A catalytically active,charge-neutral Rh(I) zwitterion featuring a P,N-substituted "naked" indenide ligand

The synthesis and characterization of a new class of cationic and zwitterionic Rh(I) complexes, which feature multidentate ligands comprised of donor-functionalized indene or indenide units, are reported. This unusual new ligation strategy provides access to the first charge-neutral [kappa2-P,N]Rh(I) zwitterion, a complex that functions as a catalyst for the C-H/Si-H dehydrogenative coupling of styrene and triethylsilane.     

Solvent-dependent interconversions between Rh(I), Rh(II), and Rh(III) complexes of an aryl-monophosphine ligand

Reaction of the aryl-monophosphine ligand alpha(2)-(diisopropylphosphino)isodurene (1) with the Rh(I) precursor [Rh(coe)(2)(acetone)(2)]BF(4) (coe=cyclooctene) in different solvents yielded complexes of all three common oxidation states of rhodium, depending on the solvent used. When the reaction was carried out in methanol a cyclometalated, solvent-stabilized Rh(III) alkyl-hydride complex (2) was obtained. However, when the reaction was carried out in acetone or dichloromethane a dinuclear eta(6)-arene Rh(II) complex (5) was obtained in the absence of added redox reagents. Moreover, when acetonitrile was added to a solution of either the Rh(II) or Rh(III) complexes, a new solvent-stabilized, noncyclometalated Rh(I) complex (6) was obtained. In this report we describe the different complexes, which were fully characterized, and probe the processes behind the remarkable solvent effect observed.     

Interaction of a bulky N-heterocyclic carbene ligand with Rh(I) and Ir(I). Double C-H activation and isolation of bare 14-electron Rh(III) and Ir(III) complexes

Reactivity and structural studies of unusual rhodium and iridium systems bearing two N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands are presented. These systems are capable of intramolecular C-H bond activation and lead to coordinatively unsaturated 16-electron complexes. The resulting complexes can be further unsaturated by simple halide abstraction, leading to 14-electron species bearing an all-carbon environment. Saturation of the vacant sites in the 16- and 14-electron complexes with carbon monoxide permits a structural comparison. DFT calculations show that these electrophilic metal centers are stabilized by pi-donation of the NHC ligands.     

Synthesis and characterization of cyclotetraphosphato complexes of Rh(I), Ir(I), Ru(II), and Pd(II)

The cyclotetraphosphate ion (P(4)O(12)(4)(-)) as a PPN (PPN = (PPh(3))(2)N(+)) salt reacts with [MCl(cod)](2) (M = Rh, Ir; cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) to give the dinuclear complexes (PPN)(2)[[M(cod)](2)(P(4)O(12))], in which the two metal moieties are situated trans to each other with respect to the P(4)O(4) ring in the solid state. In solution, however, these complexes exist as mixtures of trans and cis isomers. On the other hand, the P(4)O(12)(4)(-) ion reacts with 4 equiv of [Rh(cod)(MeCN)(x)](+) cation to give the tetranuclear complex [[Rh(cod)](4)(P(4)O(12))], where the four Rh(cod) fragments are bound to the P(4)O(12) platform alternately on both sides of the P(4)O(4) ring. Dinuclear P(4)O(12) complexes of ruthenium and palladium are also synthesized.     

Rh NMR studies of organometallic rhodium(I) derivatives

Organometallic rhodium(I) derivatives have been studied by ¹⁰³Rh NMR. The chemical shift range extends from 609 ppm ([Rh.cp.cod]) to 2714.7 ppm ([Rh.fod.cod]). These results are supported by ¹³C and ³¹P NMR results, and give information about the bonding in these derivatives. Most of the complexes contain the cycloocta-1,5-diene ligand. For these complexes a linear correlation is observed between δRh and δC (olefinic carbons) (27 points, R = 0.960). For the phosphine derivatives a linear correlation is found between δRh and ¹J(RhP) and, also, between δRh and parameters characterizing the basicity of the phosphine ligand. The correlation of δRh with ligand properties has been extended to a wider range of complexes by using the ‘influence parameters’ defined previously (10 points, R = 0.947). The sensitivity of δRh to steric factors is also proved.     

Biological assays and theoretical density functional theory calculations of Rh(I), Ir(III), and Ru(II) complexes of chiral phosphinite ligand

Four metal complexes, IL-OPPh₂-Ru-p-cymene (3) , IL-OPPh₂-Ru-benzene (4) , IL-OPPh₂-Ir-Cp* (5) , IL-OPPh₂-Rh-COD (6) , have been evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activity such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and reducing power activity. Maximum scavenging activity (71.43%) was obtained with IL-OPPh₂-Ru-p-cymene, whereas IL-OPPh₂-Rh-COD showed the highest reducing power ability. The complexes were also studied for their antimicrobial activity against three Gram-positive and three Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, DNA binding of the complexes was evaluated using calf thymus DNA. Both Ru(II) complexes exhibited good DNA-binding activity while the other complexes did not have any activity. Furthermore, ab initio quantum calculations of four complexes were also carried out using density functional theory to better understand their chemical behaviors.     

Synthesis of Rh(I) and Ir(I) complexes with chiral C2-multitopic ligands: Structural and catalytic properties

Four multitopic ligands, N,N′-bis[(S)-prolyl)phenylenediamine, N,N′-bis{[(S)-pyrrolidin-2-yl]methyl}phenylenediamine, N,N′-bis[(S)-N-benzylprolyl]phenylenediamine, N,N′-bis{[(S)-N-benzyl-pyrrolidin-2-yl]methyl}phenylenediamine, were synthesised and their co-ordination properties with Rh(I) and Ir(I) studied. The complexes were prepared by the reaction of [MCl(cod)]₂ with AgPF₆ and further treatment with the ligand. All ligands form one to one [ML] species with the above metal ions. The structures of these complexes were elucidated by analytical and spectroscopic data (elemental analysis, mass spectroscopy, IR, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR). Complexes show excellent activities and enantioselectivities up to 30% for the hydrogenation of prochiral olefins under mild reaction conditions.     

Ag+ -assisted hydrosilylation: complementary behavior of Rh and Ir catalysts (reversal of enantioselectivity)

[structure: see text]. The presence of a suitably situated hydroxy function in a PHOX ligand leads to an enhancement of the enantioselectivity in Rh-catalyzed hydrosilylations of prochiral ketones in the presence of AgBF4 (95% ee for acetophenone as compared to 75% using i-Pr-phosphinooxazoline (PHOX)). Exchanging Rh for Ir affords the product with the opposite absolute configuration (78% ee).     

Cu(I) complexes containing a multidentate and conformationally flexible dibenzylidene acetone ligand (dbathiophos): application in catalytic alkene cyclopropanation

The synthesis and characterisation of a multidentate conformationally flexible ligand based on the dibenzylidene acetone core structure, dbathiophos (1), is described. Ligand 1 has a high affinity for cationic and neutral Cu(I) species. Three unique Cu(I) complexes (4-6) are reported showing that the ligand backbone of dbathiophos is hemilabile, and able to adopt different 1,4-dien-3-one conformational geometries around Cu(I). Complexes 4 and 6 both effectively catalyse the cyclopropanation of styrene with ethyl diazoacetate at low catalyst loadings (1 mol% Cu).     

Synthesis of a carborane-substituted bis(phosphanido) cobaltate(i), ligand substitution,and unusual P4 fragmentation

Oxidative addition of the P–P single bond of an ortho-carborane-derived 1,2-diphosphetane (1,2-C₂(PMes)₂B₁₀H₁₀) (Mes = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂) to cobalt(−i) and nickel(0) sources affords the first heteroleptic complexes of a carborane-bridged bis(phosphanido) ligand. The complexes also incorporate labile ligands suitable for further functionalisation. Thus, the cobalt(i) complex [K([18]crown-6)][Co{1,2-(PMes)₂C₂B₁₀H₁₀}(cod)] (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) bearing a labile cyclooctadiene ligand undergoes facile ligand exchange reactions with isonitriles and tert-butyl phosphaalkyne with retention of the bis(phosphanido) ligand. However, in the reaction with one equivalent of P₄, the electron-rich bis(phosphanido) moiety abstracts a single phosphorus atom with formation of a new P₃ chain, while the remaining three P atoms derived from P₄ form an η³-coordinating cyclo-P₃ ligand. In contrast, when the same reaction is performed with two equivalents of the cobalt(i) complex, a dinuclear product is formed which features an unusual P₄ chain in its molecular structure.

Cobalt and nickel complexes of a new carborane-substituted bis(phosphanido) ligand have been prepared. Reaction of the cobalt complex with white phosphorus (P₄) results in a remarkable fragmentation of P₄ into P₃ and P₁ units.     

Structurally diverse Rh(I) and Mn(I) complexes derived from the new ambidentate indene ligand, (1-[iPr2P(S)]-2-[NMe2])C9H6

A new indene-based ligand featuring pendant phosphine sulfide and amine donor fragments has been developed; Rh(I) coordinates to the neutral form of the ligand in a kappa2-[N,S] fashion, while the anionic form of the ligand binds Rh(I) and Mn(I) in kappa2-[C,S] and eta5 modes, respectively.     

NiN(2)S(2) complexes as metallodithiolate ligands to Rh(I), Rh(II) and Rh(III)

Three molecular structures are reported which utilize the NiN(2)S(2) ligands -, (bis(mercaptoethyl)diazacyclooctane)nickel and -', bis(mercaptoethyl)diazacycloheptane)nickel, as metallodithiolate ligands to rhodium in oxidation states i, ii and iii. For the Rh(I) complex, the NiN(2)S(2) unit behaves as a bidentate ligand to a square planar Rh(I)(CO)(PPh(3))(+) moiety with a hinge or dihedral angle (defined as the intersection of NiN(2)S(2) and S(2)Rh(C)(P) planes) of 115 degrees . Supported by -' ligands, the Rh(II) oxidation state occurs in a dirhodium C(4) paddlewheel complex wherein four NiN(2)S(2) units serve as bidentate bridging ligands to two singly-bonded Rh(II) ions at 2.893(8) A apart. A compilation of the remarkable range of M-M distances in paddlewheel complexes which use NiN(2)S(2) complexes as paddles is presented. The Rh(III) state is found as a tetrametallic [Rh(-')(3)](3+) cluster, roughly shaped like a boat propeller and structurally similar to tris(bipyridine)metal complexes.     

2-mercapto-5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole as a ligand in Ru(III), Rh(III), Os(III) and Ir(III) trichloride complexes

Some 2-mercapto-5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole complexes of Rh(III), Ir(III), Ru(III) and Os(III) have been prepared and characterized by chemical-analysis, conductometric, room-temperature magnetic-moment, electronic, IR, EPR and thermogravimetric measurements. From the magnetic properties it was derived that the above ligand forms low-spin complexes with all the metal ions. The position and multiplicity of the metal-halogen stretching modes in the far-IR region have been investigated. The wavelengths of the principal electronic absorption peaks have been accounted for in terms of the crystal field theory and the various parameters have been calculated.     

Half-sandwich Ru(II), Ir(III) and Rh(III) complexes with bridging or chelating N-heterocyclic bis-carbene ligand: Synthesis and characterization

N-heterocyclic bis-carbene ligand (bis-NHC) which was derived from 1,1′-diisopropyl-3,3′-ethylenediimidazolium dibromide (L·2HBr) via silver carbene transfer method, reacted with [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂ and [Cp^∗MCl₂]₂ (Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅Me_5, M = Ir, Rh) respectively, afforded complexes [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂(L) (1), [Cp^∗IrCl₂]₂(L) (2) and [Cp^∗RhCl(L)][Cp^∗RhCl₃] (3). When [Cp^∗IrCl₂]₂ was treated with 2 equiv AgOTf at first, and then reacted with bis-NHC ligand, [Cp^∗IrCl(L)]OTf (4) was obtained. The molecular structures of complexes 1-4 were determined by X-ray single crystal analysis, showing that 1 and 2 adopted bridging coordination mode, 3 and 4 adopted chelating coordination mode. All of these complexes were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and element analysis.     

Synthesis and properties of Rh(I) and Ir(I) distibine complexes with organometallic co-ligands

The first series of Rh(I) distibine complexes with organometallic co-ligands is described, including the five-coordinate [Rh(cod)(distibine)Cl], the 16-electron planar cations [Rh(cod)(distibine)]BF4 and [Rh{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]BF4 and the five-coordinate [Rh(CO)(distibine)2][Rh(CO)2Cl2] (distibine=R2Sb(CH2)3SbR2, R=Ph or Me, and o-C6H4(CH2SbMe2)2). The corresponding Ir(I) species [Ir(cod)(distibine)]BF4 and [Ir{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]BF4 have also been prepared. The complexes have been characterised by 1H and 13C{1H} NMR and IR spectroscopy, electrospray mass spectrometry and microanalysis. The crystal structure of the anion exchanged [Rh(CO){Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]PF(6).3/4CH2Cl2 is also described. The methyl-substituted distibine complexes are less stable than the complexes of Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2, with C-Sb fission occurring in some of the complexes of the former. The salts [Rh(CO){Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]PF6 and [Rh{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]BF4 undergo oxidative addition with Br2 to give the known [RhBr2{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]+, while using HCl gives the same hydride complex from both precursors, which is tentatively assigned as [RhHCl2{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}]. An unexpected further Rh(III) product from this reaction, trans-[RhCl2{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}{PhClSb(CH2)3SbClPh}]Cl, was identified by a crystal structure analysis and represents the first structurally characterised example of a chlorostibine coordinated to a metal. [Rh{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]BF4 reacts with CO to give [Rh(CO){Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]BF4 initially, and upon further exposure this species undergoes further reversible carbonylation to give a cis-dicarbonyl species thought to be [Rh(CO)2{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}{kappa1Sb-Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}]BF4 which converts back to the monocarbonyl complex when the CO atmosphere is replaced with N2.     

Thermodynamics of the hydrogenation of olefins catalyzed by Rh(I) and Ir(I) complexes

The homogeneous hydrogenation of cyclohexene catalyzed by Rh(I) and Ir(I) complexes of the terdentate ligands (L) HN(CH₂CH₂Aφ₂)₂ (A = P, As) was investigated in the temperature range 20 - 50°C. Thermodynamic parameters corresponding to the formation of the dihydrido complexes ML(H)₂Cl (M = Ir(I), Rh(I)) and the olefin complexes MLCl(olefin) were computed. The activation parameters corresponding to the rate constant were also calculated. An inverse relationship is found between the enthalpy of formation ΔH⁰ of the dihydrido complexes and the enthalpy of activation ΔH^≠ of the hydrogenation step. This relationship establishes the involvement of the dihydrido complexes as the active intermediates in olefin coordination and hydrogen transfer. The stereochemistry of the terdentate complexes in dihydride formation is discussed. It is concluded that the enthalpy of formation ΔH⁰ of the dihydrido complexes of terdentate ligands is very favourable, as there is no change in the configuration of the ligand in oxidative addition reaction. The significance of the steric factors in the hydrogenation step is discussed.