Structure and Reactivity of Iron(0)-Phenyltellurolate [PPN][PhTeFe(CO)4]

Anionic iron(0) tetracarbonyl with terminal phenyltellurolate ligand PhTe^?, [PhTeFe(CO)₄]^?, has been synthesized and characterized. The title compound was obtained by addition of (PhTe)₂ to [PPN][HFe(CO)₄] THF solution dropwise. [PPN][PhTeFe(CO)₄] crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C c, with a = 16.119(4) Å, b = 13.141(3) Å, c = 19.880(8) Å, β = 93.04(3)°, V = 4205(2) ų, and Z = 4. The [PhTeFe(CO)₄]^? anion is a trigonal-bipyramidal complex in which the phenyltellurolate ligand occupies an axial position with Fe-Te bond length 2.630(5) Å and the Fe-Te-C(Ph) angle is 103.4(5)°. The neutral iron(0)-telluroether compound, (PhTeMe)Fe(CO)₄, was prepared by alkylation of the [PhTeFe(CO)₄]^?. Protonation of [PhTeFe(CO)₄]^?and reaction of H₂Fe(CO)₄ and PhTe)₂ ultimately lead to formation of the known dimer Fe₂(μ-TePh)₂(CO)₆ and H₂.     

Oxidative Addition of Diphenyl Disulfide/Thiophenol to [Mn(CO)5]−: Crystal Structure of cis-[Mn(CO)4(SPh)2]−

Oxidative addition of diphenyl disulfide to the coordinatively unsaturated [Mn(CO)₅]^? led to the formation of low-spin, six-coordinate cis-[Mn(CO)₄(SPh)₂]^?. The complex cis-[PPN][Mn(CO)₄(SPh)₂] crystallized in monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a = 9.965(2) Å, b = 24.604(5) Å, c = 19.291(4) Å, β = 100.05(2)°, V = 4657(2)ų, and Z = 4; final R = 0.036 and R_w = 0.039. Thermal transformation of cis-[Mn(CO)₄(SPh)₂]^? to [(CO)₃Mn(μ-SPh)₃Mn(CO)₃]^? was completed overnight in THF at room temperature. Additionally, reaction of [Mn(CO)₅]^? and PhSH in 1:2 mole ratio also led to cis-[PPN](Mn(CO)₄(SPh)₂]. Presumably, oxidative addition of PhSH to [Mn(CO)₄]^? was followed by a Lewis acid-base reaction to form cis-[Mn(CO)₄(SPh)₂]^? with evolution of H₂.     

Gas-phase chemistry of electron deficient organometallic anions: the reactions of [Cr(CO)3]− ˙ and [Cr(CO)4]− ˙ with aldehydes,ketones, esters and ethers

Reactions in the gas phase of the 13- and 15-electron radical anions [Cr(CO)₃]^{? ˙} and [Cr(CO)₄]^{? ˙} with a series of 27 aldehydes, ketones, esters and ethers have been examined. Sequential alkane eliminations and metal-bonded CO ligand displacements were the principal reactions identified for the RCHO/[Cr(CO)₃]^{? ˙} systems with the latter reaction also common to the RCHO/[Cr(CO)₄]^{? ˙} systems. While [Cr(CO)₄]^{? ˙} was generally unreactive towards ketones R · R'CO, the principal products identified for [Cr(CO)₃]^{? ˙}/ketone reactions were the metal-decarbonylated species, respectively [R · R'CO · Cr(CO)_x]^{? ˙} with x = 0–3, and [R · (R' - H₂)CO · Cr(CO)₂]^{? ˙}. The reaction of [Cr(CO)₃]^{? ˙} with esters RCOOR' proceeds via metal insertion into the alkoxy C? O bond to give end products of the type [R'O · Cr · R(CO)₂]^? and [R'O? Cr(CO)₃]^? while the sole ionic products of dialkyl ether/[Cr(CO)₃]^{? ˙} reactions were identified as the alkoxytricarbonylchromium species [RO · Cr(CO)₃]^?.     

Reactivity of fac-[PPN][Fe(CO)3(TePh)3]: Structure of Fe2(μTePh)2(NO)4

Addition of NOBF₄ to fac-[PPN][Fe(CO)₃(TePh)₃] in THF at ambient temperature results in formation of Fe₂(μ-TePh)₂(NO)_4l Fe₂(?TePh)₂(CO)₆ and organic products. Methylation of fac-[PPN][Fe(CO)₃- (TePh)₃] by Mel or [Me₃O][BF₄] leads to the known dimer Fe₂(μ.-TePh)₂(CO)₆ and organic products. Fe₂(μ-TePh)₂(NO)₄ crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P bca, with a = 12.701(5) Å, b = 6.7935(16) Å, c = 21.299(9) Å, V = 1837.8(11) ų, and Z = 4. The core geometry of Fe₂(μ-TePh)₂(NO)₄ is best described as a Fe₂Te₂ planar rhombus with Te-Fe-Te bond angle 112.09(4)°. A Fe-Fe bond (length 2.827(2) Å) is proposed for Fe₂(μ-TePh)₂(NO)₄ on the basis of the 18-electron rule. The iron atom adopts a distorted tetrahedral geometry with acute bridge Fe-Te-Fe angles 67.91(3)°, and bridging Fe-Te bond of length 2.53(1) Å.     

Oxidative Addition vs. Ligand-Exchange: Fe(II)-Mixed-Phenylchalcogenolate Complexes fac-[PPN][Fe(CO)3(TePh)n(SePh)3-N] (n = 1, 2)

Diphenyldichalcogenides (PhE)₂ (E = Te, Se) react with Fe(0)-phenylchalcogenolate [PPN] [PhEFe(CO)₄] to yield the products of oxidative addition, Fe(II)-mixed-phenylchalcogenolate fac- [PPN][Fe(CO)₃(TePh)_n(ScPh)_3-n] (n = 1, 2). Reactions of [PPN][REFe(CO)₄] (E=Se, R=Me; E=S, R=Et) and diphenyldichalcogenides yielded ligand-exchange products [PPN][PhEFe(CO)₄] (E=Te, Se, S). The compounds [Fe(CO)₃(TePh)(ScPh)₂]^? (l) and [Fe(CO)₃(TePh)₂ (2) crystallize in the isomorphous monoclinic space group C_2/e, with a = 32.035(8), b = 11.708(6), c = 28.909(6) Å, Z = 8, R = 0.048, and R_w = 0.044 (1); with a = 32.089(5), b= 11.745(2), c = 28.990(8) Å, Z = 8, R = 0.048, and R_w = 0.048 (2). The complexes 1 and 2 crystallize as discrete cations of PPN⁺ and anions of [Fe(CO)₃(TcPh)_u(ScPh)_3-n] (n=1, 2), and one half solvent molecule THF. The geometry around Fe(II) is a distorted octahedron with three carbonyl groups and three phenylchalcogenolate ligands occupying facial positions.     

Reactivity of Cyanide and Thiocyanate Towards the Nitrosyl Carbonyl [Co(CO)3(NO)]

The reaction of equimolar amounts of [Co(CO)₃(NO)] and [PPN]CN, PPN⁺ = (PPh₃)₂N⁺, in THF at room temperature resulted in ligand substitution of a carbonyl towards the cyanido ligand presumably affording the complex salt PPN[Co(CO)₂(NO)(CN)] as a reactive intermediate species which could not be isolated. Applying the synthetic protocol using the nitrosyl carbonyl in excess, the title reaction afforded unexpectedly the novel complex salt PPN[Co₂(μ-CN)(CO)₄(NO)₂] ( 1 ) in high yield. Because of many disorder phenomena in crystals of 1 the corresponding NBu₄⁺ salt of 1 has been prepared and the molecular structure of the dinuclear metal core in NnBu₄[Co₂(μ-CN)(CO)₄(NO)₂] ( 2 ) was determined by X-ray crystal diffraction in a more satisfactory manner. In contrast to the former result, the reaction of [PPN]SCN with [Co(CO)₃(NO)] yielded the mononuclear complex salt PPN[Co(CO)₂(NO)(SCN-κN)] ( 3 ) in good yield whose molecular structure in the solid was even determined and its composition additionally confirmed by spectroscopic means.     

Reaction of [M(CO)4] (M = Ir, Rh) with cyclopropenyl tetrafluoroborate - Ring opening and coupling of cyclopropenyl ligands to form dinuclear metal complexes

Reaction of the iridium tetracarbonylate [PPN][Ir(CO)₄] (1a) with triphenylcyclopropenyl tetrafluoroborate [C₃Ph₃][BF₄] afforded two dinuclear species Ir₂(CO)₄(μ,η¹:η²-C₃Ph₃)(μ,η²:η³-C₃Ph₃) (2) and Ir₂(CO)₄(μ,η⁴:η⁴-C₆Ph₆) (3a) resulting from the ring opening and in the latter case, coupling of the resulting acyclic, propenyl ligands. The analogous reaction with [PPN][Rh(CO)₄] (1b) afforded only the rhodium analogue for 3a.     

Syntheses and Characterization of Manganese-Tellurolate Complexes by Using Chelating Metalloligand cis-[Mn(Co)4(TePh)2]− and Potential Electrophilic TeMe+ Reagent

The cis-[Mn(CO)₄(TePh)₂]^?, similar to bidentate ligand PhTe(CH₂)₃TePh, acts as a “chelating metalloligand” for the synthesis of metallic tellurolate compounds. The reaction of cis[Mn(CO)₄(TePh)₂]^? with BrMn(CO)₅ in THF leads to a mixture of products[(CO)₃,BrMn(μ-TePh)₂Mn(CO)₄]^? (1) and Mn₂(μ-TePh)₂(CO)_g (2). Complex 1 crystallizes in the triclinic space group Pl? with a = 11.309(3) Å, b = 14.780(5) Å, c = 19.212(6) Å, a = 76.05(3)° β = 72.31(3)°, γ = 70.41(3)° V = 2848(2) Å₃, Z = 2. Final R = 0.034 and R_w = 0.035 resulting from refinement of 10021 total reflections with 677 parameters, Dropwise addition of (MeTe)₂ to a solution of [Me₃O][BF₄] in CH₃CN leads to formation of [Me₂TeTeMe][BF₄], a potential MeTe⁺ donor ligand. In contrast to oxidative addition of diphenyl ditelluride to [Mn(CO)s]^? to give cis-[Mn(CO)₄(TePh)₂]^? which was thermally transformed into [(CO)₃Mn(μ-TePh)₃Mn(CO)₃]^?, reaction of [Mn(CO)₅]^?with [Me₂TeTeMe]⁺ proceeded to give the monomeric species MeTeMn(CO)₅ as initial product which was then dimerized into Mn₂(μ-TeMe)₂(CO)_g (4).     

Synthesis and cleavage reactions of thiocarbonyl-bridged Cp2Fe2(CO)3CS,and preparation of the carbene complexes CpFe(CO)C(N2C2H6)SnPh3 and [CpFe(CO)2C(OMe)2]PF6

The thiocarbonyl-bridged complex Cp₂Fe₂(CO)₃CS is obtained by the reaction of CpFe(CO)₂^? and (PhO)₂CS in THF. Infrared and NMR spectra show that the compound exists in solution in interconverting cis and trans forms, but that the isomerization occurs more slowly than for the carbonyl analog [CpFe(CO)₂]₂. Most reagents which cleave [CpFe(CO)₂]₂, such as Br₂, HgCl₂, and O₂/HBF₄, do not give simple cleavage reactions with Cp₂Fe₂(CO)₃CS. Reductive cleavage of Cp₂Fe₂(CO)₃CS with Na(Hg) gives the thiocarbonyl anion CpFe(CO)(CS)^?, which reacts with Ph₃SnCl to form CpFe(CO)(CS)SnPh₃. Methylamine reacts with CpFe(CO)(CS)SnPh₃ to give CpFe(CO)(CNMe)SnPh₃, while ethylenediamine gives the carbene complexes CpFe(CO)C(N₂C₂H₆)SnPh₃. The preparation of another new carbene complex, [CpFe(CO)₂C(OMe)₂]PF₆, is also described.     

The photochemistry of matrix-isolated (η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2Co(CO)4: Evidence for two photochemical pathways

Unusual observations of the photochemistry of CpFe(CO)₂Co(CO)₄ (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅) are presented. In low temperature matrices (i.e. Ar at 10 K) there are two photochemical pathways (i) reversible CO loss to form CpFeCo(CO)₅ and (ii) heterophotolysis leading, in the presence of excess CO, to in situ formation of [CpFe(CO)₃]⁺ and [Co(CO)₄]^? ions. In N₂-doped matrices, a dinitrogen substitution product, CpFeCo(CO)₃(N₂)(μ-CO)₂ is formed. All products are identified from their IR spectra.     

Chelating and Tellurolate Ligand‐Transfer Studies of the Complex fac‐[Fe(CO)3(TePh)3]−: Crystal Structures of Heterodinuclear (CO)3Mn(μ‐TePh)3Fe(CO)3 and CpNi(TePh)(PPh3)

Complex fac‐[Fe(CO)₃(TePh)₃]^? was employed as a “metallo chelating” ligand to synthesize the neutral (CO)₃Mn(μ‐TePh)₃Fe(CO)₃ obtained in a one‐step synthesis by treating fac‐[Fe(CO)₃(TePh)₃]^? with fac‐[Mn‐(CO)₃(CH₃CN)₃]⁺. It seems reasonable to conclude that the d⁶ Fe(II) [(CO)₃Fe(TePh)₃]^? fragment is isolobal with the d⁶ Mn(I) [(CO)₃Mn(TePh)₃]^2? fragment in complex (CO)₃Mn(μ‐TePh)₃Fe(CO)₃. Addition of fac‐[Fe(CO)₃(TePh)₃]^? to the CpNi(I)(PPh₃) in THF resulted in formation of the neutral CpNi(TePh)(PPh₃) also obtained from reaction of CpNi(I)(PPh₃) and [Na][TePh] in MeOH. This investigation shows that fac‐[Fe(CO)₃(TePh)₃]^? serves as a tridentate metallo ligand and tellurolate ligand‐transfer reagent. The study also indicated that the fac‐[Fe(CO)₃(SePh)₃]^? may serve as a better tridentate metallo ligand and chalcogenolate ligand‐transfer reagent than fac‐[Fe(CO)₃(TePh)₃]^? in the syntheses of heterometallic chalcogenolate complexes.     

Synthesis,Reactivity, and Fluxional Behaviour of [Ir2Rh2(CO)12], and Crystal Structure of [Ir2Rh2(CO)8(norbornadiene)2]

The synthesis of [Ir₂Rh₂(CO)₁₂] ( 1 ) by the literature method gives a mixture 1 /[IrRh₃(CO)₁₂] which cannot be separated using chromatography. The reaction of [Ir(CO)₄]^? with 1 mol-equiv. of [Rh(CO)₂(THF)₂]⁺ in THF gives pure 1 in 61% yield. Crystals of 1 are highly disordered, unlike those of its derivative [Ir₂Rh₂(CO)₅(μ₂-CO)₃(norbornadiene)₂] which were analysed using X-ray diffraction. The ground-state geometry of 1 in solution has three edge-bridging CO's on the basal IrRh₂ face of the metal tetrahedron. Time averaging of CO's takes place above 230 K. The CO site exchange of lowest activation energy is due to one synchronous change of basal face, as shown by 2D- and VT-¹³C-NMR. Substitution of CO by X^? in 1 takes place at a Rh-atom giving [Ir₂Rh₂(CO)₈(μ₂-CO)₃X]^? (X = Br, I). Substitution by bidentate ligands gives [Ir₂Rh₂(CO)₇(μ₂-CO)₃(η⁴-L)] (L = norbornadiene, cycloocta-1,5-diene) where the ligand L is chelating a Rh-atom of the basal IrRh₂ face. Carbonyl substitution by tridentate ligands gives [Ir₂Rh₂(CO)₆(μ₂-CO)₃(μ₃-L)] (L = 1,3,5-trithiane, tripod) with L capping the triangular basal face of the metal tetrahedron. Carbonyl scrambling is also observed in these substituted derivatives of 1 and is mainly due to the rotation of three terminal CO's about a local C₃ axis on the apical Ir-atom.     

Komplexe mit Antimon‐Liganden: [tBu2(Cl)SbW(CO)5], [tBu2(OH)SbW(CO)5], O[SbPh2W(CO)5]2, E[SbMe2W(CO)5]2 (E = Se,Te), cis‐[(Me2SbSeSbMe2)2Cr(CO)4]

Complexes Containing Antimony Ligands: [^tBu₂(Cl)SbW(CO)₅], [^tBu₂(OH)SbW(CO)₅], O[SbPh₂W(CO)₅]₂, E[SbMe₂W(CO)₅]₂ (E = Se, Te), cis‐[(Me₂SbSeSbMe₂)₂Cr(CO)₄] Syntheses of [^tBu₂(Cl)SbW(CO)₅] ( 1 ), [^tBu₂(OH)SbW(CO)₅] ( 2 ), O[SbPh₂W(CO)₅]₂ ( 3 ), Se[SbMe₂W(CO)₅]₂ ( 4 ), cis‐[(Me₂SbSeSbMe₂)₂Cr(CO)₄] ( 5 ) Te[SbMe₂W(CO)₅]₂ ( 6 ) and crystal structures of 1 – 5 are reported.     

Darstellung und elektrochemisches Verhalten von [Nb(OTeF5)6]− und [Ta(OTeF5)6]−-Komplexen

Preparation and Electrochemistry of [Nb(OTeF₅)₆]^? and [Ta(OTeF₅)₆]^? Complexes Nb(OTeF₅)₅ and Ta(OTeF₅)₅ react with Cs[OTeF₅], [Et₄N][OTeF₅], and [(n-Bu)₄N][OTeF₅] to the corresponding Cs[M(OTeF₅)₆], [Et₄N][M(OTeF₅)₆], and [(n-Bu)₄N][M(OTeF₅)₆] complexes, (M = Nb, Ta). The electrochemical reduction of the niobium complex occurs in CH₂Cl₂ at ?0,69 V and in acetonitrile at ?0,60 V (vs. SCE). The tantalum complex is reduced in CH₂Cl₂ at ?1,52 V and in acetonitrile at ?1,42 V (vs. SCE).     

SnCl2 als Brückenligand in [{(CO)5M}2Sn(Cl)2]2− (M = Cr,Mo, W) — Synthese,Struktur und Reaktivität

SnCl₂ as a Bridging Ligand in [{(CO)₅M}₂Sn(Cl)₂]^2? (M = Cr, Mo, W) — Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity [{(CO)₅Cr}₂Sn(Cl)₂]^2?, 1 , may be obtained from [(CO)₅Cr]^2? or [(CO)₅CrSnCl₂ · THF] in fair yields. Alternatively, 1 is accessible by the reaction of [Cr₂(CO)₁₀]^2? with SnCl₂. This procedure may be extended to the synthesis of [{(CO)₅M}₂Sn(Cl)₂]^2? (M = Mo, 2 ; M = W, 3 ). The compounds 1–3 are crystallized as their alkalimetal (12-crown-4)₂ or [2,2,2]cryptand salts. X-ray analyses demonstrate bridging SnCl₂-moieties with M? Sn? M-angles close to 130° in each case. The relation of the bonding situation in 1–3 to the ones observed for stannylene or ?inidene”? complexes, respectively, is discussed. The transformation of 1 into the rhombododecahedral (X-ray analysis) Sn? O-cage compound [{(CO)₅CrSn}₆(μ₃-O)₄(μ₃-OH)₄], 4 , demonstrates the reactivity of the dianions 1–3 .     

Bestimmung von Gleichgewichtskonstanten für Ligandenaustauschreaktionen von [TcNX4]− (X = Cl,Br) mit Hilfe der EPR

Polynuclear Complexes with Fe? As, Fe? Sb, and Fe? Bi Frameworks The anionic iron clusters Fe₃(CO)₁₁^2? and Fe₄(CO)₁₃^2? were reacted with compounds EX₃ and with organic derivatives REX₂ and R₂EX of the elements arsenic, antimony, and bismuth. Commonly redox and cluster degradation reactions were observed. The new complexes [(CO)₄Fe? AsMe₂? Fe(CO)₄]^?, [HFe₃(CO)₉(mu;₃-SbBu^t)]^?, [Fe₃(CO)₁₀ (mu;₃-Sb)]^?, and [Fe₃(CO)₁₀(mu;₃-Bi)]^? were formed and isolated as their PPN salts. The Fe? As? Fe complex was identified by a structure determination, the other complexes were identified by their spectra.     

Nucleophilic attack on cluster-bound acetylide ligands derived from the iron ketenylidene, [Fe3(CO)9(CCO)]2−

Reaction of the iron ketenylidene (PPN)₂[Fe₃(CO)₉CCO] [PPN =bis (triphenylphosphine)nitrogen(+1)] with trifluoroacetic anhydride forms a highly electrophilic acetylide cluster (PPN)[Fe₃(CO)₉CCOC(O)CF₃] (lc), analogous to the known compounds (PPN)[Fe₃(CO)₉CCOR] [R=Et, (Ia); Ac, (Ib)] prepared from the reaction of ethyl triflate and acetyl chloride on the ketenylidene. Reaction of phosphines and (Ib, c) yield phosphonium acetylides [Fe₃(CO)₉CCPR₃] [(II),R=Ph], with loss of (PPN)[CH₃CO₂] or (PPN)[CF₃CO₂]. Additionally, (Ic) and triphenylarsine react to give an analogous arsonium acetylide [Fe₃(CO)₉CCAsPh₃] (III). No reaction occurs when an excess of arsine is added to (Ib). The reaction of (Ib, c) with anionic nucleophiles is reported, including reaction of Na[CpFe(CO)₂] and (Ib) to afford an unusual metallated acetylide cluster (PPN) [Fe₃(CO)₉CCFe(CO)₂Cp] (IV). Clusters (II), (III), and (IV) are spectroscopically characterized and a single crystal x-ray structure determination of (IV) is reported. (PPN)[Fe₃(CO)₉CCFe(CO)₂Cp] (IV) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n;a=17.793(2) Å;b=16.108(3) Å;c=18.157(3) Å;=107.62(1)⁰;V=4959(3) ų;Z=4. Refinement of 469 variables on 5981 observed [I>3(I)] reflections converged toR=3.5% andRw=4.7%.     

Reaktionen von Cyclostibanen (RSb)n [R = (Me3Si)2CH,n = 3; Me3CCH2, n = 4, 5] mit den Übergangsmetallcarbonyl‐Komplexen [W(CO)5(thf)], [CpxMn(CO)2(thf)], [CpxCr(CO)3]2 und [Co2(CO)8]; Cpx = MeC5H4

Reactions of Cyclostibanes, (RSb)_n [R = (Me₃Si)₂CH, n = 3; Me₃CCH₂, n = 4, 5] with the Transition Metal Carbonyl Complexes [W(CO)₅(thf)], [Cp^xMn(CO)₂(thf)], [Cp^xCr(CO)₃]₂, and [Co₂(CO)₈]; Cp^x = MeC₅H₄ (RSb)₃ [R = (Me₃Si)₂CH] reacts with [W(CO)₅(thf)], [Cp^xMn(CO)₂(thf)], or [Co₂(CO)₈] to give [(RSb)₃W(CO)₅] ( 1 ), [RSb{Mn(CO)₂Cp^x}₂] ( 2 ) or [RSbCo(CO)₃]₂ ( 3 ). The reaction of (R′Sb)_n (n = 4, 5; R′ = Me₃CCH₂) with [Cp^xCr(CO)₃]₂ leads to [(R′Sb)₄{Cr(CO)₂Cp^x}₂] ( 4 ); Cp^x = MeC₅H₄, thf = Tetrahydrofuran.     

Photoassisted synthesis of mixed-metal clusters: [PPN] [CoOs3(CO)13], H2RuOs3(CO)13, and H2FeOs3(CO)13

The utility of photochemical methods for the directed synthesis of mixed-metal metal clusters has been explored. The 366 nm photolysis of a solution containing [PPN] [Co(CO)₄] (PPN = (Ph₃P)₂N⁺) and Os₃(CO)₁₂ gives the new cluster [PPN][CoOs₃(CO)₁₃] in 33% yield. Irradiation of a mixture of Fe(CO)₅ and H₂Os₃(CO)₁₀ yields H₂FeOs₃(CO)₁₃ in 95% yield, and photolysis of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ in the presence of H₂Os₃(CO)₁₀ gives the new cluster H₂RuOs₃(CO)₁₃. Details of these syntheses, their probable mechanisms, and the characterization of the new compounds are discussed.     

Co‐Adsorption of O2 and CO on Au2−: Infrared Photodissociation Spectroscopy and Theoretical Study of [Au2O2(CO)n]− (n=2–6)

The co‐adsorption of O₂ and CO on anionic sites of gold species is considered as a crucial step in the catalytic CO oxidation on gold catalysts. In this regard, the [Au₂O₂(CO)_n]^? (n=2–6) complexes were prepared by using a laser vaporization supersonic ion source and were studied by using infrared photodissociation spectroscopy in the gas phase. All the [Au₂O₂(CO)_n]^? (n=2–6) complexes were characterized to have a core structure involving one CO and one O₂ molecule co‐adsorbed on Au₂^? with the other CO molecules physically tagged around. The CO stretching frequency of the [Au₂O₂(CO)]^? core ion is observed around =2032–2042 cm^?1, which is about 200 cm^?1 higher than that in [Au₂(CO)₂]^?. This frequency difference and the analyses based on density functional calculations provide direct evidence for the synergy effect of the chemically adsorbed O₂ and CO. The low lying structures with carbonate group were not observed experimentally because of high formation barriers. The structures and the stability (i.e., the inertness in a sense) of the co‐adsorbed O₂ and CO on Au₂^? may have relevance to the elementary reaction steps on real gold catalysts.