The Photochemistry of the (Cycloalkene)(hydro)(trispyrazolylborato)iridium Complexes [Ir(η4-cod)(TpMe2)] and [Ir(η2-coe)H2(TpMe2)]: the Formation of [IrH4(TpMe2)] and [Ir(CO)H2(TpMe2)]

Photolysis of [Ir(η²-coe)H₂(Tp^Me2)] ( 1 ; Tp^Me2=hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borato, coe=(Z)-cyclooctene) in CH₃OH gives a mixture of [IrH₄(Tp^Me2)] ( 4 ) and [Ir(CO)H₂(Tp^Me2)] ( 5 ) in a ca. 1 : 1 ratio. Mass-spectral analysis of the distillate of the reaction mixture at the end of the photolysis shows the presence of coe. When pure CD₃OD is used as solvent, the deuteride complexes [IrD₄(Tp^Me2)] ((D₄)- 4 ) and [Ir(CO)D₂(Tp^Me2)] ((D₂)- 5 ) are obtained. Also the photolysis of [Ir(η⁴-cod)(Tp^Me2)] ( 3 ) (cod=cycloocta-1,5-diene) gives 4 and 5 . A key feature of this photoreaction is the intramolecular dehydrogenation of cod with formation of cycloocta-1,3,5-triene, detected by mass spectroscopy at the end of the photolysis. Labeling experiments using CD₃OD show that the hydrides in 4 originate from MeOH. When ¹³CH₃OH is used as solvent, [Ir(¹³CO)H₂(Tp^Me2)] is formed demonstrating that CH₃OH is the source of the CO ligand. The observation that the photolysis of both 1 and 3 give the same product mixture is attributed to the formation of a common intermediate, i.e., the coordinatively unsaturated 16e⁻ species {IrH₂(Tp^Me2)}.     

Synthesis,stereochemistry, and spectroscopic characterization of [Rh(η4-cod){(R)-2-(X-benzaldimine)-2-phenylethanol-κ 2 N,O}](acetate) (X = H; 2,4-dimethoxy)

Condensation of X-benzaldehyde with (R)-2-amino-2-phenylethanol gives the enantiopure Schiff bases (R)-2-(X-benzaldimine)-2-phenylethanol (X?=?H, HL1; 2,4-dimethoxy, HL2). The Schiff bases coordinate with dinuclear [Rh(η⁴-cod)(µ-O₂CCH₃)]₂ to afford the cationic complexes [Rh(η⁴-cod){(R)-2-(benzaldimine)-2-phenylethanol-κ ² N,O}](acetate), [Rh(η⁴-cod)(HL1)](ac) (1) and [Rh(η⁴-cod){(R)-2-(2,4-dimethoxy-benzaldimine)-2-phenylethanol-κ ² N,O}](acetate), [Rh(η⁴-cod)(HL2)](ac) (2), respectively. The Schiff bases and complexes are isolated as solids in good yields and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis, ¹H/¹³C-NMR, mass spectroscopy, and polarimetry.     

Syntheses,spectroscopy, and catalysis of (η 4-cod)Rh(I)-complexes with (R or S)-2-(salicylaldimine)-2-phenylethanol or (rac)-2-(salicylaldimine)-1-phenylethanol

Condensation of salicyldehyde with (R or S)-2-amino-2-phenylethanol or rac-2-amino-1-phenylethanol gives enantiopure (R or S)-2-(salicylaldimine)-2-phenylethanol (R- or S-H₂L1) or (rac)-2-(salicylaldimine)-1-phenylethanol (rac-H₂L2). The Schiff bases coordinate to [Rh(η ⁴-cod)(μ-O₂CCH₃)]₂ to afford mononuclear [Rh(η ⁴-cod){(R or S)-2-(salicylaldiminato)-2-phenylethanol-κ ² N,O}], [Rh(η ⁴-cod)(R- or S-HL1)] (1 or 2), or [Rh(η ⁴-cod){(rac)-2-(salicylaldiminato)-1-phenylethanol-κ ² N,O}], [Rh(η ⁴-cod)(rac-HL2)] (3). The Schiff base and complexes are characterized by IR-, UV/Vis-, ¹H/¹³C-NMR-, mass-spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD), and polarimetry. The synthetic and spectroscopic results suggest that deprotonated Schiff base coordinates to [Rh(η ⁴-cod)] as a six-membered N,O-chelate with distorted square planar geometry at rhodium. CD and polarimetry measurements show the enantiopurity of the Schiff bases as well as the complexes in solution. The in situ system composed of [Rh(η ⁴-cod)Cl]₂ and S-H₂L1 has been used as a catalyst for the reduction of acetophenone into rac-1-phenylethanol with 85% conversion in diphenylsilane at 0–5°C.     

Synthesis and reactivity of trimethylphosphite complexes of cobalt,rhodium and iridium. Crystal and molecular structure of [IrH(P(OMe)3)4(P(OMe)2OSnMe2Cl2)][SnCl3Me2]

Syntheses of [M(P(O)(OMe)₂)(P(OMe)₃)₄] (M = Co, Rh, Ir) are reported and variable temperature ³¹P NMR studies on the iridium complex are described. Hydrogen reacts differently with the Ir and Rh complexes giving (IrH₂(P(O)(OMe)₂)(P(OMe)₃)₃] and [RhH(P(OMe₃)₄], respectively. The crystal and molecular structure of the novel compound [IrH(P(OMe)₃)₄(P(OMe)₂OSnMe₂Cl₂)][SnCl₃Me₂] is described.     

Synthetic and spectroscopic characterization of Rh(I)-( S )-amino acid complexes with diphosphine and triphosphine ligands

Reaction of [Rh(η⁴-cod)(S)-amino-acidato] ((S)-amino acidate?=?(S)-O₂C-CHR-NH₂; cod?=?cycloocta-1,5-diene) with 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) affords the ionic [Rh(dppe)₂]{(S)-O₂C-CHR-NH₂} (R?=?Me, I; Ph, II) complexes. Reactions with 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (dppp) or 2,2,2-tris(diphenylphosphinomethyl)ethane (triphos) give the neutral [Rh(dppp){(S)-O₂C-CHR-NH₂}] (R?=?Me, III; Ph, IV) or [Rh(η²-triphos){(S)-O₂C-CHR-NH₂}] (R?=?Me, V; Ph, VI) complexes. The complexes are characterized by elemental analysis, UV–Vis-, IR-, ¹H/³¹P{¹H} NMR- and mass-spectroscopy. Two molecules of dppe coordinate to the Rh(I) symmetrically by replacing both cod and (S)-amino acidate to give I–II. Only one molecule of dppp (or triphos) coordinate to the Rh(I) asymmetrically by replacing only cod to give III–VI. Two diastereomeric Rh(I)-complexes are present in V and VI. The results further suggest that the ligands are arranged in a distorted square planar geometry around the Rh(I) centre. The use of triphos instead of dppe or dppp yields the same coordination sphere.     

Reactivity of TpMe2‐Supported Yttrium Alkyl Complexes toward Aromatic N‐Heterocycles: Ring‐Opening or CC Bond Formation Directed by CH Activation

Unusual chemical transformations such as three‐component combination and ring‐opening of N‐heterocycles or formation of a carbon–carbon double bond through multiple C–H activation were observed in the reactions of Tp^Me2‐supported yttrium alkyl complexes with aromatic N‐heterocycles. The scorpionate‐anchored yttrium dialkyl complex [Tp^Me2Y(CH₂Ph)₂(THF)] reacted with 1‐methylimidazole in 1:2 molar ratio to give a rare hexanuclear 24‐membered rare‐earth metallomacrocyclic compound [Tp^Me2Y(μ‐N,C‐Im)(η²‐N,C‐Im)]₆ ( 1 ; Im=1‐methylimidazolyl) through two kinds of C–H activations at the C2‐ and C5‐positions of the imidazole ring. However, [Tp^Me2Y(CH₂Ph)₂(THF)] reacted with two equivalents of 1‐methylbenzimidazole to afford a C–C coupling/ring‐opening/C–C coupling product [Tp^Me2Y{η³‐(N,N,N)‐N(CH₃)C₆H₄NHCH?C(Ph)CN(CH₃)C₆H₄NH}] ( 2 ). Further investigations indicated that [Tp^Me2Y(CH₂Ph)₂(THF)] reacted with benzothiazole in 1:1 or 1:2 molar ratio to produce a C–C coupling/ring‐opening product {(Tp^Me2)Y[μ‐η²:η¹‐SC₆H₄N(CH?CHPh)](THF)}₂ ( 3 ). Moreover, the mixed Tp^Me2/Cp yttrium monoalkyl complex [(Tp^Me2)CpYCH₂Ph(THF)] reacted with two equivalents of 1‐methylimidazole in THF at room temperature to afford a trinuclear yttrium complex [Tp^Me2CpY(μ‐N,C‐Im)]₃ ( 5 ), whereas when the above reaction was carried out at 55 °C for two days, two structurally characterized metal complexes [Tp^Me2Y(Im‐Tp^Me2)] ( 7 ; Im‐Tp^Me2=1‐methyl‐imidazolyl‐Tp^Me2) and [Cp₃Y(HIm)] ( 8 ; HIm=1‐methylimidazole) were obtained in 26 and 17 % isolated yields, respectively, accompanied by some unidentified materials. The formation of 7 reveals an uncommon example of construction of a C?C bond through multiple C–H activations.     

Modification of Yttrium Silyl-Bridged Amide Alkyl Complexes through Si−H/C−H Cross-Dehydrocoupling of Silanes with a Silylamino Ligand: Synthesis,Reactivity, and Mechanism

A new method for the modification of a silylamino ligand has been developed through mono and dual C(sp³)−H/Si−H cross-dehydrocoupling with silanes. The reaction of [LY{η²-(C,N)-CH₂Si(Me₂)NSiMe₃}] (L=bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-β-diketiminato, L′ ( 1^L ′); L=tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate, Tp^Me2 ( 1^TpMe2 )) with 2 equivalents of PhSiH₃ in toluene gave the complexes [LY{η²-(C,N)-C(SiH₂Ph)₂Si(Me₂)NSiMe₃}] (L=L′ ( 2^L’ ); L=Tp^Me2 ( 2^TpMe2 )). Moreover, 1^TpMe2 reacted with the secondary silanes Ph₂SiH₂ and Et₂SiH₂ to afford the corresponding mono C−H activation products [Tp^Me2Y{η²-(C,N)-CH(SiHR₂)Si(Me₂)NSiMe₃}] (R=Ph ( 4 b ); R=Et ( 4 c )). The equimolar reaction of 1^TpMe2 with PhSiH₃ also produced the mono C−H activation product 4 a ([Tp^Me2Y{η²-(C,N)-CH(SiH₂Ph)Si(Me₂)NSiMe₃}(thf)]). A study of their reactivity showed that 4 a facilely reacted with 2 equivalents of benzothiazole by an unusual 1,1-addition of the C=N bond of the benzothiazolyl unit to the Si−H bond to give the C−H/Si−H cross-dehydrocoupling product [(Tp^Me2)Y{η³-(N,N,N)-N(SiMe₃)SiMe₂CH₂Si(Ph)(CSC₆H₄N)(CHSC₆H₄N)}] ( 5 ). These results indicate that this modification endows the silylamino ligand with novel reactivity.     

Structural Chemistry of Chiral Complexes. NMR and X-ray studies on Rh1 compounds of (S)-1-[bis(p-methylphenyl)phosphino]-2-[(p-methoxybenzyl)amino]-3-methylbutane

The Rh¹(diolefin)complexes [Rh(nbd)( 2 )][PF₆] [Rh(1,5-cod)( 2 )][PF₆], and [Rh((Z)-α -acetamidocinnamic acid)( 2 )][PF₆] ( 2 = the chiral P,N-ligand (S)-1-[bis(p-methylphenyl)phospino]-2-[p-methoxybenzyl)amino]-3-methylbutane have been prepared and characterized. These complexes exit as a mixture of isomers arising from different five-membered-ring conformations and diastereoisomers due to both the prochiral nitrogen and olefin ligands. The three-dimensional solutions structures of these complexes have been studied with the specific aim of understanding how the chiral pocket is built. Aspects of the exchange dynamics and their possible relevance to homogeneous hydrogenation are discussed The solid-state structure for the nbd complex, [Rh(nbd)( 2 )][PF₆], as well as detailed one- and two-dimensional ³¹P-, ¹³C-, and ¹H-NMR results are presented.     

Reactions of 1,4-diaza-3-methylbutadien-2-ylpalladium(II) derivatives with chloro-bridged rhodium(I) complexes

The reactions of the organometallic 1,4-diazabutadienes, RN=C(R′)C(Me)=NR″ [R = R″ = p-C₆H₄OMe, R′ = trans-PdCl(PPh₃)₂ (DAB); R = p-C₆H₄OMe, R″ = Me, R′ = trans-PdCl(PPh₃)₂ (DAB^I; R = R″ = p-C₆H₄OMe, R′ = Pd(dmtc)-(PPh₃), dmtc = dimethyldithiocarbamate (DAB^II); R = R″ = p-C₆H₄OMe, R′ = PdCl(diphos), diphos = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (DAB^III)] with [RhCl(COD)]₂ (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene, Pd/Rh ratio = $\text{1}\text{2}$) depend on the nature of the ancillary ligands at the Pd atom in group R′. In the reactions with DAB and DAB^I transfer of one PPh₃ ligand from Pd to Rh occurs yielding [RhCl(COD)(PPh₃)] and the new binuclear complexes [Rh(COD) {RN=C(R?)-C(Me)=NR″}], in which the diazabutadiene moiety acts as a chelating bidentate ligand. Exchange of ligands between the two different metallic centers also occurs in the reaction with DAB^II. In this case, the migration of the bidentate dmtc anion yields [Rh(COD)Pdmtc] and [Rh(COD) {RN=C(R?)C(Me)=NR″}]. In contrast, the reaction with DAB^III leads to the ionic product [Rh(COD)- (DAB^III)][RhCl₂(COD)], with no transfer of ligands. The cationic complex [Rh(COD)(DAB^III)]⁺ can be isolated as the perchlorate salt from the same reaction (Pd/Rh ratio = 1/1) in the presence of an excess of NaClO₄. In all the binuclear complexes the coordinated 1,5-cyclooctadiene can be readily displaced by carbon monoxide to give the corresponding dicarbonyl derivatives. The reaction of [RhCl(CO)₂]₂ with DAB and/or DAB^I yields trinuclear complexes of the type [RhCl(CO)₂]₂(DAB), in which the diazabutadiene group acts as a bridging bidentate ligand. Some reactions of the organic diazabutadiene RN=C(Me)C(Me)=NR (R = p-C₆H₄OMe) are also reported for comparison.     

Formation of 18e− and 16e− Acyl(η3‐cyclooctenyl)rhodium(III) Complexes in the Reaction of Cationic (Cycloocta‐1,5‐diene)rhodium(I) Compounds with 2‐(Diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde

The reaction of cationic diolefinic rhodium(I) complexes with 2‐(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde (pCHO) was studied. [Rh(cod)₂]ClO₄ (cod=cycloocta‐1,5‐diene) reacted with pCHO to undergo the oxidative addition of one pCHO with (1,2,3‐η)cyclooct‐2‐en‐1‐yl (η³‐C₈H₁₃) formation, and the coordination of a second pCHO molecule as (phosphino‐κP)aldehyde‐κO(σ‐coordination) chelate to give the 18e⁻ acyl(allyl)rhodium(III) species [Rh(η³‐C₈H₁₃)(pCO)(pCHO)]ClO₄ (see 1 ). Complex 1 reacted with [Rh(cod)(PR₃)₂]ClO₄ (R=aryl) derivatives 3 – 6 to give stable pentacoordinated 16e⁻ acyl[(1,2,3‐η)‐cyclooct‐2‐en‐1‐yl]rhodium(III) species [Rh(η³‐C₈H₁₃)(pCO)(PR₃)]ClO₄ 7 – 10 . The (1,2,3‐η)‐cyclooct‐2‐en‐1‐yl complexes contain cis‐positioned P‐atoms and were fully characterized by NMR, and the molecular structure of 1 was determined by X‐ray crystal diffraction. The rhodium(III) complex 1 catalyzed the hydroformylation of hex‐1‐ene and produced 98% of aldehydes (n/iso=2.6).     

Polymerization of arylallenes catalyzed by organo-rhodium(I) and -cobalt (I) complexes to give structurally regulated high-mass polymers

Organorhodium complexes, such as RhH(PPh₃)₄, RhH(CO)(PPh₃)₃, Rh(η³-C₃H₄Ph)(CO)(PPh₃)₂, and RhH(dppe)₂ [dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphinoethane)], catalyze polymerization of phenylallene and of 4-methylphenylallene at 60 °C. High-molecular-weight polymers (M_n>4×10⁵) are isolated from the reaction products by removing the low-molecular-weight (M_n<3×10³) acetone-soluble fraction. The NMR (¹H and ¹³C{¹H}) spectra of poly(phenylallene) (1) and poly(4-methylphenylallene) (2) show the structure formed through selective 2,3-polymerization of the monomers, while similarly obtained poly(2-naphthylallene) (3) is characterized only by ¹H NMR spectroscopy due to its low solubility in common organic solvents. 4-Fluorophenylallene and 4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenylallene do not polymerize under similar conditions in the presence of RhH(PPh₃)₄ catalyst but are turned into low-molecular-weight oligomers. CoH(N₂)(PPh₃)₃-catalyzed polymerization of phenylallene and 4-methylphenylallene at room temperature gives the corresponding polymers with molecular weights in the range M_n=(9–15)×10⁴, in high yields. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and variable temperature 31P NMR spectra of the cobalt,rhodium and iridium complexes [M(P(O)(OMe)2)(P(OMe)3)4] (M = Co,Rh, Ir)

Syntheses of [M(P(O)(OMe)₂)(P(OMe)₃)₄] (M = Co, Rh, Ir) and variable temperature ³¹P NMR studies are described, and mechanistic implications discussed.     

Synthesis and X-ray structures of water-soluble tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine complexes of rhodium(I)

The water-soluble Rh(I)-THP complexes: RhCl(1,5-cod)(THP) (), [Rh(1,5-cod)(THP)(2)]Cl (), RhCl(THP)(4) (), and trans-RhCl(CO)(THP)(2) () have been synthesized and characterized, where THP = P(CH(2)OH)(3); - are the first potentially useful entries into Rh(I)-THP chemistry, while and are the first structurally characterized Rh(I)-THP complexes.     

Migration of hydrogen from metal to alkene promoted by dioxygen addition. Oxygen atom transfer from a cis-(alkyl)(η2-dioxygen) complex of rhodium to organic and inorganic substrates

The novel cis-(σ-alkyl)(η²-O₂) complexes of rhodium [(THF)(EtOH)Naμ-EtOH₂μ-(CO₂R)CH₂CH(CO₂R)Rh(η²-O₂)(triphos)₂Na(EtOH)(THF)][BPh₄]₂·2EtOH (R = Me,3; Et,4) have been synthesized by reaction of dioxygen with the hydrides (triphos)(RhH(η²-alkene) followed by NaBPh₄ addition (alkene = dimethyl fumarate,1; diethyl fumarate,2) (triphos = MeC(CH₂PPh₂)₃). The structure of4 has been determined by X-ray diffraction. Oxygen atom transfer reactions from the η²-O₂ complexes to various inorganic and organic substrates have been studied.     

Darstellung carboxylatsubstituierter Rhenium-Gold-Metallatetrahedrane Re2(AuPPh3)2(μ-PCy2)(CO)7(η1-OC(R)O) (R = H,Me, CF3, Ph, 3,4-(OMe)2C6H3)

Synthesis of Carboxylate Substituted Rhenium Gold Metallatetrahedranes Re₂(AuPPh₃)₂(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₇(η¹-OC(R)O) (R = H, Me, CF₃, Ph, 3,4-(OMe)₂C₆H₃) The reaction of the in situ prepared salt Li[Re₂(μ-H)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₇(ax-C(Ph)O)] ( 2 ) with 1,5 equivalents of monocarboxylic acid RCOOH (R = H ( 4 a ), Me ( 4 b ), CF₃ ( 4 c ), Ph ( 4 d ), 3,4-(OMe)₂C₆H₃ ( 4 e ) in tetrahydrofruan (THF) solution at 60 °C gives within 4 h under release of benzaldehyde (PhCHO) the η¹-carboxylate substituted dirhenium salt Li[Re₂(μ-H)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₇(η¹-OC(R)O)] (R = H ( 4 a ), Me ( 4 b ), CF₃ ( 4 c ), Ph ( 4 d ), 3,4-(OMe)₂C₆H₃ ( 4 e )) in almost quantitative yield. The lower the pK_a value of the respective carboxylic acid the faster the reaction proceeds. It was only in the case of CF₃COOH possible to prove the formation of the hydroxycarbene complex Re₂(μ-H)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₇(=C(Ph)OH) ( 5 ) prior to elimination of PhCHO. The new compounds 4 a–4 e were only characterized by ³¹P NMR and ν(CO) IR spectroscopy as they are only stable in solution. They are converted with two equivalents of BF₄AuPPh₃ at 0 °C in a so-called cluster expansion reaction into the heterometallic metallatetrahedrane complexes Re₂(AuPPh₃)₂(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₇(η¹-OC(R)O) (R = H ( 7 a ), Me ( 7 b ), CF₃ ( 7 c ), Ph ( 7 d ), 3,4-(OMe)₂C₆H₃ ( 7 e )) (yield 47–71% ). The expected precursor complexes of 7 a–7 e Li[Re₂(AuPPh₃)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₇(η¹-OC(R)O] ( 8 ) were not detected by NMR and IR spectroscopy in the course of the reaction. Their existence was retrosynthetically proved by the reaction of 7 b with an excess of the chelating base TBD (1,5,7-Triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-en) forming [(TBD)_xAuPPh₃][Re₂(AuPPh₃)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₇(η¹-OC(Me)O] ( 8 b ) in solution. The η¹-bound carboxylate ligand in 7 a–7 e can photochemically be converted into a μ-bound ligand in Re₂(AuPPh₃)₂(μ-PCy₂)(μ-OC(R)O)(CO)₆ (R = H ( 9 a ), Me ( 9 b ), CF₃ ( 9 c ), Ph ( 9 d ), 3.4-(MeO)₂C₆H₃ ( 9 e )) under release of one equivalent CO. All isolated cluster complexes were characterized and identified by the following analytical methods: elementary analysis, NMR (¹H, ³¹P) spectroscopy, ν(CO) IR spectroscopy and in the case of 7 d and 9 b by X-ray structure analysis.     

Versatile Reactivity of Scorpionate‐Anchored Yttrium?Dialkyl Complexes towards Unsaturated Substrates

A series of unusual chemical‐bond transformations were observed in the reactions of high active yttrium? dialkyl complexes with unsaturated small molecules. The reaction of scorpionate‐anchored yttrium? dibenzyl complex [Tp^Me2Y(CH₂Ph)₂(thf)] ( 1 , Tp^Me2=tri(3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) with phenyl isothiocyanate led to C?S bond cleavage to give a cubane‐type yttrium–sulfur cluster, {Tp^Me2Y(μ₃‐S)}₄ ( 2 ), accompanied by the elimination of PhN?C(CH₂Ph)₂. However, compound 1 reacted with phenyl isocyanate to afford a C(sp³)? H activation product, [Tp^Me2Y(thf){μ‐η¹:η³‐OC(CHPh)NPh}{μ‐η³:η²‐OC(CHPh)NPh}YTp^Me2] ( 3 ). Moreover, compound 1 reacted with phenylacetonitrile at room temperature to produce γ‐deprotonation product [(Tp^Me2)₂Y]⁺[Tp^Me2Y(N=C?CHPh)₃]^? ( 6 ), in which the newly formed N?C?CHPh ligands bound to the metal through the terminal nitrogen atoms. When this reaction was carried out in toluene at 120 °C, it gave a tandem γ‐deprotonation/insertion/partial‐Tp^Me2‐degradation product, [(Tp^Me2Y)₂(μ‐Pz)₂{μ‐η¹:η³‐NC(CH₂Ph)CHPh}] ( 7 , Pz=3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl).     

New synthesis of [RhH{P(OPh)3}4] and related reactions

Summary A synthesis of [RhH{P(OPh)₃}₄] (1) from [Rh(acac){P(OPh)₃}₂] or [Rh(acac)(CO)₂] has been developed. The reaction of theortho-metallated complex (2) with H₂, leading to (1) is described.     

Nickel Tetracarbonyl as Starting Material for the Synthesis of NHC-stabilized Nickel(II) Allyl Complexes

A novel, useful in situ synthesis for NHC nickel allyl halide complexes [Ni(NHC)(η³-allyl)(X)] starting from [Ni(CO)₄], NHC and allyl halides is presented. The reaction of [Ni(CO)₄] with (i) one equivalent of the corresponding NHC and (ii) with an excess of the corresponding allyl chloride at room temperature leads with elimination of carbon monoxide to complexes of the type [Ni(NHC)(η³-allyl)(X)]. This approach was used to synthesize the complexes [Ni(tBu₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 2 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 3 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 4 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (H)-C (Me)₂)(Br)] ( 5 ), [Ni(Me₂Im^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 6 ), and [Ni(EtiPrIm^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 7 ). The complexes 1 to 7 were characterized using NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, and the molecular structures are provided for 2 and 7 . The allyl nickel complexes 1 – 7 are stereochemically non-rigid in solution due to (i) NHC rotation about the nickel-carbon bond, (ii) allyl rotation about the Ni–η³-allyl axis and (iii) π–σ–π allyl isomerization processes. The allyl halide complexes can be methylated as was demonstrated by the methylation of a number of the complexes [Ni(NHC)(η³-allyl)(X)] with methylmagnesium chloride or methyllithium, which led to isolation of the complexes [Ni(Me₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 8 ), [Ni(tBu₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 9 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 10 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 11 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (H)-C (Me)₂)(Me)] ( 12 ), and [Ni(EtiPrIm^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 13 ). These complexes were fully characterized including X-ray molecular structures for 10 and 11 .     

Mono and dinuclear hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borato tantalum complexes

In an effort to obtain suitable starting materials, the synthesis and crystal structure of hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borato (Tp^Me2) tantalum(III) complexes are reported. Reaction of KTp^Me2 with [TaCl₂(tht)]₂(μ-Cl)₂(μ-tht) (1) (tht=tetrahydrothiophene) gives the X-ray characterized unsymmetrical (Tp^Me2Ta)(TaCl₃)(μ-Cl₂)(μ-tht) (2) in fair yield. This doubly bonded TaTa complex [2.6791(5) Å, diamagnetic, 18e per Ta] is a rare example of an unsymmetrical Ta₂X₆L₃ complex. The X-ray structure of Tp^Me2TaCl₂(PhCCMe) (3) is also reported. It has the (4e)-alkyne in the symmetry plane of the molecule. The trans effects of tht and phenylpropyne are discussed. 1 is inert towards the reaction with a second equivalent of KTp^Me2.     

Ready formation of phosphonate complexes of rhodium and iridium from [M(P(OMe3)5]Cl compounds (M = Rh,Ir). Differences between reactions of dihydrogen with [Mp(O)(OMe)2(P(OMe)3)4] complexes (M = Co,Rh, Ir), including facile hydrogenolysis of a rhodiumphosphorus bond

The ease of formation of the phosphonate complexes [M(P(O)(OMe)₂(P(OMe)₃)₄] (M = Rh, Ir), from the pentakis-trimethylphosphite complexes [M(P(OMe)₃)₅]Cl is reported. Differences in the interaction of H₂ with the complexes [M′(P(O)(OMe)₂(P(OMe)₃)₄), (M′ = Co, Rh, Ir) are presented and discussed.