Observation of Confinement-Free Neutral Group Three Transition Metal Carbonyls Sc(CO)7 and TM(CO)8 (TM=Y,La)

Spectroscopic characterization of neutral highly-coordinated compounds is essential in fundamental and applied research, but has been proven to be a challenging experimental target because of the difficulty in mass selection. Here, we report the preparation and size-specific infrared-vacuum ultraviolet (IR-VUV) spectroscopic identification of group-3 transition metal carbonyls Sc(CO)₇ and TM(CO)₈ (TM=Y, La) in the gas phase, which are the first confinement-free neutral heptacarbonyl and octacarbonyl complexes. The results indicate that Sc(CO)₇ has a C_2v structure and TM(CO)₈ (TM=Y, La) have a D_4h structure. Theoretical calculations predict that the formation of Sc(CO)₇ and TM(CO)₈ (TM=Y, La) is both thermodynamically exothermic and kinetically facile in the gas phase. These highly-coordinated carbonyls are 17-electron complexes when only those valence electrons that occupy metal−CO bonding orbitals are considered, in which the ligand-only 4b_1u molecular orbital is ignored. This work opens new avenues toward the design and chemical control of a large variety of compounds with unique structures and properties.     

Two Fe3(μ3‐S)2(CO)8 clusters with terminal N‐heterocyclic carbenes

The title compounds with terminal N‐heterocyclic carbenes, namely octacarbonyl(imidazolidinylidene‐κC²)di‐μ₃‐sulfido‐triiron(II)(2 Fe—Fe), [Fe₃(C₃H₆N₂)(μ₃‐S)₂(CO)₈], (I), and octacarbonyl(1‐methylimidazo[1,5‐a]pyridin‐3‐ylidene‐κC³)di‐μ₃‐sulfido‐triiron(II)(2 Fe—Fe), [Fe₃(C₈H₈N₂)(μ₃‐S)₂(CO)₈], (II), have been synthesized. Each compound contains two Fe—Fe bonds and two S atoms above and below a triiron triangle. One of the eight carbonyl ligands deviates significantly from linearity. In (I), dimers generated by an N—H...S hydrogen bond are linked into [001] double chains by a second N—H...S hydrogen bond. These chains are packed by a C—H...O hydrogen bond to yield [101] sheets. In (II), dimers generated by an N—H...S hydrogen bond are linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds to form [111] double chains.     

Octacarbonyl Anion Complexes of Group Three Transition Metals [TM(CO)8]− (TM=Sc,Y, La) and the 18‐Electron Rule

We report the gas‐phase synthesis of stable 20‐electron carbonyl anion complexes of group 3 transition metals, TM(CO)₈^? (TM=Sc, Y, La), which are studied by mass‐selected infrared (IR) photodissociation spectroscopy. The experimentally observed species, which are the first octacarbonyl anionic complexes of a TM, are identified by comparison of the measured and calculated IR spectra. Quantum chemical calculations show that the molecules have a cubic (O_h) equilibrium geometry and a singlet (¹A_1g) electronic ground state. The 20‐electron systems TM(CO)₈^? are energetically stable toward loss of one CO ligand, yielding the 18‐electron complexes TM(CO)₇^? in the ¹A₁ electronic ground state; these exhibit a capped octahedral structure with C_3v symmetry. Analysis of the electronic structure of TM(CO)₈^? reveals that there is one occupied valence molecular orbital with a_2u symmetry, which is formed only by ligand orbitals without a contribution from the metal atomic orbitals. The adducts of TM(CO)₈^? fulfill the 18‐electron rule when only those valence electrons that occupy metal–ligand bonding orbitals are considered.     

Octacarbonyl Anion Complexes of Group Three Transition Metals [TM(CO)8]− (TM=Sc,Y, La) and the 18‐Electron Rule

We report the gas‐phase synthesis of stable 20‐electron carbonyl anion complexes of group 3 transition metals, TM(CO)₈⁻ (TM=Sc, Y, La), which are studied by mass‐selected infrared (IR) photodissociation spectroscopy. The experimentally observed species, which are the first octacarbonyl anionic complexes of a TM, are identified by comparison of the measured and calculated IR spectra. Quantum chemical calculations show that the molecules have a cubic (O_h) equilibrium geometry and a singlet (¹A_1g) electronic ground state. The 20‐electron systems TM(CO)₈⁻ are energetically stable toward loss of one CO ligand, yielding the 18‐electron complexes TM(CO)₇⁻ in the ¹A₁ electronic ground state; these exhibit a capped octahedral structure with C_3v symmetry. Analysis of the electronic structure of TM(CO)₈⁻ reveals that there is one occupied valence molecular orbital with a_2u symmetry, which is formed only by ligand orbitals without a contribution from the metal atomic orbitals. The adducts of TM(CO)₈⁻ fulfill the 18‐electron rule when only those valence electrons that occupy metal–ligand bonding orbitals are considered.     

Synthesis and structure of the first diamagnetic trinuclear cobalt carbonyl sulfur complexes,SCo3(CO)7(μ-R1ĆNR2)

Reaction of primary thioamides with dicobalt octacarbonyl affords in good yield the first diamagnetic monomeric trinuclear cobalt carbonyl sulfur complexes SCO₃(CO)₇(μ-R¹?NR²), which contain a bridging bidentate imino ligand. The structure of the product with R¹  Me, R²  C₆H₁₁ has been determined by X-ray diffraction, and shown to include a very short cobaltcobalt bond distance and a long cobaltsulfur bond distance when compared to other cobaltsulfur clusters.     

Pulse radiolysis of (RhI(CO)2Cl)2 and (RhII(CH3COO)2)2 solutions under CO or N2 atmosphere

Ethanolic solutions of (Rh^I(CO)₂Cl)₂ and aqueous solutions of (Rh^IICH₃COO)₂)₂ have been investigated by pulse radiolysis under CO or N₂ atmosphere. In the first case the reduction of the Rh^I complex is shown to proceed via CO^- formation. In the second case, several steps have been evidenced, one of them extremely fast, indicating an exceptional reactivity of such a binuclear rhodium structure towards the electron. Spectra of transient species at different times are presented. A species absorbing at 520 nm, already present at 10 ns, is assigned to a Rh^IRh^II complex resulting itself from a reaction of the initial salt with pre-solvated electrons. A mechanism is proposed to account for the decay kinetics of e^-_aq and the spectral changes. The rate constants are evaluated for each of the five steps occuring within the first microsecond.     

Filling a Gap: The Coordinatively Saturated Group 4 Carbonyl Complexes TM(CO)8 (TM=Zr,Hf) and Ti(CO)7

Homoleptic Group 4 metal carbonyl cation and neutral complexes were prepared in the gas phase and/or in solid neon matrix. Infrared spectroscopy studies reveal that both zirconium and hafnium form eight-coordinate carbonyl neutral and cation complexes. In contrast, titanium forms only the six-coordinate Ti(CO)₆⁺ and seven-coordinate Ti(CO)₇. Titanium octacarbonyl Ti(CO)₈ is unstable as a result of steric repulsion between the CO ligands. The 20-electron Zr(CO)₈ and Hf(CO)₈ complexes represent the first experimentally observed homoleptic octacarbonyl neutral complexes of transition metals. The molecules still fulfill the 18-electron rule, because one doubly occupied valence orbital does not mix with any of the metal valence atomic orbitals. Zr(CO)₈ and Hf(CO)₈ are stable against the loss of one CO because the CO ligands encounter less steric repulsion than Zr(CO)₇ and Hf(CO)₇. The heptacarbonyl complexes have shorter metal−CO bonds than that of the octacarbonyl complexes due to stronger electrostatic and covalent bonding, but the significantly smaller repulsive Pauli term makes the octacarbonyl complexes stable.     

Synthesis and reactions of trans-dicarbonyl bis-[1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane] vanadium(O): X-ray crystal structures of trans-V(CO)2(dmpe)2 [cis-V(CO)2(dmpe)2(CH3CN)]BPh4 and cis-V(CO)2(dmpe)2(O2CEt)

Interaction of trans-VCl₂(dmpe)₂ with sodium amalgam in tetrahydrofuran under CO gives trans-V(CO)₂(dmpe)₂. The latter is oxidized by Ag⁺ in acetonitrile to give [cis-V(CO)₂(dmpe)₂(CH₃CN)]⁺, isolated as the tetraphenylborate. Interactions with acids (HX) gives neutral complexes of the type V(CO)₂(dmpe)₂X (X = Cl, MeCO₂, EtCO₂, CF₃CO₂, PhPO₂H or NH₂SO₃); the chloride can be exchanged with N₃⁻ or CN⁻ in methanol. X-ray structural studies confirm the trans stereochemistry for V(CO)₂(dmpe)₂ and the seven-coordination of V^I in both [V(CO)₂(dmpe)₂(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] and V(CO)₂(dmpe)₂(O₂CEt), which have a pseudo octahedral geometry with the two carbonyls occupying a “split” axial site. ⁵¹V NMR and other spectra are reported.     

Low oxidation state ruthenium chemistry : IV. The reactions of M(CO)2(PPh3)3 complexes (M = Fe,Ru) and the hydrogenation and isomerization of alkenes catalyzed by RuL(CO)2(PPh3)2 (L = H2, PPh3)

The complexes M(CO)₂(PPh₃)₃ (I, M = Fe; II, M = Ru) readily react with H₂ at room temperature and atmospheric pressure to give cis-M(H)₂(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ (III, M = Fe;IV,M = Ru). I reacts with O₂ to give an unstable compound in solution, in a type of reaction known to occur with II which leads to cis-Ru(O₂)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂(V). Even compound IV reacts with O₂ to give V with displacement of H₂; this reaction has been shown to be reversible and this is the first case where the displacement of H₂ by O₂ and that of O₂ by H₂ at a metal center has been observed. III and IV are reduced to M(CO)₃(PPh₃)₂ by CO with displacement of H₂; Ru(CO)₃- (PPh₃)₂ is also formed by treatment of IV with CO₂, but under higher pressure. Compounds II and IV react with CH₂CHCN to give Ru(CH₂CHCN)(CO)₂- (PPh₃)₂(VI) which reacts with H₂ to reform the hydride IV.cis-Ru(H)₂(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂(IV) has been studied as catalyst in the hydrogenation and isomerization of a series of monoenes and dienes. The catalysts are poisoned by the presence of free triphenylphosphine. On the other hand the ready exchange of H₂ and O₂ on the “Ru(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂” moiety makes IV a catalyst not irreversibly poisoned by the presence of air. It has been found that even Ru(CO)₂(PPh₃)₃(II) acts as a catalyst for the isomerization of hex-1-ene at room temperature under an inert atmosphere.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the reaction of tetracobalt dodecacarbonyl with carbon monoxide under pressure

The kinetics of the reaction of tetracobalt dodecacarbonyl with carbon monoxide to form dicobalt octacarbonyl in n-hexane have been investigated over a wide range of temperature and CO pressure. The reaction is first order in [Co₄(CO)₁₂]; the order in [CO] changes between one (at low pressures and high temperatures) and two (at high pressures and low temperatures).Activation parameters have been estimated and a mechanism involving initial reversible breaking of one CoCo bond, followed by irreversible breaking of a second, is proposed. The first step involves concerted addition of CO while the second can proceed with or without such addition.     

Geometries and properties of bimetallic phosphido-bridged complex Cp(CO)2W(μ-PPh2)W(CO)5 and Cp(CO)3W(μ-PPh2)W(CO)5

Complete geometry optimizations were carried out by HF and DFT methods to study the molecular structure of binuclear transition-metal compounds (Cp(CO)₃W(μ-PPh₂)W(CO)₅) (I) and (Cp(CO)₂W(μ-PPh₂)W(CO)₅) (II). A comparison of the experimental data and calculated structural parameters demonstrates that the most accurate geometry parameters are predicted by the MPW1PW91/LANL2DZ among the three DFT methods. Topological properties of molecular charge distributions were analyzed with the theory of atoms in molecules. (3, −1) critical points, namely bond critical point, were found between the two tungsten atoms, and between W1 and C10 in complex II, which confirms the existence of the metal–metal bond and a semi-bridging CO between the two tungsten atoms. The result provided a theoretical guidance of detailed study on the binuclear phosphido-bridged complex containing transition metal–metal bond, which could be useful in the further study of the heterobimetallic phosphido-bridged complexes.     

The role of Ni(II) in the oxidation of glycylglycine dipeptide by peroxomonosulfatex

The kinetics of oxidation of the dipeptide glycylglycine by peroxomonosulfate (PMS) was studied in the pH range of 3.42–5.89. The rate is first order in [PMS], glycylglycine concentration, and inverse first order in [H⁺]. The kinetic data suggest that SO^2?₅reacts, with glycylglycine, faster than HSO^?₅ by five orders of magnitude. The observed kinetics can be explained as due to the formation of an intermediate by the nucleophilic interaction of peroxide with the terminal protonated amine of glycylglycine, which then decomposes in the rate‐limiting step to the product aldehyde. The thermodynamic parameters are evaluated. The reaction is catalyzed by Ni(II) ions only when pH ? 4.63, and above this pH the rate is zero order with respect to [Ni(II)]. Perusal of the enhanced rate constant values suggests that the Ni‐peroxide intermediate also reacts with glycylglycine. The Ni‐dipeptide complex is not oxidized by PMS, and this complex in fact inhibits the formation of Ni‐peroxide intermediate. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 18–26, 2009     

Transition metal-catalyzed tandem isomerization and cationic polymerization of allyl ethers. II. Structural and mechanistic studies

In the presence of organosilanes, dicobalt octacarbonyl catalyzes the polymerization of alkyl allyl ethers to give high molecular weight polymers. This article reports the results of a detailed mechanistic study of this new polymerization reaction. The evidence obtained in this study supports a stepwise process involving first, the reaction of dicobalt octacarbonyl with an organosilane to form HCo(CO)₄ and R₃SiCo(CO)₄. In subsequent steps, HCo(CO)₄ isomerizes the allyl ether to a 1-propenyl ether and then this compound is polymerized by the formal transfer of a silyl cation from R₃SiCo(CO)₄. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 1985–1997, 1997     

Umsetzung von C(NMe2)4 mit Ni(CO)4 – Synthesen und Strukturen von [C(NMe2)3][(CO)3NiC(O)NMe2], [C(NMe2)3]2[Ni5(CO)12] und [C(NMe2)3]3[Ni6(CO)12][O2CNMe2]

Reaction of C(NMe₂)₄ with Ni(CO)₄ – Syntheses and Structures of [C(NMe₂)₃][(CO)₃NiC(O)NMe₂], [C(NMe₂)₃]₂[Ni₅(CO)₁₂], and [C(NMe₂)₃]₃[Ni₆(CO)₁₂][O₂CNMe₂] The reaction of C(NMe₂)₄ with Ni(CO)₄ in THF produces the carbamoyl complex [C(NMe₂)₃][(CO)₃NiC(O)NMe₂] ( 1 ); side products are the purple cluster compound [C(NMe₂)₃]₂[Ni₅(CO)₁₂] · THF ( 2 · THF) and the red cocristallization product [C(NMe₂)₃]₃[Ni₆(CO)₁₂][O₂CNMe₂] ( 3 ). All compounds were studied by X‐ray diffraction analyses. The cations of 3 are all disordered but not those of 1 and 2 . The unit cell of 1 contains two crystallographically independent anions (I and II) which differ in the dihedral angle between the plane of the carbamoyl ligand and the plane defined by the atoms C_Carbamoyl–Ni–CO amounting 0° in the anion I and 18° in the anion II.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of the Dicopper(II) Complex [Cu2{Ph2P(=O)(o‐C6H4)CO2}2(THF)2(H2O)2][BF4]2 by Oxidation of [Cu{Ph2P(o‐C6H4)C(=O)H}2(NCMe)][BF4] with Aqueous H2O2

Treatment of [Cu(pcho)₂(NCMe)][BF₄] 1 (pcho = 2‐(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde) with aqueous H₂O₂ in THF solvent affords [Cu₂(dpb)₂(THF)₂(H₂O)₂] [BF₄]₂ 2 (dpb = 2‐(diphenylphosphinoxide)‐benzoate) after crystallization from diethyl ether. This reaction involves oxidation of Cu(I) to Cu(II) ion, phosphine to phosphinoxide, and benzaldehyde to benzoate species. The crystal structure of 2 consists of two copper(II) atoms bridged by two carboxylate moieties of the dpb ligands. The coordination about each copper(II) atom is a distorted trigonal bipyramid.     

Synthesis and electrochemistry of Group 6 tetracarbonyl (N,N′-bis(ferrocenylmethylene)ethylenediamine)metal(0) complexes

Thermal substitution reaction of Cr(CO)₄(η^2:2-1,5-cyclooctadiene), Mo(CO)₄(η^2:2-norbornadiene), and W(CO)₅(η²-bis(trimethylsilyl)ethyne) with N,N′-bis(ferrocenylmethylene)ethylenediamine (bfeda) yields M(CO)₄(bfeda) complexes which could be isolated from the reaction solution and characterized by elemental analysis, MS, IR, and NMR spectroscopy. In the case of tungsten, W(CO)₅(bfeda) is formed as intermediate and then undergoes the ring closure reaction yielding the ultimate product W(CO)₄(bfeda). The electrochemical behavior of the M(CO)₄(bfeda) complexes was studied by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) in dichloromethane with tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate as electrolyte. Constant potential electrolysis of the complexes was performed successively at their peak potentials at 0 °C in their CH₂Cl₂ solution and the electrolysis was followed by in situ recording the electronic absorption spectra in every 5 mC. In the electrolysis of Cr(CO)₄(bfeda), the central Cr(0) is oxidized first and electrolysis continues with oxidations of two ferrocenyl groups until the end of totally three moles of electron passage per mole of complex. In the electrolysis of Mo(CO)₄(bfeda) and W(CO)₄(bfeda) the first oxidation occurs on the central atom forming a short-lived species which undergoes an intramolecular one-electron transfer and is reduced back to M(0) while one of the ferrocene units is oxidized to the ferrocenium cation at the same time. This indicates that the electron is transferred from iron to the central metal atom.     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel cobalt carbonyl N-heterocyclic carbene salt. Crystal structure of [Co(CO)(3)(IMes)(2)](+)[Co(CO)(4)](-)

The disproportionation of dicobalt octacarbonyl induced by the free carbene 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (IMes) and the X-ray characterization of the cyclohexane solvate of the resulting cobalt carbonyl N-heterocyclic carbene salt, [Co(CO)3(IMes)2]+[Co(CO)4]-.1/4C6H12, is reported. The crystal structure represents the first example of a [Co(CO)3(L)2][Co(CO)4] disproportionate salt reported to date.     

The reaction of H2Os3(CO)10 with trifluoroacetonitrile and the x-ray crystal structure of HOs3(CO)9(μ3-η2-HNCCF3)

The reaction of H₂Os₃(CO)₁₀ with CF₃CN in hexane at 80°C leads to two isomeric products. The isomer constituting the major product contains a 1,1,1-tri-fluoroethylidenimido ligand which bridges one edge of the Os₃ triangle via the nitrogen, atom and may be formulated as (μ-H)Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-NC(H)CF₃) (I). The minor product, formulated as (μ-H)Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-η²-HNCCF₃) (II), contains a 1,1,1-trifluoroacetimidoyl ligand which is also edge-bridging, being N-bonded to one Os atom and C-bonded to the other. Thermolysis of I and II in solution results in loss of a CO group in each case to give (μ-H)Os₃(CO)_9^? (μ₃-η²-NC(H)CF₃) (III) and (μ-H)Os₃(CO)₉(μ₃-η²-HNCCF₃) (IV), respectively, which, it is proposed, are structurally related to I and II, but with the CN group coordinated also to the third Os atom in place of a CO group. In the case of IV this proposal has been confirmed by an X-ray crystallographic analysis. The compound crystallises in space group C2/c with a = 14.258(7), b = 13.486(10), c = 18.193(8) Å, β = 92.68(4)°, and Z = 8. The structure was solved by a combination of direct methods and Fourier difference techniques, and refined by full-matrix least squares to R = 0.054 for 2489 unique observed diffractometer data. Reaction of I with Et₃P gives a 1 : 2 adduct which is formulated as (μ-H)Os₃(CO)₁₀[μ-N?C(H)(CF₃)PEt₃] (V) on the basis of NMR evidence.     

Activation of a carbon—nitrogen triple bond in the presence of Ru3(CO)12 and H4Ru4(CO)12

The reaction of PhCN with Ru₃ (CO)₁₂ in the presence of acetic acid gives H₄Ru₄(CO)₁₂, (I), (μ-H)Ru₃(CO)₁₀(μ-NCHPh) (II) and (μ-H)Ru₃(CO)₁₀(μ-NH-CH₂Ph) (III) as the main products. Reaction under 110 atm of H₂ gives more III and also gives benzylamine. Replacement of acetic acid by H₂ at atmospheric pressure gives only II. When H₄Ru₄CO)₁₂ reacts with PhCN alone or in the presence of NaOH, II is formed as the only product.The structures of II and III have been fully elucidated by X-ray methods. The nitrogen atom of the NCHPh ligand in II and that of the NHCH₂Ph ligand in III, interact with the isosceles-triangular metal cluster, symmetrically bridging the shortest Ru(1)-Ru(2) edge. A hydride ligand in both II and III bridges the same Ru(1)-Ru(2) edge of the cluster. Under mild conditions acetic acid is an essential requirement for the activation of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ for reaction with PhCN to give III, which cannot be obtained under these conditions from II.     

The structure and formation of niobocene carbonyl heteronuclear derivatives. The molecular structures of Cp2Nb(CO)(μ-CO)Mn(CO)4, Cp2Nb(CO)(μ-H)Ni(CO)3 and [Cp2Nb(CO)(μ-H)]2Mo(CO)4

The heteronuclear Cp₂Nb(CO)(μ-CO)Mn(CO)₄ (I), Cp₂Nb(CO)(μ-H)Ni(CO)₃ (II) and [Cp₂Nb(CO)(μ-H)]₂M(CO)₄ (III, M = Mo;IV, M = W) complexes were prepared by reaction of Cp₂NbBH₄/Et₃N with Mn₂(CO)₁₀ in refluxing toluene, direct reaction of Cp₂NbBH₄ with Ni(CO)₄ in ether, and reaction of Cp₂NbBH₄/Et₃N with M(CO)₅. THF complexes (M = Mo or W) in THF/benzene mixture. An X-ray investigation of compounds I–III was performed. It is established that in I the bonding between Mn(CO)₅ and Cp₂Nb(CO) (with the angle (α) between the ring planes being 44.2(5)°) fragments takes place via a direct NbMn bond (3.176(1) Å) and a highly asymmetric carbonyl bridge (MnC_co 1.837(5) Å, NbC_co 2.781(5) Å). On the other hand, in complex II the sandwich Cp₂Nb(CO)H molecule (angle α = 37.8°) is combined with the Ni(CO)₃ group generally via a hydride bridge (NbH 1.83 Å, NiH 1.68 Å, NbHNi angle 132.7°) whereas the large Nb?Ni distance, 3.218(1) Å, shows the weakening or even absence of the direct NbNi bond. Similarly, in complex III two Cp₂Nb(CO)H molecules (with α angles equal to 41.4 and 43.0°, respectively) are joined to the Mo(CO)₄ group via the hydride bridges (NbH 1.83 and 1.75 Å and MoH 2.04 and 2.06 Å) producing a cis-form. The direct NbMo bonds are probably absent, since the Nb?Mo distances are rather long (3.579 and 3.565 Å). The effect of electronic and steric factors on the structure of heteronuclear niobocene carbonyl derivatives is discussed.