Cationic half-sandwich complexes (Rh, Ir, Ru) containing 2-substituted-1,8-naphthyridine chelating ligands: Syntheses, X-ray structure analyses and spectroscopic studies

Reactions of the dinuclear complexes [(η⁶-arene)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (arene = C₆H₆, p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me) and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)M(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (M = Rh, Ir) with 2-substituted-1,8-naphthyridine ligands, 2-(2-pyridyl)-1,8-naphthyridine (pyNp), 2-(2-thiazolyl)-1,8-naphthyridine (tzNp) and 2-(2-furyl)-1,8-naphthyridine (fuNp), lead to the formation of the mononuclear cationic complexes [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(L)Cl]⁺ {L = pyNp (1); tzNp (2); fuNp (3)}, [(η⁶-p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me)Ru(L)Cl]⁺ {L = pyNp (4); tzNp (5); fuNp (6)}, [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(L)Cl]⁺ {L = pyNp (7); tzNp (8); fuNp (9)} and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ir(L)Cl]⁺ {L = pyNp (10); tzNp (11); fuNp (12)}. All these complexes are isolated as chloro or hexafluorophosphate salts and characterized by IR, NMR, mass spectrometry and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The molecular structures of [1]Cl, [2]PF₆, [4]PF₆, [5]PF₆ and [10]PF₆ have been established by single crystal X-ray structure analysis.     

Spectroscopic and structural characterization of cationic N-(2-aminoethyl)aziridine-N,N′ chelate complexes of the d-metals Rh(III) and Ir(III)

The syntheses of the compounds [M(Cp^∗)(aeaz)(az)](OTf)₂ (4, 5) (M = Rh(III), Ir(III); aeaz = C₂H₄NC₂H₄NH₂, az = C₂H₄NH (3)) containing cationic N-(2-aminoethyl)aziridine-N,N′ chelate complexes are described. The bis-aziridine complexes [MCl(Cp^∗)(az)₂]Cl (M = Rh (1), M = Ir (2)) react with an excess of the aziridine (az) in the presence of AgO₃SCF₃ (=AgOTf) via AgCl precipitation and az addition followed by a metal-mediated coupling reaction, to give the compounds [M(Cp^∗)(aeaz)(az)](OTf)₂ (4, 5). The new aeaz ligand is formally the dimerisation product of az. Using the same reaction conditions with the analogous, but weaker Lewis acidic ruthenium(II) complex [RuCl(C₆Me₆)(az)₂]Cl (6) an anion exchange reaction yielding [RuCl(C₆Me₆)(az)₂]OTf (8) is observed. After purification, all compounds are fully characterized using IR, FAB-MS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The single crystal X-ray structure analysis reveals a distorted octahedral geometry for all complexes.     

Half sandwich platinum group metal complexes containing tetradentate N-donor ligand bearing two pyrazolyl-pyridine units linked by an aromatic spacer

Reaction of the bis-bidentate ligand, 1,3-bis((3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)benzene (NN∩NN), containing two chelating pyrazolyl-pyridine units connected by an aromatic spacer with platinum group metal complexes results in a series of cationic binuclear complexes, [(η⁶-arene)₂Ru₂(NN∩NN)Cl₂]²⁺ (arene = C₆H₆, 1; p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me, 2; C₆Me₆, 3), [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂M₂(NN∩NN)Cl₂]²⁺ (M = Rh, 4; Ir, 5), [(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂M₂(NN∩NN)(PPh₃)₂]²⁺ (M = Ru, 6; Os, 7), [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂Ru₂(NN∩NN)(PPh₃)₂]²⁺ (8) and [(η⁵-C₉H₇)₂Ru₂(NN∩NN)(PPh₃)₂]²⁺ (9). All these complexes have been isolated as their hexafluorophosphate salts and fully characterized by use of a combination of NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The solid state structures of three complexes, [2][PF₆]₂, [4][PF₆]₂ and [6][PF₆]₂, has been determined by X-ray crystallographic studies.     

Anticancer activity of new organo-ruthenium, rhodium and iridium complexes containing the 2-(pyridine-2-yl)thiazole N,N-chelating ligand

The dinuclear dichloro complexes [(η⁶-arene)₂Ru₂(μ-Cl)₂Cl₂] and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂M₂(μ-Cl)₂Cl₂] react with 2-(pyridine-2-yl)thiazole (pyTz) to afford the cationic complexes [(η⁶-arene)Ru(pyTz)Cl]⁺ (arene = C₆H₆1, p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me 2 or C₆Me₆3) and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)M(pyTz)Cl]⁺ (M = Rh 4 or Ir 5), isolated as the chloride salts. The reaction of 2 and 3 with SnCl₂ leads to the dinuclear heterometallic trichlorostannyl derivatives [(η⁶-p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me)Ru(pyTz)(SnCl₃)]⁺ (6) and [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(pyTz)(SnCl₃)]⁺ (7), respectively, also isolated as the chloride salts. The molecular structures of 4, 5 and 7 have been established by single-crystal X-ray structure analyses of the corresponding hexafluorophosphate salts. The in vitro anticancer activities of the metal complexes on human ovarian cancer cell lines A2780 and A2780cisR (cisplatin-resistant), as well as their interactions with plasmid DNA and the model protein ubiquitin, have been investigated.     

Synthesis, characterisation and theoretical studies on some piano-stool ruthenium and rhodium complexes containing substituted phenyl imidazole ligands

Reactions of the chloro-bridged arene ruthenium complexes [{(η⁶-arene)RuCl(μ-Cl}₂] (η⁶-arene = benzene, p-cymene) and structurally analogous rhodium complex [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl(μ-Cl}₂] with imidazole based ligands viz., 1-(4-nitro-phenyl)-imidazole (NOPI), 1-(4-formylphenyl)-imidazole (FPI) and 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-imidazole (HPI) have been investigated. The resulting complexes have been characterised by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, electronic absorption and emission spectral studies. Crystal structure of the representative complex [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl₂(NOPI)] has been determined crystallographically. Geometrical optimisation on the complexes have been performed using exchange correlation functional B3LYP. Optimised bond lengths and angles of the complexes have been found to be in good agreement with our earlier reports and single crystal X-ray data of the complex [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl₂(NOPI)].     

Mono and dinuclear half-sandwich platinum group metal complexes bearing pyrazolyl-pyrimidine ligands: Syntheses and structural studies

Reactions of 0.5 eq. of the dinuclear complexes [(η⁶-arene)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (arene = η⁶-C₆H₆, η⁶-p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me) and [(Cp∗)M(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (M = Rh, Ir; Cp∗ = η⁵-C₅Me₅) with 4,6-disubstituted pyrazolyl-pyrimidine ligands (L) viz. 4,6-bis(pyrazolyl)pyrimidine (L1), 4,6-bis(3-methyl-pyrazolyl)pyrimidine (L2), 4,6-bis(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazolyl)pyrimidine (L3) lead to the formation of the cationic mononuclear complexes [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(L)Cl]⁺ (L = L1, 1; L2, 2; L3, 3), [(η⁶-p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me)Ru(L)Cl]⁺ (L = L1, 4; L2, 5; L3, 6), [(Cp∗)Rh(L)Cl]⁺ (L = L1, 7; L2, 8; L3, 9) and [(Cp∗)Ir(L)Cl]⁺ (L = L1, 10; L2, 11; L3, 12), while reactions with 1.0 eq. of the dinuclear complexes [(η⁶-arene)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ and [(Cp∗)M(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ give rise to the dicationic dinuclear complexes [{(η⁶-C₆H₆)RuCl}₂(L)]²⁺ (L = L1, 13; L2, 14; L3, 15), [{(η⁶-p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me)RuCl}₂(L)]²⁺ (L = L1, 16; L2, 17; L3, 18), [{(Cp∗)RhCl}₂(L)]²⁺ (L = L1, 19; L2, 20; L3, 21) and [{(Cp∗)IrCl}₂(L)]²⁺ (L = L1 22; L2, 23; L3 24). The molecular structures of [3]PF₆, [6]PF₆, [7]PF₆ and [18](PF₆)₂ have been established by single crystal X-ray structure analysis.     

Study of the Bonding Modes of Di‐2‐pyridyl ketoxime Ligand towards Ruthenium,Rhodium and Iridium Half Sandwich Complexes

The bonding modes of the ligand di‐2‐pyridyl ketoxime towards half‐sandwich arene ruthenium, Cp*Rh and Cp*Ir complexes were investigated. Di‐2‐pyridyl ketoxime {pyC(py)NOH} react with metal precursor [Cp*IrCl₂]₂ to give cationic oxime complexes of the general formula [Cp*Ir{pyC(py)NOH}Cl]PF₆ ( 1a ) and [Cp*Ir{pyC(py)NOH}Cl]PF₆ ( 1b ), for which two coordination isomers were observed by NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of the complexes revealed that in the major isomer the oxime nitrogen and one of the pyridine nitrogen atoms are coordinated to the central iridium atom forming a five membered metallocycle, whereas in the minor isomer both the pyridine nitrogen atoms are coordinated to the iridium atom forming a six membered metallacyclic ring. Di‐2‐pyridyl ketoxime react with [(arene)MCl₂]₂ to form complexes bearing formula [(p‐cymene)Ru{pyC(py)NOH}Cl]PF₆ ( 2 ); [(benzene)Ru{pyC(py)NOH}Cl]PF₆ ( 3 ), and [Cp*Rh{pyC(py)NOH}Cl]PF₆ ( 4 ). In case of complex 3 the ligand coordinates to the metal by using oxime nitrogen and one of the pyridine nitrogen atoms, whereas in complex 4 both the pyridine nitrogen atoms are coordinated to the metal ion. The complexes were fully characterized by spectroscopic techniques.     

Organometallic ruthenium, rhodium and iridium complexes containing a P-bound thiophene-2-(N-diphenylphosphino)methylamine ligand: Synthesis, molecular structure and catalytic activity

Reaction of Ph₂PNHCH₂-C₄H₃S with [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(μ-Cl)Cl]₂, [Ru(η⁶-benzene)(μ-Cl)Cl]₂, [Rh(μ-Cl)(cod)]₂ and [Ir(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ yields complexes [Ru(Ph₂PNHCH₂-C₄H₃S)(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂], 1, [Ru(Ph₂PNHCH₂-C₄H₃S)(η⁶-benzene)Cl₂], 2, [Rh(Ph₂PNHCH₂-C₄H₃S)(cod)Cl], 3 and [Ir(Ph₂PNHCH₂-C₄H₃S)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Cl₂], 4, respectively. All complexes were isolated from the reaction solution and fully characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods. The structure of [Ru(Ph₂PNHCH₂-C₄H₃S)(η⁶-benzene)Cl₂], 2 was also determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. 1-4 are suitable precursors forming highly active catalyst in the transfer hydrogenation of a variety of simple ketones. Notably, the catalysts obtained by using the ruthenium complexes [Ru(Ph₂PNHCH₂-C₄H₃S)(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂], 1 and [Ru(Ph₂PNHCH₂-C₄H₃S)(η⁶-benzene)Cl₂], 2 are much more active in the transfer hydrogenation converting the carbonyls to the corresponding alcohols in 98-99% yields (TOF ≤ 200 h⁻¹) in comparison to analogous rhodium and iridium complexes.     

New series of platinum group metal complexes bearing η- and η-cyclichydrocarbons and Schiff base derived from 2-acetylthiazole: Syntheses and structural studies

The mononuclear complexes [(η⁶-arene)Ru(ata)Cl]PF₆ {ata = 2-acetylthiazole azine; arene = C₆H₆ [(1)PF₆]; p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me [(2)PF₆]; C₆Me₆ [(3)PF₆]}, [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)M(ata)]PF₆ {M = Rh [(4)PF₆]; Ir [(5)PF₆]} and [(η⁵-Cp)Ru(PPh₃)₂Cl] {η⁵-Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅ [(6)PF₆]; η⁵-C₅Me₅ (Cp^*) [(7)PF₆]; η⁵-C₉H₇ (indenyl); [(8)PF₆]} have been synthesised from the reaction of 2-acetylthiazole azine (ata) and the corresponding dimers [(η⁶-arene)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂, [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)M(μ-Cl)Cl]₂, and [(η⁵-Cp)Ru(PPh₃)₂Cl], respectively. In addition to these complexes a hydrolysed product (9)PF₆, was isolated from complex (4)PF₆ in the process of crystallization. All these complexes are isolated as hexafluorophosphate salts and characterized by IR, NMR, mass spectrometry and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The molecular structures of [2]PF₆ and [9]PF₆ have been established by single-crystal X-ray structure analyses.     

Synthesis and reactivity of homo-bimetallic Rh and Ir complexes containing a N,O-donor Schiff base

Binuclear complexes [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl}₂(μ-bsh)] (1) and [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl}₂(μ-bsh)] (2) containing N,N′-bis(salicylidine)hydrazine (H₂bsh) are reported. The complexes 1 and 2 reacted with EPh₃ (E = P, As) to afford cationic complexes [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(PPh₃)(κ²-Hbsh)]PF₆ (3), [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(AsPh₃)(κ²-Hbsh)]PF₆ (4), [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ir(PPh₃)(κ²-Hbsh)]PF₆ (5), and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ir(AsPh₃)(κ²-Hbsh)]PF₆ (6) which were isolated as their hexafluorophosphate salts. Representative complexes 3 and 5 have been used as a metallo-ligand in the synthesis of binuclear complexes [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl(μ-bsh)Ru(η⁶-C₁₀H₁₄)Cl]PF₆ (7) and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl(μ-bsh)Ru(η⁶-C₁₀H₁₄)Cl]PF₆ (8). The complexes under study have been fully characterized by analytical and spectral (FAB/ESI-MS, IR, NMR, electronic and emission) studies. Molecular structures of 1, 2, 3 and 5 have been determined crystallographically. Structural studies on 1 and 2 revealed the presence of extensive inter- and intra-molecular C-H···O and C-H···π weak bonding interactions. The complexes 1, 2, 3 and 5 moderately emit upon excitation at their respective MLCT bands.     

Reactions of Cp Ru(η-C6H5CHO) OSO2CF3 (Cp = C5Me5) with substituted anilines forming ruthenium Schiff base complexes

Cp^* Ru(η⁶-C₆H₅CHO)⁺OSO₂CF₃⁻ (1) (Cp^* = C₅Me₅) reacts with substituted anilines forming ruthenium Schiff base complexes containing an η⁶-coordinated Cp^* Ru⁺ group. The 2:1 reaction of 1 with 1,4-phenylenediamine yielded only the monocondensation product, whereas the 2:1 reaction of 1 with 1,4-xylylenediamine yielded the dicondensation product.     

Synthesis of meso-tetraphenyl porphyrins via condensation of dipyrromethanes with N-tosyl imines

A new synthetic route for the synthesis of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl porphyrins has been developed based on the reaction of 5-substituted dipyrromethanes with N-tosyl imines in the presence of a metal triflate catalyst. meso-Substituted tetraphenyl porphyrins were synthesized in a two-step process. The first step of the method is the metal triflate-catalyzed condensation of 5-substituted dipyrromethanes with N-tosyl imines to form a porphyrinogen intermediate and the second step is the oxidation of the porphyrinogen to porphyrin. The method was applied to the synthesis of trans-A₂B₂-tetraarylporphyrins and the products were obtained with only a trace amount of one scrambling product. The synthesis of two important building blocks for porphyrin synthesis, mono and di-sulfonamide alkylated 5-substituted dipyrromethanes, was achieved by the addition of 5-substituted dipyrromethane to N-tosyl imine. The application of mono and di-sulfonamide alkylated 5-substituted dipyrromethanes in ‘2+2’ porphyrin formation reactions is presented.     

Synthesis of meso-substituted dipyrromethanes using iodine-catalysis

This Letter presents a non-conventional synthesis of meso-substituted dipyrromethanes, using molecular iodine as the catalyst. Various aromatic dipyrromethanes were obtained in good yields after a preliminary study using nitrobenzaldehyde. The reactants and reagents were used as such, without prior distillation.     

An unprecedented regioselective lithiation of dipyrromethanes. Synthesis of meso-functionalized dipyrromethanes

Functionalization of meso-positions of dipyrromethanes, gives valuable intermediates through a highly regioselective lithiation-substitution sequence.     

Synthesis and characterization of half-sandwich Rh, Ir complexes containing mono-thiolate-ortho-carborane ligand

Two binuclear complexes [Cp^∗M(Cl)Carb^S]₂ (Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅Me₅, M = Rh (1a), Carb^S = SC₂(H)B₁₀H₁₀, Ir (1b)) were synthesized by the reaction of LiCarb^S with the dimeric metal complexes [Cp^∗MCl(μ-Cl)]₂ (M = Rh, Ir). Four mononuclear complexes Cp^∗M(Cl)(L)Carb^S (L = BuⁿPPh₂, M = Rh (2a), Ir (2b); L = PPh₃, M = Rh (4a), Ir (4b)) were synthesized by reactions of 1a or 1b with L (L = BuⁿPPh₂ (2); PPh₃ (4)) in moderate yields, respectively. Complexes 3a, 3b, 5a, 5b were obtained by treatment of 2a, 2b, 4a, 4b with AgPF₆ in high yields, respectively. All of these compounds were fully characterized by IR, NMR, and elemental analysis, and the crystal structures of 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 4a, 4b were also confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Their structures showed 3a, 3b and 5a, 5b could be expected as good candidates for heterolytic dihydrogen activation. Preliminary experiments on the dihydrogen activation driven by these half-sandwich Rh, Ir complexes were done under mild conditions.     

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.     

Syntheses and characterization of mono and dinuclear complexes of platinum group metals bearing benzene-linked bis(pyrazolyl)methane ligands

Reaction of the benzene-linked bis(pyrazolyl)methane ligands, 1,4-bis{bis(pyrazolyl)-methyl}benzene (L1) and 1,4-bis{bis(3-methylpyrazolyl)methyl}benzene (L2), with pentamethylcyclopentadienyl rhodium and iridium complexes [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)M(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (M = Rh and Ir) in the presence of NH₄PF₆ results under stoichiometric control in both, mono and dinuclear complexes, [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl(L)]⁺ {L = L1 (1); L2 (2)}, [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl(L)]⁺ {L = L1 (3); L2 (4)} and [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl}₂(μ-L)]²⁺ {L = L1 (5); L2 (6)}, [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl}₂(μ-L)]²⁺ {L = L1 (7); L2 (8)}. In contrast, reaction of arene ruthenium complexes [(η⁶­arene)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (arene = C₆H₆, p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me and C₆Me₆) with the same ligands (L1 or L2) gives only the dinuclear complexes [{(η⁶-C₆H₆)RuCl}₂(μ-L)]²⁺ {L = L1 (9); L2 (10)}, [{(η⁶-p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me)RuCl}₂(μ-L)]²⁺ {L = L1 (11); L2 (12)} and [{(η⁶-C₆Me₆)RuCl}₂(μ-L)]²⁺ {L = L1 (13); L2 (14)}. All complexes were isolated as their hexafluorophosphate salts. The single-crystal X-ray crystal structure analyses of [7](PF₆)₂, [9](PF₆)₂ and [11](PF₆)₂ reveal a typical piano-stool geometry around the metal centers with six-membered metallo-cycle in which the 1,4-bis{bis(pyrazolyl)-methyl}benzene acts as a bis-bidentate chelating ligand.     

Synthesis, characterization of novel half-sandwich iridium and rhodium complexes containing pyridine-based organochalcogen ligands

A series of neutral pyridine-based organochalcogen ligands, 2,6-bis(1-methylimidazole-2-thione)pyridine (Bmtp), 2,6-bis(1-isopropylimidazole-2-thione)pyridine (Bptp), and 2,6-bis(1-tert-butylimidazole-2-thione)pyridine (Bbtp) have been synthesized and characterized. Reactions of [Cp*M(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (Cp* = η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, M = Ir, Rh) with three pyridine-based organochalcogen ligands result in the formation of the complexes Cp*M(L)Cl₂ (M = Ir, L = Bmtp, 1a·Cl₂; M = Rh, L = Bmtp, 1b·Cl₂; M = Ir, L = Bptp, 2a·Cl₂; M = Rh, L = Bptp, 2b·Cl₂; M = Ir, L = Bbtp, 3a·Cl₂; M = Rh, L = Bbtp, 3b·Cl₂), respectively. All compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, NMR and IR spectra. The molecular structures of Bbtp, 1a·Cl₂, 1b·Cl₂, 2b·Cl₂ and 3b·Cl₂ have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Preparation and characterization of ruthenium(II), rhodium(III) and iridium(III) complexes of isocyanide bearing the azo group

Reactions of [(η⁶-arene)RuCl₂]₂ (1) (η⁶-arene=p-cymene (1a), 1,3,5-Me₃C₆H₃ (1b), 1,2,3-Me₃C₆H₃ (1c) 1,2,3,4-Me₄C₆H₂(1d), 1,2,3,5-Me₄C₆H₂ (1e) and C₆Me₆ (1f)) or [Cp*MCl₂]₂ (M=Rh (2), Ir (3); Cp*=C₅Me₅) with 4-isocyanoazobenzene (RNC) and 4,4′-diisocyanoazobenzene (CN–R–NC) gave mononuclear and dinuclear complexes, [(η⁶-arene)Ru(CNC₆H₄N=NC₆H₅)Cl₂] (4a–f), [Cp*M(CNC₆H₄N=NC₆H₅)Cl₂] (5: M=Rh; 6: M=Ir)_, [{(η⁶-arene)RuCl₂}₂{μ-CNC₆H₄N=NC₆H₄NC}] (8a–f) and [(Cp*MCl₂)₂(μ-CNC₆H₄N=NC₆H₄NC)}] (9: M=Rh; 10: M=Ir)_, respectively. It was confirmed by X-ray analyses of 4a and 5 that these complexes have trans-forms for the ---N=N--- moieties. Reaction of [Cp*Rh(dppf)(MeCN)](PF₆)₂ (dppf=1,1′-bis (diphenylphosphino)ferrocene) with 4-isocyanoazobenzene gave [Cp*Rh(dppf)(CNC₆H₄N=NC₆H₅)](PF₆)₂ (7), confirmed by X-ray analysis. Complex 8b reacted with Ag(CF₃SO₃), giving a rectangular tetranuclear complex 11b, [{(η⁶-1,3,5-Me₃C₆H₃)Ru(μ-Cl}₄(μ-CNC₆H₄N=NC₆H₄NC)₂](CF₃SO₃)₄ bridged by four Cl atoms and two μ-diisocyanoazobenzene ligands. Photochemical reactions of the ruthenium complexes (4 and 8) led to the decomposition of the complexes, whereas those of 5, 7, 9 and 10 underwent a trans-to-cis isomerization. In the electrochemical reactions the reductive waves about −1.50 V for 4 and −1.44 V for 8 are due to the reduction of azo group, [---N=N---]→[---N=N---]²⁻. The irreversible oxidative waves at ca. 0.87 V for the 4 and at ca. 0.85 V for 8 came from the oxidation of Ru(II)→Ru(III).     

Mono and dinuclear iridium, rhodium and ruthenium complexes containing chelating carboxylato pyrazine ligands: Synthesis, molecular structure and electrochemistry

The mononuclear complexes [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl(L¹)] (1), [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl(L¹)] (2), [(η⁶-p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)RuCl(L¹)] (3) and [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)RuCl(L¹)] (4) have been synthesised from pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (HL¹) and the corresponding complexes [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl₂}₂], [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl₂}₂], [{(η⁶-p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)RuCl₂}₂], and [{(η⁶-C₆Me₆)RuCl₂}₂], respectively. The related dinuclear complexes [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl}₂(μ-L²)] (5), [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl}₂(μ-L²)] (6), [{(η⁶-p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)RuCl}₂(μ-L²)] (7) and [{(η⁶-C₆Me₆)RuCl}₂(μ-L²)] (8) have been obtained in a similar manner from pyrazine-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (H₂L²). Compounds isomeric to the latter series, [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl}₂(μ-L³)] (9), [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl}₂(μ-L³)] (10), [{(p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)RuCl}₂(μ-L³)] (11) and [{(η⁶-C₆Me₆)RuCl}₂(μ-L³)] (12), have been prepared by using pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (H₂L³) instead of H₂L². The molecular structures of 2 and 3, determined by X-ray diffraction analysis, show the pyrazine-2-carboxylato moiety to act as an N,O-chelating ligand, while the structure analyses of 5-7, confirm that the pyrazine-2,5-dicarboxylato unit bridges two metal centres. The electrochemical behaviour of selected representatives has been studied by voltammetric techniques.