Metal complexes of 2-aza-2-benzyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-carbaporphyrin: M(2-NCH2C6H5NCTPP) (M = Ni, Pd) and Mn(2-NCH2C6H5NCTPP)Br (NCTPP = N-confused 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl porphyrinate)

The crystal structures of (2-aza-2-benzyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-carbaporphyrinato-N,N′,N″) nickel(II) methylene chloride solvate [Ni(2-NCH₂C₆H₅NCTPP); 4], (2-aza-2-benzyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-carbaporphyrinato-N,N′,N″) palladium(II) [Pd(2-NCH₂C₆H₅NCTPP); 5] and bromo(2-aza-2-benzyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-carbaporphyrinato-N,N′,N″) manganese(III) toluene solvate [Mn(2-NCH₂C₆H₅NCTPP)Br·C₆H₅CH₃; 3·C₆H₅CH₃] have been established. The coordination sphere around the Ni²⁺ ion in 4 (or Pd²⁺ ion in 5) is distorted square planar (DSP), whereas for Mn³⁺ in 3·C₆H₅CH₃, it is a square-based pyramid with the Br atom lying in the axial site. The g value of 11.34, measured from parallel polarization of the X-band EPR spectra at 4 K, is consistent with a high spin mononuclear manganese(III) centre (S = 2) in 3. The magnitude of the axial (D) zero-field splitting (ZFS) for the mononuclear Mn(III) centre in 3 was determined approximately to be 1.4 cm⁻¹ by paramagnetic susceptibility measurements and conventional EPR spectroscopy.     

The Staudinger reaction of platinum(II)- and palladium(II)-coordinated 2-(azidomethyl)phenyl isocyanide. X-ray structure of trans-[PtCl{(H)}(PPh3)2][BF4] · CDCl3 · H2O

2-(Azidomethyl)phenyl isocyanide, 2-(CH₂N₃)C₆H₄NC (AziNC), coordinates to some cationic Pt(II) and Pd(II) species to afford isocyanide complexes of the type trans-[MCl(AziNC)(PPh₃)₂][BF₄] (M=Pt, l; Pd, 2). AziNC is coordinated also in some neutral Pt(II) and Pd(II) species such as [MCl₂(AziNC)₂] (M=Pt, 3; Pd, 4) derived from the reactions of 2 equiv. of AziNC with [PtCl₂(COD)] and [PdCl₂(MeCN)₂], respectively. Complexes 1 and 2 react with 1 equiv. of PPh₃ affording the heterocyclic carbene complexes trans-[MCl{(H)}(PPh₃)₂][BF₄] (M=Pt, 5; Pd, 6). Complexes 3 and 4 react with 1 equiv. of PPh₃ displacing the isocyanide with the formation of the complexes cis-[MCl₂(AziNC)(PPh₃)] (M=Pt, 7; Pd, 8). These latter ones react with 2 equiv. of PPh₃ affording as the final products the cationic carbene species trans-[MCl{(H)}(PPh₃)₂][Cl] (M=Pt, 9; Pd, 10). Complex 5 was also characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The carbene complex is square-planar and the angle formed between the platinum square plane and the heterocyclic carbene ligand is 87.9(2)°. The C(1)-N(1) and C(1)-N(2) bond distances in the latter of 1.32(2) and 1.30(2) Å, respectively, are short for a single bond and indicate extensive π-bonding between the nitrogen atoms and the carbene carbon.     

Reactivity of M(en)Cl2 (M = Pd/Pt,en = 1,2-diaminoethane) with N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-p-phenylenediamine: Binding with hexafluorobenzene

Schiff base N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-p-phenylenediamine (LH₂) complexed with Pt(en)Cl₂ and Pd(en)Cl₂ provided [Pt(en)L]₂ · 4PF₆ (1) and Pd(Salen) (2) (Salen = N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-ethylenediamine), respectively, which were characterized by their elemental analysis, spectroscopic data and X-ray data. A solid complex obtained by the reaction of hexafluorobenzene (hfb) with the representative complex 1 has been isolated and characterized as 3 (1 · hfb) using UV–Vis, NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁹F) data. A solid complex of hfb with a reported Zn-cyclophane 4 has also been prepared and characterized 5 (4 · hfb) for comparison with complex 3. The association of hfb with 1 and 4 has also been monitored using UV–Vis and luminescence data.     

Synthesis, characterization and spectroscopic studies of cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes containing meta-bis(2-pyridoxy)benzene

A series of mononuclear and binuclear cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes containing new terdentate meta-bis(2-pyridoxy)benzene ligands: 3,5-bis(2-pyridoxy)toluene (L₁H) and 3,5-bis(2-pyridoxy)-2-dodecylbenzene (L₂H): [Pt(L₁)Cl] (1), [Pt(L₂)Cl] (2), [Pt(L₁)(CH₃CN)](ClO₄) (3), {[Pt(L₁)]₂(μ-dppm)}(ClO₄)₂ (4), {[Pt(L₂)]₂(μ-dppm)}(ClO₄)₂ (5), {[Pt(L₁)]₂(μ-pyrazole)}(ClO₄) (6), {[Pt(L₂)]₂(μ-pyrazole)}(ClO₄) (7), {[Pt(L₁)]₂(μ-imidazole)}(ClO₄) (8) and {[Pt(L₂)]₂(μ-imidazole)}(ClO₄) (9), have been synthesized and characterized. These ligands are coordinated to platinum(II) in a “pincer”-like manner and the presence of pyridyl donors enhances the availability of the ligand π^∗ orbitals for electronic transition. Spectroscopic properties of these cyclometalated complexes were studied. While the non-coplanar nature of the ligands hinders ligand-ligand and metal-metal interactions in these cyclometalated complexes, the presence of long hydrocarbon side chain on ligand L₂H seems to alleviate such hindrance. Intermolecular π-π, and possibly Pt-Pt interactions were observed in complex 2 at high concentration.     

Ligand behaviour of P-functionally substituted organotin halides: palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes with Ph2PCH2CH2SnCl3

The P-functional organotin chloride Ph₂PCH₂CH₂SnCl₃ reacts with [(COD)MCl₂] and trans-[(Et₂S)₂MCl₂] (M=Pd, Pt) in molar ratio 1:1 to the zwitterionic complexes [(COD)M⁺(Cl)(PPh₂CH₂CH₂Sn⁻Cl₄)] (1: M=Pd; 2: M=Pt) and trans-[(Et₂S)₂M⁺(Cl)(PPh₂CH₂CH₂Sn⁻Cl₄)] (3: M=Pd; 4: M=Pt). The same reaction with [(COD)Pd(Cl)Me] yields under transfer of the methyl group from palladium to tin the complex [(COD)M⁺(Cl)(PPh₂CH₂CH₂Sn⁻MeCl₃)] (5) which changes in acetone into the dimeric adduct [Cl₂Pd(PPh₂CH₂CH₂SnMeCl₂·2Me₂CO)]₂ (6). In molar ratio 2:1 Ph₂PCH₂CH₂SnCl₃ reacts with [(COD)MCl₂] to the complexes [Cl₂Pd(PPh₂CH₂CH₂SnCl₃)₂] (7: M=Pd, mixture of cis/trans isomer; 8: M=Pt, cis isomer). In a subsequent reaction 8 is transformed in acetone into the 16-membered heterocyclic complex cis-[Cl₂Pt(PPh₂CH₂CH₂)₂SnCl₂]₂ (9). trans-[(Et₂S)₂PtCl₂] and Ph₂PCH₂CH₂SnCl₃ in molar ratio 1:2 yields the zwitterionic complex [(Et₂S)M⁺(Cl)(PPh₂CH₂CH₂SnCl₃)(PPh₂CH₂CH₂Sn⁻Cl₄)] (10). The results of crystal structure analyses of 1, 3, 6, 9 and of the adduct of the trans-isomer of 7 with acetone (7a) are reported. ³¹P- and ¹¹⁹Sn-NMR data of the complexes are discussed.     

Synthesis and derivatization, structures and transition metal (Mo(0), Fe(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II)) complexes of phenylaminobis(diphosphonite), PhN{P(OC6H4OMe-o)2}2

The synthesis, derivatization and coordination behavior of a new aminobis(diphosphonite), PhN{P(OC₆H₄OMe-o)₂}₂ (1) is described. The ligand 1 reacts with H₂O₂, elemental sulfur or selenium to give the corresponding dichalcogenides PhN{P(E)(OC₆H₄OMe-o)₂}₂ (E = O, 2; S, 3; Se, 4) in good yield. Reactions of 1 with Mo(CO)₆, Pd(NCCH₃)₂Cl₂ and Pt(COD)Cl₂ resulted in the formation of the chelate complexes, Mo(CO)₄[PhN{P(OC₆H₄OMe-o)₂}₂] (5) and MCl₂[PhN{P(OC₆H₄OMe-o)₂}₂] (M = Pd,7; M = Pt, 8) whereas in the reaction of 1 with [CpFe(CO)₂]₂, one of the P-N bonds cleaves due to the metal assisted hydrolysis to give a mononuclear complex, [CpFe(CO){P(O)(OC₆H₄OMe-o)₂}{PhN(H)(P(OC₆H₄OMe-o)₂)}] (6). The molecular structures of 1, 4, 5 and 6 are determined by X-ray studies.     

Preparation,NMR studies and crystal structure of mononuclear and dinuclear Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes that contain 1,2-bis[3-(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-2-thiapropyl]benzene

The reaction between 1,2-bis[3-(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-2-thiapropyl]benzene (bddf) and [MCl₂(CH₃CN)₂] (M = Pd(II), Pt(II)) in a 1:1 M/L ratio in CH₂Cl₂ or acetonitrile solution, respectively, gave the complexes trans-[MCl₂(bddf)] (M = Pd(II) (1), Pt(II) (4)), and in a 2:1 M/L ratio led to [M₂Cl₄(bddf)] (M = Pd(II) (2), Pt(II) (5)). Treatment of 1 and 4 with AgBF₄ and NaBPh₄, respectively, gave the compounds [Pd(bddf)](BF₄)₂ (3) and [Pt(bddf)](BPh₄)₂ (6). When complexes 3 and 6 were heated under reflux in a solution of Et₄NBr in CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH (1:1) for 24 h, analogous complexes to 1 and 4 with bromides instead of chlorides bonded to the metallic centre were obtained. These complexes were characterised by elemental analyses, conductivity measurements, infrared, ¹H, ¹H{¹⁹⁵Pt}, ¹³C{¹H}, ¹⁹⁵Pt{¹H} NMR, HSQC and NOESY spectroscopies. The X-ray crystal structure of the complex [Pd(bddf)](BF₄)₂ · H₂O has been determined. The metal atom is tetracoordinated by the two azine nitrogen atoms of the pyrazole rings and two thioether groups.     

Palladium complexes of multidentate pyrazolylmethyl pyridine ligands: Synthesis,structures and phenylacetylene polymerization

The compounds, 2,6-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine (_MeNˆNˆN) (L1) and 2,6-bis(3,5-ditertbutylpyrazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine (_tBuNˆNˆN) (L2), react with either [Pd(NCMe)₂Cl₂] or [Pd(COD)ClMe] to form the mononuclear palladium complexes [Pd(_MeNˆNˆN)Cl₂] (1), [Pd(_MeNˆNˆN)ClMe] (2), [Pd(_tBuNˆNˆN)Cl₂] (3) and [Pd(_tBuNˆNˆN)ClMe] (4). Reactions of 1, 2 and 4 with the halide abstractor, NaBAr₄ (Ar = 3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃), led to the formation of stable tridentate cationic species [Pd(_MeNˆNˆN)Cl]⁺(5), [Pd(_MeNˆNˆN)Me]⁺ (6) and [Pd(_tBuNˆNˆN)Cl]⁺ (7) respectively. The analogous carbonyl linker cationic species [Pd{(3,5-Me₂pz-CO)₂-py}Cl]⁺ (9) and [Pd{(3,5-^tBu₂pz-CO)₂-py}Cl]⁺ (10), prepared by halide abstraction of the neutral complexes [Pd{(3,5-Me₂pz-CO)₂-py}Cl₂] and [Pd{(3,5-^tBu₂pz-CO)₂-py}Cl₂] by NaBAr₄, were however less stable with t_1/2 of 14 and 2 days respectively. Attempts to crystallize 1 and 3 from the mother liquor resulted in the isolation of the salts [Pd(_MeNˆNˆN)Cl]₂[Pd₂Cl₆] (11) and [Pd(_tBuNˆNˆN)Cl]₂[Pd₂Cl₆] (12). Although when complexes 1–4 were reacted with modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) or NaBAr₄, no active catalysts for ethylene oligomerization or polymerization were formed, activation with silver triflate (AgOTf) produced active catalysts that oligomerized and polymerized phenylacetylene to a mixture of cis-transoidal and trans-cisoidal polyphenylacetylene.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of enantiopure exo and endo six-membered oxazoline-derived palladacycles

Direct palladation of (S)-4-benzyl-2-methyl-2-oxazoline (1) and (S)-2-benzyl-4-tert-butyl-2-oxazoline (2) using Pd(OAc)₂ in MeCN afforded the corresponding μ-acetato-dimeric complexes with six-membered exo and endo palladacycles, respectively. The same complexes were obtained by reacting coordination complexes Pd(1)₂(OAc)₂ and Pd(2)₂(OAc)₂ with Pd(OAc)₂ in MeCN. Metalation of (S)-2,4-dibenzyl-2-oxazoline (3) with Pd(OAc)₂ in AcOH, MeCN or CH₂Cl₂ resulted in the regiospecific formation of the six-membered endo palladacycle. The obtained μ-acetato-dimeric complexes were converted to the corresponding μ-chloro-dimeric derivatives 7, 11 and 13 by treatment with LiCl in acetone. The mononuclear PPh₃ adducts 8, 12 and 14 were obtained by reacting dimers 7, 11 and 13 with PPh₃ in benzene. NMR spectroscopy data supported the proposed structures of all complexes and suggested that exo and endo palladacycles in 8 and 12 have rigid boat conformations in CHCl₃. The X-ray crystal structures of the μ-acetato dimer 6 with the exo palladacycle and the PPh₃ adduct 14 with the endo metalacycle revealed boat conformation of both palladacycles and chiral twisted conformations δ(S) and λ(S), respectively, of the oxazoline rings in the solid state.     

Five-membered ring chelate complexes of Ni(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II) derived of di-(2-pyridyl)-N-ethylimine

Cis-diaquobis{di-(2-pyridyl)-N-ethylimine}nickel(II) chloride (2) was obtained from the reaction of di-(2-pyridyl)-N-ethylimine (1) and [NiCl₂dppe] [dppe = cis-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene] in a 2:1 ratio in hot acetonitrile. Cis-dichloro{di-(2-pyridyl)-N-ethylimine}palladium(II) (3) and cis-dichloro{di-(2-pyridyl)-N-ethylimine}platinum(II) (4) complexes were obtained from the reaction of MCl₂ (M = Pd, Pt) and (1) in equimolar ratio in hot acetonitrile. Compounds 1–4 were characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and mass spectrometry; the complexes 3 and 4 were characterized in solution by NMR. In addition, solid state structures of compounds 1–4 were determined using single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. X-ray diffraction data of the complexes 3 and 4 showed a distorted square planar local geometry at palladium and platinum atoms with the chlorine atoms in a cis-coordination; in 2 a local octahedral geometry at nickel atom was observed. Complexes 3 and 4 are arranged as dimers with a M?M distance of 3.4567(4) Å (M = Pd) and 3.4221(4) Å (M = Pt), respectively; 2 consists of units linked by intermolecular hydrogen bonding.     

Ru(II) complexes imparting N2O2 donor bis chelating ligand N,N-bis(salicylidine)-hydrazine in unusual coordination mode

The synthesis and characterization of binuclear ruthenium complexes [{(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru}₂(μ-bsh)₂] (1), [{(η⁶-C₁₀H₁₄)Ru}₂(μ-bsh)₂] (2), [{(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru}₂(μ-bsh)₂] (3), and rhodium complex [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl}₂(μ-bsh)] (4) (bsh=N,N^′-bis(salicylidine)-hydrazine dianion) are reported. The complexes have been fully characterized by analytical and spectral techniques and unusual coordination mode of the ligand H₂bsh has been confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis of the complex 2. Structural data revealed extensive inter- and intra-molecular C-H?O and C-H?π interactions and involvement of methyl and isopropyl hydrogen from the p-cymene in hydrogen bonding.     

Effect of ortho-substituents on the stereochemistry of 2-(o-substituted phenyl)-1H-imidazoline-palladium complexes

Palladium complexes composed of [Pd(Ln)₂Cl₂] (n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 6), [L5a]₂[PdCl₄] and [Pd(L5b)₂], where L1 = 4,5-dihydro-2-phenyl-1H-imidazole (=2-phenyl-1H-imidazoline), L2 = 2-(o-fluorophenyl)-1H-imidazoline, L3 = 2-(o-methylphenyl)-1H-imidazoline, L4 = 2-(o-tert-butylphenyl)-1H-imidazoline, L5a = 2-(o-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-imidazolinium, L5b = 2-(1H-imidazolin-2-yl)phenolate, and L6 = 2-(o-methylphenyl)-1H-imidazole, were synthesized. Molecular structures of the isolated palladium complexes were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The effect of ortho-substituents on the phenyl ring on trans-chlorine geometry was noted for complexes [Pd(L1)₂Cl₂] 1a and 1b, [Pd(L2)₂Cl₂] 2 and [Pd(L6)₂Cl₂] 6, whereas cis-chlorine geometry was observed for [Pd(L3)₂Cl₂] 3 and [Pd(L4)₂Cl₂] 4. PdCl₂ reacts with 2-(o-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-imidazoline in DMF to give [L5a]⁺ and [L5b]^- so that [L5a]₂[PdCl₄] 5a and [Pd(L5b)₂] 5b were obtained. In complex 5b, as an N,O-bidentate ligand, two ligands L5b coordinated with the central Pd(II) ion in the trans-form. The coordination of PdCl₂ with 2-(o-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-imidazolines in solution was investigated by NMR spectroscopy.     

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric tandem allylic substitution using chiral 2-(phosphinophenyl)pyridine ligand

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric tandem allylic substitution of (Z)-1,4-diacyloxy- and (Z)-1,4-bis(alkoxycarbonyloxy)-2-butene (2a-c) using 2-(phosphinophenyl)pyridine 1 as chiral ligand provided optically active six-membered 2-vinyl-1,4-diheterocyclic compounds with good to high enantioselectivity. For example, the reactions with catechol, 2-(benzylamino)phenol, or 1,2-bis(benzylamino)ethane as a nucleophile gave 2-vinyl-1,4-benzodioxane (71% ee), 4-benzyl-2-vinyl-1,4-benzoxazine (86% ee), and 1,4-dibenzyl-2-vinylpiperazine (86% ee), respectively.     

Synthesis of palladium and platinum donor complexes and study of their participation in self-assembly reactions. X-ray crystal structure of [Pt(C6H4CCC5H4N)2(dppp)] (dppp = 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane)

Novel square-planar compounds [M(NC₅H₄CCH)₂(dppp)](OTf)₂ (M = Pd (1), Pt (2)), [Pt(CCC₆H₄CN)₂(dppp)] (3) and [Pt(C₆H₄CCC₅H₄N)₂(dppp)] (4) (dppp = 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane) were prepared and characterised. Their potential as building blocks in the generation of heterobimetallic squares was studied. The reaction of 4 and the ditopic acceptor species [Pd(H₂O)₂(dppf)](OTf)₂ enabled a tetrametallic metallocycle containing two platinum and two palladium atoms to be obtained. The crystal X-ray structure of 4 shows that the Pt?N vectors are nearly perpendicular, and confirm the suitability of the compound to act as a corner unit for the construction of molecular squares.     

Synthesis of [Ru(CO)2(PPh3)(SP)] and [Ru(CO)(PPh3)2(SP)] and their catalytic activities for the hydroamination of phenylacetylene

The reaction of [Ru(CO)₂(PPh₃)₃] (1) with o-styryldiphenylphophine (SP) (2) gave [Ru(CO)₂(PPh₃)(SP)] (3) in 83% yield. This styrylphosphine ruthenium complex 3 can also be synthesized by the reaction of [Ru(p-MeOC₆H₄NN)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂]BF₄ (4) with NaBH₄ and 2 in 50% yield. When “Ru(CO)(PPh₃)₃” generated by the reaction of [RuH₂(CO)(PPh₃)₃] (8) with trimethylvinylsilane reacted with 2, [Ru(CO)(PPh₃)₂(SP)] (10) was produced in moderate yield as an air sensitive solid. The spectral and X-ray data of these complexes revealed that the coordination geometries around the ruthenium center of both complexes corresponded to a distorted trigonal bipyramid with the olefin occupying the equatorial position and the C-C bonding in the olefin moiety in 3 and 10 contained a significant contribution from a ruthenacyclopropane limiting structure. Complexes 3 and 10 showed catalytic activity for the hydroamination of phenylacetylene 11 with aniline 12. Ruthenium complex 3 in the co-presence of NH₄PF₆ or H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ proves to be a superior catalyst system for this hydroamination reaction. In the case of the reaction using H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ as an additive, ketimines (13) was obtained in 99% yield at a ruthenium-catalyst loading of 0.1 mol%. Some aniline derivatives such as 4-methoxy, 4-trifluoromethyl-, and 4-bromoanilines can also be used in this hydroamination reaction.     

Synthesis and characterization of palladium(II) complexes with chiral aminophosphine ligands: Catalytic behaviour in asymmetric hydrovinylation. Crystal structure of cis-[PdCl2(PPh((R)-NHCHCH3Ph)2)2]

Optically active ligands of type Ph₂PNHR (R = (R)-CHCH₃Ph, (a); (R)-CHCH₃Cy, (b); (R)-CHCH₃Naph, (c)) and PhP(NHR)₂ (R = (R)-CHCH₃Ph, (d); (R)-CHCH₃Cy, (e)) with a stereogenic carbon atom in the R substituent were synthesized. Reaction with [PdCl₂(COD)₂] produced [PdCl₂P₂] (1) (P = PhP(NHCHCH₃Ph)₂), whose molecular structure determined by X-ray diffraction showed cis disposition for the ligands. All nitrogen atoms of amino groups adopted S configuration. The new ligands reacted with allylic dimeric palladium compound [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)Cl]₂ to gave neutral aminophosphine complexes [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)ClP] (2a-2e) or cationic aminophosphine complexes [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)P₂]BF₄ (3a-3e) in the presence of the stoichiometric amount of AgBF₄. Cationic complexes [Pd(η⁴3-2-methylallyl)(NCCH₃)P]BF₄ (4a-4e) were prepared in solution to be used as precursors in the catalytic hydrovinylation of styrene. ³¹P NMR spectroscopy showed the existence of an equilibrium between the expected cationic mixed complexes 4, the symmetrical cationic complexes [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)P₂]BF₄ (3) and [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)(NCCH₃)₂]BF₄ (5) coming from the symmetrization reaction. The extension of the process was studied with the aminophosphines (a-e) as well as with nonchiral monodentate phosphines (PCy₃ (f), PBn₃ (g), PPh₃ (h), PMe₂Ph (i)) showing a good match between the extension of the symmetrization and the size of the phosphine ligand. We studied the influence of such equilibria in the hydrovinylation of styrene because the behaviour of catalytic precursors can be modified substantially when prepared ‘in situ’. While compounds 3 and bisacetonitrile complex 5 were not active as catalysts, the [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)(η²-styrene)₂]⁺ species formed in the absence of acetonitrile showed some activity in the formation of codimers and dimers. Hydrovinylation reaction between styrene and ethylene was tested using catalytic precursors solutions of [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)LP]BF₄ ionic species (L = CH₃CN or styrene) showing moderate activity and good selectivity. Better activities but lower selectivities were found when L = styrene. Only in the case of the precursor containing Ph₂PNHCHCH₃Ph (a) ligand was some enantiodiscrimination (10%) found.     

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.     

Effect of the rigidity and flexibility features of 2-pyridinyl or 8-quinolinyl based N-N chiral ligands on the stereochemical properties of [Pd(N-N)Cl2] complexes

The [Pd(N-N^∗)Cl₂] complexes have been obtained, as yellow solids, in almost quantitative yields; N-N^∗ indicate bidentate chiral ligands (S_a)-1, (S_a)-2, (S,S)-3, (R,R)-4, containing the rigid 2-pyridinyl or 8-quinolinyl building block skeleton and the C₂-symmetric chiral framework trans-2,5-dimethylpyrrolidinyl or (S)-(+)-2,2′-(2-azapropane-1,3-diyl)-1,1′-binaphthalene. The ligands pairs have the same C₂-symmetric chiral framework but different building block skeleton, beyond that for the basicity in the N-donor atoms, for rigidity and flexibility features. The N-N^∗ ligands act as chelating ligands leading a square planar geometry. The compounds [Pd(S,S-3)Cl₂] and [Pd(R,R-4)Cl₂] have been also characterised by X-ray diffraction. The rigidity and flexibility features of (S,S)-3 and (R,R)-4 ligands induce a different orientation of the trans-2,5-dimethylpyrrolidinyl moiety with respect to the pyridinyl and quinolinyl plane. This work shows that intrinsic rigidity and flexibility are not enough to define the ligand properties and to preview the effects that they induce on the reactivity of the metal complex.     

Synthesis and coordination chemistry of new tetradentate N2S2 donor Schiff-base ligand ca2-dapte: Mononuclear and dinuclear copper(I) complexes [Cu(ca2dapte)]ClO4 and [{Cu(PPh3)(X)}2(ca2dapte)] (X = I and Br)

A mononuclear copper(I) complex, [Cu(ca₂dapte)]ClO₄ (1), and two dinuclear copper(I) complexes, [{Cu(PPh₃)(X)}₂(ca₂dapte)] (X = I (2) and Br (3)), of a new tetradentate N₂S₂ donor Schiff-base ligand ca₂dapte have been prepared (ca₂dapte = N,N′-bis(trans-cinnamaldehyde)-1,2-di(o-iminophenylthio)ethane). These compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses (CHN), FT-IR, UV–Vis and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of these copper(I) complexes have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The coordination geometry around Cu(I) centers in these complexes is a distorted tetrahedron. The ca₂dapte is coordinated to Cu(I) as a tetradentate ligand in 1, while it acts as a bis-bidentate bridging ligand in 2 and 3.     

New synthetic route to polyphosphine ligands bearing 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(phosphino)benzene framework: structural characterizations of 1,4-(PPh2)2-2,5-(PR2)2-C6F2 (R = Ph, Pr, Et)

Reactions of 1,4-dibromo-2,5-difluorobenzene with two equivalents of lithium diisopropylamide at low temperature (T < −90 °C) followed by a quench with a slight excess of ClPPh₂ afford 1,4-dibromo-2,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-3,6-difluorobenzene (1) in good yields. Reacting 1 with two equivalents of BuLi followed by a quench with a slight excess of ClPR₂ yield novel 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(phosphino)-3,6-difluorobenzenes 1,4-(PPh₂)₂-2,5-(PR₂)₂-C₆F₂ (R = Ph (2a); R = ⁱPr (2b); R = Et (2c)) in moderate yields. Compounds 1 and 2a-c were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. In addition, molecular structures of 2a-c have been determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography. Phosphorus atoms of PPh₂/PR₂ substituents in 2a-c are displaced from the plane of the central phenyl ring due to steric interactions with neighboring groups.