Synthesis and X-ray crystal structures of [Ph2PMe2][(η-C5H4Bu)2Li] and [(η-C5H4Bu)2Yb(Cl)CH2P(Me)Ph2]

The interaction of [(η⁵-C₅H₄Bu^t)₂YbCl · LiCl] with one equivalent of Li[(CH₂) (CH₂)PPh₂] in tetrahydrofuran gave [Ph₂PMe₂][(η⁵-C₅H₄Bu^t)₂Li] (1) and [(η⁵-C₅H₄Bu^t)₂Yb(Cl)CH₂P(Me)Ph₂] (2) in 10% and 30% yields, respectively. 1 could also be prepared in 70% yield from the reaction of [Ph₂PMe₂][CF₃SO₃] with two equivalents of (C₅H₄Bu^t)Li. Both compounds have been fully characterized by analytical, spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction methods. The solid state structure of 1 reveals a sandwich structure for the [(η⁵-C₅H₄Bu^t)₂Li]⁻ anion.     

Substituted cyclopentadienyl ligands—10. Intramolecular steric interactions in [(η-C5H3(SiMe3)2)Mo(CO)2(L)I]

Reaction of C₅H₄(SiMe₃)₂ with Mo(CO)₆ yielded [(η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂)Mo(CO)₃]₂, which on addition of iodine gave [(η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂Mo(CO)₃I]. Carbonyl displacement by a range of ligands: [L  P(OMe)₃, P(OPrⁱ)₃,P(O-o-tol)₃, PMe₃, PMe₂Ph, PMePh₂, PPh₃, P(m-tol)₃] gave the new complexes [(η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂ MO(CO)₂(L)I]. For all the trans isomer was the dominant, if not exclusive, isomer formed in the reaction. An NOE spectral analysis of [(η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂)Mo(CO)₂(L)I] L  PMe₂Ph, P(OMe)₃] revealed that the L group resided on the sterically uncongested side of the cyclopentadienyl ligand and that the ligand did not access the congested side of the molecule. Quantification of this phenomenon [L  P(OMe)₃] was achieved by means of the vertex angle of overlap methodology. This methodology revealed a steric preference with the trans isomer (less congestion of CO than I with an SiMe₃ group) being the more stable isomer for L  P(OMe)₃.     

Darstellung und chemie von Me2TlN(SiMe3)2 und Tl[N(SiMe3)2]3

The complexes [Rh(η³-C₃H₄R)(η⁵-C₅R′₅)L]⁺BF₄^- (R  1-Me, R′  H, Me; R  2-Me, R′  H) (L  C₅H₅N, Ph₃P, Ph₃As) have been prepared from Rh(η³-C₃H₄R)(η⁵-C₅R′₅)Cl and AGBF₄ in acetone, followed by reaction with the stoicheiometric quantity of L. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of the salts are reported and discussed.     

The tris(triphenylphosphine)osmium zerovalent complexes Os(CO)2(PPh3)3, .Os(CO)(CNR)(PPh3)3, Os(CO)(CS)(PPh3)3, Os(CS)(cNR)(PPh3)3 and derived compounds

Detailed procedures for the syntheses of Os(CO)₂(PPh₃)₃, Os(CO)(CNR)-(PPh₃)₃ (R = p-tolyl), Os(CO)(CS)(PPh₃)₃ and Os(CS)(CNR)(PPh₃)₃, together with the derived complexes Os(CO)₂(CS)(PPh₃)₂, Os(CO)(CS)(CNR)(PPh₃)₂, Os(η²-C₂H₄)(CO)(CNR)(PPh₃)₂, Os(η²-C₂H₄)(CO)(CS)(PPh₃)₂, Os(η²CS₂)(CO)₂-(PPh₃)₂, Os(η²CS₂)(CO)(CS)(PPh₃)₂, Os(η²-CS₂)(CO)(CNR)(PPh₃)₂, Os(η²PhC₂Ph)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ and OsH(C2Ph)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ are described.     

Further studies on organonickel compounds: the synthesis of some new alkyl-, acyl- and cyclopentadienyl-derivatives and the crystal structure of trans-[Ni(CH2SiMe3)2(PMe3)2]

The complex [NiCl₂(PMe₃)₂] reacts with one equivalent of mg(CH₂CMe₃)Cl to yield the monoalkyl derivative trans-[Ni(CH₂CMe₃)Cl(PMe₃)₂], which can be carbonylated at room temperature and pressure to afford the acyl [Ni(COCH₂CMe₃)Cl(PMe₃)₂]. Other related alkyl and acyl complexes of composition [Ni(R)(NCS)(PMe₃)₂] (R = CH₂CMe₃, COCH₂CMe₃) and [Ni(R)(η-C₅H₅)L] (L = PMe₃, R = CH₂CMe₃, COCH₂CMe₃; L = PPh₃, R = CH₂CMe₂Ph) have been similarly prepared. Dialkyl derivatives [NiR₂(dmpe)] (R = CH₂SiMe₃, CH₂CMe₂Ph; dmpe = 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphine)ethane, Me₂PCH₂ CH₂PMe₂) have been obtained by phosphine replacement of the labile pyridine and NNN′N′-tetramethylethylenediamine ligands in the corresponding [Ni(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(py)₂] and [Ni(CH₂CMe₂Ph)₂(tmen)] complexes. A single-crystal X-ray determination carried out on the previously reported trimethylphosphine derivative [Ni(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(PMe₃)₂] shows the complex belongs to the orthorhombic space group Pbcn, with a = 14.345(4), b = 12.656(3), c = 12.815(3) Å, Z = 4 and R 0.077 for 535 independent observed reflections. The phosphine ligands occupy mutually trans positions P-Ni-P 146.9(3)° in a distorted square-planar arrangement.     

Reactions of the 6,6-dimethylcyclohexadienyl anion with MCl4(PMe3)2 complexes (M = Hf,Nb) – Isolation of complex intramolecular coupling products

Reactions of NbCl₄(PMe₃)₂ and HfCl₄(PMe₃)₂ with four equivalents of the 6,6-dimethylcyclohexadienyl anion lead to Nb(6,6-dmch)[η^2,4-(dmch)₂](PMe₃) and Hf(6,6-dmch)[η^3,4-(dmch)₃](PMe₃). Each complex has been crystallographically characterized, and found to contain one η⁵-bound 6,6-dmch ligand, with the other dmch units coupled together to yield olefin, allyl, and diene coordinations, resulting in 18 electron configurations for these compounds.     

Reaction of [CpRu(CH3CN)3]PF6 with bidentate ligands: structural characterization of [{CpRu(CH3CN)2}2(μ-η-dppe)](PF6)2 [dppe=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane]

The reaction of [CpRu(CH₃CN)₃]PF₆ with the bidentate ligands L-L=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, dppe, and (1-diphenylarsino-2-diphenylphosphino)ethane, dpadppe, affords mononuclear or dinuclear complexes of formula [CpRu(η²-L-L)(CH₃CN)]PF₆, [{CpRu(CH₃CN)₂}₂(μ-η^1:1-L-L)](PF₆)₂ and [{CpRu(CH₃CN)}₂(μ-η^1:1-L-L)₂](PF₆)₂ (L-L=dppe, dpadppe). All of the compounds are characterized by microanalysis and NMR [¹H and ³¹P{¹H}] spectroscopy. The crystal structure of [{CpRu(CH₃CN)₂}₂(μ-η^1:1-dppe)](PF₆)₂ has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The complex exhibits a dppe ligand bridging two CpRu(CH₃CN)₂ fragments.     

Thiocarbonyl complexes of ruthenium(II). Synthesis of RuCl2(CS)(H2O)(PPh3)2 and RuHCl(CS)(PPh3)3

A high-yield synthesis of trans-RuCl₂(CS)(H₂O)(PPh₃)₂ from RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ and CS₂ is described. The coordinated water molecule is labile, and introduction of CNR (R  p-toyl or p-chlorophenyl) leads to yellow trans-RuCl₂(CS)(CNR)(PPh₃)₂, which isomerises thermally to colourless cis-RuCl₂(CS)(CNR)(PPh₃)₂. Reaction of AgClO₄ with cis-RuCl₂(CS)(CNR)(PPh₃)₂ gives [RuCl(CS)(CNR)(H₂O)(PPh₃)₂]⁺, from which [RuCl(CS)(CO)(CNR)(PPh₃)₂]⁺ and [RuCl(CS)(CNR)₂(PPh₃)₂]⁺ are derived. Reaction of trans-RuCl₂(CS)(H₂O)(PPh₃)₂ with sodium formate gives Ru(η²-O₂CH)Cl(CS)(PPh₃)₂, which undergoes decarboxylation in the presence of (PPh₃) to give RuHCl(CS)(PPh₃)₃. Ru(η²-O₂CH)H(CS)(PPh₃)₂ and Ru(η²-O₂CMe)-H(CS)(PPh₃)₂ are also described.     

Structural and energetic aspects of hydrogen bonding and proton transfer to ReH2(CO)(NO)(PR3)2 and ReHCl(CO)(NO)(PMe3)2 by IR and X-ray studies

The interaction of rhenium hydrides ReHX(CO)(NO)(PR₃)₂ 1 (X=H, R=Me (a), Et (b), iPr (c); X=Cl, R=Me (d)) with a series of proton donors (indole, phenols, fluorinated alcohols, trifluoroacetic acid) was studied by variable temperature IR spectroscopy. The conditions governing the hydrogen bonding ReHHX in solution and in the solid state (IR, X-ray) were elucidated. Spectroscopic and thermodynamic characteristics (−ΔH=2.3–6.1 kcal mol⁻¹) of these hydrogen bonded complexes were obtained. IR spectral evidence that hydrogen bonding with hydride atom precedes proton transfer and the dihydrogen complex formation was found. Hydrogen bonded complex of ReH₂(CO)(NO)(PMe₃)₂ with indole (2a–indole) and organyloxy-complex ReH(OC₆H₄NO₂)(CO)(NO)(PMe₃)₂ (5a) were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A short NHHRe (1.79(5) Å) distance was found in the 2a–indole complex, where the indole molecule lies in the plane of the Re(NO)(CO) fragment (with dihedral angle between the planes 0.01°).     

Synthesis and structures of new metallocene derivatives of lanthanides. Molecular structures of the complexes (C13H9)2Eu(THF)2 and (C5Me4H)2YbI(THF)

The divalent europium bis-fluorenyl complex (C₁₃H₉)₂Eu(THF)₂ was synthesized by the metathesis reaction of EuI₂(THF)₂ with two equivalents of fluorenylpotassium and by the protolytic substitution of the naphthalene ligand in the (C₁₀H₈)Eu(THF)₂ complex using the reaction with fluorene. According to X-ray diffraction data, the complex displays a skewed sandwich structure, in which one fluorenyl ligand is η⁵-coordinated to the metal atom, whereas the η³-coordination mode makes a great contribution to the coordination of another ligand. The (C₅Me₄H)₂YbI(THF) complex was synthesized by the reaction of YbI₃(THF)₂ with two equivalents of (C₅Me₄H)K. The structure of the complex was established by X-ray diffraction. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 530–534, March, 2008.     

Intramolecular rearrangement of the bridging σ,π-acetylide ligand in the Os3H(CO)9(L)(μ-η2-CCPh) (L = CO,PMe2Ph) clusters and crystal structure of Os3H(CO)9(PMe2Ph)(μ-η2-CCPh)

Clusters Os₃H(Cl)(CO)₉(L) (L= CO, PMe₂Ph) react with lithium phenyl-acetylide to yield Os₃H(CO)₉(L)(μ-η²-CCPh),which has a bridging acetylide ligand. The Os₃H(CO)₁₀(μ-η²-CCPh) complex (II) is fluxional owing to rapid π → σ, σ → π interchange of acetylide ligand between the bridged osmium atoms, whereas the phosphine-substituted derivative, Os₃H(CO)₉(PM₂Ph)(μ-η²-CCPh) (III), is stereochemically rigid and exists at room temperature in two isomeric forms. These isomers have been isolated as solids and have been characterized by ¹H and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy. According to the spectroscopic data, in the major (IIIa) and minor (IIIb) isomers the phosphine ligand is coordinated to the metal atom which is σ- or π-bonded to the bridging acetylide group, respectively. The isomerization of IIIb into IIIa occurs only at 80°C. The structure of IIIa has been confirmed by an X-ray diffraction study.     

Preparation and structural characterization of [(η5-C5H5)2Zr(SC6H5)]2O. A qualitative description of the bonding in oxo-bridged dicyclopentadienyl-transition metal dimers

The hydrolysis of (η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Zr(SC₆H₅)₂ was shown previously by IR spectroscopy to produce an oxo-bridged complex. The molecular structure of this material has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods and consists of two (η²-C₅H₅)₂Zr(SC₆H₅) units linked by an oxo bridge. The ZrOZr bond is nonlinear at 165.8(2)° with a Zr?Zr interatomic separation of 3.902(1)Å. The two independent SZrO bond angles of 98.7(1) and 103.3(1)° are consistent with a d° electronic structure for each zirconium atom. The relatively short ZrO distances of 1.968(3) and 1.964(3) Å support the presence of partial double-bond character arising from the donation of electron density from filled p_π-orbitals on the oxygen atom to unfilled d-orbitals on the electron deficient d⁰ metal atoms. This bonding feature requires based upon orbital symmetry arguments that the (ML)₂O molecular core in [(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂ML]₂O complexes must be nonplanar with a dihedral angle between the two LMO planes less than 90°. For [(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Zr(SC₆H₅)]₂O, dihedral angle of 61.7° was observed. The compound crystallizes in an orthorhombic space group, Pbca, with refined lattices parameters a 16.458(4), b 20.281(5), and c 17.016(4) Å. Full-matrix least-squares refinement of 2613 diffractometry data I > σ(I) led to a final discrepancy index R(F₀²) = 0.044.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of the heteroleptic lanthanum(III) bis-diphosphinomethanide complex [La{CH(PPh2)2}2(I)(THF)2]

Treatment of CH₂(PPh₂)₂ with n-BuLi/t-BuOK in diethyl ether affords the potassium diphosphinomethanide complex [K{CH(PPh₂)₂}(OEt₂)_0.5] (1) in high yield. Metathesis of two equivalents of 1 with LaI₃(THF)₄ yields the heteroleptic bis-diphosphinomethanide complex [La{CH(PPh₂)₂}₂(I)(THF)₂] (2). X-ray crystallography shows the diphosphinomethanide ligands in 2 adopt different coordination modes in the solid state; one adopts a κ²-PP mode with no La-C contact, and the other adopts an η³-PCP mode, thus giving an eight-coordinate lanthanum centre.     

Synthesis and characterization of palladium(II) complexes with chiral aminophosphine ligands: Catalytic behaviour in asymmetric hydrovinylation. Crystal structure of cis-[PdCl2(PPh((R)-NHCHCH3Ph)2)2]

Optically active ligands of type Ph₂PNHR (R = (R)-CHCH₃Ph, (a); (R)-CHCH₃Cy, (b); (R)-CHCH₃Naph, (c)) and PhP(NHR)₂ (R = (R)-CHCH₃Ph, (d); (R)-CHCH₃Cy, (e)) with a stereogenic carbon atom in the R substituent were synthesized. Reaction with [PdCl₂(COD)₂] produced [PdCl₂P₂] (1) (P = PhP(NHCHCH₃Ph)₂), whose molecular structure determined by X-ray diffraction showed cis disposition for the ligands. All nitrogen atoms of amino groups adopted S configuration. The new ligands reacted with allylic dimeric palladium compound [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)Cl]₂ to gave neutral aminophosphine complexes [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)ClP] (2a-2e) or cationic aminophosphine complexes [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)P₂]BF₄ (3a-3e) in the presence of the stoichiometric amount of AgBF₄. Cationic complexes [Pd(η⁴3-2-methylallyl)(NCCH₃)P]BF₄ (4a-4e) were prepared in solution to be used as precursors in the catalytic hydrovinylation of styrene. ³¹P NMR spectroscopy showed the existence of an equilibrium between the expected cationic mixed complexes 4, the symmetrical cationic complexes [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)P₂]BF₄ (3) and [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)(NCCH₃)₂]BF₄ (5) coming from the symmetrization reaction. The extension of the process was studied with the aminophosphines (a-e) as well as with nonchiral monodentate phosphines (PCy₃ (f), PBn₃ (g), PPh₃ (h), PMe₂Ph (i)) showing a good match between the extension of the symmetrization and the size of the phosphine ligand. We studied the influence of such equilibria in the hydrovinylation of styrene because the behaviour of catalytic precursors can be modified substantially when prepared ‘in situ’. While compounds 3 and bisacetonitrile complex 5 were not active as catalysts, the [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)(η²-styrene)₂]⁺ species formed in the absence of acetonitrile showed some activity in the formation of codimers and dimers. Hydrovinylation reaction between styrene and ethylene was tested using catalytic precursors solutions of [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)LP]BF₄ ionic species (L = CH₃CN or styrene) showing moderate activity and good selectivity. Better activities but lower selectivities were found when L = styrene. Only in the case of the precursor containing Ph₂PNHCHCH₃Ph (a) ligand was some enantiodiscrimination (10%) found.     

The influence of the steric properties of the ligands PR2Ph and L on the formation and properties of the complexes Mo(η6-PhPR2)(L)(PPh2CH2CH2PPh2), R = Et,L = PPhEt2 and R = Ph,L = PPh3, PR′3, CO,CNR, N2, H2

The reduction of MoCl₄(DPPE) (DPPE = PPh₂CH₂CH₂PPh₂) with Mg or Na/Hg in the presence of 2 PPhR₂ under Ar results in the formation of the new complexes Mo(η⁶-PhPR₂)(PPhR₂)(DPPE) when R is Ph (Ia) or Et(II). No η⁶-PhPR₂ complex is obtained when R is Me because this small ligand forms strong MoP σ-bonds; nor is one obtained for R = Cy because of too much steric crowding. The limits for η⁶-complexation can be quantified in terms of cone angle sums.Complex Ia is very similar to Mo(η⁶-PhPMePh)(PMePh₂)₃ (IIIa) in that both react at similar rates with a variety of small ligands L = PMePh₂, PMe₂Ph, PMe₃, P(OMe)₃, N₂, CO, CNBu^t and H₂ via dissociation of a labile σ-bonded ligand. Several other less crowded η⁶-arylphosphinemolybdenum complexes including II do not have labile ligands at 25°C. The new complexes Mo(η⁶-PhPPh₂)(L)(DPPE) have been characterized by ³¹P and ¹H NMR, IR and gas uptake measurements, Ia has a higher affinity for H₂ than IIIa possibly because Mo(η⁶-PhPPh₂)(H)₂(DPPE) adopts a non-fluxional trans-configuration. The ³¹P chemical shift of the σ-bonded ligand in 8 derivatives of Ia and 12 of IIIa correlate with the sum of the cone angles of the three σ-bonded ligands in each complex.     

“Olefin metathesis” reactions of (η5-C5H5)NiRu3(μ-H)(CO)9-(μ4-η2)-(CCHBut) and related complexes

The complex (η⁵-C₅H₅)NiRu₃(μ-H)(CO)₉(μ₄-η²-CCHBu^t) (1a) reacts with olefins to give several organic products, including species derived from the coupling of the vinylidene ligand with an olefin-derived =CRR′ fragment, representing the first example of a (non catalytic) olefin metathesis reaction involving a metal cluster; other complexes structurally or chemically related to the compound 1a have also been treated with olefins and alkynes.     

Further studies of phosphine adducts of niobium(IV) and tantalum(IV) chlorides: New seven- and eight-coordinate compounds with trimethylphosphine: NbCl4(PMe3)3 and Ta2Cl8(PMe3)4

The reaction of NbCl₄(THF)₂ with an excess of PMe₃ in toluene solution afforded a 70% isolated yield of green NbCl₄(PMe₃)₃. When a slurry of TaCl₅ in toluene containing a slight excess of PMe₃ was reduced with sodium amalgam overnight, a 60% yield of orange to red (depending on crystal size) Ta₂Cl₈(PMe₃)₄ was obtained. Both compounds have been fully characterized by X-ray crystallography. NbCl₄(PMe₃)₃ forms monoclinic crystals (P2₁/c) with unit cell dimensions a = 15.061(3) Å, b = 11.677(4) Å, c = 11.583(4) Å, β = 91.71(3)°, V = 2036(2) ų, and Z = 4. It is isomorphous with its TaCl₄(PMe₃)₃ homolog, and the bond lengths and angles are very similar. Ta₂Cl₈(PMe₃)₄ forms cubic crystals (Im3) with a = 16.377(2), V = 4392(2) ų and Z = 6. It is thus isomorphous with its niobium homolog, and the internal dimensions are quite comparable. The Ta-Ta distance is 2.830(1) Å, consistent with the existence of a single bond.     

(η5-C5R5)2Fe2(CO)2(μ-CO)(μ-CH2) (R = H,CH3): A convenient one-pot synthesis using chloromethyl pivalate

The compounds (η⁵-C₅R₅)₂Fe₂(CO)₂(μ-CO)(μ-CH₂) (R = H, CH₃) have been prepared through the reaction of chloromethyl pivalate with the appropriate metal anions, η⁵-C₅H₅Fe(CO)₂K and η⁵-C₅Me₅Fe(CO)₂K.     

Fulvene—platinum complexes: x-ray crystal structure of [Pt(η2-C5H4CPh2)(PPh3)2]

Bis(cycloocta-1,5-diene)platinum reacts with 2,3,4,5-tetraphenylfulvene to afford the complex [Pt(η²-CH₂C₅Ph₄)(cod)] (cod  C₈H₁₂) in which the metal atom is coordinated to the exo-cyclic double bond of the fulvene. Related compounds [Pt(η²-CH₂C₅Ph₄L₂] (L  PPh₃, PMePh₂, PMe₂Ph, AsPh₃ or CNBu^t have also been prepared and characterised. Reaction of the complexes [Pt(C₂H₄)₂(L)] (L  P(cyclo-C₆H₁₁)₃, PPh₃ or AsPh₃) with 2,3,4,5-tetraphenylfulvene yields the compounds [Pt(C₂H₄)(η²-CH₂C₅PH₄)(L)]. NMR data for the new species are reported and discussed. 6,6-Diphenylfulvene reacts with [Pt(cod)₂] and PPh₃ ($\text{1}\text{2}$ mol ratio) to give the complex [Pt(η²-C₅H₄CPh₂)-(PPh₃)₂] in which the metal atom is bonded to carbon atoms C(2) and C(3) of the fulvene ring. This was established by an X-ray diffraction study. Crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, with Z  4 in a unit cell of dimensions a  13.761(4), b  21.653(13), c  17.395(6) Å, β,  104.46(2)°. The structure has been solved and refined to R  0.064 (R′  0.064) for 3139 independent diffracted intensifies measured at room temperature. The platinum atom is in a trigonal environment formed by the two ligated phosphorus atoms and the CC bond of the fulvene which is elongated to 1.52(3) Å. The c₅ fulvene ring is planar, and makes an angle of 108° with the coordination plane around the platinum. In this plane the metal atom is slightly asymmetrically bonded with PtC 2.15(2) and 2.24(2) Å, and PtP 2.280(6) and 2.301(6) Å.     

The evaluation of singlet-triplet separations for [W2(μ-H)(μ-Cl)Cl4(μ-dppm)2] and [W2(μ-H)2 (μ-O2CC6H5)2(P(C6H5)3)2] based on P NMR and crystallographic data

The singlet-triplet separations for the edge-sharing bioctahedral (ESBO) complex W₂(μ-H)(μ-Cl)(Cl₄(μ-dppm)₂ · (THF)₃ (II) has been studied by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. The structural characterization of [W₂(μ-H)₂(μ-O₂CC₆H₅)₂Cl₂(P(C₆H₅)₃)₂] (I) by single-crystal X-ray crystallography has allowed the comparison of the energy of the HOMOLUMO separation determined using the Fenske-Hall method for a series of ESBO complexes with two hydride bridging atoms, two chloride bridging atoms and the mixed case with a chloride and hydride bridging atom. The complex representing the mixed case, [W₂(μ-H)(μ-Cl)Cl₄(μ-dppm)₂ · (THF)₃] (II), has been synthesized and the value of −2J determined from variable-temperature ³¹P NMR spectroscopy.