Pyridine- and pyrimidine-2-thiolate complexes of ruthenium

A series of mononuclear ruthenium complexes containing pyridine- and pyrimidine-2-thiolato ligands was prepared and characterized. The new compounds of general formula CpRu(PPh₃)(κ²S,N-SR) (1) (SR = pyridine-2-thiolate (a), pyrimidine-2-thiolate (b)) were prepared directly by reacting the thiolato anions (RS⁻) with CpRu(PPh₃)₂Cl. Complexes 1 readily react with NOBF₄ or CO in THF at room temperature to give [CpRu(PPh₃)(NO)(κ¹S-HSR)][BF₄]₂ (2) and CpRu(PPh₃)(CO)(κ¹S-SR) (3), respectively. The one-pot reaction of CpRu(PPh₃)₂Cl, thiolato anions and bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) gave CpRu(dppe)(κ¹S-SR) [dppe: Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂ (4)]. The complex salts, [CpRu(PPh₃)₂(κ¹S-HSR)]BPh₄ (5) are prepared by mixing CpRu(PPh₃)₂Cl, HSR and NaBPh₄ at room temperature. The structures of CpRu(PPh₃)(κ²S,N-Spy) (1a), [CpRu(PPh₃)(NO)(κ¹S-HSpy)][BF₄]₂ (2a) and CpRu(PPh₃)(CO)(κ¹S-Spy) (3a), (py = C₅H₄N) have been determined.     

Monomeric and dimeric ruthenium thiooxalate complexes: Structures of CpRu(PPh3)2SCOCO2Me and CpRu(dppe)SCOCO2Et

The hydrosulfido complexes CpRu(L)(L′)SH react with one equivalent of O-alkyl oxalyl chlorides (ROCOCOCl) to form the corresponding O-alkylthiooxalate complexes CpRu(L)(L′)SCOCO₂R (L = L′ = PPh₃ (1), (2); L = PPh₃, L′ = CO (3); R = Me (a), Et (b)). The reactions of the hydrosulfido complexes with half equivalent of oxalyl chloride produce the bimetallic complexes [CpRu(L)(L′)SCO]₂ (L = L′ = PPh₃ (4), (5); L = PPh₃, L′ = CO (6)). The crystal structures of CpRu(PPh₃)₂SCOCO₂Me (1a) and CpRu(dppe)SCOCO₂Et (2b) are reported.     

Chloride substitution of [CpRu(dppf)Cl] with sulfur-containing ligands

The reactions of CpRu(dppf)Cl (1) with the sulfur-containing ligands, thiophenol HSPh, 2-mercaptopyridine C₅H₄N(SH), thiourea SC(NH₂)₂, vinylene trithiocarbonate SCS(CH)₂S and ethylene trithiocarbonate SCS(CH₂)₂S, yielded chloro-substituted derivatives, viz. the mono-ruthenium(II) complexes CpRu(dppf)(SPh) (2), [CpRu(dppf)(SC₅H₄NH)]BPh₄ (3)BPh₄, [CpRu(dppf)(SC(NH₂)₂]PF₆ (4)PF₆, [CpRu(dppf)(SCS(CH)₂S)]Cl (5)Cl and [CpRu(dppf)(SCS(CH₂)₂S)]Cl (6)Cl, respectively. Treatment of 1 with AuCl(SMe₂) in the presence of NH₄PF₆ gave [(CpRu(dppf)(SMe₂)]PF₆ (7)PF₆. The reaction of 1 or 6 with SnCl₂ resulted in cleavage of chloro and dithiocarbonate ligands, respectively, to give CpRu(dppf)SnCl₃ (8). All complexes were spectroscopically characterized and the structures of 2 and cationic complexes 4-7 were determined by single-crystal diffraction analyses.     

Chiral cyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II) complexes with P,P-ligands derived from (1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane: Synthesis,crystal structures and catalytic activity in Diels–Alder reactions

Chiral cyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II) complexes [CpRu(L1–L3)Cl] (5–7) have been prepared by reaction of [CpRu(PPh₃)₂Cl] with chiral P,P-ligands (1R,2R)-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphinamino)cyclohexane (L1), N,N′-[bis-(3,3′-bis-tert-butyl-5,5′-bis-methoxy-1,1′-biphenyl-2,2′-diyl)phosphite]-(1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (L2) and N,N′-[bis-(R)-1,1′-binaphtyl-2,2′-diyl)phosphite]-(1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (L3). The molecular structures of 5 and 6 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Studies on catalytic activity of the cations derived from (5–7) by treatment with AgSbF₆, are also reported.     

Cyclopentadienyl ruthenium alkynyldithiocarboxylate complexes

Treatment of the ruthenium chloride, CpRu(PPh₃)₂Cl, with the alkynyldithiocarboxylate anions, , in refluxing THF affords the chelate complexes CpRu(PPh₃)(κ²S,S-S₂CCCR) (1) (R = Bu^t (a), Buⁿ (b), Ph (c), SiMe₃ (d)) in high yield. The room temperature reaction of the solvated species, [CpRu(PPh₃)₂(NCPh)]⁺, with the alkynyldithiocarboxylate anions, , produces the chelate complexes 1 and the mono-coordinated complexes CpRu(PPh₃)₂(κS-S₂CCCR) (2). Complexes 2 are converted to 1 in solution so that they were characterized spectroscopically.     

Comparative reactivity studies of dppf-containing CpRu and (C6Me6)Ru complexes towards different donor ligands (dppf=1,1-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene)

[CpRu(dppf)Cl] (Cp=η⁵-C₅H₅) (1) and [(HMB)Ru(dppf)Cl]PF₆ ((HMB)=η⁶-C₆Me₆) (3) react with different donor ligands to give rise to N-, P- and S-bonded complexes. The stoichiometric reactions of 1 and 3 with NaNCS give the mononuclear complexes [CpRu(dppf)(NCS)] (2) and [(HMB)Ru(dppf)(NCS)]PF₆ (4), respectively, in yields above 80%, while 3 also gives a dppf-bridged diruthenium complex [(HMB)Ru(NCS)₂]₂(μ-dppf) (5) in 67% yield from reaction with four molar equivalents of NaNCS. Compound 5 is also obtained in 70% yield from the reaction of 4 with excess NaNCS. With CH₃CN in the presence of salts, both 1 and 3 give their analogous solvento derivatives [CpRu(dppf)(CH₃CN)]BPh₄ (6) and [(HMB)Ru(dppf)(CH₃CN)] (PF₆)₂ (7). With phosphines, the reaction of 1 gives chloro-displaced complexes [(CpRu(dppf)L]PF₆ (L =PMe₃ (8), PMe₂Ph(9)), whereas the reaction of 3 with PMe₂Ph leads to substitution of dppf, giving [(HMB)Ru(PMe₂Ph)₂Cl] PF₆ (10). The reaction of 1 with NaS₂CNEt₂ gives a dinuclear dppf-bridged complex [{CpRu(S₂CNEt₂)}₂(μ-dppf)] (11), whereas that of 3 results in loss of the HMB ligand giving a mononuclear complex [Ru(dppf)(S₂CNEt₂)₂] (12). With elemental sulfur S₈, 1 is oxidized to give a dinuclear CpRu^III dppf-chelated complex [{CpRu(dppf)}₂(μ-S₂)](BPh₄)Cl (13), whereas 3 undergoes oxidation at the ligand, giving a dppf-displaced complex [(HMB)Ru(CH₃CN)₂Cl]PF₆ (14) and free dppfS₂. The structures of 1, 2, 5-9, 11, 13 and 14 were established by X-ray single crystal diffraction analyses. Of these, 5 and 11 both contain a dppf-bridge between Ru^II centers, while 13 is a dinuclear CpRu^III disulfide-bridged complex; all the others are mononuclear. All complexes obtained were also spectroscopically characterized.     

The effect of titanium alkoxides in the synthesis of heterobimetallic complexes by titanocene(III) alkoxide-induced metal-metal bond cleavage of metal carbonyl dimers

A series of titanocene(III) alkoxides L₂Ti(III)OR where L = Cp, R = Et(1b), ^tBu(1a), 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃(1c), 2,6-^tBu₂-4-Me-C₆H₂(1d), or L = Cp*, R = Me(2e), ^tBu(2a), Ph(2f) was synthesized and subjected to reaction with [CpM(CO)₃]₂ [M = Mo, W], [CpRu(CO)₂]₂, and Co₂(CO)₈. The Ti(III) precursors 1a, 1c, 2a, 2e, and 2f reacted with [CpM(CO)₃]₂ [M = Mo, W] to form heterobimetallic complexes L₂Ti(OR)(μ-OC)(CO)₂MCp [M = Mo, W], of which Ti and M are linked by an isocarbonyl bridge. Reactions of these Ti(III) complexes with Co₂(CO)₈ resulted in formation of Ti-Co₁ heterobimetallic complexes, from 2a, 2e, or 2f, or Ti-Co₃ tetrametallic complexes, Cp₂Ti(O^tBu)(μ-OC)Co₃(CO)₉ from 1a, 1b, or 1c. The products were characterized by NMR, IR, and X-ray crystallography. Reaction mechanisms were proposed from these results, in particular, from steric/electronic effects of titanium alkoxides.     

Hydrolytic disproportionation of coordinated white phosphorus in [CpRu(dppe)(η-P4)]PF6 [dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane]

The reaction of [CpRu(dppe)Cl] (1), dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, with one equivalent of P₄ in the presence of TlPF₆ affords the stable complex [CpRu(dppe)(η¹-P₄)]PF₆ (2) which contains the tetrahedral P₄ molecule η¹-bound to the metal. The tetraphosphorus ligand readily reacts with water upon mixing acetone or THF solutions of the complex with excess water. The complexes [CpRu(dppe)(PH₃)]PF₆ (5) and [CpRu(dppe){P(OH)₃}]PF₆ (6), identified among the hydrolysis products, contain the PH₃ molecule and, respectively, the unstable P(OH)₃ tautomer of the phosphorous acid bound to the CpRu(dppe) fragment. In CH₂Cl₂ the coordinated P(OH)₃ molecule in 6 easily yields the compound [CpRu(dppe){PF(OH)₂}]PF₂O₂ (8), via hydrolysis of the hexafluorophosphate anion and F/OH substitution in the coordinated P(OH)₃ molecule. All the compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses and NMR measurements. The crystal structures of 2 and 8 have been determined by X-ray diffraction methods.     

Syntheses and characterization of cyano-bridged homo and hetero bimetallic complexes containing η and η-cyclic hydrocarbons

The reactions of [(ind)Ru(PPh₃)₂CN] (ind = η⁵-C₉H₇) (1) and [CpRu(PPh₃)₂CN] (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅) (2) with [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(bipy)Cl]Cl (bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) (3) in the presence of AgNO₃/NH₄BF₄ in methanol, respectively, yielded dicationic cyano-bridged complexes of the type [(ind)(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Ru(bipy)(η⁶-p-cymene)](BF₄)₂ (4) and [Cp(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Ru(bipy)(η⁶-p-cymene)](BF₄)₂ (5). The reaction of [CpRu(PPh₃)₂CN] (2), [CpOs(PPh₃)₂CN] (6) and [CpRu(dppe)CN] (7) with the corresponding halide complexes and [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂ formed the monocationic cyano-bridge complexes [Cp(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Os(PPh₃)₂Cp](BF₄) (8), [Cp(PPh₃)₂Os(μ- CN)Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp](BF₄) (9) and [Cp(dppe)Ru(μ-CN)Os(PPh₃)₂Cp](BF₄) (10) along with the neutral complexes [Cp(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Ru (η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂] (11), [Cp(PPh₃)₂Os(μ-CN)Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂] (12), and [Cp(dppe) Ru(μ-CN)Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂] (13). These complexes were characterized by FT IR, ¹H NMR, ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy and the molecular structures of complexes 4, 8 and 11 were solved by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Nucleophilic substitution reactions at the Si-Cl bonds of the dichloro(methyl)silyl ligand in five- and six-coordinate complexes of ruthenium(II) and osmium(II)

Treatment of either RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃ or MPhCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ with HSiMeCl₂ produces the five-coordinate dichloro(methyl)silyl complexes, M(SiMeCl₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (1a, M = Ru; 1b, M = Os). 1a and 1b react readily with hydroxide ions and with ethanol to give M(SiMe[OH]₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (2a, M = Ru; 2b, M = Os) and M(SiMe[OEt]₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (3a, M = Ru; 3b, M = Os), respectively. 3b adds CO to form the six-coordinate complex, Os(SiMe[OEt]₂)Cl(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ (4b) and crystal structure determinations of 3b and 4b reveal very different Os-Si distances in the five-coordinate complex (2.3196(11) Å) and in the six-coordinate complex (2.4901(8) Å). Reaction between 1a and 1b and 8-aminoquinoline results in displacement of a triphenylphosphine ligand and formation of the six-coordinate chelate complexes M(SiMeCl₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)(κ²(N,N)-NC₉H₆NH₂-8) (5a, M = Ru; 5b, M = Os), respectively. Crystal structure determination of 5a reveals that the amino function of the chelating 8-aminoquinoline ligand is located adjacent to the reactive Si-Cl bonds of the dichloro(methyl)silyl ligand but no reaction between these functions is observed. However, 5a and 5b react readily with ethanol to give ultimately M(SiMe[OEt]₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)(κ²(N,N-NC₉H₆NH₂-8) (6a, M = Ru; 6b, M = Os). In the case of ruthenium only, the intermediate ethanolysis product Ru(SiMeCl[OEt])Cl(CO)(PPh₃)(κ²(N,N-NC₉H₆NH₂-8) (6c) was also isolated. The crystal structure of 6c was determined. Reaction between 1b and excess 2-aminopyridine results in condensation between the Si-Cl bonds and the N-H bonds with formation of a novel tridentate “NSiN” ligand in the complex Os(κ³(Si,N,N)-SiMe[NH(2-C₅H₄N)]₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃) (7b). Crystal structure determination of 7b shows that the “NSiN” ligand coordinates to osmium with a “facial” arrangement and with chloride trans to the silyl ligand.     

Evaluation of two chelators for labelling a PNA monomer with the fac-[Tc(CO)3] moiety

A PNA monomer containing thymine as nucleobase (1) was synthesized, characterized and coupled to the pyrazolyl containing ligand 3,5-Me₂pz(CH₂)₂N((CH₂)₃COOH)(CH₂)₂NHBoc (2) and to a modified cysteine S-(carboxymethyl-pentafluorphenyl)-N-[(trifluor)carbonyl]-l-cysteine methyl ester (3) yielding the bifunctional chelators 6 and 7, respectively. Reactions of 6 and 7 with the Re(I) tricarbonyl starting material [Re(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]Br afforded the complexes fac-[Re(CO)₃(κ³-6)]⁺ (8) and fac-[Re(CO)₃(κ³-7)] (9), respectively. The identity of 8 and 9 has been established based on IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, ESI-MS spectrometry and HPLC. The multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, g-COSY, g-HSQC) has also been very informative in the case of complex 8, showing the presence of rotamers in solution. For 9 the NMR spectrum was too complex due to the presence of rotamers and diastereoisomers. The radioactive congeners of complexes 8 and 9, fac-[^99mTc(CO)₃(κ³-6)]⁺ (8a) and fac-[^99mTc(CO)³(κ³-7)] (9a), have been prepared by reacting the precursor fac-[^99mTc(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺ with the corresponding ligands being their identity established by comparing their HPLC chromatograms with the HPLC of the rhenium surrogates.     

Reductive ring opening of dihydrodibenzothiepine and dihydrodinaphtho-oxepine and -thiepine

The 4,4′di-tert-butylbiphenyl (DTBB)-catalysed lithiation of dihydrodibenzothiepine (1) at −78 °C for 30 min followed by reaction with a carbonyl compound [^tBuCHO, Ph(CH₂)₂CHO, PhCHO, (n-C₅H₁₁)₂CO, (CH₂)₅CO, (CH₂)₇CO, (−)-menthone] at the same temperature leads, after hydrolysis with 3 M hydrochloric acid, to sulphanyl alcohols 2. If after addition of a carbonyl compound as the first electrophile [Me₂CO, (CH₂)₅CO, (−)-menthone], the resulting dianion of type II is allowed to react at room temperature for 30 min, a second lithiation takes place to give an intermediate of type III, which by reaction with a second electrophile [Me₂CO, Et₂CO, (CH₂)₅CO, ClCO₂Et], yields, after hydrolysis, difunctionalised byphenyls 4. The cyclisation of the sulphanyl alcohol 2c under acidic conditions yields the eight-membered sulphur containing heterocycle 3. The lithiation of dihydrodinaphthoheteroepines 7 and 10 with 2.2 equiv of lithium naphthalenide in THF at −78 °C followed by reaction with different electrophiles [H₂O, D₂O, ^tBuCHO, Me₂CO, Et₂CO, (CH₂)₄CO, (CH₂)₅CO] at the same temperature leads, after hydrolysis, to unsymmetrically 2,2′-disubstituted binaphthyls 9 and 12, respectively. When the lithiation is performed with an excess of lithium in the presence of a catalytic amount of DTBB (10% molar), a double reductive cleavage takes place to give the dianionic intermediate VII, which by reaction with different electrophiles [H₂O, Me₂CO, Et₂CO, (CH₂)₄CO, (CH₂)₅CO], followed by hydrolysis with water, yields symmetrically 2,2′-disubstituted binaphthyls 8 and 11. In the case of starting from (R)- or (S)-dihydrodinaphthoheteroepines 7 and 10, these methodologies allow us to prepare enantiomerically pure compounds 8, 11 and 12.     

Ruthenium-based bioconjugates: Synthesis and X-ray structure of the mixed ligand sandwich compound RuCp(p-(CO2H)C6H4Tp) and labelling of amino acids and the neuropeptide enkephalin

Four differently substituted mixed ligand sandwich complexes CpRu(p-BrC₆H₄)Tp (3), CpRu(p-BrC₆H₄)Tp^Me (4), Cp^∗Ru(p-BrC₆H₄)Tp (5), Cp^iPrRu(p-BrC₆H₄)Tp (6), incorporating cyclopentadienyl (Cp) and functionalized tris(pyrazolyl)borate (Tp) ligands, have been synthesized and characterized. Air-stable 6 has been converted to benzoic acid-functionalized Cp^iPrRu(p-(CO₂H)C₆H₄)Tp (7), which has been structurally characterized in the solid state by X-ray diffraction. Compound 7 may be readily coupled to biomolecules as exemplified by the coupling to phenylalanine-methylester to give Cp^iPrRu(p-(CO-Phe-OMe)C₆H₄Tp) (8). In a solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), 7 has been coupled to the pentapeptide Enkephalin, to provide Cp^iPrRu(p-(CO-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-OH)C₆H₄Tp) (9) as the first example of a mixed ligand sandwich ruthenium bioconjugate.     

Four isomers from the oxidative addition of Me3SnH to Os(CO)2(PPh3)3 and the crystal structure of Os(SnMeI2)I(CO)2(PPh3)2, in which the pairs of CO and PPh3 ligands are mutually trans

Reaction between Os(CO)₂(PPh₃)₃ and Me₃SnH produces Os(SnMe₃)H(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ (1). Multinuclear NMR studies of solutions of 1 reveal the presence of four geometrical isomers, the major one being that with mutually cis triphenylphosphine ligands and mutually trans CO ligands. Os(SnMe₃)H(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ undergoes a redistribution reaction, at the trimethylstannyl ligand, when treated with Me₂SnCl₂ giving Os(SnMe₂Cl)H(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ (2). Solutions of 2 again show the presence of four isomers but now the major isomer is that with mutually trans triphenylphosphine ligands and mutually cis CO ligands. The redistribution reaction of 1 with SnI₄ produces Os(SnMeI₂)H(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ (3) which exists in solution as only one isomer, that with mutually trans triphenylphosphine ligands and mutually trans CO ligands. Treatment of 3 with I₂ cleaves the Os-H bond with retention of geometry giving Os(SnMeI₂)I(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ (4). The crystal structure of 4 has been determined. No isomerization of the trans dicarbonyl complex 4 occurs when 4 is heated, instead there is a formal loss of “MeSnI” and formation of OsI₂(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ (5).     

Coordinating properties of [M(CO)5(CN)] [M=Cr; Mo; W] ligands: formation of ion pairs or dinuclear cyanide-bridged complexes, spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction studies

The reaction of sodium cyanopentacarbonylmetalates Na[M(CO)₅(CN)] (M=Cr; Mo; W) with cationic Fe(II) complexes [Cp(CO)(L)Fe(thf)][O₃SCF₃], [L=PPh₃ (1a), CN-Benzyl (1b), CN-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (1c); CN-Bu^t (1d), P(OMe)₃ (1e), P(Me)₂Ph (1f)] in acetonitrile solution, yielded the metathesis products [Cp(CO)(L)Fe(NCCH₃)][NCM(CO)₅] [M=W, L=PPh₃ (2a), CN-Benzyl (2b), CN-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (2c); CN-Bu^t (2d), P(OMe)₃ (2e), P(Me)₂Ph (2f); M=Cr, L=(PPh₃) (3a), CN-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (3c); M=Mo, L=(PPh₃) (4a), CN-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (4c)]. The ionic nature of such complexes was suggested by conductivity measurements and their main structural features were determined by X-ray diffraction studies. Well-resolved signals relative to the [M(CO)₅(CN)] moieties could be distinguished only when ¹³C NMR experiments were performed at low temperature (from −30 to −50 °C), as in the case of [Cp(CO)(PPh₃)Fe(NCCH₃)][NCW(CO)₅] (2a) and [Cp(CO)(Benzyl-NC)Fe(NCCH₃)][NCW(CO)₅] (2b). When the same reaction was carried out in dichloromethane solution, neutral cyanide-bridged dinuclear complexes [Cp(CO)(L)FeNCM(CO)₅] [M=W, L=PPh₃ (5a), CN-Benzyl (5b); M=Cr, L=(PPh₃) (6a), CN-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (6c), CO (6g); M=Mo, L=CN-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (7c), CO (7g)] were obtained and characterized by infrared and NMR spectroscopy. In all cases, the room temperature ¹³C NMR measurements showed no broadening of cyano pentacarbonyl signals and, relative to tungsten complexes [Cp(CO)(PPh₃)FeNCW(CO)₅] (5a) and [Cp(CO)(CN-Benzyl)FeNCW(CO)₅] (5b), the presence of ¹⁸³W satellites of the ¹³CN resonances (J_CW ∼ 95 Hz) at room temperature confirmed the formation of stable neutral species. The main ¹³C NMR spectroscopic properties of the latter compounds were compared to those of the linkage isomers [Cp(CO)(PPh₃)FeCNW(CO)₅] (8a) and [Cp(CO)(CN-Benzyl)FeCNW(CO)₅] (8b). The characterization of the isomeric couples 5a-8a and 5b-8b was completed by the analyses of their main IR spectroscopic properties. The crystal structures determined for 2a, 5a, 8a and 8b allowed to investigate the geometrical and electronic differences between such complexes. Finally, the study was completed by extended Hückel calculations of the charge distribution among the relevant atoms for complexes 2a, 5a and 8a.     

Synthesis and structures of dinuclear iron, molybdenum and tungsten complexes derived from (PhCHCHPh)-coupled bis(cyclopentadiene)

Reductive coupling of phenylfulvene with amalgamated calcium metal followed by hydrolysis yields CpPhCHCHPhCp (1) in high yield. Refluxing ligand 1 and Fe(CO)₅ in xylene produces (PhCHCHPh)-coupled bis(cyclopentadienyl) tetracarbonyl diiron (PhCHCHPh)[(η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(CO)₂]₂ (2) as a mixture of meso (2-meso) and racemic isomers (2-rac). The pure racemic isomers of the Mo and W analogues (3-rac and 4-rac) have been synthesized by lithiation of ligand 1 and addition of (MeCN)₃M(CO)₃ (M = Mo, W) followed by oxidation with 2 equiv. of ferrocenium tetrafluoroborate. All the new complexes have been fully characterized. The molecular structures of 1-meso, 2-meso, 2-rac, 3-rac, and 4-rac have been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Alkylation and metalation of binuclear anions containing a novel tricyclohexylphosphonioethanetrithiolate ligand S(SR)CC(PCy3)S

The reaction of homobinuclear rhenium-rhenium complex [Re₂(CO)₆(μ-S₂CPCy₃)] (1c) with Li[BHEt₃] in THF produces anionic 2c which reacts with CS₂ affording a new anion 3c, through desulfurization and CS insertion, in a fashion paralel to that of the perviously known Mn-Mn and Mn-Re analogues. Anions 3a-3c undergo allylation and metallation to give neutral products 4a-4k. The structures of [MnRe(CO)₆(μ-H){μ-S(SSnBuⁿ₃)CC(PCy₃)S}] (4d) and [MnRe(CO)₆(μ-H){μ-S(SC₃H₅)CC(PCy₃)S}] (4h) have been determined by X-ray diffraction revealing the (OC)₃Mn-Re(CO)₃ core unit bridged by hydride and the novel S-tributylstannyl-, or (S-allyl)-(tricyclohexylphosphonio)ethenetrithiolate ligands.     

Reactivity of 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine with [Re2(CO)8(CH3CN)2]: Molecular structures of [Re2(CO)8(C14H10N4)] and [Re2(CO)8(C14H10N4)Re2(CO)8]

The reaction of the labile compound [Re₂(CO)₈(CH₃CN)₂] with 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine in dichloromethane solution at reflux temperature afforded the structural dirhenium isomers [Re₂(CO)₈(C₁₄H₁₀N₄)] (1 and 2), and the complex [Re₂(CO)₈(C₁₄H₁₀N₄)Re₂(CO)₈] (3). In 1, the ligand is σ,σ′-N,N′-coordinated to a Re(CO)₃ fragment through pyridine and pyrazine to form a five-membered chelate ring. A seven-membered ring is obtained for isomer 2 by N-coordination of the 2-pyridyl groups while the pyrazine ring remains uncoordinated. For 2, isomers 2a and 2b are found in a dynamic equilibrium ratio [2a]/[2b]  =  7 in solution, detected by ¹H NMR (−50 °C, CD₃COCD₃), coalescence being observed above room temperature. The ligand in 3 behaves as an 8e-donor bridge bonding two Re(CO)₃ fragments through two (σ,σ′-N,N′) interactions. When the reaction was carried out in refluxing tetrahydrofuran, complex [Re₂(CO)₆(C₁₄H₁₀N₄)₂] (4) was obtained in addition to compounds 1-3. The dinuclear rhenium derivative 4 contains two units of the organic ligand σ,σ′-N,N′-coordinated in a chelate form to each rhenium core. The X-ray crystal structures for 1 and 3 are reported.     

Arene-catalysed lithiation of phenyl- and 1,1-diphenylcyclopropane: synthetic applications

The reaction of phenylcyclopropane (1) with an excess of lithium and a catalytic amount of DTBB (2.5% molar) in THF at room temperature, followed by treatment with an electrophile [Me₃SiCl, PhMe₂SiCl, t-BuCHO, PhCHO, Me₂CO, Et₂CO, (CH₂)₅CO, adamantan-2-one, i-Pr₂CO, di(cyclopropyl)ketone] and final hydrolysis with water leads to allylic products 10 or 11 depending on the structure of the electrophile: whereas for chlorosilanes or crowded ketones γ-products 11 are isolated, for aldehydes and non-congested ketones α-products 10 are formed. The application of the same protocol to 1,1-diphenylcyclopropane (7) leads to a mixture of products 13-15 resulting from the introduction of one or two electrophilic fragments to the open-chain mono- or dilithiated intermediate: also in this case the regiochemistry of the reaction is governed by steric reasons.     

Oxidative addition capability of triphosphine iron and ruthenium complexes with methyl iodide

The ruthenium and iron dicarbonyl complexes Ru(MeP(CH₂CH₂PMe₂)₂)(CO)₂ (1), Ru(MeP(CH₂CH₂CH₂PMe₂)₂)(CO)₂ (2) and Fe(MeP(CH₂CH₂CH₂PMe₂)₂)(CO)₂ (3) bearing strong donor tridentate phosphine ligands were prepared and fully characterised. The structures of the complexes have been established by X-ray diffraction studies. Oxidative addition of MeI to 1-3 proceeds instantaneously at room temperature and affords the corresponding octahedral cationic complexes fac,cis-[RuMe(MeP(CH₂CH₂PMe₂)₂)(CO)₂]I (5a) and mer,cis-[RuMe(MeP(CH₂CH₂PMe₂)₂)(CO)₂]I (5b), mer,trans-[MMe(MeP(CH₂CH₂CH₂PMe₂)₂)(CO)₂]I (6a (M=Ru); 7a (M=Fe)) and mer,cis-[MMe(MeP(CH₂CH₂CH₂PMe₂)₂)(CO)₂]I (6b (M=Ru); 7b (M=Fe)), respectively. The triphosphine preferentially adopts a facial arrangement in the case of the ethylene bridged tridentate ligand (5a) and a meridional arrangement in the case of the trimethylene bridged ligand (6a-7b). mer,cis-[RuMe(MeP(CH₂CH₂CH₂PMe₂)₂)(CO)₂]I (6a) undergoes CO insertion to the acetyl complex mer, trans-[Ru(COMe)(MeP(CH₂CH₂CH₂PMe₂)₂)(CO)₂]I (8). Attempts to produce a ketene complex from the deprotonation of 8 were not successful. The acetyl protons in 8 show very low acidity and no reaction occurred when the complex was reacted with bases such as DBU, BEMP (2-tert-Butylimino-2-diethylamino-1,3-dimethyl-perhydro-1,3,2-diazaphosphorine) or LDA.