A study of [Co2(alkyne)(binap)(CO)4] complexes (BINAP=(1,1'-binaphthalene)-2,2'-diylbis(diphenylphosphine))

Understanding the interaction of chiral ligands, alkynes, and alkenes with cobaltcarbonyl sources is critical to learning more about the mechanism of the catalytic, asymmetric Pauson-Khand reaction. We have successfully characterized complexes of the type [Co2(alkyne)(binap)(CO)4] (BINAP=(1,1'-binaphthalene)-2,2'-diylbis(diphenylphosphine)) and shown that diastereomer interconversion occurs under Pauson-Khand reaction conditions when alkyne=HC[triple bond]CCO2Me. Attempts to isolate [Co2(alkyne)(binap)(CO)x] complexes with coordinated alkenes led to the formation of cobaltacyclopentadiene species.     

N-phosphino-p-tolylsulfinamide ligands: synthesis, stability, and application to the intermolecular Pauson-Khand reaction

Here we synthesized a family of racemic and optically pure N-phosphino-p-tolylsulfinamide (PNSO) ligands. Their stability and coordination behavior toward dicobalt-alkyne complexes was evaluated. Selectivities of up to 3:1 were achieved in the ligand exchange process with (mu-TMSC2H)Co2(CO)6. The resulting optically pure major complexes were tested in the asymmetric intermolecular Pauson-Khand reaction and yielded up to 94% ee. X-ray studies of the major complex 18a indicated that the presence of an aryl group on the sulfinamide reduces the hemilabile character of the PNSO ligands.     

Di- and tricobalt Dawson sandwich complexes: synthesis,spectroscopic characterization,and electrochemical behavior of Na(18)[(NaOH(2))(2)Co(2)(P(2)W(15)O(56))(2)] and Na(17)[(NaOH(2))Co(3)(H(2)O)(P(2)W(15)O(56))(2)

The reaction of the trivacant Dawson anion alpha-[P(2)W(15)O(56)](12-) and the divalent cations Co(2+) is known to form the tetracobalt sandwich complex [Co(4)(H(2)O)(2)(P(2)W(15)O(56))(2)](16-) (Co(4)P(4)W(30)). Two new complexes, with different Co/P(2)W(15) stoichiometry, [(NaOH(2))(2)Co(2)(P(2)W(15)O(56))(2)](18-) (Na(2)Co(2)P(4)W(30)) and [(NaOH(2))Co(3)(H(2)O)(P(2)W(15)O(56))(2)](17-) (NaCo(3)P(4)W(30)), have been synthesized as aqueous-soluble sodium salts, by a slight modification of the reaction conditions. Both compounds were characterized by IR, elemental analysis, and (31)P solution NMR spectroscopy. These species are "lacunary" sandwich complexes, which add Co(2+) cations according to Na(2)Co(2)P(4)W(30) + Co(2+) --> NaCo(3)P(4)W(30) + Na(+) followed by NaCo(3)P(4)W(30) + Co(2+) --> Co(4)P(4)W(30) + Na(+). A Li(+)/Na(+) exchange in the cavity was evidenced by (31)P dynamic NMR spectroscopy. The electrochemical behaviors of the sandwich complexes [(NaOH(2))Co(3)(H(2)O)(P(2)W(15)O(56))(2)](17-) and [(NaOH(2))(2)Co(2)(P(2)W(15)O(56))(2)](18-) were investigated in aqueous solutions and compared with that of [Co(4)(H(2)O)(2)(P(2)W(15)O(56))(2)](16-). These complexes showed an electrocatalytic effect on nitrite reduction.     

Phosphine-substrate recognition through the C-H...O hydrogen bond: application to the asymmetric Pauson-Khand reaction

A unique methine moiety attached to three heteroatoms (O, P, S) and contained in the PuPHOS and CamPHOS ligands serves as a strong hydrogen-bond donor. Nonclassical hydrogen bonding of this methine with an amido-carbonyl acceptor provides a completely diastereoselective ligand exchange process between an alkyne dicobalthexacarbonyl complex and a phosphine ligand. This weak contact has been studied by means of X-ray analysis, 1H NMR, and quantum mechanical calculations and revealed that the present interaction falls in the range of strong C-H...O=C bonds. The hydrogen-bond bias obtained in the ligand exchange process has been exploited in the asymmetric intermolecular Pauson-Khand reaction to yield the corresponding cyclization adducts in up to 94% ee.     

Insight into the reactivity of olefins in the Pauson-Khand reaction

The reactivity of different Co(2)(CO)(6)-acetylene complexes in the Pauson-Khand reaction is strongly dependent on the nature of the olefin. Theoretical calculations at both the DFT and ONIOM levels are concordant with experimental observations and suggest how the olefin-cobalt interactions in the complex could have a major effect on the relative reactivity of the olefins. This study rationalizes for the first time the experimentally observed reactivity differences of cyclohexene, cyclopentene, and norbornene.     

Cation-cation complexes of pentavalent uranyl: from disproportionation intermediates to stable clusters

Three new cation-cation complexes of pentavalent uranyl, stable with respect to the disproportionation reaction, have been prepared from the reaction of the precursor [(UO(2)py(5))(KI(2)py(2))](n) (1) with the Schiff base ligands salen(2-), acacen(2-), and salophen(2-) (H(2)salen = N,N'-ethylene-bis(salicylideneimine), H(2)acacen = N,N'-ethylenebis(acetylacetoneimine), H(2)salophen = N,N'-phenylene-bis(salicylideneimine)). The preparation of stable complexes requires a careful choice of counter ions and reaction conditions. Notably the reaction of 1 with salophen(2-) in pyridine leads to immediate disproportionation, but in the presence of [18]crown-6 ([18]C-6) a stable complex forms. The solid-state structure of the four tetranuclear complexes, {[UO(2)(acacen)](4)[μ(8)-](2)[K([18]C-6)(py)](2)} (3) and {[UO(2)(acacen)](4)[μ(8)-]}?2?[K([222])(py)] (4), {[UO(2)(salophen)](4)[μ(8)-K](2)[μ(5)-KI](2)[(K([18]C-6)]}?2?[K([18]C-6)(thf)(2)]?2?I (5), and {[UO(2)(salen)(4)][μ(8)-Rb](2)[Rb([18]C-6)](2)} (9) ([222] = [222]cryptand, py = pyridine), presenting a T-shaped cation-cation interaction has been determined by X-ray crystallographic studies. NMR spectroscopic and UV/Vis studies show that the tetranuclear structure is maintained in pyridine solution for the salen and acacen complexes. Stable mononuclear complexes of pentavalent uranyl are also obtained by reduction of the hexavalent uranyl Schiff base complexes with cobaltocene in pyridine in the absence of coordinating cations. The reactivity of the complex [U(V)O(2)(salen)(py)][Cp*(2)Co] with different alkali ions demonstrates the crucial effect of coordinating cations on the stability of cation-cation complexes. The nature of the cation plays a key role in the preparation of stable cation-cation complexes. Stable tetranuclear complexes form in the presence of K(+) and Rb(+), whereas Li(+) leads to disproportionation. A new uranyl-oxo cluster was isolated from this reaction. The reaction of [U(V)O(2)(salen)(py)][Cp*(2)Co] (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) with its U(VI) analogue yields the oxo-functionalized dimer [UO(2)(salen)(py)](2)[Cp*(2)Co] (8). The reaction of the {[UO(2)(salen)(4)][μ(8)-K](2)[K([18]C-6)](2)} tetramer with protons leads to disproportionation to U(IV) and U(VI) species and H(2)O confirming the crucial role of the proton in the U(V) disproportionation.     

Reaction of an oxoiron(IV) complex with nitrogen monoxide: oxygen atom or oxide(•1-) ion transfer?

Reaction of [FeO(tmc)(OAc)](+) with the free radical nitrogen monoxide afforded a mixture of two Fe(II) complexes, [Fe(tmc)(OAc)](+) and [Fe(tmc)(ONO)](+) (where tmc = 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane and AcO(-) = acetate anion). The amount of nitrite produced in this reaction (ca. 1 equiv with respect to Fe) was determined by ESI mass spectrometry after addition of (15)N-enriched NaNO(2). In contrast to oxygen atom transfer to PPh(3), the NO reaction of [FeO(tmc)(OAc)](+) proceeds through an Fe(III) intermediate that was identified by UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry and whose decay is dependent on the concentration of methanol. The observations are consistent with a mechanism involving oxide(?1-) ion transfer from [FeO(tmc)(OAc)](+) to NO to form an Fe(III) complex and NO(2)(-), followed by reduction of the Fe(III) complex. Competitive binding of AcO(-) and NO(2)(-) to Fe(II) then leads to an equilibrium mixture of two Fe(II)(tmc) complexes. Evidence for the incorporation of oxygen from the oxoiron(IV) complex into NO(2)(-) was obtained from an (18)O-labeling experiment. The reported reaction serves as a synthetic example of the NO reactivity of biological oxoiron(IV) species, which has been proposed to have physiological functions such as inhibition of oxidative damage, enhancement of peroxidase activity, and NO scavenging.     

Between Ni(mnt)2 and Ni(tfd)2 dithiolene complexes: the unsymmetrical 2-(trifluoromethyl)acrylonitrile-1,2-dithiolate and its nickel complexes

A novel 1,2-dithiolate ligand, that is, the 2-(trifluoromethyl)acrylonitrile-1,2-dithiolate, abbreviated here as tfadt, is prepared from the corresponding cyclic dithiocarbonate. This ligand, substituted with both a CN and a CF(3) group, is compared with the well-known maleonitrile- and bis(trifluoromethyl)ethane-1,2-dithiolates. The preparation, electrochemical properties, and X-ray crystal structures of the square-planar nickel complexes, in both their dianionic diamagnetic [Ni(tfadt)(2)](2)(-) and their monoanionic paramagnetic [Ni(tfadt)(2)](*)(-) forms, are reported, as n-Bu(4)N(+), PPh(4)(+), and (18-crown-6)Na(+) salts, respectively. In the [(18-crown-6)Na](2)[Ni(tfadt)(2)] salt, each CN moiety of the [Ni(tfadt)(2)](2)(-) dianion is coordinated to a (18-crown-6)Na(+) cation through a CN...Na interaction [N...Na = 2.481(3) A], affording an "axle with wheels" model where two MeOH molecules act as axle caps. On the other hand, in [(18-crown-6)Na][Ni(tfadt)(2)], each (18-crown-6)Na(+) cation is coordinated on both sides by the CN groups of two monoanionic [Ni(tfadt)(2)](*)(-) complexes with N...Na(+) distances at 2.434(5) and 2.485(4) A, giving rise to heterobimetallic chains with alternating (18-crown-6)Na(+) and [Ni(tfadt)(2)](*)(-) ions. These two examples demonstrate the attractive ability of the CN moieties in the [Ni(tfadt)(2)](2)(-)(,)(*)(-) complexes to coordinate metallic cationic centers. The paramagnetic salts of the anionic [Ni(tfadt)(2)](*)(-) complex follow Curie-type law in the 2-300 K temperature range, indicating the absence of intermolecular magnetic interactions in the solid state. The complexes are found in their trans form in all crystal structures, while density functional theory calculations establish that both forms have essentially the same energy. A cis-trans interconversion process is observed by variable-temperature NMR on the dianionic [Ni(tfadt)(2)](2)(-) complex with a coalescence temperature T(c) of 260 K and a free energy of activation of 51-53 kJ mol(-)(1).     

Chiral and achiral phosphine derivatives of alkylidyne tricobalt carbonyl clusters as catalyst precursors for (asymmetric) inter- and intramolecular Pauson-Khand reactions

Phosphine derivatives of alkylidyne tricobalt carbonyl clusters have been tested as catalysts/catalyst precursors in intermolecular and (asymmetric) intramolecular Pauson-Khand reactions. A number of new phosphine derivatives of the tricobalt alkylidyne clusters [Co3(micro3-CR)(CO)9] (R = H, CO2Et) were prepared and characterised. The clusters [Co3(micro3-CR)(CO)9-x(PR'3)x] (PR'3 = achiral or chiral monodentate phosphine, x = 1-3) and [Co3(micro3-CR)(CO)7)(P-P)] (P-P = chiral diphosphine; 1,1'- and 1,2-structural isomers) were assayed as catalysts for intermolecular and (asymmetric) intramolecular Pauson-Khand reactions. The phosphine-substituted tricobalt clusters proved to be viable catalysts/catalyst precursors that gave moderate to very good product yields (up to approximately 90%), but the enantiomeric excesses were too low for the clusters to be of practical use in the asymmetric reactions.     

Formation of ammonia in the reactions of a tungsten dinitrogen with ruthenium dihydrogen complexes under mild reaction conditions

Treatment of cis-[W(N2)2(PMe2Ph)4] (5) with an equilibrium mixture of trans-[RuCl(eta 2-H2)(dppp)2]X (3) with pKa = 4.4 and [RuCl(dppp)2]X (4) [X = PF6, BF4, or OTf; dppp = 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane] containing 10 equiv of the Ru atom based on tungsten in benzene-dichloroethane at 55 degrees C for 24 h under 1 atm of H2 gave NH3 in 45-55% total yields based on tungsten, together with the formation of trans-[RuHCl(dppp)2] (6). Free NH3 in 9-16% yields was observed in the reaction mixture, and further NH3 in 36-45% yields was released after base distillation. Detailed studies on the reaction of 5 with numerous Ru(eta 2-H2) complexes showed that the yield of NH3 produced critically depended upon the pKa value of the employed Ru(eta 2-H2) complexes. When 5 was treated with 10 equiv of trans-[RuCl(eta 2-H2)(dppe)2]X (8) with pKa = 6.0 [X = PF6, BF4, or OTf; dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane] under 1 atm of H2, NH3 was formed in higher yields (up to 79% total yield) compared with the reaction with an equilibrium mixture of 3 and 4. If the pKa value of a Ru(eta 2-H2) complex was increased up to about 10, the yield of NH3 was remarkably decreased. In these reactions, heterolytic cleavage of H2 seems to occur at the Ru center via nucleophilic attack of the coordinated N2 on the coordinated H2 where a proton (H+) is used for the protonation of the coordinated N2 and a hydride (H-) remains at the Ru atom. Treatment of 5, trans-[W(N2)2(PMePh2)4] (14), or trans-[M(N2)2(dppe)2] [M = Mo (1), W (2)] with Ru(eta 2-H2) complexes at room temperature led to isolation of intermediate hydrazido(2-) complexes such as trans-[W(OTf)(NNH2)(PMe2Ph)4]OTf (19), trans-[W(OTf)(NNH2)(PMePh2)4]OTf (20), and trans-[WX(NNH2)(dppe)2]+ [X = OTf (15), F (16)]. The molecular structure of 19 was determined by X-ray analysis. Further ruthenium-assisted protonation of hydrazido(2-) intermediates such as 19 with H2 at 55 degrees C was considered to result in the formation of NH3, concurrent with the generation of W(VI) species. All of the electrons required for the reduction of N2 are provided by the zerovalent tungsten.     

Stereoselective total syntheses of three Lycopodium alkaloids, (-)-magellanine, (+)-magellaninone, and (+)-paniculatine, based on two Pauson-Khand reactions

The total syntheses of (-)-magellanine, (+)-magellaninone, and (+)-paniculatine were completed from diethyl l-tartrate via the common intermediate in a stereoselective manner. The crucial steps in these syntheses involved two intramolecular Pauson-Khand reactions of enynes: the first Pauson-Khand reaction constructed the bicyclo[4.3.0] carbon framework, the corresponding A and B rings of these alkaloids in a highly stereoselective manner, whereas the second Pauson-Khand reaction stereoselectively produced the bicyclo[3.3.0]skeleton, which could be converted into the C and D rings of the target natural products.     

Regiochemistry in cobalt-mediated intermolecular Pauson-Khand reactions of unsymmetrical internal heteroaromatic alkynes with norbornene

The intermolecular Pauson-Khand (PK) reactions of sterically comparable (2-phenylethynyl)heteroaromatic compounds with norbornene, mediated by Co(2)(CO)(8) to give cyclopentenone products, were examined in this study. A synthetic protocol utilizing focused-microwave dielectric heating proved indispensable in the efficient synthesis of the PK cyclopentenone products. "π-Deficient" heteroaromatic substrates, e.g., 2-pyrones, and some "π-excessive" heteroaromatics such as 2- and 3-thiophene and 2-furan favor the β-position in the newly formed cyclopentenone ring. Other π-excessive heteroaromatics such as 2-pyrrole or 2-indole favor the α-position. A π-excessive 3-indole derivative gave a nearly equal mixture of regioisomers. The position of the nitrogen in pyridyl-containing alkyne substrates also affects the regiochemical outcome of the PK reaction. A 2-pyridyl alkyne, possessing a proximal nitrogen, influences the regioselectivity relative to a 4-pyridyl variant quite dramatically, favoring the β-position in the newly formed cyclopentenone ring. A 2-pyrimidylalkyne exhibits similar behavior to the 2-pyridylalkyne. Compounds that do not participate in PK reactions with norbornene include (2-phenylethynyl)imidazoles and the related benzimidazoles, which promote rapid decomposition of the in situ generated (μ(2)-alkyne)Co(2)(CO)(6) complexes. This stands in contrast with other nitrogen-containing heteroaromatics, e.g., pyrrole-, indole-, and pyrimidine-derived compounds, which effectively undergo PK reactions. Overall, the type of heteroaromatic group dramatically influences PK regioselectivity, which can in part be explained by rationalization of the current reaction mechanism, but not fully.     

Low-energy pathway for pauson-khand reactions: synthesis and reactivity of dicobalt hexacarbonyl complexes of chiral ynamines

A family of dicobalt hexacarbonyl complexes of 1-(dialkylamino)-2-(trimethysilyl)acetylenes (3a-f) derived both from achiral and chiral amines [a, morpholine; b, (S)-2-methoxymethylpyrrolidine; c, (2R,5R)-2, 5-bis(methoxymethyl)pyrrolidine; d, (+/-)-trans-2, 5-bis(benzyloxymethyl)pyrrolidine; e, (2R,5R)-2, 5-dimethylpyrrolidine; f, (S)-(alpha-methylbenzyl)benzylamine] has been prepared by a one-stage process from dichloroacetylene. The methanolysis at room temperature of these complexes (MeOH/K(2)CO(3)) induces the selective cleavage of the carbon-silicon bond, leading to the thermally unstable terminal ynamine complexes 12a-f. The Pauson-Khand reaction of 12a-f with strained olefins (norbornadiene and norbornene) takes place at unprecedentedly low temperatures (-35 degrees C) in the absence of chemical promoters. Diastereoselectivities of up to 94:6 are recorded in these reactions with the ynamine complexes derived from C(2) symmetrical chiral auxiliaries (12c,d). The high reactivity depicted by terminal ynamines in the Pauson-Khand reaction has been analyzed by theoretical semiempirical procedures [PM3(tm)] and with density functional theory (VWN/B88), and appears to reflect an easy CO loss from the ynamine-dicobalt hexacarbonyl complexes.     

Ligand substitution,pH dependent deoxygenation,and linkage isomerization reactions of the 2,2'-bipyridinetetranitroruthenate dianion

The reaction of the [Ru(bpy)(NO(2))(4)](2-) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) ion in aqueous solutions produces two different nitrosyl complexes, depending on the pH of the solution. At acidic pH, complex cis,cis-Ru(bpy)(NO(2))(2)(ONO)(NO) was isolated. At neutral or basic pH, [Ru(bpy)(NO(2))(4)](2-) reacts to give cis,trans-Ru(bpy)(NO(2))(2)(NO)(OH). Both new complexes were fully characterized by elemental analysis and UV-vis, IR, (1)H NMR, and (15)N NMR spectroscopy. A single-crystal X-ray structure of cis,trans-Ru(bpy)(NO(2))(2)(NO)(OH) was also obtained. cis,cis-Ru(bpy)(NO(2))(2)(ONO)(NO) isomerizes in acetone or water solution to give a mixture of the trans,cis-Ru(bpy)(NO(2))(2)(ONO)(NO) and cis,cis-Ru(bpy)(ONO)(2)(NO(2))(NO) linkage isomers as determined by (1)H and (15)N NMR spectroscopy. A single-crystal X-ray structure of a solid solution of cis,cis-Ru(bpy)(ONO)(2)(NO(2))(NO)/trans,cis-Ru(bpy)(NO(2))(2)(ONO)(NO) was also obtained. This pair of isomers is the first crystallographically characterized compound with nitro, nitrito, and nitrosyl ligands. The kinetic studies of the Ru-NO(2) --> Ru-NO conversion reactions of [Ru(bpy)(NO(2))(4)](2)(-) in buffered solutions from pH 3 to pH 9 complement previous studies of the reverse reaction. The reactions are first order in [Ru(bpy)(NO(2))(4)](2-). At high pH, the reaction is independent of the concentration of H(+) while, at low pH, the reaction is first order in the concentration of H(+). The rate determining step of the high pH reaction involves breakage of the Ru-NO(2) bond while, at low pH, the mechanism involves a rapid reversible protonation of a NO(2) ligand followed by the rate determining loss of hydroxide to produce a nitrosyl ligand.     

Clusters as Ligands. 4. Synthesis, Structure, and Characterization of the Tungsten(II)-Tungsten(III) Cluster Carboxylate {[Na][W(2){OOCCCo(3)(CO)(9)}(2)(OOCCF(3))(4)(THF)(2)]}(2)

The reaction of W(2)(OOCCF(3))(4) with (CO)(9)Co(3)CCOOH and Na[OOCCF(3)] in a nonpolar solvent mixture leads to the formation of the cluster of clusters {[Na][W(2){OOCCCo(3)(CO)(9)}(2)(OOCCF(3))(4)(THF)(2)]}(2), 1, in 40% yield. The structure of 1.3C(6)H(5)CH(3) in the solid state corresponds to a dimer of W(2) dinuclear complexes (monoclinic P2(1)/c, a = 15.234(6) ?, b = 23.326(11) ?, c = 20.658(7) ?, beta = 102.46(3) degrees; V = 7,168(5) ?(3); Z = 4; R(F)() = 8.39%). Each W(2) unit is bridged by two cis cluster carboxylates, and the remaining four equatorial sites are occupied by monodentate [OOCCF(3)](-) ligands. The axial positions contain coordinated THF. The W(2) carboxylate is opened up (W-W distance of 2.449(2) ?) so that the free ends of the [OOCCF(3)](-) ligands on both W(2) carboxylate units can cooperate in chelating two Na(+) ions thereby forming a dimer of W(2) complexes. A distinctive EPR spectrum with g = 2.08 is consistent with each W(2) carboxylate being a mixed-valent W(II)-W(III) species. The reaction of W(2)(OOCCF(3))(4) with (CO)(9)Co(3)CCOOH in THF in the absence of Na[OOCCF(3)] leads to the expected diamagnetic W(II)-W(II) cluster carboxylate W(2){OOCCCo(3)(CO)(9)}(3)(OOCCF(3))(THF)(2), 3.     

Kinetic and theoretical studies on the protonation of [Ni(2-SC6H4N){PhP(CH2CH2PPh2)2}]+: nitrogen versus sulfur as the protonation site

The complexes [Ni(4-Spy)(triphos)]BPh(4) and [Ni(2-Spy)(triphos)]BPh(4) {triphos = PhP(CH(2)CH(2)PPh(2))(2), 4-Spy = 4-pyridinethiolate, 2-Spy = 2-pyridinethiolate} have been prepared and characterized both spectroscopically and using X-ray crystallography. In both complexes the triphos is a tridentate ligand. However, [Ni(4-Spy)(triphos)](+) comprises a 4-coordinate, square-planar nickel with the 4-Spy ligand bound to the nickel through the sulfur while [Ni(2-Spy)(triphos)](+) contains a 5-coordinate, trigonal-bipyramidal nickel with a bidentate 2-Spy ligand bound to the nickel through both sulfur and nitrogen. The kinetics of the reactions of [Ni(4-Spy)(triphos)](+) and [Ni(2-Spy)(triphos)](+) with lutH(+) (lut = 2,6-dimethylpyridine) in MeCN have been studied using stopped-flow spectrophotometry, and the two complexes show very different reactivities. The reaction of [Ni(4-Spy)(triphos)](+) with lutH(+) is complete within the deadtime of the stopped-flow apparatus (2 ms) and corresponds to protonation of the nitrogen. However, upon mixing [Ni(2-Spy)(triphos)](+) and lutH(+) a reaction is observed (on the seconds time scale) to produce an equilibrium mixture. The mechanistic interpretation of the rate law has been aided by the application of MSINDO semiempirical and ADF calculations. The kinetics and calculations are consistent with the reaction between [Ni(2-Spy)(triphos)](+) and lutH(+) involving initial protonation of the sulfur followed by dissociation of the nitrogen and subsequent transfer of the proton from sulfur to nitrogen. The factors affecting the position of protonation and the coupling of the coordination state of the 2-pyridinethiolate ligand to the site of protonation are discussed.     

Synthesis and structures of cyclic gold complexes containing diphosphine ligands and luminescent properties of the high nuclearity species

A mixture of cyclic gold(I) complexes [Au(2)(μ-cis-dppen)(2)]X(2) (X = OTf 1, PF(6)3) and [Au(cis-dppen)(2)]X (X = OTf 2, PF(6)4) is obtained from the reaction of [Au(tht)(2)]X (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) with one equivalent of cis-dppen [dppen = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene]. The analogous reaction with trans-dppen or dppa [dppa = bis(diphenylphosphino)acetylene] affords the cyclic trinuclear [Au(3)(μ-trans-dppen)(3)]X(3) (X = OTf 11, PF(6)12) and tetranuclear [Au(4)(μ-dppa)(4)]X(4) (X = OTf 13, PF(6)14, ClO(4)15) gold complexes, respectively. Recrystallization of 15 from CH(2)Cl(2)/MeOH yielded a crystal of the octanuclear gold cluster [Au(8)Cl(2)(μ-dppa)(4)](ClO(4))(2)16. Attempts to prepare dicationic binuclear gold(II) species from the reaction of a mixture of 3 and 4 with halogens gave a mixture of products, the components of which confirmed to be acyclic binuclear gold(I) [Au(2)X(2)(cis-dppen)] (X = I 5, Br 7) and cyclic mononuclear gold(III) [AuX(2)(cis-dppen)]PF(6) (X = I 6, Br 8) complexes. Complexes 11-14 reveal weak emission in butyronitrile glass at 77 K, but they are non-emissive at room temperature. Ab initio modelling was performed to determine the charge state of the gold atoms involved. Extensive structural comparisons were made to experimental data to benchmark these calculations and rationalize the conformations.     

pH-Dependent isotope exchange and hydrogenation catalysed by water-soluble NiRu complexes as functional models for [NiFe]hydrogenases

The pH-dependent hydrogen isotope exchange reaction between gaseous isotopes and medium isotopes and hydrogenation of the carbonyl compounds have been investigated with water-soluble bis(mu-thiolate)(mu-hydride)NiRu complexes, Ni(II)(mu-SR)(2)(mu-H)Ru(II) {(mu-SR)(2) = N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-1,3-propanediamine}, as functional models for [NiFe]hydrogenases. In acidic media (at pH 4-6), the mu-H ligand of the Ni(II)(mu-SR)(2)(mu-H)Ru(II) complexes has H(+) properties, and the complexes catalyse the hydrogen isotope exchange reaction between gaseous isotopes and medium isotopes. A mechanism of the hydrogen isotope exchange reaction between gaseous isotopes and medium isotopes through a low-valent Ni(I)(mu-SR)(2)Ru(I) complex is proposed. In contrast, in neutral-basic media (at pH 7-10), the mu-H ligand of the Ni(II)(mu-SR)(2)(mu-H)Ru(II) complexes acts as H(-), and the complexes catalyse the hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds.     

Chiral monomeric and homochiral dimeric copper(II) complexes of a new chiral ligand, N-(1,2-bis(2-pyridyl)ethyl)pyridine-2-carboxamide: an example of molecular self-recognition

Reaction of Cu(ClO(4))(2) x 6H(2)O with a racemic mixture of the novel chiral ligand N-(1,2-bis(2-pyridyl)ethyl)pyridine-2-carboxamide (PEAH) affords only the homochiral dimeric copper(II) complexes [Cu(2)((R)()PEA)(2)](ClO(4))(2) and [Cu(2)((S)()PEA)(2)](ClO(4))(2) in a 1:1 ratio. The phenomenon of molecular self-recognition is also observed when a racemic mixture of the monomeric copper(II) complex [Cu((R(S))()PEA)(Cl)(H(2)O)] is converted into the homochiral dimeric species [Cu(2)((R(S))()PEA)(2)](ClO(4))(2) via reaction with Ag(+) ion. This is the first report of direct conversion of a racemic mixture of a chiral monomeric copper(II) complex to a mixture of the homochiral dimers.