Neue Benzylkomplexe der Lanthanoiden. Darstellung und Kristallstrukturen von [(C5Me5)2Y(CH2C6H5)(thf)], [(C5Me5)2Sm(CH2C6H5)2K(thf)2]∞ und [(C5Me5)Gd(CH2C6H5)2(thf)]

New Benzyl Complexes of the Lanthanides. Synthesis and Crystal Structures of [(C₅Me₅)₂Y(CH₂C₆H₅)(thf)], [(C₅Me₅)₂Sm(CH₂C₆H₅)₂K(thf)₂]_∞, and [(C₅Me₅)Gd(CH₂C₆H₅)₂(thf)] YBr₃ reacts with potassium benzyl and [K(C₅Me₅)] in THF to give KBr and the monobenzyl compound [(C₅Me₅)₂ · Y(CH₂C₆H₅)(thf)] 1 . The analogous reaction with SmBr₃ in THF leads to the polymeric product [(C₅Me₅)₂Sm(CH₂C₆H₅)₂ ∞ K(thf)₂]_∞ 2 , with GdBr₃ to [(C₅Me₅)Gd(CH₂C₆H₅)₂(thf)] 3 . The structures of 1–3 were determined by X-ray single crystal structure analysis:

• Space group P1 , Z = 2, a = 851.2(4) pm, b = 952.7(4) pm, c = 1858.6(8) pm, α = 79.90(4)°, β = 77.35(4)°, γ = 73.30(3)°.
• Space group P1 , Z = 2, a = 903.3(2) pm, b = 1375.9(3) pm, c = 1801.1(4) pm, α = 100.92(3)°, β = 100.77°, γ = 98.25(3)°.
• Space group P2₁/n, Z = 8, a = 1458.2(5) pm, b = 927.8(3) pm, c = 3792.9(15) pm, β = 96.83(3)°.

     

Synthesis of divalent aryloxy- and diorganoamido-lanthanides from bis(pentafluorophenyl)lanthanide(II) complexes

The complexes M(OR)₂(thf)₃ (M = Yb or Eu, R = 2,6-Bu^t₂-4-MeC₆H₂; M = Yb, R = 2,4,6-Bu^t₃C₆H₂ or 2,6-Bu^t₂C₆H₃; thf = tetrahydrofuran) and M(NR₂)₂(thf)₄ (M = Yb or Eu, R₂N = carbazol-9-yl; M = Yb, R₂N = 2-phenylindol-1-yl) have been prepared by reactions of (C₆F₅)₂M (M = Yb or Eu) with substituted phenols, carbazole, or 2-phenylindole.     

Zur Reaktion von 2,2′-Dilithiumbiphenyl mit SmBr3 Die Struktur von [(C24H16)SmBr(thf)2]2 · [C24H14]

On the Reaction of Dilithiumbiphenyl with SmBr₃. The Crystal Structure of [(C₂₄H₁₆)SmBr(thf)₂]₂ · [C₂₄H₁₄] In THF SmBr₃ forms with [(biph)Li₂] the dimeric complex [(quaph)SmBr(thf)₂]₂ · [C₂₄H₁₄]. The structure was characterized by X-ray single crystal structure analysis (space group P1 (No. 2), Z = 1, a = 943.3(6) pm, b = 1 350.3(1) pm, c = 1 599.9(9) pm, α = 64.99(5)°, β = 89.02(5)°, γ = 73.02(6)°). The Sm iones are bridged by two Br iones. Coordination by one quaph and THF ligands leads to distorded octahedra coordination of the Sm iones. Additionally crystallizes one molecule dibenzonaphthacene.     

Synthesis and Structure of 1—Cyclopentylindenyl Lanthanide（Ⅱ）Complexes and Their Catalytic Behavior for Polymerization of Acrylonitrile

The reaction between K(1‐C₅H₉C₉H₆) and anhydrous LnCl₃ (Ln=Sm, Yb) in the molar ratio of 2:1 in THF with subsequent treatment by Na‐K alloy afforded (1‐C₅H₉C₉H₆)₂Ln‐(THF)_n(Ln=Sm, n=1; Ln=Yb, n=2), while the reaction of Sml₂ with K(1‐C₅H₉C₉H₆) in the molar ratio of 1:2 in THF gave the anionic complex K(1‐C₅H₉C₉H₆)₃Sm(THF)₃. The X‐ray structure of (1‐C₅H₉C₉H₆)₂Yb(THF)₂ showed that central metal Yb is coordinated by two cyclopentadienyl rings of 1‐cyclopentylindenyls and two oxygen atoms from two tetrahydrofuran molecules to form pseudo‐tetrahedral coordinate geometry. All these complexes are active for the polymerization of acrylonitrile.     

Synthesis,Structures and Reactivity of Lanthanoid(II) Formamidinates of Varying Steric Bulk

New reactive, divalent lanthanoid formamidinates [Yb(Form)₂(thf)₂] (Form=[RNCHNR]; R=o‐MeC₆H₄ (o‐TolForm; 1 ), 2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃ (XylForm; 2 ), 2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂ (MesForm; 3 ), 2,6‐Et₂C₆H₃ (EtForm; 4 ), o‐PhC₆H₄ (o‐PhPhForm; 5 ), 2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃ (DippForm; 6 ), o‐HC₆F₄ (TFForm; 7 )) and [Eu(DippForm)₂(thf)₂] ( 8 ) have been prepared by redox transmetallation/protolysis reactions between an excess of a lanthanoid metal, Hg(C₆F₅)₂ and the corresponding formamidine (HForm). X‐ray crystal structures of 2 – 6 and 8 show them to be monomeric with six‐coordinate lanthanoid atoms, chelating N,N′‐Form ligands and cis‐thf donors. However, [Yb(TFForm)₂(thf)₂] ( 7 ) crystallizes from THF as [Yb(TFForm)₂(thf)₃] ( 7 a ), in which ytterbium is seven coordinate and the thf ligands are “pseudo‐meridional”. Representative complexes undergo C? X (X=F, Cl, Br) activation reactions with perfluorodecalin, hexachloroethane or 1,2‐dichloroethane, and 1‐bromo‐2,3,4,5‐tetrafluorobenzene, giving [Yb(EtForm)₂F]₂ ( 9) , [Yb(o‐PhPhForm)₂F]₂ ( 10) , [Yb(o‐PhPhForm)₂Cl(thf)₂] ( 11) , [Yb(DippForm)₂Cl(thf)] ( 12) and [Yb(DippForm)₂Br(thf)] ( 16) . X‐ray crystallography has shown 9 to be a six‐coordinate, fluoride‐bridged dimer, 12 and 16 to be six‐coordinate monomers with the halide and thf ligands cis to each other, and 11 to have a seven‐coordinate Yb atom with “pseudo‐meridional” unidentate ligands and thf donors cis to each other. The analogous terbium compound [Tb(DippForm)₂Cl(thf)₂] ( 13 ), prepared by metathesis, has a similar structure to 11 . C? Br activation also accompanies the redox transmetallation/protolysis reactions between La, Nd or Yb metals, Hg(2‐BrC₆F₄)₂, and HDippForm, yielding [Ln(DippForm)₂Br(thf)] complexes (Ln=La ( 14 ), Nd ( 15 ), Yb ( 16 )).     

Neue Komplexe der Lanthanoiden mit zweizähnigen Liganden. Die Strukturen von [(C17H17N2)GdBr2(thf)2] und [(C17H17N2)3Ln] (L = Sm,Gd)

New Complexes of the Lanthanoides with Bidentate Ligands. The Crystal Structures of [(C₁₇H₁₇N₂)GdBr₂(thf)₂] and [(C₁₇H₁₇N₂)₃Ln] (L = Sm, Gd) Reaction of [(AIP)Li] with GdBr₃ leads to a new mononuclear complex [(AIP)GdBr₂(thf)₂] 1 . In contrast to this with SmI₂ the compound [(AIP)₃Sm] 2 is build up. Such complexes are also formed with Gd(OR^*)₃ (R^* = O^tBu₂C₆H₃) and [(AIP)Li] in a 1:3 ratio, [(AIP)₃Gd] 3 . The structures of 1–3 were characterized by X-ray single crystal structure analysis ( 1 : space group Pna2₁ (No. 33), Z = 4, a = 1 972.7(9) pm, b = 984.7(5) pm, c = 1 425.0(8) pm, α = β = γ = 90°; 2 · 2 THF: space group C2/c (No. 15), Z = 8, a = 3 644.4(9) pm, b = 1 437.5(5) pm, c = 2 334.4(7) pm, β = 1 21.07(6)°; 3 : space group P2(1)/c (No. 14), Z = 4, a = 1 872.9(1) pm, b = 1 064.6(1) pm, c = 2 282.4(2) pm, β = 103.75(8)°).     

Organo‐Palladium(II)‐Verbindungen mit PdC4‐Koordination: Phenylethinyl‐ und Methylphenylethinylkomplexe

Tetrakis(p‐tolyl)oxalamidinato‐bis[acetylacetonatopalladium(II)] ([Pd₂(acac)₂(oxam)]) reacted with Li–C≡C–C₆H₅ in THF with formation of [Pd(C≡C–C₆H₅)₄Li₂(thf)₄] ( 1a ). Reaction of [Pd₂(acac)₂(oxam)] with a mixture of 6 equiv. Li–C≡C–C₆H₅ and 2 equiv. LiCH₃ resulted in the formation of [Pd(CH₃)(C≡C–C₆H₅)₃Li₂(thf)₄] ( 2 ), and the dimeric complex [Pd₂(CH₃)₄(C≡C–C₆H₅)₄Li₄(thf)₆] ( 3 ) was isolated upon reaction of [Pd₂(acac)₂(oxam)] with a mixture of 4 equiv. Li–C≡C–C₆H₅ and 4 equiv. LiCH₃. 1 – 3 are extremely reactive compounds, which were isolated as white needles in good yields (60–90%). They were fully characterized by IR, ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, ⁷Li‐NMR spectroscopy, and by X‐ray crystallography of single crystals. In these compounds Li ions are bonded to the two carbon atoms of the alkinyl ligand. 1a reacted with Pd(PPh₃)₄ in the presence of oxygen to form the already known complexes trans‐[Pd(C≡C–C₆H₅)₂(PPh₃)₂] and [Pd(η²‐O₂)(PPh₃)₂]. In addition, 1a is an active catalyst for the Heck coupling reaction, but less active in the catalytic Sonogashira reaction.     

Syntheses and Molecular Structures of [(thf)4Li] [{(thf)Li}M(C4H8)3] (M = Zr,Hf) and Their Solution Behavior

The reaction of MCl₄(thf)₂ (M = Zr, Hf) with 1,4-dilitiobutane in diethyl ether at –25 °C or at 0 °C with a molar ratio of 1 : 3 yields the homoleptic “ate” complexes [(thf)₄Li] [{(thf)Li}M(C₄H₈)₃] 1 - Zr (M = Zr) and 1 - Hf (M = Hf). The crystalline compounds form ion lattices with solvent-separated [(thf)₄Li]⁺ cations and [{(thf)Li}M(C₄H₈)₃]^– anions. The NMR spectra at –20 °C show magnetic equivalence of the M–CH₂ and of the β-CH₂ groups of the butane-1,4-diide ligands on the NMR time scale. Analogous reactions of MCl₄(thf)₂ with 1,4-dilithiobutane with a molar ratio of 1 : 2 proceed unclear. However, single crystals of [Li(thf)₄] [HfCl₅(thf)] ( 2 ) can be isolated with the hafnium atom in a distorted octahedral coordination sphere of five chloro and one thf ligand. NMR spectra allow to elucidate the time-dependent degradation of 1-Hf and 1-Zr in THF and toluene at 25 °C via THF cleavage. Addition of tmeda to a solution of 1-Zr allows the isolation of intermediately formed [{(tmeda)Li}₂Zr(nBu)₂(C₄H₈)₂] ( 3 ).     

Bis(η5‐isopropyltetramethylcyclo­pentadienyl)(tetrahydroborato‐κ3H,H′,H′′)(tetrahydrofuran‐O)‐samarium(III): a lanthanidocene complex with a tridentate tetrahydroborato ligand

The lanthanidocene complex [Sm(BH₄)(C₁₂H₁₉)₂(C₄H₈O)], (I), shows a distorted tetrahedral arrangement around the central Sm^III atom. It consists of two η⁵‐isopropyltetramethylcyclopentadienyl ligands, one tetrahydroborato (BH₄^?) ligand bridging via H atoms to the lanthanide atom and one coordinating tetrahydrofuran (thf) molecule. The BH₄^? unit of (I) coordinates as a tridentate ligand with three bridging H atoms and one terminal H atom [Sm—B—H4 176 (2)°]. The η⁵‐isopropyl­tetra­methylcyclopentadienyl ligands of this bent‐sandwich complex [Cp1—Sm—Cp2 133.53 (1)° where Cp denotes the centroid of the cyclopentadienyl ring] adopt staggered conformations.     

Cationic Allyl Complexes of the Rare‐Earth Metals: Synthesis,Structural Characterization,and 1,3‐Butadiene Polymerization Catalysis

Monocationic bis‐allyl complexes [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[B(C₆X₅)₄]^? (Ln=Y, La, Nd; X=H, F) and dicationic mono‐allyl complexes of yttrium and the early lanthanides [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)(thf)₆]²⁺[BPh₄]₂^? (Ln=La, Nd) were prepared by protonolysis of the tris‐allyl complexes [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₃(diox)] (Ln=Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm; diox=1,4‐dioxane) isolated as a 1,4‐dioxane‐bridged dimer (Ln=Ce) or THF adducts [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₃(thf)₂] (Ln=Ce, Pr). Allyl abstraction from the neutral tris‐allyl complex by a Lewis acid, ER₃ (Al(CH₂SiMe₃)₃, BPh₃) gave the ion pair [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[ER₃(η¹‐CH₂CH?CH₂)]^? (Ln=Y, La; ER₃=Al(CH₂SiMe₃)₃, BPh₃). Benzophenone inserts into the La? C_allyl bond of [La(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[BPh₄]^? to form the alkoxy complex [La{OCPh₂(CH₂CH?CH₂)}₂(thf)₃]⁺[BPh₄]^?. The monocationic half‐sandwich complexes [Ln(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)(η³‐C₃H₅)(thf)₂]⁺[B(C₆X₅)₄]^? (Ln=Y, La; X=H, F) were synthesized from the neutral precursors [Ln(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)] by protonolysis. For 1,3‐butadiene polymerization catalysis, the yttrium‐based systems were more active than the corresponding lanthanum or neodymium homologues, giving polybutadiene with approximately 90 % 1,4‐cis stereoselectivity.     

Arylvanadium(III)-Verbindungen. VI. Darstellung und Eigenschaften von Lithium-trimesityl-organyl-vanadaten(III)

Arylvanadium (III) Compounds. VI. Preparation and Properties of Lithium Trimesityl organyl Vanadates Trimesityl vanadium reacts with LiR (R = Ph, o-Tol, Dmop, CH₃, CPh₃) forming complexes Li(thf)₄ VMes₃R. With Li₂C₆H₄ and Li₂C₂ the compounds Li₂(thf) ₈ V(μ-C₆H₄)Mes₆ and Li₂(thf)₈V(μ-C₂)Mes₆ are obtained. All compounds are characterized by their thermal, magnetical, and spectral properties.     

ORGANOBISMUTH HOMOCYCLES (RBi)n AND HETEROCYCLES (RBiS)2

The homocycles (RBi)_n (n = 3–5) react with MeC₅ H₄Mn(CO)₂(thf) (thf = tetrahydrofuran) or Fe₂(CO)₉ to give Bi₂[Mn(CO)₂MeC₅ H₄]₃ (1) or Bi₂Fe₃(CO)₉ (3). Reaction of R₄Bi₂ (R = Me₃SiCH₂) with Fe₂(CO)₉ in toluene gives R₂Bi₂Fe₂(CO)₈ (4) and R₄Bi₂Fe(CO)₄ (5). The heterocycles (RBiS)₂(R = 2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆ H₄ (6), 2, 6-(Me₂NCH₂)₂ C₆ H₄ (7) are formed by reaction of the corresponding dihalides RBiCl₂ with Na₂S. The reaction of (RBiS)₂(R = 2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆ H₄) with W(CO)₅(thf) leads to (RBiS)₂[W(CO)₅]₂ (8).     

Rare-earth metal allyl and hydrido complexes supported by an (NNNN)-type macrocyclic ligand: synthesis, structure, and reactivity toward biomass-derived furanics

The preparation and characterization of a series of neutral rare‐earth metal complexes [Ln(Me₃TACD)(η³‐C₃H₅)₂] (Ln=Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) supported by the 1,4,7‐trimethyl‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane anion (Me₃TACD^?) are reported. Upon treatment of the neutral allyl complexes [Ln(Me₃TACD)(η³‐C₃H₅)₂] with Brønsted acids, monocationic allyl complexes [Ln(Me₃TACD)(η³‐C₃H₅)(thf)₂][B(C₆X₅)₄] (Ln=La, Ce, Nd, X=H, F) were isolated and characterized. Hydrogenolysis gave the hydride complexes [Ln(Me₃TACD)H₂]_n (Ln=Y, n=3; La, n=4; Sm). X‐ray crystallography showed the lanthanum hydride to be tetranuclear. Reactivity studies of [Ln(Me₃TACD)R₂]_n (R=η³‐C₃H₅, n=0; R=H, n=3,4) towards furan derivatives includes hydrosilylation and deoxygenation under ring‐opening conditions.     

Mechanism of reductive elimination of benzonitrile in cyanophenyl complexes of nickel(II) : II. Reactions of [cyano(phenyl)bis(tricyclohexylphosphine)nickel(II)]

The thermal decomposition of the complex Ni(CN)(C₆H₅)(PCy₃)₂ (Cy = cyclohexyl) in decalin has been examined. The complex reacts with P(OC₂H₅)₃ to give C₆H₅CN in quantitative yield. The mechanism of this reaction has been investigated and compared with that of the similar reaction shown by Ni(CN)(C₆H₅)(PEt₃)₂. The results indicate that the easiest path for the reaction involves a bimolecular attack of P(OC₂H₅)₃ at the metal atom before reductive elimination of C₆H₅CN.     

An unusual organoyttrium alkyl complex containing a [C5HMe3(η(3)-CH2)-C5H4N-κ]- ligand and an elusive cyclopentadienide-based scandium tuck-over zwitterion obtained by C-H bond activation

The acid–base reaction between Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(thf)₂ and the pyridyl‐functionalized cyclopentadienyl (Cp) ligand C₅Me₄H? C₅H₄N (1 equiv) at 0 °C afforded a mixture of two products: (η⁵:κ‐C₅Me₄? C₅H₄N)Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(thf) ( 1 a ) and (η⁵:κ‐C₅Me₄? C₅H₄N)₂YCH₂SiMe₃ ( 1 b ), in a 5:2 ratio. Addition of the same ligand (2 equiv) to Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(thf)₂, however, generated 1 b together with the novel complex 1 c , the first well defined yttrium mono(alkyl) complex (η⁵:κ‐C₅Me₄? C₅H₄N)[C₅HMe₃(η³‐CH₂)‐C₅H₄N‐κ]Y(CH₂SiMe₃) containing a rare κ/η³‐allylic coordination mode in which the C? H bond activation occurs unexpectedly with the allylic methyl group rather than conventionally on Cp ring. If the central metal was changed to lutetium, the equimolar reaction between Lu(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(thf)₂ and C₅Me₄H? C₅H₄N exclusively afforded the bis(alkyl) product (η⁵:κ‐C₅Me₄? C₅H₄N)Lu(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(thf) ( 2 a ). Similarly, the reaction between the ligand (2 equiv) and Lu(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(thf)₂ gave the mono(alkyl) complex (η⁵:κ‐C₅Me₄? C₅H₄N)₂LuCH₂SiMe₃ ( 2 b ), in which no ligand redistribution was observed. Strikingly, treatment of Sc(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(thf)₂ with C₅Me₄H? C₅H₄N in either 1:1 or 1:2 ratio at 0 °C generated the first cyclopentadienide‐based scandium zwitterionic “tuck‐over” complex 3 , (η⁵:κ‐C₅Me₄? C₅H₄N)Sc(thf)[μ‐η⁵:η¹:κ‐C₅Me₃(CH₂)‐C₅H₄N]Sc(CH₂SiMe₃)₃. In the zwitterion, the dianionic ligand [C₅Me₃(CH₂)‐C₅H₄N]^2? binds both to Sc1³⁺ and to Sc2³⁺, in η⁵ and η¹/κ modes. In addition, the reaction chemistry, the molecular structures, and the mechanism are also discussed in detail.     

Some reactions of di-π-cyclopentadienyllead(II)

(C₅H₅)₂Pb reacts with HX to give (C₅H₅)PbX or PbX₂, X = Cl,Br,CH₃CO₂, with BF₃·Et₂O to give (C₅H₅)₂PbBF₃ and with TCNE to give (C₅H₅)₂Pb·O·5TCNE or (C₅H₅)₂Pb·TCNE.     

Synthese von Mesitylaluminium-Verbindungen

Synthesis of Mesityl Aluminium Compounds Trimesityl aluminium, Al(C₉H₁₁)₃(thf), is easily prepared from aluminium chloride and solutions of Mg(C₉H₁₁)Br or Mg(C₉H₁₁)₂ in tetrahydrofuran. It loses tetrahydrofuran forming quite stable Al(C₉H₁₁)₃. Al(C₉H₁₁)Cl₂(thf) and Al(C₉H₁₁)Cl(thf) are obtained, too, from AlCl₃ and Al(C₉H₁₁)₃ or Mg(C₉H₁₁)₂, respectively.     

Preparation of dicyclopentadienylmetal-bis(trimethyl phosphite) complexes of titanium(II) and zirconium(II) by sodium atom reduction

The complexes (C₅H₅)₂M[P(OCH₃)₃]₂ (M = Ti and Zr) can be prepared by condensing sodium atoms at ?100°C into tetrahydrofuran solutions containing (C₅H₅)₂MCl₂ and excess trimethyl phosphite.     

Polyphenylcyclopentadienyl complexes of rare earth elements

Reaction of LnCl₃(thf) _x (Ln = Y, La, Yb, Lu) with NaCp^Phn (Cp^Phn = 1,3-Ph₂C₅H₃, 1,2,4-Ph₃C₅H₂, Ph₄C₅H) leads to formation of monocyclopentadienyl dichloride complexes Yb(Ph₂C₅H₃)Cl₂(thf)₃ (1), Ln(Ph₃C₅H₂)Cl₂(thf)₃ (Ln = Y (2), Lu (3)), La(Ph₄C₅H)Cl₂(thf)₃ (4). Molecular structures of 1, 2 and the polynuclear complex [(Ph₃C₅H₂)₃Lu₄(Cl)₇(O)(thf)₃] (5), which is a partial hydrolysis product of 3, have been established by the X-ray method.     

Seven-coordinate complexes of molybdenum(II) and tungsten(II) containing pyrazole as a ligand

Summary Equimolar quantities of [MI₂(CO)₃(NCMe)₂] (M = Mo or W) and C₃H₄N² (pyrazole) react in CH₂C1₂ at room temperature to give the iodo-bridged dimers [M(μ-I) (CO)₃(C₃H₄N²)]₂ (1) and (2). Two equivalents of C₃H₄N² react with [MI₂(CO)₃(NCMe)₂] (M = Mo or W) to give the bis(pyrazole) complexes [MI₂(CO)₃(C₃H₄N²)₂] (3) and (4) in good yield. Three and four equivalents of pyrazole react with [MoI₂(CO)₃(NCMe)₂] to give the cationic complexes [MoI(CO)₃(C₃H₄N²)₃]I (5) and [MoI(CO)₂(C₃H₄N²)₄]I (6), respectively. The mixed ligand complexes [MI₂(CO)₃(C₃H₄N²)L] (M = Mo or W; L = PPh₃, AsPh₃ or SbPh₃) (7)-(12) are prepared by reacting equimolar amounts of [MI₂(CO)₃(NCMe)₂] and L in CH₂C1₂ at room temperature, followed by an in situ reaction with one equivalent of C₃H₄N². The MoSnCl₃ complex [MoCl(SnCl₃)(CO)₃(C₃H₄N²)₂] (13) is prepared in an analogous manner using acetone as the solvent, whilst the mixed ligand compound [MoCl(SnQ₃)(CO) ₃(C₃H₄N²)(PPh₃)] (14) was prepared by treating the dimeric complex [Mo(μ-Cl)(SnCl₃)(CO)₃(PPh₃)]₂ with two equivalents of C₃H₄N². All the new complexes were characterised by elemental analysis (carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen), i.r. and ¹H n.m.r. spectroscopy.