Reactivity of the 30-electron dimolybdenum anion [Mo2(η-C5H5)2(μ-PCy2)(μ-CO)2] towards β,γ-unsaturated organic halides: Alkenyl, allenyl and alkoxycarbyne derivatives

The 30-electron dimolybdenum anion [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-PCy₂)(μ-CO)₂]⁻ reacts at room temperature with allyl chloride to give the unsaturated σ:π-bonded alkenyl derivative trans-[Mo₂Cp₂(μ-η¹:η²-CMeCH₂)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₂], this requiring a 2,1-hydrogen shift in the allyl moiety probably induced by the unsaturated nature of the dimetal center. In a similar way, the dimolybdenum anion reacts with trans-1-chloro-2-butene (crotyl chloride) to give a mixture of the alkenyl complexes trans-[Mo₂Cp₂(μ-η¹:η²-CEtCH₂)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₂] and trans-[Mo₂Cp₂(μ-η¹:η²-CMeCHMe)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₂] in a 3:2 ratio, which could not be separated by column chromatography. All these alkenyl species exhibit a dynamic behavior in solution (fast on the NMR timescale even at low temperatures) involving alternative π-bonding of the alkenyl ligand to each metal center. In contrast, the title anion reacts with propargyl chloride (ClCH₂-CCH) without further rearrangement of the propargyl moiety, to afford the allenyl derivative trans-[Mo₂Cp₂{μ-η²:η³-CH₂CCH)}(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₂] as the major species. Acryloyl chloride (ClC(O)-CHCH₂) also reacts with the title anion to give a mixture of two products, the carbyne complex [Mo₂Cp₂{μ-COC(O)CHCH₂}(μ-PCy₂)(μ-CO)] and the vinyl trans-[Mo₂Cp₂(μ-η¹:η²-CHCH₂)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₂], in a 1:1 ratio. This reaction is a unique case in which a single electrophile can attack both nucleophilic positions in the dimolybdenum anion, these being located at the O(carbonyl) and metal sites, respectively. The formation of the vinyl derivative requires the decarbonylation of a metal-bound acryloyl group, which proved to be an irreversible reaction, since the addition of CO to the above alkenyl complex gave instead the tricarbonyl vinyl derivative cis-[Mo₂Cp₂(μ-η¹:η²-CHCH₂)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₃]. The structure of this electron-precise complex was confirmed through a single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis (Mo−Mo = 3.0858(7) Å).     

Unsaturation in binuclear cyclopentadienylchromium carbonyl thiocarbonyls: Viability of (η-C5H5)2Cr2(CS)2(CO)3 in contrast to (η-C5H5)2Cr2(CO)5

The cyclopentadienylchromium carbonyl thiocarbonyls Cp₂Cr₂(CS)₂(CO)_n (n = 4, 3, 2, 1) have been studied by density functional theory using the B3LYP and BP86 functionals. The lowest energy Cp₂Cr₂(CS)₂(CO)₄ structure can be derived from the experimentally characterized unbridged Cp₂Cr₂(CO)₆ structure by replacing the two terminal carbonyl groups furthest from the Cr-Cr bond with two terminal CS groups. The two lowest energy Cp₂Cr₂(CS)₂(CO)₃ structures have a single four-electron donor η²-μ-CS group and a formal Cr-Cr single bond of length ∼3.1 Å. In contrast to the carbonyl analogue Cp₂Cr₂(CO)₅ these Cp₂Cr₂(CS)₂(CO)₃ structures are viable with respect to disproportionation into Cp₂Cr₂(CS)₂(CO)₄ and Cp₂Cr₂(CS)₂(CO)₂ and thus are promising synthetic targets. The lowest energy Cp₂Cr₂(CS)₂(CO)₂ structures have all two-electron donor CO and CS groups and short CrCr distances around ∼2.3 Å suggesting the formal triple bonds required to give the chromium atoms the favored 18-electron configurations. These Cp₂Cr₂(CS)₂(CO)₂ structures are closely related to the known structure for Cp₂Cr₂(CO)₄. In addition, several doubly bridged structures with four-electron donor η²-μ-CS bridges are found for Cp₂Cr₂(CS)₂(CO)₂ at higher energies. The global minimum Cp₂Cr₂(CS)₂(CO) structure is a triply bridged triplet with a CrCr triple bond (2.299 Å by BP86). A higher energy singlet Cp₂Cr₂(CS)₂(CO) structure has a shorter Cr-Cr distance of 2.197 Å (BP86) suggesting the formal quadruple bond required to give each chromium atom the favored 18-electron configuration.     

Transformation of C2 units on a bimetallic tetranuclear cluster.: Reactivity of [Ru3Mo(μ3-η-CC)(μ-CO)3(CO)2(η-C5H4R)3(η-C5H5)] (R = H, Me)

The reactivity of [Ru₃Mo(μ₄-η²-CC)(μ-CO)₃(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄R)₃(η-C₅H₅)] (R = H; Me) have been investigated, initially to elucidate the nature of the starting material, and, latterly, to define the reactivity of an interesting ethane-1,2-bis(ylidyne) species. While the mixed RuMo clusters were unreactive towards simple electrophiles and carbonyl substitution by phosphine ligands they did react with atmospheric oxygen or carbon monoxide to give substantially different products. In all instances oxygen was incorporated either at the metal centre or at the C₂ fragment. High-pressure carbonylations yielded [Ru₃(μ-CO)₃(η-C₅H₅)₃(μ₃-C-C(O)O{Ru(CO)₂(η-C₅H₅)})] and [{Ru₂(μ-CO)(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄Me)₂}(μ₄-η²-CC){Ru(CO)(η-C₅H₄Me)Mo(η-C₅H₅)(=O)(μ-O)}], an ethane-1,2-bis(ylidene) complex, this exemplifying a relatively rare raft geometry which further reacted with Cl₂CCCl₂ to give [Mo₃(μ₄-C₂(Ru(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄Me))(CO)(μ-CO)(η-C₅H₅)₃(Cl)₂] having a similar geometry and undergone halogenation. In order to extend the extant examples of these raft clusters we explored the reaction of [{Ru(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄R)₂}₂(μ-C₂)] with [{Ru(CO)₂(η-C₅H₅)₂}₂] to provide a rational synthetic pathway leading to very reactive [Ru(μ₄-η²-CC)(μ₂-CO)₂(CO)₄(η-C₅H₄Me)₂(η-C₅H₄R)₂] rafts.     

Reactions of a phosphido-bridged unsymmetrical diiron complex (η-C5Me5)Fe2(CO)4(μ-CO)(μ-PPh2) with various alkynes

A phosphido-bridged unsymmetrical diiron complex (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe₂(CO)₄(μ-CO)(μ-PPh₂) (1) was synthesized by a new convenient method; photo-dissociation of a CO ligand from (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-PPh₂) (2) that was prepared by the reaction of Li[Fe(CO)₄PPh₂] with (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe(CO)₂I. The reactivity of 1 toward various alkynes was studied. The reaction of 1 with ^tBuCCH gave a 1:1 mixture of two isomeric complexes (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe₂(CO)₃(μ-PPh₂)[μ-CHC(^tBu)C(O)] (3) containing a ketoalkenyl ligand. The reactions of 1 with other terminal alkynes RCCH (R=H, CO₂Me, Ph) afforded complexes incorporating one or two molecules of alkynes and a carbonyl group. The principal products were dinuclear complexes bridged by a new phosphinoketoalkenyl ligand, (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe₂(CO)₃(μ-CO)[μ-CR¹CR²C(O)PPh₂] (4a: R¹=H, R²=H; 4b: R¹=CO₂Me, R²=H; 4c: R¹=H, R²=Ph). In the cases of alkynes RCCH (R=H, CO₂Me), dinuclear complexes having a new ligand composed of two molecules of alkynes, a carbonyl group, and a phosphido group; i.e. (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe₂(CO)₃[μ-CRCHCHCRC(O)PPh₂] (5a: R=H; 5b: R=CO₂Me), were also obtained. In all cases, mononuclear complexes, (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe(CO)[CR¹CR²C(O)PPh₂] (6a: R¹=H, R²=H; 6b: R¹=H, R²=CO₂Me; 6c: R¹=H, R²=Ph) were isolated in low yields. The structures of 1, 4c, 5b, and 6a were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The detailed structures of the products and plausible reaction mechanisms are discussed.     

Cyclopentadienyl chromium and tungsten complexes with halide, methyl and σ-phenylethynyl ligands: Structures of (η-C5H5)Cr(NO)2(-CC-C6H5), (η-C5H5)Cr(NO)2I and [(η-C5H4)-COOCH3]W(CO)3Cl

With copper(I) iodide as catalyst, σ-alkynyls, compounds (η⁵-C₅H₅)Cr(NO)₂(CC-C₆H₅) (5), [(η⁵-C₅H₄)-COOCH₃]Cr(NO)₂(CC-C₆H₅) (10), and [(η⁵-C₅H₄)-COOCH₃]W(CO)₃(CC-C₆H₅) (13), were prepared from their corresponding metal chloride 1, 6 and 12. Structures of compound 3, 5 and 12 have been solved by X-ray diffraction studies. In the case of 5, there is an internal mirror plane passing through the phenylethynyl ligand and bisecting the Cp ring. The phenyl group is oriented perpendicularly to the Cp with an eclipsed conformation. The twist angle is 0° and 118.4° for -CC-Ph and two NO ligands, respectively. The orientation is rationalized in terms of orbital overlap between ψ₃ of Cp, dπ of Cr atom, and π^∗ of alkynyl ligand, and complemented by molecular orbital calculation. The opposite correlation was observed on the chemical shift assignments of C(2)-C(5) on Cp ring in compounds 6 and 12, using HetCOR NMR spectroscopy. The electron density distribution in the cyclopentadienyl ring is discussed on the basis of ¹³C NMR data and compared with the calculations via density functional B3LYP correlation-exchange method.     

Atom-transfer radical reactions catalyzed by a coordinatively unsaturated diruthenium amidinate, [(η-C5Me5)Ru(μ2-i-PrNC(Me)Ni-Pr)Ru(η-C5Me5)]

Atom-transfer radical cyclization (ATRC) and addition (ATRA) catalyzed by a coordinatively unsaturated diruthenium amidinate complex 4, [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ru(μ₂-i-PrNC(Me)Ni-Pr)Ru(η⁵-C₅Me₅)]⁺, are investigated, and their features are compared with those of atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). As an example of ATRC, a cationic diruthenium amidinate 4 is found to exhibit excellent catalytic reactivity for the cyclization of N-allyl α-halogenated acetamides including an alkaloid skeleton at ambient temperature. A catalytic species generated in situ from a halide complex, (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ru(μ₂-i-PrNC(Me)Ni-Pr)Ru(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(X) [X=Cl, Br] and sodium salts of weakly coordinating anions such as NaPF₆ and NaBPh₄ also shows high catalytic activity; this actually provides a solution for a problematic instability of 4 as the practical catalyst. The in situ-generated catalyst species 4 is also active towards the intermolecular ATRA of α,α,γ-trichlorinated γ-lactam with alkenes at rt to afford the corresponding α-alkylated γ-lactams in moderate yields. Examination of ATRP of methyl methacrylate (MMA) showed that both the isolated 4 [Y=PF₆] and in situ-generated 4 [Y=PF₆] are effective for the polymerization of MMA in the presence of 2-bromoisobutylate as the initiator. Use of the isolated catalyst results in controlled polymerization at initial stage of the reaction; in contrast, the polymerization with in situ-generated catalyst produces poly(MMA) with wide molecular weight distribution. The isolated catalyst 4 is powerful for the activation of a C-Br bond of macromolecule initiators; BrCMe₂CO₂[O(CH₂)₄]_n-n-Bu (M_n=3800; M_w/M_n=1.2) initiated ATRP of MMA even at 25 °C to afford the poly(THF)-poly(MMA) block copolymer of M_n=26,000 and M_w/M_n=1.2 with the aid of 4. The roles of the coordinatively unsaturated ruthenium species for these reactions are discussed.     

Stilbene analogues incorporating the Co(η-C4Ph4)(η-C5H4-) end group

A number of organometallic stilbenes of the general type [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄CHCHR] are reported where R is C₆H₄X-4 (X = H, OMe, Br, NO₂), 1-naphthyl, 9-anthryl, 1-pyrenyl, (η⁵-C₅H₄)Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄), and (η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄Y) {Y = CHO, CHC(CN)₂ and CHCHC₅H₄-η⁵)Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)}. They were prepared by Wittig or Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reactions which yield both E and Z or only E products respectively. The isomers were separated and all compounds characterised by standard spectroscopic techniques as well as by X-ray diffraction methods in many cases. The electrochemistry of the stilbene analogues in dichloromethane solution is also reported. In most, the (η⁵-C₅H₄)Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄) functional group undergoes a reversible one-electron oxidation. For those molecules that also include (η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄Y), this is preceded by the reversible oxidation of the ferrocenyl group. Spectroscopic and structural data suggests that for most compounds there is little electronic interaction between Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄) and the R end groups which are effectively independent of one another. The only exceptions to this are Z and E-[Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄CHCHC₆H₄NO₂-4], and [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄CHCHC₅H₄-η⁵)Fe{η⁵-C₅H₄CHC(CN)₂}] where the electronic spectra are respectively consistent with a significant Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)/NO₂ donor/acceptor interaction and a less significant Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)/C(CN)₂ one. However, OTTLE studies show that in the electronic spectra of [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄CHCHR]⁺ there are low energy absorption bands (950-1800 nm) which are attributed to R → Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)⁺ or, when R is a ferrocenyl-base group, Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄) → (η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄Y)⁺ charge transfer transitions. The ferrocenyl compounds undergo cis/trans isomerisation on the OTTLE experiment timescale.     

New ferrocenylmethylphosphines - Preparation, characterisation and coordination chemistry of PH(CH2Fc)2, P(CH2Fc)3 [Fc = Fe(η-C5H5)(η-C5H4)] and their derivatives

The new ferrocenylmethylphosphines PH(CH₂Fc)₂ (1) [Fc = Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₄)] and P(CH₂Fc)₃ (2) and the phosphonium salt [P(CH₂Fc)₃(CH₂OH)]I (3) were synthesised from P(CH₂OH)₃ and [FcCH₂NMe₃]I. [P(CH₂Fc)(CH₂OH)₃]Cl (4) was obtained from P(CH₂Fc)(CH₂OH)₂, CH₂O and HCl. The new phosphines and phosphonium salts were fully characterised by NMR and IR spectroscopy and MS. [Mo(CO)₆] reacts with 1 to give [Mo(CO)₅{PH(CH₂Fc)₂}] (5) in high yield, but attempts to employ 2 as a ligand failed. The reaction of [P(CH₂Fc)₃(CH₂OH)]I (3) and [PH(CH₂Fc)₃]I (obtained in situ from 3 and Na₂S₂O₅) with [WI₂(CO)₃(NCMe)₂] gave the complex salts [P(CH₂Fc)₃(CH₂OH)][WI₃(CO)₄] (6) and [PH(CH₂Fc)₃][WI₃(CO)₄] (7), respectively. [P(CH₂Fc)₄]I (8) was synthesized from PH₂CH₂Fc and [FcCH₂NMe₃]I. Crystal structures were obtained for 1, 3-8.     

Syntheses, structures, and dynamic properties of M(CO)2(η-C3H5)(en)(X) (M = Mo, W; X = Br, N3, CN) and [(en)(η-C3H5)(CO)2M(μ-CN)M(CO)2(η-C3H5)(en)]Br (M = Mo, W)

Mononuclear compounds M(CO)₂(η³-C₃H₅)(en)(X) (X = Br, M = Mo(1), W(2); X = N₃, M = Mo(3), W(4); X = CN, M = Mo(5), W(6)) and cyanide-bridged bimetallic compounds [(en)(η³-C₃H₅)(CO)₂M(μ-CN)M(CO)₂(η³-C₃H₅)(en)]Br (M = Mo (7), W(8)) were prepared and characterized. These compounds are fluxional and display broad unresolved proton NMR signals at room temperature. Compounds 1-6 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy at −60 °C, which revealed isomers in solution. The major isomers of 1-4 adopt an asymmetric endo-conformation, while those of 5 and 6 were both found to possess a symmetric endo-conformation. The single crystal X-ray structures of 1-6 are consistent with the structures of the major isomer in solution at low temperature. In contrast to mononuclear terminal cyanide compounds 5 and 6, cyanide-bridged compounds 7 and 8 were found to adopt the asymmetric endo-conformation in the solid state.     

Synthesis and structures of the silyl bridged bis(indenyl) diruthenium complexes and a novel indenyl nonanuclear ruthenium cluster Ru9(μ6-C)(CO)14(μ3-η:η:η-C9H7)2

Thermal treatment of C₉H₇SiMe₂C₉H₇ and C₉H₇Me₂SiOSiMe₂C₉H₇ with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ in refluxing xylene gave the corresponding diruthenium complexes (E)[(η⁵-C₉H₆)Ru(CO)]₂(μ-CO)₂ [E = Me₂Si (1), Me₂SiOSiMe₂ (2)]. A desilylation product [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(CO)]₂(μ-CO)₂ (3) was also obtained in the latter case. Similar treatment of C₉H₇Me₂SiSiMe₂C₉H₇ with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ gave a novel indenyl nonanuclear ruthenium cluster Ru₉(μ₆-C)(CO)₁₄(μ₃-η⁵:η²:η²-C₉H₇)₂ (5) with carbon-centered tricapped trigonal prism geometry, in addition to the diruthenium complex (Me₂SiSiMe₂)[(η⁵-C₉H₆)Ru(CO)]₂(μ-CO)₂ (4) and the desilylation product 3. Complex 4 can undergo a thermal rearrangement to form the product [(Me₂Si)(η⁵-C₉H₆)Ru(CO)₂]₂ (6). The molecular structures of 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 were determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Palladium (II) complexes with mono-oxide 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)metallocene ligands [Fe(η-C5Me4PPh2)(η-C5Me4P{O}Ph2)] and [Os(η-C5H4PPh2)(η-C5H4P{O}Ph2)]

The monoxides [Fe(η⁵-C₅Me₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅Me₄P{O}Ph₂)] (1) and [Os(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅H₄P{O}Ph₂)] (2) have been prepared by treatment of the corresponding diphosphines with CCl₄ and methanol.These ligands react with [Pd(PhCN)₂Cl₂] to give dichloride complexes of different structure.The dimeric complex [{Os(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅H₄P{O}Ph₂)}PdCl(μ-Cl)]₂ (4) contains the monodentate P-coordinated osmocene ligand with the free P{O}Ph₂ group, while the octamethylferrocene ligand gives the chelate k²-P,O complex [{Fe(η⁵-C₅Me₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅Me₄P{O}Ph₂)}PdCl₂] (3).The structures of 3 and 4 have been determined crystallographically.Treatment of 3 and 4 with silver salts in CH₂Cl₂ or acetonitrile leads to the corresponding dicationic complexes[{M(η⁵-C₅R₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅R₄P{O}Ph₂)}Pd(MeCN)_x]²⁺ (5, M = Fe, R = Me; 6, M = Os, R = H). Complex 5 decomposes upon isolation, in contrast 6 is rather stable, probably due to Os-Pd bonding. The dichlorides 3 and 4 catalyze catalytic amination of p-bromotoluene with N-(4-tolyl)morpholine with lower activity than (dppf)PdCl₂, however they perform comparable to (dppf)PdCl₂ activity in coupling of p-bromotoluene with p-methoxyphenyl boronic acid.     

Dynamic behavior of [(η-C5H4CH3)Cr(CO)2(μ-SBu)Pt(PPh3)2] in solution

The structure and dynamic behavior of complex [(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃)Cr(CO)₂(μ-SBu)Pt(PPh₃)₂] in solution was studied by multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P) NMR spectroscopy including a phase-sensitive NOESY experiment. Increasing temperature causes rupture of the Cr-Pt bond in the three-membered ring of the complex and rotation of the S-Pt(PPh₃)₂ unit around the Cr-S bond line, followed by formation of a new Cr-Pt bond to close the ring. All activation parameters for this dynamic process have been determined.     

Carbon-carbon coupling on tetrahedral iridium clusters: X-ray molecular structures and multinuclear NMR studies of the two isomeric forms of [Ir4(CO)6(μ3-η-HCCPh)(μ2-η-C4H2Ph2)(μ-PPh2)2]

The reactions of [HIr₄(CO)₉(Ph₂PCCPh)(μ-PPh₂)] (1) or [Ir₄(CO)₈(μ₃-η²-HCCPh)(μ-PPh₂)₂] (2) with HCCPh gave two isomeric forms of [Ir₄(CO)₆(μ₃-η²-HCCPh)(μ₂-η⁴-C₄H₂Ph₂)(μ-PPh₂)₂] (3 and 4) in good yields as the only products. These compounds were characterized with analytical and spectroscopic data including ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR (1 and 2D) spectroscopy and their molecular structures were established by X-ray diffraction studies. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibit the same distorted butterfly metal polyhedral arrangement of metal atoms with two μ-PPh₂ that occupy different positions in the structures of the two isomers. Both molecules contain a HCCPh ligand bonded in a μ₃-η²-// mode to one of the wings of the butterfly and a metallacyclic ring, which resulted from head-to-tail coupling, in the case of [Ir₄(CO)₆(μ₃-η²-HCCPh){μ₂-η⁴-(H)CC(Ph)C(H)C(Ph)}(μ-PPh₂)₂] (3) and tail-to-tail coupling, in that of [Ir₄(CO)₆(μ₃-η²-HCCPh){μ₂-η⁴-(H)CC(Ph)C(Ph)C(H)}(μ-PPh₂)₂] (4), and which is linked to two metal atoms of the second wing of the butterfly.     

Synthesis and reactivity of asymmetrically substituted ansa-bridged zirconocene complexes: X-ray crystal structures of [Zr{R(H)C(η-C5Me4)(η-C5H4)}Cl2] (R = Bu, Bu) and [Zr{Bu(H)C(η-C5Me4)(η-C5H4)}(CH2Ph)2]

The dialkyl complexes, (R = Prⁱ, R′ = Me (2a), CH₂Ph (3a); R = Buⁿ, R′ = Me (2b), CH₂Ph (3b); R = Bu^t, R′ = Me (2c), CH₂Ph (3c); R = Ph, R′ = Me (2d), CH₂Ph (3d)), have been synthesized by the reaction of the ansa-metallocene dichloride complex, [Zr{R(H)C(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] (R = Prⁱ (1a), Buⁿ (1b), Bu^t (1c), Ph (1d)), and two molar equivalents of the alkyl Gringard reagent. The insertion reaction of the isocyanide reagent, CNC₆H₃Me₂-2,6, into the zirconium-carbon σ-bond of 2 gave the corresponding η²-iminoacyl derivatives, [Zr{R(H)C(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}{η²-MeCNC₆H₃Me₂-2,6}Me] (R = Prⁱ (4a), Buⁿ (4b), Bu^t (4c), Ph (4d)). The molecular structures of 1b, 1c and 3b have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Hydrogenation of cyclohexene catalyzed by ruthenium nitrosyl complexes: Crystal structures of catalyst precursors [CpRu(μ2-NO)2RuCp] and [CpRu(NO)(η-C6H10)] (Cp = η-C5(CH3)5)

Hydrogenation of cyclohexene with 0.1 mol% of the (nitrosyl)ruthenium catalyst [Cp^∗Ru(NO)(C₆H₅)₂] (1; Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅(CH₃)₅) under 1.0 MPa of H₂ in water at 90 °C for 13 h afforded cyclohexane in 94% yield. The nitrosyl-bridged dinuclear complex [Cp^∗Ru(μ₂-NO)₂RuCp^∗] (2) and the mononuclear cyclohexene complex [Cp^∗Ru(NO)(η²-C₆H₁₀)] (3), which also serve as catalyst precursors, have been obtained from the reaction mixture. X-ray crystallographic analyses of 2 and 3 have revealed that the bridging nitrosyl ligands in 2 form an almost planar Ru₂N₂ four-membered ring with the Ru–Ru distance of 2.5366(5) Å, whereas the nitrosyl ligand in 3 is linear. On the other hand, a ruthenium complex without a nitrosyl ligand [Cp^∗Ru(CH₃CN)₃][OSO₂CF₃] proved to be less effective for this hydrogenation.     

Derivatisation of boryl substituted titanium half-sandwich complexes - Molecular structures of [Ti{(η-C5H4)B(NiPr2)N(H)tBu}Cl2(NMe2)] and [{TiCl2(μ-{OB(NHMe2)-η-C5H4})}2-μ-O]

The half-sandwich complex [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)N(H)iPr}(NMe₂)₃] (6) was prepared from (η¹-C₅H₅)B(NiPr₂)N(H)iPr (5) and [Ti(NMe₂)₄] with cleavage of one equivalent of HNMe₂ and further converted into the corresponding constrained geometry complex [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)NiPr}(NMe₂)₂] (7) by elimination of a second equivalent of HNMe₂. Reaction of the half-sandwich complexes [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)N(H)R}(NMe₂)₃] (R = iPr, tBu) with excess Me₃SiCl yielded the corresponding dichloro complexes [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)N(H)R}Cl₂(NMe₂)] (R = tBu (10), iPr (11)). The intermediate species [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)N(H)iPr}Cl(NMe₂)₂] (9) could also be spectroscopically characterised. Partial hydrolysis of 10 and 11, respectively, resulted in formation of [{TiCl₂(μ-{OB(NHMe₂)-η⁵-C₅H₄})}₂-μ-O] (12). The molecular structures of 10 and 12 have been determined by X-ray crystallographic analyses. Complex 10, when activated with MAO, was found to be a highly active styrene polymerisation catalyst while being inactive towards the polymerisation of ethylene.     

The preparation and crystal structure of (η-C5H5)(OC)3Mo(CH2)3C6H5

The reaction of with p-CH₃C₆H₄S(O)₂O(CH₂)₃C₆H₅ produces (η⁵-C₅H₅)(OC)₃Mo(CH₂)₃C₆H₅. This is only the second structurally characterized organometallic species in which an aromatic moiety is separated by three or more methylene groups. The alkyl chain adopts a staggered conformation, the Mo-C(1)-C(2)-C(3)-C(4) unit is nearly coplanar, and the alkyl chain eclipses the trans-carbonyl group on Mo. NMR evidence indicates that this conformation is preserved in solution.     

Discovering the chemical reactivity of the molecular oxonitride [{Ti(η-C5Me5)(μ-O)}3(μ3-N)]

The ability of the oxonitride [{Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(μ-O)}₃(μ₃-N)] (1) to act as an organometallic ligand has been studied from both theoretical and experimental points of view. DFT calculations have allowed understanding the electronic structure of 1, and rationalizing its chemical behavior by comparison with the electronic structures of isoelectronic species [{Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(μ-O)}₃(μ₃-CH)] and [{Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(μ-NH)}₃(μ₃-N)]. Reactions of 1 with different inorganic molecules such as [Mo(CO)₃(1,3,5-Me₃C₆H₃)] or AlEt₃ have confirmed the possibility of 1 to act as a tridentate or monodentate ligand to give the [{(CO)₃Mo}(μ₃-O)₃{Ti₃(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₃(μ₃-N)}] (2) and [{Et₃Al}(μ₃-O){(μ-O)₂Ti₃(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₃(μ₃-N)}] (3) complexes, respectively. Surprisingly, reactions of 1 with [M(CO)₆] (M = Cr, Mo, W) complexes led to activate the μ₃-N unit in 1 to afford the new compounds [Ti₃(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₃(μ-O)₄{(NC)M(CO)₅}]₂ [M = Cr (4), Mo (5), W (6)]. Molecular structures of complexes 2-6 have been established by single crystal X-ray analysis.     

Reactivity of [Os3(CO)10(NCMe)2] and [Os3(CO)10(μ-Cl)(μ-AuPPh3)] with 4-mercaptopyridine: X-ray structure of [Os3(CO)10(μ-H)(μ-SC5H4N)] and [Os3(CO)10(μ-AuPPh3)(μ-SC5H4N)]

The compound [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-Cl)(μ-AuPPh₃)] (2) was prepared from the reaction between [Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂] (1) and [AuClPPh₃] under mild conditions. The reaction of 2 with 4-mercaptopyridine (4-pyS) ligand yielded compounds [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-H)(μ-SC₅H₄N)] (4), formed by isolobal replacement of the fragment [AuPPh₃]⁺ by H⁺ and [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-AuPPh₃)(μ-SC₅H₄N)] (5). [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-H)(μ-SC₅H₄N)] (4) was also obtained by substitution of two acetonitrile ligands in the activated cluster 1 by 4-pyS, at room temperature in dichloromethane. Compounds 2-5 were characterized spectroscopically and the molecular structures of 4 and 5 in the solid state were obtained by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.