Reactions of isonitriles with [Fe3(CO)12] and [Ru3(CO)12] monitored by electrospray mass spectrometry: structural characterisation of [Fe3(CO)10(CNPh)2] and [Ru4(CO)11(μ3-η-CNPh)2(CNPh)]

The reactions of [Fe₃(CO)₁₂] or [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] with RNC (R=Ph, C₆H₄OMe-p or CH₂SO₂C₆H₄Me-p) have been investigated using electrospray mass spectrometry. Species arising from substitution of up to six ligands were detected for [Fe₃(CO)₁₂], but the higher-substituted compounds were too unstable to be isolated. The crystal structure of [Fe₃(CO)₁₀(CNPh)₂] was determined at 150 and 298 K to show that both isonitrile ligands were trans to each other on the same Fe atom. For [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] substitution of up to three COs was found, together with the formation of higher-nuclearity clusters. [Ru₄(CO)₁₁(CNPh)₃] was structurally characterised and has a spiked-triangular Ru₄ core with two of the CNPh ligands coordinated in an unusual μ₃-η² mode.     

Conversion of alkynes to cyclic imides and anhydrides using reactive iron carbonyls prepared from Fe(CO)5 and Fe3(CO)12

Alkyne-iron carbonyl complexes, prepared using Fe(CO)₅-NaBH₄-CH₃COOH-amine-alkyne and Fe₃(CO)₁₂-amine-alkyne reagent systems, react with excess of amine at 25 °C to give cyclic imides in moderate to good yields. Further, unsaturated iron carbonyl species, prepared using the Fe(CO)₅-pyridine-N-oxide system, react with alkynes to give the corresponding anhydrides.     

Synthesis and reactivity of [(RRN)2PH]Fe(CO)4 complexes. X-ray crystal structure of [(Ph2N)2PH]Fe(CO)4

KHFe(CO)₄ reacts with tris(amino)phosphines by substitution at phosphorus leading to [bis(amino)phosphine]tetracarbonyliron complexes [(R¹R²N)₂PH]Fe(CO)₄. The X-ray structure has been determined for R¹=R²=Ph. Deprotonation of these complexes with KH affords stable potassium phosphidotetracarbonylferrates which can be alkylated or acylated at phosphorus.     

Thermal decomposition study of the coordination compound [Fe(urea)6](NO3)3

The thermochemical behavior of the coordination compound [Fe(urea)₆](NO₃)₃ was studied by simultaneous CG–TG–DTG–DTA and mass spectrometry methods non-isothermal conditions. The compound decomposes at 200 °C into a mixture of spinel-type oxides and hematite. The nature and particle size of the final decomposition products are strongly associated with the conditions during the thermal treatments, in particular the heating rate and the calcination temperature. A certain fraction of the products are formed as nanometric particles; they show superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature. The comparably low temperature of the calcination treatments of this compound is a promising perspective to attain small sized magnetic powders.     

Synthesis and structure of the iron-substituted silylacetylene [(η-C5H5)Fe(CO)2SiMe2C]2 and its cobalt hexacarbonyl derivative [(η-C5H5)Fe(CO)2SiMe2C]2 · Co2(CO)6

A transition metal-substituted silylacetylene [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂SiMe₂C]₂, [FpMe₂SiC]₂ (I) was synthesized and characterized spectroscopically and structurally. I crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n, A = 13.011(3) Å B = 12.912(3) Å, C = 13.175(5) Å, β = 94.95(2). The acetylene linkage is reactive toward Co₂(CO)₈ to form I. Co₂(CO)₆ (II) which was also characterized spectroscopically and by single crystal X-ray diffraction. II crystallized in the orthorhombic space group Pbca, A = 17.64(2) Å, B = 14.225(10) Å, C = 24.49(2) Å.     

Synthesis and characterisation of HRuRh3(CO)12. Crystal structures of HRuRh3(CO)12, HRuRh3(CO)10(PPh3)2 and HRuCo3(CO)10(PPh3)2

A new ruthenium-rhodium mixed-metal cluster HRuRh₃(CO)₁₂ and its derivatives HRuRh₃(CO)₁₀(PPh₃)₂ and HRuCo₃(CO)₁₀(PPh₃)₂ have been synthesized and characterized. The following crystal and molecular structures are reported: HRuRh₃(CO)₁₂: monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a 9.230(4), b 11.790(5), c 17.124(9) Å, β 91.29(4)°, Z = 4; HRuRh₃(CO)₁₀(PPh₃)₂·C₆H₁₄: triclinic, space group P$\text{1}$, a 11.777(2), b 14.079(2), c 17.010(2) Å, α 86.99(1), β 76.91(1), γ 72.49(1)°, Z = 2; HRuCo₃(CO)₁₀(PPh₃)₂·CH₂Cl₂: triclinic, space group P$\text{1}$, a 11.577(7), b 13.729(7), c 16.777(10) Å, α 81.39(4), β 77.84(5), γ 65.56°, Z = 2. The reaction between Rh(CO)₄^? and (Ru(CO)₃Cl₂)₂ tetrahydrofuran followed by acid treatment yields HRuRh₃(CO)₁₂ in high yield. Its structural analysis was complicated by a 80–20% packing disorder. More detailed structural data were obtained from the fully ordered structure of HRuRh₃(CO)₁₀(PPh₃)₂, which is closely related to HRuCo₃(CO)₁₀(PPh₃)₂ and HFeCo₃(CO)₁₀(PPh₃)₂. The phosphines are axially coordinated.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of the double cluster [Cp3Fe4(CO)4(C5H4)]2(p-C6H4)

[Cp₄Fe₄(CO)₄] (1) reacts with p-BrC₆H₄Li and MeOH in sequence to afford the functionalized cluster [Cp₃Fe₄(CO)₄(C₅H₄-p-C₆H₄Br)] (2), while the reaction of 2 with n-BuLi and MeOH produces [Cp₂Fe₄(CO)₄(C₅H₄Bu)(C₅H₄-p-C₆H₄Br)] (3). The double cluster [Cp₃Fe₄(CO)₄(C₅H₄)]₂(p-C₆H₄) (4) has been prepared by treatment of [Cp₄Fe₄(CO)₄] with p-C₆H₄Li₂ and MeOH in sequence. The electrochemistry of 2 and 4, as well as the crystal structure of 4 have been investigated.     

Synthesis and characterisation of the methylene-inserted mixed-chalcogenide compounds Fe2(CO)6(μ-SeCH2Te) and Fe2(CO)6(μ-SCH2Te)

The methylene-bridged, mixed-chalogen compounds Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-SeCH₂Te) (1) and Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-SCH₂Te) (3) have been synthesised from the room temperature reaction of diazomethane with Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-SeTe) and Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-STe), respectively. Compounds 1 and 3 have been characterised by IR, ¹H, ¹³C, ⁷⁷Se and ¹²⁵Te NMR spectroscopy. The structure of 1 has been elucidated by X-ray crystallography. The crystalsare monoclinic,space group P2₁/n, A = 6.695(2), B = 13.993(5), C = 14.007(4)Å, β = 103.03(2)°, V = 1278(7) ų, Z = 4, D_c = 2.599 g cm⁻³ and R = 0.030 (R_w = 0.047).     

Some additional aspects of versatile starting compounds for cationic organoiron complexes: molecular structure of the aqua complex [(η-C5Me4Et)Fe(CO)2(OH2)]BF4 and solution behavior of the THF complex [(η---C5R5)Fe(CO)2(THF)]BF4

The structures of the versatile starting compounds for organoiron complexes, the cationic aqua complex [(η⁵-C₅Me₄Et)Fe(CO)₂(OH₂)]BF₄ (1b) and the halide complexes (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe(CO)₂-I (2a), (η⁵-C₅Me₄Et)Fe(CO)₂-I (2b) and (η⁵-C₅Me₄Et)Fe(CO)₂-Cl (3b), are characterized by X-ray crystallography. Complex 1b [Fe---O: 2.022(8) Å and 2.043(9) Å, two independent molecules] is the first structurally characterized example of organoiron aqua complexes. Details of the synthetic procedures for the above complexes and the labile cationic THF complexes [η⁵-C₅R₅)Fe(CO)₂(THF)]BF₄ (4) are disclosed, and the dissociation equilibrium of 4 is confirmed by means of variable temperature ¹H-NMR as well as saturation transfer experiment.     

Photoassisted synthesis of mixed-metal clusters: [PPN] [CoOs3(CO)13], H2RuOs3(CO)13, and H2FeOs3(CO)13

The utility of photochemical methods for the directed synthesis of mixed-metal metal clusters has been explored. The 366 nm photolysis of a solution containing [PPN] [Co(CO)₄] (PPN = (Ph₃P)₂N⁺) and Os₃(CO)₁₂ gives the new cluster [PPN][CoOs₃(CO)₁₃] in 33% yield. Irradiation of a mixture of Fe(CO)₅ and H₂Os₃(CO)₁₀ yields H₂FeOs₃(CO)₁₃ in 95% yield, and photolysis of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ in the presence of H₂Os₃(CO)₁₀ gives the new cluster H₂RuOs₃(CO)₁₃. Details of these syntheses, their probable mechanisms, and the characterization of the new compounds are discussed.     

Photochemical reactions of 1-ferrocenyl-4-phenyl-1,3-butadiyne with Fe(CO)5 and CO

Photolysis of a hexane solution containing ironpentacarbonyl, 1-ferrocenyl-4-phenyl-1,3-butadiyne at low temperature yields six new products: [Fe(CO)₂{η²:η²-PhCCCC(Fc)C(CCPh)C(Fc)Fe(CO)₃}-μ-CO] (1), [Fe₂(CO)₆{μ-η¹:η¹:η²:η²-PhCCCC(Fc)-C(O)-C(Fc)CCCPh}] (2), [Fe₂(CO)₆{μ-η¹:η¹:η²:η²-FcCC(CC Ph)-C(O)-C(Fc)CCCPh}] (3), [Fe₂(CO)₆{μ-η¹:η¹:η²:η²-FcCCCC(Fc)-C(O)-C(Fc)CCCPh}] (4), [Fe(CO)₃{μ-η²: η²-[FcCC(CCPh)C(CCPh)C(Fc)}CO] (5) and [Fe(CO)₃{μ-η²: η²-[FcCC(CCPh)C(CCPh)C(Fc)}CO] (6) formed by coupling of acetylenic moieties with CO insertion on metal carbonyl support. In presence of CO, formation of another new product 2,5-bis(ferrocenyl)-3,6-bis(tetracarbonylphenylmaleoyliron)quinone (7) was observed which on further reaction with ferrocenylacetyene gave the quinone, 2,5-bis(ferrocenyl)-3,6-bis(ethynylphenyl)quinone (8). Structures of 1-5 and 8 were established crystallographically.     

The reaction of Ru3(CO)12 and Os3(CO)12 with PH2Ph; the x-ray crystal structures of HRu3(CO)10(PHPh) and H2Ru3(CO)9(PPh)

Twelve new trinuclear complexes containing terminal PH₂Ph, edge-bridging PHPh and/or capping PPh ligands have been isolated from the reaction of M₃(CO)₁₂ (M = Ru or Os) with PH₂Ph in refluxing solvents. HRu₃(CO)₁₀(PHPh) (IIIa) crystallises in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a = 8.761(3), b = 11.402(4), c = 22.041(7) Å,β = 98.89(2)°, and Z = 4. The structure was solved by a combination of direct methods and Fourier difference techniques, and refined by blocked-cascade least squares to R = 0.027 for 3676 unique observed intensities. The X-ray analysis shows that one edge of the Ru₃ triangle is bridged by a hydride and the PHPh ligand, and that the phosphorus-bound hydrogen atom lies over the metal triangle and the phenyl group away from it. This provides an explanation for the ready formation of the capped species H₂Ru₃(CO)₉(PPh) (Va) on pyrolysis of the edge-bridged complex as opposed to the previously reported conversion of HOs₃(CO)₁₀(NHPh) to an orthometallated derivative under similar conditions. An X-ray analysis of H₂Ru₃(CO)₉-(PPh) (Va) confirms the capped geometry. the complex crystallises in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a = 9.323(4), b = 15.110(6), c = 45.267(15) Å,β = 91.84(3)°, and Z = 12. the structure was solved and refined using the same techniques as described previously. The final residual R is 0.061 for 4839 reflections. Some reactions of Va show that the phosphorous cap is difficult to displace and stabilises the molecule with respect to decomposition to non-cluster species.     

The molecular structures of H2Os3(CO)10, H(SC2H5)Os3(CO)10 and (OCH3)2Os3(CO)10

X-ray crystallographic analyses of H₂Os₃(CO)₁₀, H(SC₂H₅)Os₃(CO)₁₀ and (OCH₃)₂Os₃(CO)₁₀ are reported. Although hydrogen atom positions have not been located, the essential isostructural nature of the three commplexes establishes the hydride ligands as bridging two metal atoms, separated by 2.670 Å, with a formal bond order of two; the bridging hydrido- and thiolato-ligands span an osmium---osmium bond of length 2.863 Å and formal bond order one; the two μ-methoxy ligands bridge two metal atoms separated by 3.078 Å which, by simple 18 electron rule counting, has a metal---metal bond order of zero. Some general comments are made on the structures of polynuclear transition metal carbonyls.     

Pd(PBu 3 t ) Adducts of Os3(CO)12. Synthesis and Structures of Pd2Os3(CO)12(PBu 3 t )2 and Pd3Os3(CO)12 (PBu 3 t )3

Two new compounds Pd₂Os₃(CO)₁₂ , 13 and Pd₃Os₃(CO)₁₂ , 14 have been obtained from the reaction of with Os₃(CO)₁₂ at room temperature. The products were formed by the addition of two and three groups to the Os–Os bonds of Os₃(CO)₁₂. Compounds 13 and 14 interconvert between themselves by intermolecular exchange of the groups in solution. Compounds 13 and 14 have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.Dedicated to Professor Brian F. G. Johnson on the occasion of his retirement – 2005.     

Formal aza-Michael additions to tropone: Addition of diverse aryl- and alkylamines to tricarbonyl(tropone)iron and [(C7H7O)Fe(CO)3]BF4

A formal aza-Michael addition to tropone by way of tricarbonyl(tropone)iron and/or the tetrafluoroborate salt formed via protonation of the complex is reported. Tricarbonyl(tropone)iron smoothly undergoes the direct aza-Michael reaction with unhindered aliphatic amines under solvent free conditions in good yields. Meanwhile, the known cationic complex [(C₇H₇O)Fe(CO)₃]BF₄ (whose reaction with a small number of nucleophiles was previously reported) undergoes addition with an even broader array of amine nucleophiles. Finally, it was discovered that protecting the aza-Michael adduct as a carbamate was necessary for oxidative demetallation of the complex.     

Kristall- und molekülstruktur vonzwei metallcarbonyl-derivaten des PH3: (CO)3Cr(PH3)3 und (CO)5Cr(PH3)

The structures of two carbonylphosphine complexes of chromium were determined by X-ray analysis. cis-Tricarbonyltriphosphinechromium(0), [(CO)₃(PH₃)₃Cr], crystallizes in space group P2₁/m with a = 6.90± 0.01, b = 11.29±0.02, c = 6.41±0.01 Å, β = 93.80±0.08°, Z=2. The structure was solved by conventional methods and refined by least squares (R₁ = 0.056). The idealized octahedral molecule shows approximate C_3v, symmetry. The mean CrP-distance is 2.346±40.003 Å. Pentacarbonylphosphinechromium, [(CO)₅(PH₃)Cr], crystallizes in spacegroup Pnma with a = 12.23±0.02, b = 11.33±0.02, c = 6.61 ±0.01 Å, Z = 4. Cell dimensions and structural parameters are very similar to those of hexacarbonylchromium(0). In the crystal the PH₃ group is disordered over three mutually cis-positions of the coordination octahedron.     

Cluster condensation reactions. The synthesis and crystal and molecular structure of Os6(CO)14(μ2-PPh2)2(μ3-S)3(μ4-S)

Thermal degradation of the cluster compound Os₃(CO)₈(PPh₂H)(μ₃-S)₂ (I) at 125°C leads to decarbonylation and formation of the new ligand bridged hexanuclear cluster Os₆(CO)₁₄(μ-PPh₂)₂(μ₃-S)₃(μ₄-S) (II) in 11% yield. Space Group: P$\text{1}$, No. 2, a 10.427(5), b 13.552(3), c 17.919(3) Å, α 84.87(2), β 75.41(3), γ 78.43(3)°, V 2399(2) ųZ = 2, _?calc 2.82 g cm^?3. The structure was solved by the heavy atom method and refined (3223 reflections) to the final residuals R = 0.042 and R_w = 0.036. The molecule consists of two sulfido bridged open triosmium clusters which are linked by a bridging sulfido ligand and a bridging diphenylphosphino ligand.     

Re4(CO)12[μ3-InRe(CO)5]4 und Re2(CO)8[μ-InRe(CO)5]2-cluster aus dem reaktionssystem In/Re2(CO)10 in xylol

The thermally stable solids Re₂(CO)₈[μ-InRe(CO)₅]₂ and Re₄(CO)₁₂[μ₃-InRe(CO)₅]₄ could be obtained by treatment of In with Re₂(CO)₁₀ in a bomb tube. A mechanism of the formation of the latter cluster from the first one is proposed. Compared with Re₂(CO)₈[μ-InRe(CO)₅]₂, Re₄(CO)₁₂[μ₃_InRe(CO)₅]₄ shows in polar solvents an unusual high stability, which can be explained by the higher coordination number of In with rhenium carbonyl ligands. Re₄(CO)₁₂-[μ₃-InRe(CO)₅]₄ dissolves monomerically in acetone, where as Re₂(CO)₈[μ-InRe(CO)₅]₂ dissociates yielding Re(CO)₅^? anions. Single-crystal X-ray analyses of Re₄(CO)₁₂[μ₃-InRe(CO)₅]₄ establish the metal skeleton. The central molecular fragment Re₄(CO)₁₂ contains a tetrahedral arrangement of four bonded Re atoms [ReRe 302.8 (5) pm]. The triangles of this fragment are capped with a μ₃-InRe(CO)₅ group each [InRe(terminal) 273.5 (7) pm; InRe (polyhedral) 281.8 (7) pm]. The bridging type of In atoms with the Re₄ tetrahedron and the metal skeleton was realized for the first time. By treating Re₄(CO)₁₂[μ₃-InRe(CO)₅]₄ with Br₂ the existence of Re(CO)₅ ligands could be proved by isolating BrRe(CO)₅.