁺ and [2]^• were optimized by DFT calculations. The unpaired electron in [2]^• is localized mainly at the metal centers and, coherently, [2]^• does not undergo carbon-carbon dimerization, by contrast with what previously observed for the μ-vinyl radical complex [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₂(μ−CO){μ−η¹:η²-CHCH(Ph)}]^•, [3]^•. Electron spin density distributions similar to the one of [2]^• were found for the μ-allenyl radical complexes [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₂(μ-CO){μ-η¹:η²_α,β-C_αHC_βC(R¹)(R²)}]^• (R¹ = R² = H, [4]^•; R¹ = H, R² = Ph, [5]^•; R¹ = R² = Ph, [6]^•).     

Thiocarbene and alkoxycarbene tungsten complexes exhibit typically different reaction paths

The condensation of (butyl)thiocarbene tungsten complex [(OC)₅WC(SEt)Bu] (1a) with an α,β-unsaturated secondary acid amide R²CHCHC(O)NHR¹4 in the presence of POCl₃/Et₃N gives cyclopentadienimines 12, whereas the isostructural alkoxycarbene complex [(OC)₅WC(OEt)Bu] (1c) under similar conditions affords a (N-enamino)ethoxycarbene compound 9. Furthermore, condensation of the (methyl)thiocarbene tungsten complex [(OC)₅WC(SEt)Me] (1b) with an amide 4 yields cyclopentenimines 19 and allenylidene complexes 20, whereas the corresponding ethoxycarbene complex [(OC)₅WC(OEt)CH₃] (1d) forms 4-NH-amino-1-tungsta-1,3,5-hexatrienes 16 under similar conditions.     

A new mechanism of nucleophilic vinylic substitution and unexpected products in the reaction of chlorotrifluoroethylene with [Re(CO)5]Na and [CpFe(CO)2]K

The mechanism of chloride substitution in CF₂CFCl with [Re(CO)₅]⁻ and [CpFe(CO)₂]⁻ anions is investigated experimentally and theoretically. The substitution reaction begins with the nucleophile addition to CF₂CFCl producing the carbenoid anion [MCF₂CFCl]⁻ (A) (M = Re(CO)₅, CpFe(CO)₂). This is shown by trapping the intermediate A with electrophiles - proton donor (t-BuOH) to give MCF₂CFClH or with CF₂CFRe(CO)₅ to give acylmetallate III, and by the formation of the substitution products CF₂CFM from the anion A, generated by the deprotonation of MCF₂CFClH with t-BuOK. 1,2-Shift of metal carbonyl group concerted with the α-elimination of chloride anion is proposed as the transformation pathway of carbenoid A into CF₂CFM. A competing process of carbene insertion into Fe-CO bond is proposed to explain the formation of (XI). The feasibility of these two pathways is confirmed by DFT (B3LYP/SDD and 6-31G^∗) calculations of the carbenes [MCF₂CF:] and carbenoid anions [MCF₂CFCl]⁻. Transition states (TS) for 1,2-shift (+3.2 kcal/mol) and for nucleophilic addition at CO ligand (+5.4 kcal/mol) are located for [(CO)₅ReCF₂CFCl]⁻, but only one TS corresponding to carbene insertion into Fe-CO bond (+2.1 kcal/mol) is located for [(CO)₂CpFeCF₂CFCl]⁻. The formation of other newly observed products, F(CO)CHFRe(CO)₅ (V) and Cp(CO)₂FeCCFeCp(CO)₂ (VIII) is also discussed.     

Preparation, structure and some chemistry of FcCCCCCCRu(dppe)Cp

The synthesis of Fc(CC)₃Ru(dppe)Cp (2) from Fc(CC)₃SiMe₃ and RuCl(dppe)Cp is described, together with its reactions with tcne to give the tetracyano-dienyl FcCCCC{C[C(CN)₂]}₂Ru(dppe)Cp (3) and -cyclobutenyl FcCCCC{CCC(CN)₂C(CN)₂}Ru(dppe)Cp (4), with Co₂(μ-dppm)_n(CO)_8−2n (n = 0, 1) to give FcC₂{Co₂(CO)₆}C₂{Co₂(CO)₆}CCRu(dppe)Cp (5) and FcCCCCC₂{Co₂(μ-dppm)(CO)₄}Ru(dppe)Cp (6), respectively, and with Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ to give Os₃{μ₃-C₂CCCC[Ru(dppe)Cp]}(CO)₁₀ (7). On standing in solution, the latter isomerises to the cyclo-metallated derivative Os₃(μ-H){μ₃-C[Ru(dppe)Cp]CCC[(η-C₅H₃)FeCp]}(CO)₈ (8). X-ray structural determinations of 1, 2, 6 and 7 are reported.     

From alkenylphosphane aminoallenylidene ruthenium(II) complexes to highly unsaturated ruthenaphosphabicycloheptene complexes

The alkenylaminoallenylidene complex [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇){CCC(NEt₂)[C(Me)CPh₂]}{κ(P)-Ph₂PCH₂CHCH₂}(PPh₃)][PF₆] (2) has been prepared by the reaction of the allenylidene [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇)(CCCPh₂){κ(P)-Ph₂PCH₂CHCH₂}(PPh₃)][PF₆] (1) with the ynamine MeCCNEt₂. The reaction proceeds regio- and stereoselectively, and the insertion of the ynamine takes place exclusively at the C_βC_γ bond of the unsaturated chain. The secondary allenylidene [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇){CCC(H)[C(Me)CPh₂]}{κ(P)-Ph₂PCH₂CHCH₂}(PPh₃)][PF₆] (3) is obtained, in a one-pot synthesis, from the reaction of aminoallenylidene 2 with LiBHEt₃ and subsequent treatment with silica. Moreover, the addition of an excess of NaBH₄ to a solution of the complex 2 in THF at room temperature gives exclusively the alkynyl complex [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇){CCCH₂[C(Me)CPh₂]}{κ(P)-Ph₂PCH₂CHCH₂}(PPh₃)] (5). The heating of a solution of allenylidene derivative 3 in THF at reflux gives regio- and diastereoselectively the cyclobutylidene complex [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇) (PPh₃)][PF₆](4) through an intramolecular cycloaddition of the CC allyl and the C_αC_β bonds in the allenylidene complex 3. The structure of complex 4 has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Heterobi- to heterotetrametallic transition metal complexes constructed from ferrocenecarboxylate and [{[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe3)2}M] units

A series of copper(I) and silver(I) carboxylates received from various ferrocenecarboxylic acids was synthesized and used in the preparation of heterooligometallic Ti-Cu(Ag)-Fe complexes. The silver(I) salts [FcCO₂Ag] (2a) and [FcCHCHCO₂Ag] (2b) (Fc = ferrocenyl, (η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)) were obtained through deprotonation of the respective acids FcCO₂H (1a) and FcCHCHCO₂H (1b) with NEt₃, followed by a reaction with [AgNO₃]. The heterotrimetallic complexes {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}AgO₂CFc (4a) and {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}AgO₂CCHCHFc (4b), where [Ti] denotes the (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti unit, were obtained from the reaction of 2a and 2b with the organometallic π-tweezer compound [Ti](CCSiMe₃)₂ (3). The related heterotrimetallic copper(I) complex {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}CuO₂CFc (9a) was prepared via two synthetic routes. First, salt 2a was reacted with [(η²-Me₃SiCCSiMe₃)CuBr]₂ (10) to give the alkyne-stabilized copper(I) carboxylate [(η²-Me₃SiCCSiMe₃)(CuO₂CFc)₂]₂ (11). Subsequent reaction of 11 with four equivalents of 3 afforded 9a. Alternatively, 9a and its analogues {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}CuO₂C-E-Fc (E = trans-CHCH (9b), CH₂CH₂ (9c)), were prepared from acidolysis of the Cu-C_Me bond in {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}CuMe (8) with acids 1a-1c. An analogous reaction between HO₂CfcPPh₂M(CO)₅ (M = Cr (14a), Mo (14b), W (14c); fc = ferrocene-1,1′-diyl) and 8 at−30 °C gave the alkyne/ferrocene-bridged heterotetrametallic compounds {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}CuO₂CfcPPh₂M(CO)₅ (M = Cr (15a), Mo (15b), W (15c)). Reversing the reaction steps so that {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}CuO₂CfcPPh₂ (12) was prepared first and then reacted with M(CO)₅(thf) (M = Cr (13a), Mo (13b), W (13a)) gave complicated reaction mixtures from which pure 15a-15c could not be isolated. The solid-state structures of 5, 7, 9a, and 11 have been corroborated by single-crystal X-ray structural studies and the electrochemical behavior of acids 1a-1c and of complexes 4a, 4b and 9a-9c was studied by cyclic voltammetry.     

Iron(II) and iron(III) complexes containing ethynyl thiophene fragments

The synthesis of the new complexes Cp*(dppe)FeCC2,5-C₄H₂SR (Cp* = 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl; dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane; 2a, R = CCH; 2b, R = CCSi(CH₃)₃; 2c, R = CCSi(CH(CH₃)₂)₃; 3a, R = CC2,5-C₄H₂SCCH; 3c, R = CC2,5-C₄H₂SCCSi(CH(CH₃)₂)₃) is described. The ¹³C NMR and FTIR spectroscopic data indicate that the π-back donation from the metal to the carbon rich ligand increases with the size of the organic π-electron systems. The new complexes were also analyzed by CV and the chemical oxidation of 2a and 3c was carried out using 1 equiv of [Cp₂Fe][PF₆]. The corresponding complexes 2a[PF₆] and 3c[PF₆] are thermally stable, but 2a[PF₆] was too reactive to be isolated as a pure compound. The spectroscopic data revealed that the coordination of large organic π-electron systems to the iron nucleus produces only a weak increase of the carbon character of the SOMO for these new organoiron(III) derivatives.