Structural,spectroscopic, luminescence sensing and TD–DFT theoretical studies of a CuP2N-type complex

Luminescent cuprous complexes are an important class of coordination compounds due to their relative abundance, low cost and ability to display excellent luminescence. The title heteroleptic cuprous complex, [2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)-1,1′-binaphthyl-κ²P,P′](2-phenylpyridine-κN)copper(I) hexafluoridophosphate, rac-[Cu(C₄₄H₃₂P₂)(C₁₁H₉N)]PF₆, conventionally abbreviated rac-[Cu(BINAP)(2-PhPy)]PF₆ ( I ), where BINAP and 2-PhPy represent 2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)-1,1′-binaphthyl and 2-phenylpyridine, respectively, is described. In this complex, the asymmetric unit consists of a hexafluoridophosphate anion and a heteroleptic cuprous complex cation, in which the cuprous centre in a CuP₂N coordination triangle is coordinated by two P atoms from the BINAP ligand and by one N atom from the 2-PhPy ligand. Time-dependent density functional theory (TD–DFT) calculations show that the UV–Vis absorption of I should be attributed to ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (LLCT) characteristic excited states. It was also found that the paper-based film of this complex exhibited obvious luminescence light-up sensing for pyridine.     

A new heteroleptic cuprous complex with strong yellow photoluminescence

In the title heteroleptic cuprous complex, (acetonitrile‐κN)({2‐[2‐(diphenylphosphanyl)phenoxy]phenyl}diphenylphosphane‐κ²P,P′)[2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl‐κN)‐1,3‐benzoxazole]copper(I) hexafluoridophosphate, [Cu(C₃₆H₂₈OP₂)(CH₃CN)(C₁₂H₈N₂O)]PF₆, conventionally abbreviated [Cu(POP)(CH₃CN)(4‐PBO)]PF₆, where POP is the diphosphane ligand {2‐[2‐(diphenylphosphanyl)phenoxy]phenyl}diphenylphosphane and 4‐PBO is the N‐containing ligand 2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1,3‐benzoxazole, the asymmetric unit consists of a hexafluoridophosphate anion and a whole mononuclear cation, where the Cu^I centre is coordinated by two P atoms from the POP ligand, by one N atom from the 4‐PBO ligand and by the N atom of the coordinated acetonitrile molecule, giving rise to a CuP₂N₂ distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry. The electronic absorption, photoluminescence and thermal stability properties of this complex have been studied on as‐synthesized samples, which had previously been examined by powder X‐ray diffraction. A yellow emission signal is attributed to an excited state arising from metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MLCT).     

Acetate and acetamide complexes of [Ni(Me4[12]aneN4)]PF6: a tale of two ligands

Although there are many examples of acetate complexes, acetamide complexes are virtually unknown. A side‐by‐side comparison in (acetato‐κ²O,O′)(1,4,7,10‐tetramethyl‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐κ⁴N)nickel(II) hexafluoridophosphate, [Ni(C₂H₃O₂)(C₁₂H₂₈N₄)]PF₆, (1), and (acetamidato‐κ²O,O′)(1,4,7,10‐tetramethyl‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐κ⁴N)nickel(II) hexafluoridophosphate, [Ni(C₂H₄NO)(C₁₂H₂₈N₄)]PF₆, (2), shows the steric equivalence between these two ligands, suggesting that acetamide could be considered as a viable acetate replacement for electronic tuning.     

A ruthenium(II)–porphyrin–carbene complex with a weakly bonded methanol ligand

The title di­phenyl­carbene porphyrin complex (di­phenyl­carbenyl‐κC)(methanol‐κO)(5,10,15,20‐tetra‐p‐tolyl­por­phy­rin­ato‐κ⁴N)ruthenium(II) methanol solvate, [Ru­(C₁₃H₁₀)(C₄₈H₃₆N₄)(CH₄O)]·CH₄O, has a six‐coordinate Ru atom with a methanol mol­ecule as the second axial ligand. The carbene fragment is slightly distorted from an ideal sp² configuration, with a C(phenyl)—C(carbene)—C(phenyl) angle of 112.2 (3)°. The Ru—C bond length of 1.845 (3) Å is comparable with other carbene complexes. The two phenyl rings of the carbene ligand are perpendicular to the carbene plane. Methanol solvate mol­ecules link the methanol ligands of adjacent porphyrin complexes via hydrogen bonds.     

Mercury(II) thiolate complexes of two flexible benzimidazole‐based ligands

The structure of catena‐poly[[{bis[4‐(trimethylammonio)benzenethiolate‐κS]mercury(II)}‐μ‐1,1′‐(ethane‐1,2‐diyl)bis(1H‐benzimidazole)‐κ²N³:N^3′] bis(hexafluoridophosphate) 0.25‐hydrate], {[Hg(C₁₆H₁₄N₄)(C₉H₁₃NS)₂](PF₆)₂·0.25H₂O}_n, contains a one‐dimensional zigzag chain. The Hg^II cation is coordinated by two S atoms of two 4‐(trimethylammonio)benzenethiolate (Tab) ligands and by two N atoms from two different 1,1′‐(ethane‐1,2‐diyl)bis(1H‐benzimidazole) ligands, forming a distorted seesaw‐shaped coordination geometry. The F atoms of the hexafluoridophosphate anion interact with the H atoms of the Tab ligand, generating a two‐dimensional network. Furthermore, this layer is connected to neighbouring layers via H...π interactions, thereby forming a three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded structure. In catena‐poly[[{[4‐(trimethylammonio)benzenethiolate‐κS]mercury(II)}bis[μ‐4‐(trimethylammonio)benzenethiolate‐κ²S:S]{[4‐(trimethylammonio)benzenethiolate‐κS]mercury(II)}‐μ‐1,1′‐(hexane‐1,6‐diyl)bis(1H‐benzimidazole)‐κ²N³:N^3′] tetrakis(hexafluoridophosphate)], {[Hg₂(C₂₀H₂₂N₄)(C₉H₁₃NS)₄](PF₆)₄}_n, each Hg^II cation is coordinated by two S atoms of two Tab ligands and one N atom of the 1,1′‐(hexane‐1,6‐diyl)bis(1H‐benzimidazole) (hbbm) ligand, forming a distorted T‐shaped coordination geometry, while longer secondary Hg...S bonds join two such units across a centre of inversion to give the tetravalent cation. Adjacent {[Hg(Tab)₂]₂(μ‐hbbm)}⁴⁺ cations are linked through the centrosymmetric hbbm ligands to afford a one‐dimensional chain extending along the b axis. Several F atoms interact with the H atoms of the Tab and hbbm ligands, while the S atom interacts with an aromatic H atom of a different Tab ligand, to afford a complex intra‐ and intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding arrangement in a three‐dimensional structure.     

Magnetism and crystal structure of an N3O3‐coordinated iron(II) complex

The reaction of [FeL(MeOH)₂] {where L is the tetradentate N₂O₂‐coordinating Schiff base‐like ligand (E,E)‐diethyl 2,2′‐[1,2‐phenylenebis(nitrilomethylidyne)]bis(3‐oxobutanoate)(2−) and MeOH is methanol} with 3‐aminopyridine (3‐apy) in methanol results in the formation of the octahedral complex (3‐aminopyridine‐κN¹){(E,E)‐diethyl 2,2′‐[1,2‐phenylenebis(nitrilomethylidyne)]bis(3‐oxobutanoato)(2−)‐κ⁴O³,N,N′,O^3′}(methanol‐κO)iron(II), [Fe(C₂₀H₂₂N₂O₆)(C₅H₆N₂)(CH₄O)] or [FeL(3‐apy)(MeOH)], in which the Fe^II ion is centered in an N₃O₃ coordination environment with two different axial ligands. This is the first example of an octahedral complex of this multidentate ligand type with two different axial ligands, and the title compound can be considered as a precursor for a new class of complexes with potential spin‐crossover behavior. An infinite two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bond network is formed, involving the amine NH group, the methanol OH group and the carbonyl O atoms of the equatorial ligand. T‐dependent susceptibility measurements revealed that the complex remains in the high‐spin state over the entire temperature range investigated.     

Crystal structure and DFT analyses of a pentacoordinated PCP pincer nickel(II) complex

The reaction of NiCl₂ with 1,3‐bis[(diphenylphosphanyl)methyl]hexahydropyrimidine in the presence of 2,6‐dimethylphenyl isocyanide and KPF₆ afforded a new pentacoordinated PCP pincer Ni^II complex, namely {1,3‐bis[(diphenylphosphanyl)methyl]hexahydropyrimidin‐2‐yl‐κN²}(2,6‐dimethylphenyl isocyanide‐κC)nickel(II) hexafluoridophosphate 0.70‐hydrate, [Ni(C₉H₉N)(C₃₀H₃₀ClN₂P₂)]PF₆·0.7H₂O or [NiCl{C(NCH₂PPh₂)₂(CH₂)₃‐κ³P,C,P′}(Xylyl‐NC)]PF₆·0.7H₂O, in very good yield. Its X‐ray structure showed a distorted square‐pyramidal geometry and the compound does not undergo dissociation in solution, as shown by variable‐temperature NMR and UV–Vis studies. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations provided an insight into the bonding; the nickel dsp²‐hybridized orbitals form the basal plane and the nearly pure p orbital forms the axial bond. This is consistent with the NBO (natural bond orbital) analysis of analogous nickel(II) complexes.     

Oxidative degradation of the organometallic iron(II) complex [Fe{bis[3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl]methane}(MeCN)(PMe3)](PF6)2: structure of the ligand decomposition product trapped via coordination to iron(II)

Iron is of interest as a catalyst because of its established use in the Haber–Bosch process and because of its high abundance and low toxicity. Nitrogen‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) are important ligands in homogeneous catalysis and iron–NHC complexes have attracted increasing attention in recent years but still face problems in terms of stability under oxidative conditions. The structure of the iron(II) complex [1,1′‐bis(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐2,2‐bi(1H‐imidazole)‐κN³][3,3′‐bis(pyridin‐2‐yl‐κN)‐1,1′‐methanediylbi(1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl‐κC²)](trimethylphosphane‐κP)iron(II) bis(hexafluoridophosphate), [Fe(C₁₇H₁₄N₆)(C₁₆H₁₂N₆)(C₃H₉P)](PF₆)₂, features coordination by an organic decomposition product of a tetradentate NHC ligand in an axial position. The decomposition product, a C—C‐coupled biimidazole, is trapped by coordination to still‐intact iron(II) complexes. Insights into the structural features of the organic decomposition products might help to improve the stability of oxidation catalysts under harsh conditions.     

In situ synthesis of mononuclear copper(II) complexes of the new tridentate ligand bis[(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)methyl]amine

Two mononuclear copper complexes, {bis[(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl‐κN²)methyl]amine‐κN}(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐κN²)(perchlorato‐κO)copper(II) perchlorate, [Cu(ClO₄)(C₅H₈N₂)(C₁₂H₁₉N₅)]ClO₄, (I), and {bis[(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl‐κN²)methyl]amine‐κN}bis(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐κN²)copper(II) bis(hexafluoridophosphate), [Cu(C₅H₈N₂)₂(C₁₂H₁₉N₅)](PF₆)₂, (II), have been synthesized by the reactions of different copper salts with the tripodal ligand tris[(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)methyl]amine (TDPA) in acetone–water solutions at room temperature. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that they contain the new tridentate ligand bis[(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)methyl]amine (BDPA), which cannot be obtained by normal organic reactions and has thus been captured in the solid state by in situ synthesis. The coordination of the Cu^II ion is distorted square pyramidal in (I) and distorted trigonal bipyramidal in (II). The new in situ generated tridentate BDPA ligand can act as a meridional or facial ligand during the process of coordination. The crystal structures of these two compounds are stabilized by classical hydrogen bonding as well as intricate nonclassical hydrogen‐bond interactions.     

A new phosphorescent heteroleptic cuprous complex with a neutral 2‐methylquinolin‐8‐ol ligand: synthesis,structure characterization,properties and TD–DFT calculations

Luminescent Cu^I complexes have emerged as promising substitutes for phosphorescent emitters based on Ir, Pt and Os due to their abundance and low cost. The title heteroleptic cuprous complex, [9,9‐dimethyl‐4,5‐bis(diphenylphosphanyl)‐9H‐xanthene‐κ²P ,P ](2‐methylquinolin‐8‐ol‐κ²N ,O )copper(I) hexafluorophosphate, [Cu(C₁₀H₉NO)(C₃₉H₃₂OP₂)]PF₆, conventionally abbreviated as [Cu(Xantphos)(8‐HOXQ)]PF₆, where Xantphos is the chelating diphosphine ligand 9,9‐dimethyl‐4,5‐bis(diphenylphosphanyl)‐9H‐xanthene and 8‐HOXQ is the N ,O‐chelating ligand 2‐methylquinolin‐8‐ol that remains protonated at the hydroxy O atom, is described. In this complex, the asymmetric unit consists of a hexafluorophosphate anion and a whole mononuclear cation, where the Cu^I atom is coordinated by two P atoms from the Xantphos ligand and by the N and O atoms from the 8‐HOXQ ligand, giving rise to a tetrahedral CuP₂NO coordination geometry. The electronic absorption and photoluminescence properties of this complex have been studied on as‐synthesized samples, whose purity had been determined by powder X‐ray diffraction. In the detailed TD–DFT (time‐dependent density functional theory) studies, the yellow emission appears to be derived from the inter‐ligand charge transfer and metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (M +L ′)→LCT excited state (LCT is ligand charge transfer).     

A triangular palladium(II) supramolecular coordination complex based on 1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene and (2,2′‐bipyridyl)palladium(II) nitrate: synthesis and crystal structure

The self‐assembly of ditopic bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene ligands ( L ^H) and the complex (2,2′‐bipyridyl‐κ²N,N′)bis(nitrato‐κO)palladium(II) affords the supramolecular coordination complex tris[μ‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene‐κ²N³:N^3′]‐triangulo‐tris[(2,2′‐bipyridyl‐κ²N,N′)palladium(II)] hexakis(hexafluoridophosphate) acetonitrile heptasolvate, [Pd₃(C₁₀H₈N₂)₃(C₁₂H₁₀N₄)₃](PF₆)₆·7CH₃CN, 2 . The structure of 2 was characterized in acetonitrile‐d₃ by ¹H/¹³C NMR spectroscopy and a DOSY experiment. The trimeric nature of supramolecular coordination complex 2 in solution was ascertained by cold spray ionization mass spectrometry (CSI–MS) and confirmed in the solid state by X‐ray structure analysis. The asymmetric unit of 2 comprises the trimetallic Pd complex, six PF₆^? counter‐ions and seven acetonitrile solvent molecules. Moreover, there is one cavity within the unit cell which could contain diethyl ether solvent molecules, as suggested by the crystallization process. The packing is stabilized by weak inter‐ and intramolecular C—H…N and C—H…F interactions. Interestingly, the crystal structure displays two distinct conformations for the L ^H ligand (i.e. syn and anti), with an all‐syn‐[Pd] coordination mode. This result is in contrast to the solution behaviour, where multiple structures with syn/anti‐ L ^H and syn/anti‐[Pd] are a priori possible and expected to be in rapid equilibrium.     

One‐dimensional copper(II) coordination polymers based on 1,3‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)propane and diimine ligands

Two one‐dimensional (1D) coordination polymers (CPs), namely catena‐poly[[[aqua(2,2′‐bipyridine‐κ²N,N′)(nitrato‐κO)copper(II)]‐μ‐1,3‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)propane‐κ²N:N′] nitrate], {[Cu(NO₃)(C₁₀H₈N₂)(C₁₃H₁₄N₂)(H₂O)]·NO₃}_n ( 1 ), and catena‐poly[[[aqua(nitrato‐κO)(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)copper(II)]‐μ‐1,3‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)propane‐κ²N:N′] nitrate], {[Cu(NO₃)(C₁₂H₈N₂)(C₁₃H₁₄N₂)(H₂O)]·NO₃}_n ( 2 ), have been synthesized using [Cu(NO₃)(NN)(H₂O)₂]NO₃, where NN = 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy) or 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen), as a linker in a 1:1 molar ratio. The CPs were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray structure determination. The 1,3‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)propane (dpp) ligand acts as a bridging ligand, leading to the formation of a 1D polymer. The octahedral coordination sphere around copper consists of two N atoms from bpy for 1 or phen for 2 , two N atoms from dpp, one O atom from water and one O atom from a coordinated nitrate anion. Each structure contains two crystallographically independent chains in the asymmetric unit and the chains are linked via hydrogen bonds into a three‐dimensional network.     

An unusual P312 framework for the Ni(4,4′‐bipyridine)(H2O)4 chain

catena‐Poly[[[tetra­aqua­nickel(II)]‐μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐κ²N:N′] thio­sulfate dihydrate], {[Ni(C₁₀H₈N₂)(H₂O)₄]S₂O₃·2H₂O}_n, (I), and catena‐poly[[[tetra­aqua­nickel(II)]‐μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐κ²N:N′] sulfate methanol solvate monohydrate], {[Ni(C₁₀H₈N₂)(H₂O)₄]SO₄·CH₄O·H₂O}_n, (II), are built up of {[Ni(4,4′‐bipy)(H₂O)₄]²⁺}_n chains (4,4′‐bipy is 4,4′‐bipyridine) inter­woven in an unusual P3₁ fashion. Voids are filled by the corresponding counter‐anions and solvate mol­ecules, defining a complex three‐dimensional network surrounding them. In both structures, the cationic chains evolve around a set of twofold axes passing through the Ni^II ions and bis­ecting the aromatic amines through their N (and their opposite C) atoms.     

Mono‐ and bis‐tolylterpyridine iridium(III) complexes

The first structure report of trichlorido[4′‐(p‐tolyl)‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine]iridium(III) dimethyl sulfoxide solvate, [IrCl₃(C₂₂H₁₇N₃)]·C₂H₆OS, (I), is presented, along with a higher‐symmetry setting of previously reported bis[4′‐(p‐tolyl)‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine]iridium(III) tris(hexafluoridophosphate) acetonitrile disolvate, [Ir(C₂₂H₁₇N₃)₂](PF₆)₃·2C₂H₃N, (II) [Yoshikawa, Yamabe, Kanehisa, Kai, Takashima & Tsukahara (2007). Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. pp. 1911–1919]. For (I), the data were collected with synchrotron radiation and the dimethyl sulfoxide solvent molecule is disordered over three positions, one of which is an inversion center. The previously reported structure of (II) is presented in the more appropriate C2/c space group. The iridium complex and one PF₆⁻ anion lie on twofold axes in this structure, making half of the molecule unique.     

[(1R,2R)‐1,2‐Di­amino­cyclo­hexane‐κ2N,N′](α‐di­imine‐κ2N,N′)­platinum(II) bis­(hexa­fluoro­phosphate), where α‐di­imine is 2,2′‐bi­pyridine and 1,10‐phen­anthroline

The title Pt^II complexes, viz. (2,2′‐bi­pyridine‐κ²N,N′)[(1R,2R)‐1,2‐di­amino­cyclo­hexane‐κ²N,N′]­platinum(II) bis­(hexa­fluoro­phosphate), [Pt(C₆H₁₄N₂)(C₁₀H₈N₂)](PF₆)₂, and [(1R,2R)‐1,2‐di­amino­cyclo­hexane‐κ²N,N′](1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)platinum(II) bis­(hexa­fluoro­phosphate), [Pt(C₆H₁₄N₂)(C₁₂H₈N₂)](PF₆)₂, containing an aromatic α‐di­imine and a non‐planar di­amino­cyclo­hexane, both form a ladder‐type structure, which is constructed via loose π–π stacking on the α‐di­imine ligands and hydrogen bonding between the cyclic amines and the counter‐anions. In the former compound, there are two independent complex cations, both of which have a twofold axis through the Pt atom.     

A mixed chloride/trifluoromethanesulfonate ligand species in a ruthenium(II) complex

The compound [2‐(aminomethyl)pyridine‐κ²N,N′][chlorido/trifluoromethanesulfonato(0.91/0.09)][(10,11‐η)‐5H‐dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten‐5‐amine‐κN](triphenylphosphane‐κP)ruthenium(II) trifluoromethanesulfonate dichloromethane 0.91‐solvate, [Ru(CF₃SO₃)_0.09Cl_0.91(C₆H₈N₂)(C₁₅H₁₃N)(C₁₈H₁₅P)]CF₃SO₃·0.91CH₂Cl₂, belongs to a series of Ru^II complexes that had been tested for transfer hydrogenation, hydrogenation of polar bonds and catalytic transfer hydrogenation. The crystal structure determination of this complex revealed disorder in the form of two different anionic ligands sharing the same coordination site, which other spectroscopic methods failed to characterize. The reduced catalytic activity of the title compound was not fully understood until the crystallographic data provided evidence for the mixed ligand species. The crystal structure clearly shows that the majority of the synthesized material has a chloride ligand present. Only a small portion of the material is the expected complex [Ru^II(OTf)(ampy)(η²‐tropNH₂)(PPh₃)]OTf, where OTf is triflate or trifluoromethanesulfonate, ampy is 2‐(aminomethyl)pyridine and tropNH₂ is 5H‐dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten‐5‐amine.     

Four (2,2′‐bipyridyl)(ferrocenyl)boronium derivatives

Crystal structures are reported for four (2,2′‐bipyridyl)(ferrocenyl)boronium derivatives, namely (2,2′‐bipyridyl)(ethenyl)(ferrocenyl)boronium hexafluoridophosphate, [Fe(C₅H₅)(C₁₇H₁₅BN₂)]PF₆, (Ib), (2,2′‐bipyridyl)(tert‐butylamino)(ferrocenyl)boronium bromide, [Fe(C₅H₅)(C₁₉H₂₂BN₃)]Br, (IIa), (2,2′‐bipyridyl)(ferrocenyl)(4‐methoxyphenylamino)boronium hexafluoridophosphate acetonitrile hemisolvate, [Fe(C₅H₅)(C₂₂H₂₀BN₃O)]PF₆·0.5CH₃CN, (IIIb), and 1,1′‐bis[(2,2′‐bipyridyl)(cyanomethyl)boronium]ferrocene bis(hexafluoridophosphate), [Fe(C₁₇H₁₄BN₃)₂](PF₆)₂, (IVb). The asymmetric unit of (IIIb) contains two independent cations with very similar conformations. The B atom has a distorted tetrahedral coordination in all four structures. The cyclopentadienyl rings of (Ib), (IIa) and (IIIb) are approximately eclipsed, while a bisecting conformation is found for (IVb). The N—H groups of (IIa) and (IIIb) are shielded by the ferrocenyl and tert‐butyl or phenyl groups and are therefore not involved in hydrogen bonding. The B—N(amine) bond lengths are shortened by delocalization of π‐electrons. In the cations with an amine substituent at boron, the B—N(bipyridyl) bonds are 0.035 (3) Å longer than in the cations with a methylene C atom bonded to boron. A similar lengthening of the B—N(bipyridyl) bonds is found in a survey of related cations with an oxy group attached to the B atom.     

The trans influence of the pyridine ligand on ruthenium(II)–porphyrin–carbene complexes

In the two ruthenium(II)–porphyrin–carbene complexes ­(di­benzoyl­carbenyl‐κC)(pyridine‐κN)(5,10,15,20‐tetra‐p‐tolyl­porphyrinato‐κ⁴N)­ruthenium(II), [Ru(C₁₅H₁₀O₂)(C₅H₅N)(C₄₈H₃₆N₄)], (I), and (pyridine‐κN)(5,10,15,20‐tetra‐p‐tolyl­porphyrinato‐κ⁴N)[bis(3‐tri­fluoro­methyl­phenyl)­carbenyl‐κC]­ruthenium(II), [Ru(C₁₅H₈F₆)(C₅H₅N)(C₄₈H₃₆N₄)], (II), the pyridine ligand coordinates to the octahedral Ru atom trans with respect to the carbene ligand. The C(carbene)—Ru—N(pyridine) bonds in (I) coincide with a crystallographic twofold axis. The Ru—C bond lengths of 1.877 (8) and 1.868 (3) Å in (I) and (II), respectively, are slightly longer than those of other ruthenium(II)–porphyrin–carbene complexes, owing to the trans influence of the pyridine ligands.     

Two precatalysts for application in propargylic CH activation

The complexes {bis[(2‐diphenylphosphanyl)phenyl] ether‐κ²P,P′}(η⁴‐norbornadiene)rhodium(I) tetrafluoridoborate, [Rh(C₇H₈)(C₃₆H₂₈OP₂)]BF₄, and {bis[(2‐diphenylphosphanyl)phenyl] ether‐κ²P,P′}[η⁴‐(Z,Z)‐cycloocta‐1,5‐diene]rhodium(I) tetrafluoridoborate dichloromethane monosolvate, [Rh(C₈H₁₂)(C₃₆H₂₈OP₂)]BF₄·CH₂Cl₂, are applied as precatalysts in redox‐neutral atomic‐economic propargylic CH activation [Lumbroso et al. (2013). Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 52 , 1890–1932]. In addition, the catalytically inactive pentacoordinated 18‐electron complex {bis[(2‐diphenylphosphanyl)phenyl] ether‐κ²P,P′}chlorido(η⁴‐norbornadiene)rhodium(I), [RhCl(C₇H₈)(C₃₆H₂₈OP₂)], was synthesized, which can form in the presence of chloride in the reaction system.     

A 1,2,4‐diazaphospholane complex of rhodium

The crystal structure of a prospective olefin catalyst, namely {2‐[1‐acetyl‐5‐(2‐hydroxy­phenyl)‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐di­aza­phospholan‐3‐yl]­phenyl acetate‐κP}chloro­(η⁴‐cyclo­octa‐1,5‐diene)rhodium(I) di­chloro­methane solvate, [RhCl(C₈H₁₂)(C₂₄H₂₃N₂O₄P)]·CH₂Cl₂, has been determined at 173 K. The five‐membered heterocycle of the phosphine ligand is in a slightly distorted twist conformation. An intramolecular N1—H1⃛Cl1 hydrogen bond contributes to the adopted conformation and may additionally participate in secondary interactions with substrates during catalysis.