From straight chain to macrocyclic complexes containing mixed sulfur/nitrogen donors and coordinated 1,3-diynes

The acid-mediated reaction of [{Co₂(CO)₆(μ-η²-HOCH₂CC-)}₂] (1) with the meta- and para-substituted aminothiophenols, 3-NH₂-C₆H₄SH and 4-NH₂-C₆H₄SH, affords the straight chain species, [{Co₂(CO)₆(μ-η²-(3-NH₂-C₆H₄S)CH₂CC-)}₂] (2) and [{Co₂(CO)₆(μ-η²-(4-NH₂-C₆H₄S)CH₂CC-)}₂] (3), respectively. The molecular structure of 3 reveals the presence of two isomeric forms differing in the relative disposition of the S-aryl groups. Conversely, reaction of 1 with the ortho-substituted aminothiophenol, 2-NH₂-C₆H₄SH, furnishes the 10-membered macrocyclic species [{Co₂(CO)₆}₂{cyclo-μ-η²:μ-η²-CH₂C₂C₂CH₂SC₆H₃-NH-2}] (4) along with the linear chain complex [{Co₂(CO)₆(μ-η²-(2-NH₂-C₆H₄S)CH₂CC-)}₂] (5). On the other hand, treatment of 1 with the ortho-substituted mercaptopyridine, 2-SH-C₅H₄N, in the presence of HBF₄ gives the salt [{Co₂(CO)₆(μ-η²-(2-S-C₅H₄NH)CH₂CC-)}₂](BF₄)₂ (6a) in good yield; work-up in the presence of base affords the neutral complex [{Co₂(CO)₆(μ-η²-(2-S-C₅H₄N)CH₂CC-)}₂] (6b). Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies have been reported on 3-5 and 6a.     

Octahapto cyclooctatetraene rings and metal-metal multiple bonds in binuclear niobium carbonyl chemistry

Theoretical studies on (C₈H₈)₂Nb₂(CO)_n (n = 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1) predict structures mainly with octahapto and tetrahapto C₈H₈ rings. In all cases, the lowest energy singlet spin state structures lie below the corresponding lowest energy triplet spin state structures. Thus the lowest energy (C₈H₈)₂Nb₂(CO)₄ structure has two η⁸-C₈H₈ rings and an unbridged Nb-Nb single bond of length ∼3.15 Å. The lowest energy (C₈H₈)₂Nb₂(CO)₂ structure has two η⁸-C₈H₈ rings but a doubly bridged NbNb triple bond of length ∼2.64 Å. The lowest energy structure of (C₈H₈)₂Nb₂(CO)₃ also has a formal NbNb triple bond of similar length (2.66 Å) but with only one of the rings fully coordinated as an octahapto η⁸-C₈H₈ ligand. The other C₈H₈ ring in this tricarbonyl has “slipped” to form a hexahapto η⁶-C₈H₈ ligand. The lowest energy structure of the monocarbonyl (C₈H₈)₂Nb₂(CO) again has two octahapto η⁸-C₈H₈ rings and an extremely short NbNb distance of 2.45 Å, suggesting a formal quadruple bond. The lowest energy structures for the carbonyl-richer species (C₈H₈)₂Nb₂(CO)_n (n = 6, 5) have one η⁸-C₈H₈ and one η⁴-C₈H₈ ring (n = 5) and two η⁴-C₈H₈ rings (n = 6). The qualitatively assigned Nb-Nb bond orders are consistent with the Wiberg bond indices obtained from the Weinhold natural bond orbital analysis. Comparison of the (C₈H₈)₂Nb₂(CO)_n (n = 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1) derivatives with the isovalent (C₇H₇)₂Mo₂(CO)_n is made.     

Catalytic oxidation of diorganotin(IV) carboxylates to mixed-ligand monoalkyltin(IV) carboxylates by Ag and structure characterization of the mixed-ligand monoalkyltin(IV) 2-pyridinecarboxylate (2-ClPhCH2)Sn(2-ClPhCO2)(O2CC5H4N-2)2

The complexes of the type (ArCH₂)₂SnO were catalytic-oxygenated by Ag⁺ and yielded mixed-ligand organotin(IV) complexes (ArCH₂)(2-C₅H₄NCO₂)₂(ArCOO)tin(IV) (Ar = C₆H₅ (1), 2-ClC₆H₄ (2), 2-CNC₆H₄ (3), 4-ClC₆H₄ (4), 4-CNC₆H₄ (5), 2-FC₆H₄ (6)). The complexes 1-6 are characterized by elemental analyses, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn) spectroscopies. Single X-ray crystal structure analysis has been determined, which reveals that the center tin atom of complex 2 is seven-coordinated geometry.     

Mixed-ligand iminopyrrolato-salicylaldiminato group 4 metal complexes: Optimising catalyst structure for ethylene/propylene copolymerisations

Treatment of MCl₃(OC₆H₃-2-^tBu-6-CHNC₆F₅)(THF) (M = Ti, Zr) with a variety of different potassium iminopyrrolate salts (K⁺[RNCHC₄H₃N]⁻), (R = phenyl, cyclo-hexyl, ethyl) afforded the corresponding titanium and zirconium mixed-ligand complexes MCl₂(N-O)(N-N). The molecular structures of TiCl₂(OC₆H₃-2-^tBu-6-CHNC₆F₅)(C₂H₅NCHC₄H₃N) (1c), TiCl₂(OC₆H₃-2-^tBu-6-CHNC₆F₅)(C₆H₁₁NCHC₄H₃N) (1b) and ZrCl₂(OC₆H₃-2-^tBu-6-CHNC₆F₅)(C₆H₁₁NCHC₄H₃N) (2b) show distorted octahedral geometries with trans-O⁻,N⁻/cis-Cl₂ arrangements. On activation with MAO the titanium (iminopyrrolato)(salicylaldiminato) complexes show excellent activities in ethylene polymerisation and are significantly more effective ethylene/propylene copolymerisation catalysts, both in terms of activity and propene incorporation, than either of the parent complexes. The ethylene-propylene copolymers show ca. 80% 1,2 regioselectivity and at high propylene incorporation tend towards an alternating structure.     

Standard molar enthalpies of formation of Ln(C9H6NO)2(C2H3O2) (Ln: Nd, Sm)

Using an on-line solution-reaction isoperibol calorimeter, the standard molar enthalpies of reaction for the general thermochemical reaction: LnCl₃·6H₂O(s) + 2C₉H₇NO(s) + CH₃COONa(s) = Ln(C₉H₆NO)₂(C₂H₃O₂)(s) + NaCl(s) + 2HCl(g) + 6H₂O(l) (Ln: Nd, Sm), were determined at T=298.15 K, as  kJ mol^−l, respectively. From the mentioned standard molar enthalpies of reaction and other auxiliary thermodynamic quantities, the standard molar enthalpies of formation of Ln(C₉H₆NO)₂(C₂H₃O₂)(s) (Ln: Nd, Sm), at T=298.15 K, have been derived to be: −(1494.7±3.3) and −(1501.5±3.4) kJ mol^−l, respectively.     

Formation of a four-electron donor carbonyl group in the decarbonylation of the unsaturated H2C2Fe2(CO)6 tetrahedrane as an alternative to an iron-iron triple bond

The unsaturated Fe₂C₂ tetrahedrane derivatives R₂C₂Fe₂(CO)₆ (R = Ph, ^tBu) are among the many products obtained from reactions of the alkynes RCCR with iron carbonyls. In this connection theoretical studies have been performed on the simplest such compounds H₂C₂Fe₂(CO)_n (n = 6, 5) for comparison with the experimentally known structure of the t-butyl derivative t-Bu₂C₂Fe₂(CO)₆ and in order to predict the decarbonylation pathways for such (alkyne)Fe₂(CO)₆ derivatives. These theoretical studies predict an Fe₂C₂ tetrahedrane structure for H₂C₂Fe₂(CO)₆ with a formal FeFe double bond very similar to the experimental structure for t-Bu₂C₂Fe₂(CO)₆. Decarbonylation of H₂C₂Fe₂(CO)₆ is predicted to give an H₂C₂Fe₂(CO)₅ isomer retaining the Fe₂C₂ tetrahedrane structure, with an FeFe double bond but with the unprecedented feature of a four-electron donor bridging carbonyl group in an M₂C₂ tetrahedrane structure. The formation of formal FeFe triple bonds appears to be avoided in even the higher energy H₂C₂Fe₂(CO)₅ structures. These include three triplet Fe₂C₂ tetrahedrane structures with formal FeFe double bonds as well as a coordinately unsaturated singlet structure, still with an FeFe double bond.     

Synthesis, crystal structures, magnetic and luminescent properties of unique 1D p-ferrocenylbenzoate-bridged lanthanide complexes

Treatments of p-ferrocenylbenzoate [p-NaOOCH₄C₆Fc, Fc=(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)] with Ln(NO₃)₃·nH₂O afford seven p-ferrocenylbenzoate lanthanide complexes {[Ln(OOCH₄C₆Fc)₂(μ₂-OOCH₄C₆Fc)₂(H₂O)₂](H₃O)}_n [Ln=Ce (1), Pr (2), Sm (3), Eu (4), Gd (5), Tb (6) and Dy (7)]. X-ray crystallographic analysis reveals that the isomorphous complexes {[Ce(OOCH₄C₆Fc)₂(μ₂-OOCH₄C₆Fc)₂(H₂O)₂](H₃O)}_n (1) and {[Pr(OOCH₄C₆Fc)₂(μ₂-OOCH₄C₆Fc)₂(H₂O)₂](H₃O)}_n (2) form a unique 1D double-bridged infinite chain structure bridged by μ₂-OOCH₄C₆Fc groups. Each Ln(III) ion adopts a dodecahedron coordination environment with eight coordinated oxygen atoms from two terminal monodentate coordinated FcC₆H₄COO⁻ units, two terminal monodentate coordinated H₂O molecules and four μ₂-⁻OOCH₄C₆Fc units. The luminescent spectra reveal that only 4 and 6 exhibit characteristic emissions of lanthanide ions, Eu(III) and Tb(III) ions, respectively. The variable-temperature magnetic properties of 5 and 7 suggest that a ferromagnetic coupling between spin carriers may exist in 5.     

Effect of ring substituents on crystal packing and H-bonding in a series of halobis(phen)copper(II) arylphosphonic acid complexes

The synthesis and crystal structures of five new analogues of the supramolecular copper(II) organophosphonate [Cu^II(phen)₂Cl][(C₆H₅PO(OH)₂)((OH)O₂PC₆H₅)] (1) are presented. The structures contain substituted phenylphosphonic acids, and are of the general formula [Cu^II(phen)₂Cl][(XPO(OH)₂)((OH)O₂PX)] · Z, where X = o-CH₃(C₆H₅) (2); X = p-CH₃(C₆H₅), Z = H₂O · 2CH₃CH₂OH (4); X = o-NO₂(C₆H₅), m-NO₂(C₆H₅) (5); X = m-NO₂(C₆H₅) (6); X = C₁₀H₇ (7).     

Phosphine free diamino-diol based palladium catalysts and their application in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions

Inexpensive air and moisture stable diamino-diol ligands [(2-OH-C₁₀H₆)CH₂(μ-NC₄H₈N)CH₂(C₁₀H₆-2-OH)] (1) and [(5-^tBuC₆H₃-2-OH)CH₂(μ-NC₄H₈N)CH₂(5-^tBuC₆H₃-2-OH)] (2) were synthesized by reacting corresponding alcohols with formaldehyde and piperazine. Treatment of ligands 1 and 2 with Pd(OAc)₂ in 1:1 molar ratio afforded neutral palladium complexes [Pd{(OC₁₀H₆)CH₂(μ-NC₄H₈N)CH₂(C₁₀H₆O)}] (3) and [Pd{(5-^tBuC₆H₃-2-O)CH₂(μ-NC₄H₈N)CH₂(5-^tBuC₆H₃-2-O)}] (4) in good yield. The palladium complexes 3 and 4 are employed in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions between phenylboronic acid and several aryl chlorides or bromides. They are found to be competent homogeneous catalysts for a variety of substrates to afford the coupled products in good to excellent yields. The crystal structures of compounds 2 and 4 are also reported.     

Synthesis, characterisation and solid state structures of α-diimine cobalt(II) complexes: Ethylene polymerisation tests

A series of cobalt(II) compounds of the type [CoX₂(α-diimine)] were synthesised by direct reaction of anhydrous CoCl₂ or CoI₂ and the corresponding α-diimine ligand, in CH₂Cl₂: [CoI₂(o,o′,p-Me₃C₆H₂-DAB)] (1), [CoI₂(o,o′-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃-DAB)] (2), (where Ar-DAB = 1,4-bis(aryl)-2,3-dimethyl-1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene), and [CoCl₂(o,o′,p-Me₃C₆H₂-BIAN)] (3), [CoCl₂(o,o′-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃-BIAN)] (4), and [CoI₂(o,o′-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃-BIAN)] (5) (where Ar-BIAN = bis(aryl)acenaphthenequinonediimine). All compounds were characterised by elemental analyses, IR, mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction whenever possible. The crystal structures of compounds 2-4 showed, in all cases, distorted tetrahedral geometries about the Co, built by two halogen atoms and two nitrogen atoms of the α-diimine ligand. Compounds 3 and 4, as well as [CoCl₂(o,o′,p-Me₃C₆H₂-DAB)] (1a), and [CoCl₂(o,o′-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃-DAB)] (2a), were activated by methylaluminoxane (MAO) and tested as catalysts for ethylene polymerisation, showing low catalytic activities. Selected polyethylene (PE) samples were characterised by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and FT-IR spectroscopies, and by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), revealing branching microstructures (2.5-5.5%).     

Synthesis and structural characterization of [(C5H4)SiMe2(N-t-Bu)]Ti[(o-C6H4)C(Ph)C(Ph)], generated via an alkyne-Ti benzyne coupling reaction

The thermolysis of [(C₅H₄)SiMe₂(N-t-Bu)]TiPh₂ in the presence of diphenylacetylene proceeds at 80 °C in cyclohexane solution with the sole formation of the titanacyclic complex [(C₅H₄)SiMe₂(N-t-Bu)]Ti[(o-C₆H₄)C(Ph)C(Ph)], which has been characterized by solution NMR measurements and X-ray crystallographic analysis. This reaction is accompanied by the elimination of benzene and presumably occurs via coupling of a titanium benzyne intermediate with diphenylacetylene. The two chemically inequivalent Ti-C bonds of 2.081(7) and 2.103(6) Å in [(C₅H₄)SiMe₂(N-t-Bu)]Ti[(o-C₆H₄)C(Ph)C(Ph)] reflect the increased electrophilicity of the d⁰ Ti(IV) center arising from the presence of the bifunctional ansa-cyclopentadienyldimethylsilylamido ligand.     

Syntheses, structures and reactivities of diindenyl-coordinated diiron bridging carbene complexes

Compound [Fe₂(μ-CO)₂(CO)₂(η⁵-C₉H₇)₂] (1) reacts with aryllithium reagents, ArLi (Ar = C₆H₅, p-CH₃C₆H₄, p-CF₃C₆H₄) followed by alkylation with Et₃OBF₄ to give the diindenyl-coordinated diiron bridging alkoxycarbene complexes [Fe₂{μ-C(OC₂H₅)Ar}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(η⁵-C₉H₇)₂] (2, Ar = C₆H₅; 3, Ar = p-CH₃C₆H₄, 4, Ar = p-CF₃C₆H₄). Complex 4 reacts with HBF₄ · Et₂O at low temperature to yield cationic bridging carbyne complex [Fe₂(μ-CC₆H₄CF₃-p)(μ-CO)(CO)₂(η⁵-C₉H₇)₂]BF₄ (5). Cationic 5 reacts with NaBH₄ in THF at low temperature to afford diiron bridging arylcarbene complex [Fe₂{μ-C(H)C₆H₄CF₃-p}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(η⁵-C₉H₇)₂] (6). The reaction of 5 with NaSC₆H₄CH₃-p under the similar conditions gave the bridging arylthiocarbene complex [Fe₂{μ-C(C₆H₄CF₃-p)SC₆H₄CH₃-p}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(η⁵-C₉H₇)₂] (7). Complex 5 can also react with carbonylmetal anionic compounds Na[M(CO)₅(CN)] (M = Cr, Mo, W) to produce the diiron bridging aryl(penta-carbonylcyanometal)carbene complexes [Fe₂{μ-C(C₆H₄CF₃-p)NCM(CO)₅}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(η⁵-C₉H₇)₂] (8, M = Cr; 9, M = Mo; 10, M = W). The structures of complexes 4, 6, 7, and 10 have been established by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Seeking new metalloligands: Synthesis and reactivity of palladacycles with pyridine and pyrimidine rings

Treatment of the Schiff base ligands 4-(NC₅H₄)C₆H₄C(H)N[2′-(OH)C₆H₄] (a), 3,5-(N₂C₄H₃)C₆H₄C(H)N[2′-(OH)-C₆H₄] (b) and 3,5-(N₂C₄H₃)C₆H₄C(H) N[2′-(OH)-5′-^tBuC₆H₃] (c) with palladium (II) acetate in toluene gave the poly-nuclear cyclometallated complexes [Pd{4-(NC₅H₄)C₆H₃C(H)N[2′-(O)C₆H₄]}]₄ (1a), [Pd{3,5-(N₂C₄H₃)C₆H₃C(H)N[2′-(O)-C₆H₄]}]₄ (1b) and [Pd{3,5-(N₂C₄H₃)C₆H₃C(H)N[2′-(O)-5′-^tBuC₆H₃]}]₄ (1c) respectively, as air stable solids, with the ligand acting as a terdentate [C,N,O] moiety after deprotonation of the –OH group. Reaction of the cyclometallated complexes with triphenylphosphine gave the mononuclear species [Pd{4-(NC₅H₄)C₆H₃C(H) N[2′-(O)C₆H₄]}(PPh₃)], (2a), [Pd{3,5-(N₂C₄H₃)C₆H₃C(H) N[2′-(O)C₆H₄]}(PPh₃)], (2b) and [Pd{3,5-(N₂C₄H₃)C₆H₃C(H)N[2′-(O)-5′-^tBuC₆H₃)}(PPh₃)], (2c) in which the polynuclear structure has been cleaved and the coordination of the ligand has not changed [C,N,O]. When the cyclometallated complexes 1b and 1c were treated with the diphosphines Ph₂P(CH₂)₄PPh₂ (dppb), Ph₂PC₅H₄FeC₅H₄PPh₂ (dppf) and Ph₂P(CH₂)₂PPh₂ (t-dppe) in a 1:2 molar ratio the dinuclear cyclometallated complexes [{Pd[3,5-(N₂C₄H₃)C₆H₃C(H)N{2′-(O)C₆H₄}]}₂(μ-Ph₂P(CH₂)₄PPh₂)], (3b), [{Pd[3,5-(N₂C₄H₃)C₆H₃C(H) N{2′-(O)-5′-^tBuC₆H₃}]}₂(μ-Ph₂P(CH₂)₄PPh₂)], (3c), [{Pd[3,5-(N₂C₄H₃)C₆H₃C(H)N{2′-(O)C₆H₄}]}₂(μ-Ph₂P(η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)PPh₂)], (4b), [{Pd[3,5-(N₂C₄H₃)C₆H₃C(H) N{2′-(O)-5′-^tBuC₆H₃}]}₂(μ-Ph₂P(η⁵C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵C₅H₄)P-Ph₂)], (4c) and [{Pd[3,5-(N₂C₄H₃)C₆H₃C(H)N{2′-(O)-5′-^tBuC₆H₃}]}₂(μ-Ph₂P(CHCH)PPh₂)], (5c) were obtained as air stable solids.     

A zirconium dichloro complex supported by an ancillary stereorigid tetradentate bis(phenoxo-imino) Schiff-base-donor ligand: Evidence for a conformational equilibrium between two solution stereoisomers

Reaction of the dilithium salt of the Schiff-base N,N′-o-phenylene-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-salicylidene-imine) (^tBu₄salophenH₂) with 1 equiv. of ZrCl₄(THF)₂ in toluene at −78 °C affords the dichloro complex ZrCl₂[C₆H₄-1,2-{NCH-(3,5-^tBu₂C₆H₂-2-O)}₂], isolated as a mixture of the C_2v-(3a) and C₂-(3b) symmetry isomers. Thermodynamic and kinetic parameters for the equilibrium between 3a and 3b have been determined and studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Reactions of ZrCl₂[C₆H₄-1,2-{NCH-(3,5-^tBu₂C₆H₂-2-O)}₂] with alkylating reagents gave an intractable, unidentified mixture of products from which the NMR spectra in C₆D₆ solution are unusable.     

Medium size macrocycles incorporating combinations of coordinated-1,3-diyne units, oxygen donors and group 14 elements

Two approaches have been employed to prepare medium size macrocycles incorporating combinations of coordinated-1,3-diyne units, oxygen donors and group 14 elements. In the first approach, the acid-catalysed reaction of [{Co₂(CO)₆(μ-η²-HOCH₂CC)}₂] (1a) with either C₆H₅OH, C₆H₄-1,4-(OH)₂ or C₆H₄-1,2-(OH)₂ was found to form in good to moderate yield the nine-membered [{Co₂(CO)₆}₂{cyclo-μ-η²:μ-η²-CH₂C₂C₂CH₂OC₆H₄}₂] (2) and the eight-membered macrocycles, [{Co₂(CO)₆}₂{cyclo-μ-η²:μ-η²-CH₂C₂C₂CH₂-2,3-C₆H₂-1,4-(OH)₂}] (3) and [{Co₂(CO)₆}₂{cyclo-μ-η²:μ-η²-CH₂C₂C₂CH₂-3,4-C₆H₂-1,2-(OH)₂}] (4), respectively. In contrast, treatment of the bis-lithiated derivative of 1a with Cl₂SiR¹R² affords the silicon-containing nine-membered macrocycles [{Co₂(CO)₆}₂{cyclo-μ-η²:μ-η²-OCH₂C₂C₂CH₂OSiR¹R²}] (5a R¹ = R² = Me; 5b R¹ = R² = Ph; 5c R¹ = Me, R² = Ph). Similarly, the germanium analogue of 5b, [{Co₂(CO)₆}₂{cyclo-μ-η²:μ-η²-OCH₂C₂C₂CH₂OGePh₂}] (6) can be prepared from Cl₂GePh₂. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies have been reported on 2, 3, 5a, 5b and 6.     

Reactions of rhenium and manganese carbonyl complexes with 1,8-bis(diphenylphosphino)naphthalene: Ligand chelation, C-H and C-P bond-cleavage reactions

Reaction of [Re₂(CO)₈(MeCN)₂] with 1,8-bis(diphenylphosphino)naphthalene (dppn) afforded three mono-rhenium complexes fac-[Re(CO)₃(κ¹:η¹-PPh₂C₁₀H₆)(PPh₂H)] (1), fac-[Re(CO)₃{κ¹:κ¹:η¹-(O)PPh₂C₁₀H₆(O)PPh(C₆H₄)}] (2) and fac-[ReCl(CO)₃(κ²-PPh₂C₁₀H₆PPh₂)] (3). Compounds 1-3 are formed by Re-Re bond cleavage and P-C and C-H bond activation of the dppn ligand. Each of these three complexes have three CO groups arranged in facial fashion. Compound 1 contains a chelating cyclometalated diphenylnaphthylphosphine ligand and a terminally coordinated PPh₂H ligand. Compound 2 consists of an orthometalated dppn-dioxide ligand coordinated in a κ¹:κ¹:η¹-fashion via both the oxygen atoms and ortho-carbon atom of one of the phenyl rings. Compound 3 consists of an unchanged chelating dppn ligand and a terminal Cl ligand. Treatment of [Mn₂(CO)₈(MeCN)₂] with a slight excess of dppn in refluxing toluene at 72 °C, gave the previously reported [Mn₂(CO)₈(μ-PPh₂)₂] (4), formed by cleavage of C-P bonds, and the new compound fac-[MnCl(CO)₃(κ²-PPh₂C₁₀H₆PPh₂)] (5), which has an unaltered chelating dppn and a terminal Cl ligand. In sharp contrast, reaction of [Mn₂(CO)₈(MeCN)₂] with slight excess of dppn at room temperature yielded the dimanganese [Mn₂(CO)₉{κ¹-PPh₂(C₁₀H₇)}] (6) in which the diphenylnaphthylphosphine ligand, formed by facile cleavage of one of the P-C bonds, is axially coordinated to one Mn atom. Compound 6 was also obtained from the reaction of [Mn₂(CO)₉(MeCN)] with dppn at room temperature. The XRD structures of complexes 1-3, 5, 6 are reported.     

Linear homobimetallic palladium complexes

The oxidative addition of C₆H₄-1,4-I₂ (1) to Pd(PPh₃)₄ (2) gives mononuclear trans-(Ph₃P)₂Pd(C₆H₄-4-I)(I) (3), which can be converted to trans-(Ph₃P)₂Pd(C₆H₄-4-I)(OTf) (5) by its reaction with [AgOTf] (4). Complex 5 can be used in the high-yield preparation of a series of unique cationic mono- and dinuclear palladium complexes of structural type [trans-(Ph₃P)₂Pd(C₆H₄-4-I)(L)]⁺ (7, L = C₄H₄N₂; 9a, L = C₅H₄N-4-CN; 9b, L = NC-4-C₅H₄N) and [trans-(C₆H₄-4-I)(Ph₃P)₂Pd ← N^∩N → Pd(PPh₃)₂(C₆H₄-4-I)]²⁺ (14a, N^∩N = C₆H₄-1,4-(CN)₂; 14b, N^∩N = (C₆H₄-4-CN)₂; 14c, N^∩N = 4,4′-bipyridine (=bipy)). Complexes 7, 9 and 14 rearrange in solution to give [trans-(Ph₃P)₂Pd(C₆H₄-4-PPh₃)(L)]²⁺ (10, L = C₄H₄N₂; 12a, L = C₅H₄N-4-CN; 12b, L = NC-4-C₅H₄N) and [trans-(C₆H₄-4-PPh₃)(Ph₃P)₂Pd ← N^∩N → Pd(PPh₃)₂(C₆H₄-4-PPh₃)]⁴⁺ (15a, N^∩N = C₆H₄-1,4-(CN)₂; 15b, N^∩N = (C₆H₄-4-CN)₂) along with {[(Ph₃P)₂(Ph₃P-4-C₆H₄)Pd(μ-I)]₂}²⁺ (11).The solid state structures of 3, 9a, 10, 11 and 15b are reported. Most characteristic for all complexes is the square-planar coordination geometry of palladium with trans-positioned PPh₃ ligands. In 3 the iodide and the 4-iodo-benzene are linear oriented laying with the palladium atom on a crystallographic C₂ axes. In 9a this symmetry is broken by steric interactions of the PPh₃ ligands with the 4-cyanopyridine and 4-iodobenzene groups. Compound 11 contains two μ-bridging iodides with different Pd-I separations showing that the ligand induces a stronger trans-influence than PPh₃. In 15b, the Ph₃PC₆H₄Pd ← NCC₆H₄C₆H₄CN → PdC₆H₄PPh₃ building block is rigid-rod structured with the C₆H₄ units perpendicular oriented to the Pd coordination plane, while the biphenylene connecting moiety is in-plane bound.     

Supramolecular cluster catalysis: facts and problems

By checking the chemistry underlying the concept of “supramolecular cluster catalysis” we identified two major errors in our publications related to this topic, which are essentially due to contamination problems. (1) The conversion of the “closed” cluster cation [H₃Ru₃(C₆H₆)(C₆Me₆)₂(O)]⁺ (1) into the “open” cluster cation [H₂Ru₃(C₆H₆)(C₆Me₆)₂(O)(OH)]⁺ (2), which we had ascribed to a reaction with water in the presence of ethylbenzene is simply an oxidation reaction which occurs in the presence of air. (2) The higher catalytic activity observed with ethylbenzene, which we had erroneously attributed to the “open” cluster cation [H₂Ru₃(C₆H₆)(C₆Me₆)₂(O)(OH)]⁺ (2), was due to the formation of RuO₂ · nH₂O, caused by a hydroperoxide contamination present in ethylbenzene.     

Synthesis and characterization of chromium(I) bis(η-toluene) derivatives containing sterically demanding anions

The reaction of Cr(η⁶-CH₃C₆H₅)₂ with 1-benzoyl-6-hydroxy-6-phenyl fulvene, dbcpH, and with pentakis(methoxycarbonyl)cyclopentadiene, pcmcpH, proceeds with evolution of dihydrogen and the formation of the ionic derivatives [Cr(η⁶-CH₃C₆H₅)₂][X] ([X]⁻ = 1,2-dibenzoylcyclopentadienyl, [dbcp]⁻, pentakis(methoxycarbonyl)cyclopentadienyl, [pcmcp]⁻), which have been characterized by IR and EPR spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction and electrochemical techniques. The sterically demanding anions do not affect the structural and electronic properties of the cations in solution but strongly influence crystal packing. In fact, a rare cis-eclipsed conformation of the toluene rings is found for [Cr(η⁶-CH₃C₆H₅)₂][dbcp] · THF, whereas two independent complexes are observed in the unit cell of [Cr(η⁶-CH₃C₆H₅)₂][pcmcp], one with toluene rings in a cis-eclipsed conformation and the other in a staggered conformation (projections of methyl groups form an angle of 151°).