Structural analysis of the conformational flexibility of tris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands and their analogues

Database analysis and molecular mechanics were used to determine the conformational flexibility of tridentate scorpionate ligands. The tris(pyrazolyl)methane and tris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands act like molecular vises, opening their tripodal structure for larger metals and closing around smaller metal ions. Tris(3-tert-butylpyrazolyl)methane has significant preference for larger metal ions than its unsubstituted parent compound. Tris(pyrazolyl)methanes and tris(pyrazolyl)borates have similar conformational flexibilities. Placing sterically hindered groups on the central carbon or boron has only a minor effect on the geometry of the tris(pyrazolyl)methanes and tris(pyrazolyl)borates. However, it does influence the flexibility of the ligands, particularly when they have to open far from their ideal geometry, which commonly occurs.     

Syntheses and structures of lanthanide(III) complexes with some bis(pyrazolyl)borate and tris(pyrazolyl)borate podand ligands

Two new poly(pyrazolyl)borate ligands have been prepared: potassium tris[3-{(4-^tbutyl)-pyrid-2-yl}-pyrazol-1-yl]hydroborate (KTp^BuPy) which has three bidentate arms and is therefore hexadentate; and potassium bis[3-(2-pyridyl)-5-(methoxymethyl)pyrazol-1-yl]-dihydroborate (KBp^(COC)Py) which has two bidentate arms and is therefore tetradentate. The crystal structures of their lanthanide complexes [La(Tp^BuPy)(NO₃)₂] and [La(Bp^(COC)Py)₂X] (X=nitrate or triflate) have been determined. In [La(Tp^BuPy)(NO₃)₂] the metal ion is ten-coordinate, from the hexadentate N-donor podand ligand and two bidentate nitrates. [La(Bp^(COC)Py)₂(NO₃)] is also ten-coordinate, from two tetradentate ligands and a bidentate nitrate, but in [La(Bp^(COC)Py)₂(CF₃SO₃)] the metal ion is nine-coordinate because the triflate anion is monodentate. Two unexpected new complexes which arose from partial decomposition of the poly(pyrazolyl)borate ligands have also been characterised structurally. In [La(^BuPypzH)₃(O₃SCF₃)₃] the metal ion is nine-coordinate from three bidentate pyrazolyl-pyridine arms (liberated by decomposition of KTp^BuPy) and three triflate anions; there is extensive NH· · · O hydrogen-bonding between the pyrazolyl and triflate ligands. [Nd(Tp^Py)(Bp^Py)][Nd(PypzH)(NO₃)₄] was isolated from the reaction of hexadentate tris[3-(2-pyridyl)-pyrazol-1-yl]hydroborate (Tp^Py) with Nd(NO₃)₃. One of the Tp^Py ligands has lost one bidentate pyrazolyl-pyridine ‘arm’ (PypzH) to leave tetradentate tris[3-(2-pyridyl)-pyrazol-1-yl]dihydroborate (Bp^Py). In this structure, the cation [Nd(Tp^Py)(Bp^Py)]⁺ is ten-coordinate from inter-leaved hexadentate and tetradentate ligands, and the anion [Nd(PypzH)(NO₃)₄]⁻ is also ten-coordinate from the bidentate N-donor ligand PypzH and four bidentate nitrates.     

Cationic tris(pyrazolyl)borate bipyrimidine complexes

The cationic complexes, [Tp^RNi(bpym)]⁺ {Tp^R = tris(3,5-diphenylpyrazolyl)borate, R = Ph₂ 1; tris(3-phenyl-5-methylpyrazolyl)borate, R = Ph,Me 2} were synthesized by reacting [Tp^RNiBr] (R = Ph₂; Ph,Me) with bipyrimidine followed by subsequent addition of KPF₆ in CH₂Cl₂. The green solids have been characterized by IR, UV–Vis and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Crystallographic studies of [Tp^Ph,MeNi(bpym)]PF₆ reveal a five-coordinate square pyramidal nickel centre with a κ³-coordinated Tp^Ph,Me ligand and a chelating bipyrimidine ligand. Cyclic voltammetric studies show irreversible reduction with the degree of reversibility dependent on the type of Tp^R ligand.     

Structural and electronic differences of copper(I) complexes with tris(pyrazolyl)methane and hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands

Copper(I) complexes with tripodal nitrogen-containing neutral ligands such as tris(3,5-diisopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane (L1') and tris(3-tertiary-butyl-5-isopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane (L3'), and with corresponding anionic ligands such as hydrotris(3,5-diisopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate (L1-) and hydrotris(3-tertiary-butyl-5-isopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate (L3-) were synthesized and structurally characterized. Copper(I) complexes [Cu(L1')Cl] (1), [Cu(L1')(OClO3)] (2), [Cu(L1')(NCMe)](PF6) (3a), [Cu(L1')(NCMe)](ClO4) (3b), [Cu(L1')(CO)](PF6) (4a), and [Cu(L1')(CO)](ClO4) (4b) were prepared using the ligand L1'. Copper(I) complexes [Cu(L3')Cl] (5) and [Cu(L3')(NCMe)](PF6) (6) with the ligand L3' were also synthesized. Copper(I) complexes [Cu(L1)(NCMe)] (7) and [Cu(L1)(CO)] (8) were prepared using the anionic ligand L1-. Finally, copper(I) complexes with anionic ligand L3- and acetonitrile (9) and carbon monoxide (10) were synthesized. The complexes obtained were fully characterized by IR, far-IR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The structures of both ligands, L1' and L3', and of complexes 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5, 6, 7, and 10 were determined by X-ray crystallography. The effects of the differences in (a) the fourth ligand and the counteranion, (b) the steric hindrance at the third position of the pyrazolyl rings, and most importantly, (c) the charge of the N3 type ligands, on the structures, spectroscopic properties, and reactivities of the copper(I) complexes are discussed. The observed differences in the reactivities toward O2 of the copper(I) acetonitrile complexes are traced back to differences in the oxidation potentials determined by cyclic voltammetry. A special focus is set on the carbonyl complexes, where the 13C NMR and vibrational data are presented. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to shed light on the differences in CO bonding in the compounds with neutral and anionic N3 ligands. In correlation with the vibrational and electrochemical data of these complexes, it is demonstrated that the C-O stretching vibration is a sensitive probe for the "electron richness" of copper(I) in these compounds.     

Photochemistry of tris(pyrazolyl)borate titanium(IV) complexes

The electronic features and photochemistry of TpTiCl₃ (1) (Tp = hydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate) and Tp*TiCl₃ (2) (Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate) were studied in THF. Reactive decay of the excited states produced either (or ) and metal center Ti(III) radicals via homolytic cleavage of the Tp → Ti (Tp* → Ti) bond. Cleavage of the Tp → Ti and the Tp* → Ti bond as a primary photoprocess is shown to be consistent with LMCT Tp → Ti and Tp* → Ti excitation. TpTiCl₂(THF) (3) and Tp*TiCl₂(THF) (4) were also prepared by stoichiometric reduction of 1 and 2 with Li₃N. The THF ligand in 3 and 4 was replaced by the stable nitroxyl radical TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy) to provide the new complexes TpTiCl₂(TEMPO) (5) and Tp*TiCl₂(TEMPO) (6) in which the TEMPO ligand is η¹ coordinated to Ti(IV). Photolysis of 5 and 6 generate Ti(III) and the TEMPO radical in the primary photochemical step.     

Unusual reactivity of tris(pyrazolyl)borate zirconium benzyl complexes

The synthesis and reactivity of [Tp*Zr(CH2Ph)2][B(C6F5)4] (2, Tp* = HB(3,5-Me2pz)3, pz = pyrazolyl) have been explored to probe the possible role of Tp'MR2+ species in group 4 metal Tp'MCl3/MAO olefin polymerization catalysts (Tp' = generic tris(pyrazolyl)borate). The reaction of Tp*Zr(CH2Ph)3 (1) with [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] in CD2Cl2 at -60 degrees C yields 2. 2 rearranges rapidly to [{(PhCH2)(H)B(mu-Me2pz)2}Zr(eta2-Me2pz)(CH2Ph)][B(C6F5)4] (3) at 0 degrees C. Both 2 and 3 are highly active for ethylene polymerization and alkyne insertion. Reaction of 2 with excess 2-butyne yields the double insertion product [Tp*Zr(CH2Ph)(CMe=CMeCMe=CMeCH2Ph)][B(C6F5)4] (4). Reaction of 3 with excess 2-butyne yields [{(PhCH2)(H)B(mu-Me2pz)2}Zr(Cp*)(eta2-Me2pz)][B(C6F5)4] (6, Cp* = C5Me5) via three successive 2-butyne insertions, intramolecular insertion, chain walking, and beta-Cp* elimination.     

Elucidating drug-metalloprotein interactions with tris(pyrazolyl)borate model complexes

The tetrahedral zinc complex [(Tp(Me,Ph))ZnOH] (Tp(Me,Ph) = hydrotris(5,3-methylphenylpyrazolyl)borate) was combined with acetohydroxamic acid, 3-mercapto-2-butanone, N-(methyl)mercaptoacetamide, beta-mercaptoethanol, 3-mercapto-2-propanol, and 3-mercapto-2-butanol to generate the complexes [(Tp(Me,Ph))Zn(ZBG)] (ZBG = zinc-binding group). These complexes were prepared to determine the mode of binding for three different types of thiol-derived matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors. The solid-state structures of all six metal complexes were determined by X-ray crystallography. The structures reveal that while beta-mercaptoketones and beta-mercaptoamides bind the zinc ion in a bidentate fashion, the three beta-mercaptoalcohol compounds only demonstrate monodentate coordination via the sulfur atom. Prior to this work, no experimental data were available for the binding conformation of these types of inhibitors to the zinc active site of MMPs. The results of these model studies reveal different binding modes for these ZBGs and are useful for explaining the results of inhibition assays and in second-generation drug design. This work demonstrates the utility of model complexes as a tool for revealing drug-metalloprotein interactions.     

Synthesis and reactivity of hydride and dihydrogen complexes of ruthenium with tris(pyrazolyl)borate and phosphite ligands

Chloro phosphite complexes RuClTpL(PPh₃) (1a, 1b) [L = P(OEt)₃, PPh(OEt)₂] and RuClTp[P(OEt)₃]₂ (1c) [Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate] were prepared by allowing RuClTp(PPh₃)₂ to react with an excess of phosphite. Treatment of the chloro complexes 1 with NaBH₄ in ethanol yielded the hydride RuHTpL(PPh₃) (2a, 2b) and RuHTp[P(OEt)₃]₂ (2c) derivatives. Protonation reaction of 2 with Brønsted acids was studied and led to thermally unstable (above 10 °C) dihydrogen [Ru(η²- H₂)TpL(PPh₃)]⁺ (3a, 3b) and [Ru(η²-H₂)Tp{P(OEt)₃}₂]⁺ (3c) complexes. The presence of the η²-H₂ ligand is indicated by short T_1 min values and J_HD measurements of the partially deuterated derivatives. Aquo [RuTp(H₂O)L(PPh₃)]BPh₄ (4), carbonyl [RuTp(CO)L(PPh₃)]BPh₄ (5), and nitrile [RuTp(CH₃CN)L(PPh₃)]BPh₄ (6) derivatives [L = P(OEt)₃] were prepared by substituting H₂ in the η²-H₂ derivatives 3. Vinylidene [RuTp{CC(H)R}L(PPh₃)]BPh₄ (7, 8) (R = Ph, ^tBu) and allenylidene [RuTp(CCCR1R2)L(PPh₃)]BPh₄ (9-11) complexes (R1 = R2 = Ph, R1 = Ph R2 = Me) were also prepared by allowing dihydrogen complexes 3 to react with the appropriate HCCR and HCCC(OH)R1R2 alkynes. Deprotonation of vinylidene complexes 7, 8 with NEt₃ was studied and led to acetylide Ru(CCR)TpL(PPh₃) (12, 13) derivatives. The trichlorostannyl Ru(SnCl₃)TpL(PPh₃) (14) compound was also prepared by allowing the chloro complex RuClTpL(PPh₃) to react with SnCl₂ · 2H₂O in CH₂Cl₂.     

Alkynylcarbyne complexes containing various tri- and bidentate ligands such as cyclopentadienide,tris(pyrazolyl)borate,bis(pyrazolyl)acetate and tmeda: synthesis and spectroscopic properties

The (alkynylcarbyne)tungsten complexes [L₃(CO)₂WCCCR] (3a,b–6a,b) [L₃=hydro[tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)]borato (Tp′, 3), hydro[tris(pyrazol-1-yl)]borato (Tp, 4), cyclopentadienyl (Cp, 5), bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetato (bdmpza, 6); R=SiMe₃ (a), Ph (b)] were prepared in a stepwise fashion from [W(CO)₆] and Li[CCR], (CF₃CO)₂O and M[L₃] (M=Na, K). The formation of 6a,b was highly selective, only complexes with a trans arrangement of the carboxylate group of bdmpza and the alkynylcarbyne ligand were detected. The reaction of [W(CO)₆] with Li[CCR], C₂O₂Cl₂ and tmeda afforded trans-[Cl(CO)₂(tmeda)WCCCR] (7a,b). The electron-donating potential of the different tripodal ligands L₃ was studied by IR- and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy and compared to that of the ligand combination Cl/tmeda. The IR data suggest that in these complexes bdmpza is a weaker electron donor than Tp′ and Tp but displays stronger electron-donating abilities than Cp. The structures of 6b and 7b were established by X-ray structural analyses.     

Structure-function correlations in Iron(II) tris(pyrazolyl)borate spin-state crossover complexes

Iron(II) poly(pyrazolyl)borate complexes have been investigated to determine the impact of substituent effects, intramolecular ligand distortions, and intermolecular supramolecular structures on the spin-state crossover (SCO) behavior. The molecular structure of Fe[HB(3,4,5-Me3pz)3]2 (pz = pyrazolyl ring), a complex known to remain high spin when the temperature is lowered, reveals that this complex has an intramolecular ring-twist distortion that is not observed in analogous complexes that do exhibit a SCO at low temperatures, thus indicating that this distortion greatly influences the properties of these complexes. The structure of Fe[B(3-(cy)Prpz)4]2.(CH3OH) ((cy)Pr = cyclopropyl ring) at 294 K has two independent molecules in the unit cell, both of which are high spin; only one of these high-spin iron(II) sites, the site with the lesser ring-twist distortion, is observed to be low-spin iron(II) in the 90 K structure. A careful evaluation of the supramolecular structures of these complexes and several similar complexes reported previously revealed no strong correlation between the supramolecular packing forces and their SCO behavior. Magnetic and M?ssbauer spectral measurements on Fe[B(3-(cy)Prpz)4]2 and Fe[HB(3-(cy)Prpz)3]2 indicate that both complexes exhibit a partial SCO from fully high-spin iron(II) at higher temperatures, respectively, to a 50:50 high-spin/low-spin mixture of iron(II) below 100 K. These results may be understood, in the former case, by the differences in ring-twisting and, in the latter case, by a phase transition; in all complexes in which a phase transition is observed, this change dominates the SCO behavior. A comparison of the M?ssbauer spectral properties of these two complexes and of Fe[HB(3-Mepz)3]2 with that of other complexes reveals correlations between the M?ssbauer-effect isomer shift and the average Fe-N bond distance and between the quadrupole splitting and the average FeN-NB intraligand dihedral torsion angles and the distortion of the average N-Fe-N intraligand bond angles.     

Synthesis and characterization of two new bulky tris(mercaptoimidazolyl)borate ligands and their zinc and cadmium complexes

The sodium salts of the tris(2-mercapto-1-benzylimidazolyl)borate [Tm^Bz]⁻ and tris(2-mercapto-1-p-tolylimidazolyl)borate [Tm^p-Tol]⁻ anions have been readily prepared in very good yield from NaBH₄ and 2-mercapto-1-benzylimidazole or 2-mercapto-1-p-tolylimidazole, respectively. These new monoanionic tripodal sulfur-donor ligands have been used to prepare the Group 12 derivatives (Tm^R)MBr (M=Zn, Cd; R=Bz, p-Tol), all of which have been characterized by a combination of analytical and spectroscopic techniques, including electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS) and, in the case of both benzyl-substituted derivatives, single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Chiral poly(pyrazolyl)borate ligands and complexes: III. Chiral poly(pyrazolyl)borate isonitrile complexes of molybdenum and tungsten

The syntheses of enantiomeric and diastereoisomeric Bpz₄M★(CO)(NO)(CNR) complexes (M = Mo, W; R = CH₂CH₃, CH₂Ph, C★H(CH₃)(C₆H₅)) are reported. When R = CH₂CH₃ or CH₂C₆H₅ the presence of the diastereotopic methylene hydrogens does not allow the detection of the neighbouring chiral center, because they are magnetically equivalent. The diastereoisomeric complexes show different ¹H NMR signals, but cannot be resolved by liquid chromatography or by crystallization.     

Coordination, organometallic and related chemistry of tris(pyrazolyl)methane ligands

Tris(pyrazolyl)methanes are the neutral analogues of the widely exploited and highly useful tris(pyrazolyl)hydroborates, yet by comparison with their boron based counterparts their chemistry is underdeveloped. Recent breakthroughs in the synthesis of ring-substituted tris(pyrazolyl)methanes offer the opportunity for the development of this useful and promising class of ligand. This review summarises the current state of the coordination and organometallic chemistry of tris(pyrazolyl)methanes and highlights areas in which development is likely to occur.     

Deprotonated diindolylmethanes as dianionic analogues of scorpionate bis(pyrazolyl)borate ligands: synthesis and structural characterization of representative titanocene and zirconocene complexes

Deprotonation of di(3-methylindol-2-yl)phenylmethane (L₂H₂) or with two equivalents of ⁿBuLi, followed by reactions with Cp₂TiCl₂ or Cp₂ZrCl₂ yielded complexes . Compounds 1-4 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, and compounds 1, 3, and 4 were further analyzed by X-ray crystallography and elemental analysis. The molecular structures of 1, 3, and 4 illustrate that chelating di(3-methylindol-2-yl)methanes have a structural relationship to coordinated bis(pyrazolyl)borates.     

Preparation and reactivity with azo-species of hydride and dihydrogen complexes of osmium stabilised by tris(pyrazolyl)borate and phosphite ligands

Mixed-ligand OsCl(Tp)L(PPh₃) complexes 1 [Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate; L = P(OMe)₃, P(OEt)₃ and PPh(OEt)₂] were prepared by allowing OsCl(Tp)(PPh₃)₂ to react with an excess of phosphite. Treatment of chlorocomplexes 1 with NaBH₄ in ethanol afforded hydride OsH(Tp)L(PPh₃) derivatives 2. Stable dihydrogen [Os(η²-H₂)(Tp)L(PPh₃)]BPh₄ derivatives 3 were prepared by protonation of hydrides 2 with HBF₄ · Et₂O at −80 °C. The presence of the η²-H₂ ligand is supported by short T_1 min values and J_HD measurements on the partially deuterated derivatives. Treatment of the hydride OsH(Tp)[P(OEt)₃](PPh₃) complex with the aryldiazonium salt [4-CH₃C₆H₄N₂]BF₄ afforded aryldiazene [Os(4-CH₃C₆H₄NNH)(Tp){P(OEt)₃}(PPh₃)]BPh₄ derivative 4. Instead, aryldiazenido [Os(4-CH₃C₆H₄N₂)(Tp)[P(OEt)₃](PPh₃)](BF₄)₂ derivative 5 was obtained by reacting the hydride OsH(Tp)[P(OEt)₃](PPh₃) first with methyltriflate and then with aryldiazonium [4-CH₃C₆H₄N₂]BF₄ salt. Spectroscopic characterisation (IR, ¹⁵N NMR) by the ¹⁵N-labelled derivative strongly supports the presence of a near-linear Os-NN-Ar aryldiazenido group. Imine [Os{η¹-NHC(H)Ar}(Tp){P(OEt)₃}(PPh₃)]BPh₄ complexes 6 and 7 (Ar = C₆H₅, 4-CH₃C₆H₄) were also prepared by allowing the hydride OsH(Tp)[P(OEt)₃](PPh₃) to react first with methyltriflate and then with alkylazides.     

Ln(III) methyl and methylidene complexes stabilized by a bulky hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate ligand

The reaction of Ln(AlMe(4))(3) with bulky hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate (Tp(t)(Bu,Me))H proceeds via a sequence of methane elimination and C-H bond activation, affording unprecedented rare-earth metal ligand moieties including Ln(Me)[(micro-Me)AlMe(3)] and X-ray structurally characterized "Tebbe-like" Ln[(micro-CH(2))(2)AlMe(2)].     

A convenient preparative method for anionic tris(substituted pyrazolyl)methane ligands

The synthesis of tris[3-(6-carboxypyridin-2-yl)pyrazol-1-yl]methane is described in a linear multi-step protocol. The pyridyl-pyrazolyl arms are first constructed before being condensed with chloroform. Careful study of the condensation reaction shows the presence of an isomeric form of the tris(pyrazolyl)methane derivative in which one of the pyrazolyl substituents is linked through the nitrogen atom at the 2 position of the pyrazol. After acid-catalysed isomerisation to the desired isomer, the intermediate compound was subjected to a carboalkoxylation reaction and a subsequent hydrolysis. These are some rare examples of reactions directly occurring on the tris(pyrazolyl)methane platforms.     

ScorpoPhos: a novel phosphine-nitrogen ligand containing a tris(pyrazolyl)borate ligand core

A new tris(pyrazolyl)borate ligand bearing phosphine donor groups appended to the 3-position of the pyrazolyl rings is reported, and the hemilabile behaviour of this tris-N,P ligand in coordination with K+, Tl+ and Cu+ ions is investigated.     

Step-by-step uncoordination of the pyrazolyl rings of hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands in comlexes of Rh and RhIII

Compounds of rhodium(I) and rhodium(III) that contain ancillary hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands (Tp') react with monodentate and bidentate tertiary phosphanes in a step-wise manner, with incorporation of P-donor atoms and concomitant replacement of the Tp' pyrazolyl rings. Accordingly, [Rh(kappa3-TpMe2)(C2H4)(PMe3)] (1b), converts initially into [Rh(kappa2-TpMe2)-(PMe3)2] (3), and then into [Rh(kappa1-TpMe2)-(PMe3)3] (2) upon interaction with PMe3 at room temperature, in a process which can be readily reversed under appropriate experimental conditions. Full disengagement of the Tp' ligand is feasible to give Tp' salts of rhodium(I) complex cations, for example, [Rh(CO)(dppp)2]-[TpMe2,4-Cl] (5; dppp = Ph2P(CH2)3PPh2), or [Rh(dppp)2][TpMe2,4-Cl] (6). Bis(hydride) derivatives of rhodium(III) exhibit similar substitution chemistry, for instance, the neutral complex [Rh(Tp)-(H)2(PMe3)] reacts at 20 degrees C with an excess of PMe3 to give [Rh(H)2-(PMe3)4][Tp] (9b). Single-crystal X-ray studies of 9b, conducted at 143 K, demonstrate the absence of bonding interactions between the [Rh(H)2(PMe3)4]+ and Tp ions, the closest Rh...N contact being at 4.627 A.     

Redox-active nickel and cobalt tris(pyrazolyl)borate dithiocarbamate complexes: air-stable Co(II) dithiocarbamates

A series of new cobalt(II) and nickel(II) tris(3,5-diphenylpyrazolyl)borate (Tp(Ph2)) dithiocarbamate complexes [Tp(Ph2)M(dtc)] (M = Co, dtc = S?CNEt? 1, S?CNBz? 2 and S?CN(CH?)? 3; M = Ni, dtc = S?CNEt? 4, S?CNBz? 5 and S?CN(CH?)? 6) have been prepared by the reaction of [Tp(Ph2)MBr] with Nadtc in CH?Cl?. IR spectroscopy indicates that the Tp(Ph2) ligand is κ3 coordinated while the dithiocarbamate ligand is κ2 coordinated. 1H NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopy are consistent with high spin, five-coordinate metal centres. X-ray crystallographic studies of 1, 3 and 6 confirm the κ3 coordination of the Tp(Ph2) ligand and reveal an intermediate five-coordinate geometry with an asymmetrically coordinated dithiocarbamate ligand. Electrochemical studies of 1-6 reveal a metal centred reversible one-electron oxidation to M(III). Attempted oxidation of [Tp(Ph2)Co(dtc)] with [FeCpCp(COMe)]BF? yields [Co(dtc)?], Hpz(Ph2) and a further product which may be [Tp(Ph2)CoBp(Ph2)]. DFT calculations indicate that the low redox potentials in these complexes result from a strongly antibonding M-S σ* HOMO.