An eleven-vertex metallaborane with tetracapped pentagonal bipyramidal geometry

A metallaborane of novel structure, [(Cp*Mo)(2)B(3)H(3)Se(2){Fe(CO)(2)}(2){Fe(CO)(3)}(2)] (2; Cp* = η(5)-C(5)Me(5)), with tetracapped pentagonal bipyramidal geometry, isolated from the reaction of [(Cp*Mo)(2)B(4)H(4)Se(2)], 1 with [Fe(2)(CO)(9)]; the title compound exhibit an 11-vertex closo-cage geometry, having eight skeletal electron pairs (sep) and 98 valence electrons, appropriate for its geometric structure.     

Novel class of heterometallic cubane and boride clusters containing heavier group 16 elements

Thermolysis of an in situ generated intermediate, produced from the reaction of [Cp*MoCl(4)] (Cp* = η(5)-C(5)Me(5)) and [LiBH(4).THF], with excess Te powder yielded isomeric [(Cp*Mo)(2)B(4)TeH(5)Cl] (2 and 3), [(Cp*Mo)(2)B(4)(μ(3)-OEt)TeH(3)Cl] (4), and [(Cp*Mo)(4)B(4)H(4)(μ(4)-BH)(3)] (5). Cluster 4 is a notable example of a dimolybdaoxatelluraborane cluster where both oxygen and tellurium are contiguously bound to molybdenum and boron. Cluster 5 represents an unprecedented metal-rich metallaborane cluster with a cubane core. The dimolybdaheteroborane 2 was found to be very reactive toward metal carbonyl compounds, and as a result, mild pyrolysis of 2 with [Fe(2)(CO)(9)] yielded distorted cubane cluster [(Cp*Mo)(2)(BH)(4)(μ(3)-Te){Fe(CO)(3)}] (6) and with [Co(2)(CO)(8)] produced the bicapped pentagonal bipyramid [(Cp*MoCo)(2)B(3)H(2)(μ(3)-Te)(μ-CO){Co(3)(CO)(6)}] (7) and pentacapped trigonal prism [(Cp*MoCo)(2)B(3)H(2)(μ(3)-Te)(μ-CO)(4){Co(6)(CO)(8)}] (8). The geometry of 8 is an example of a heterometallic boride cluster in which five Co and one Mo atom define a trigonal prismatic framework. The resultant trigonal prism core is in turn capped by two boron, one Te, and one Co atom. In the pentacapped trigonal prism unit of 8, one of the boron atoms is completely encapsulated and bonded to one molybdenum, one boron, and five cobalt atoms. All the new compounds have been characterized in solution by IR, (1)H, (11)B, and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, and the structural types were unambiguously established by crystallographic analysis of 2 and 4-8.     

Condensed tantalaborane clusters: synthesis and structures of [(Cp*Ta)2B5H7{Fe(CO)3}2] and [(Cp*Ta)2B5H9{Fe(CO)3}4

The reaction of [(Cp*Ta)(2)B(4)H(9)(μ-BH(4))] (1; Cp* = η(5)-C(5)Me(5)) with [Fe(2)(CO)(9)] in hexane yielded [(Cp*Ta)(2)B(5)H(7){Fe(CO)(3)}(2)] (2) and [(Cp*Ta)(2)B(5)H(9){Fe(CO)(3)}(4)] (3) in moderate yield. Cluster 2 represents the first example of a bicapped pentagonal-bipyramidal metallaborane with a deformed equatorial plane, and 3 can be described as a fused cluster in which two pentagonal-bipyramidal units are fused through a common 3-vertex triangular face. Compounds 2 and 3 have been characterized by mass spectrometry and IR, (1)H, (11)B, and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, and the geometric structures were unequivocally established by crystallographic analysis.     

Synthesis, characterization, and electronic structure of new type of heterometallic boride clusters

The reaction of [Cp*TaCl(4)], 1 (Cp* = η(5)-C(5)Me(5)), with [LiBH(4)·THF] at -78 °C, followed by thermolysis in the presence of excess [BH(3)·THF], results in the formation of the oxatantalaborane cluster [(Cp*Ta)(2)B(4)H(10)O], 2 in moderate yield. Compound 2 is a notable example of an oxatantalaborane cluster where oxygen is contiguously bound to both the metal and boron. Upon availability of 2, a room temperature reaction was performed with [Fe(2)(CO)(9)], which led to the isolation of [(Cp*Ta)(2)B(2)H(4)O{H(2)Fe(2)(CO)(6)BH}], 3. Compound 3 is an unusual heterometallic boride cluster in which the [Ta(2)Fe(2)] atoms define a butterfly framework with one boron atom lying in a semi-interstitial position. Likewise, the diselenamolybdaborane, [(Cp*Mo)(2)B(4)H(4)Se(2)], 4 was treated with an excess of [Fe(2)(CO)(9)] to afford the heterometallic boride cluster [(Cp*MoSe)(2)Fe(6)(CO)(13)B(2)(BH)(2)], 5. The cluster core of 5 consists of a cubane [Mo(2)Se(2)Fe(2)B(2)] and a tricapped trigonal prism [Fe(6)B(3)] fused together with four atoms held in common between the two subclusters. In the tricapped trigonal prism subunit, one of the boron atoms is completely encapsulated and bonded to six iron and two boron atoms. Compounds 2, 3, and 5 have been characterized by mass spectrometry, IR, (1)H, (11)B, (13)C NMR spectroscopy, and the geometric structures were unequivocally established by crystallographic analysis. The density functional theory calculations yielded geometries that are in close agreement with the observed structures. Furthermore, the calculated (11)B NMR chemical shifts also support the structural characterization of the compounds. Natural bond order analysis and Wiberg bond indices are used to gain insight into the bonding patterns of the observed geometries of 2, 3, and 5.     

From Metallaborane to Borylene Complexes: Syntheses and Structures of Triply Bridged Ruthenium and Tantalum Borylene Complexes

Reaction of [1,2‐(Cp*RuH)₂B₃H₇] ( 1 ; Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅) with [Mo(CO)₃(CH₃CN)₃] yielded arachno‐[(Cp*RuCO)₂B₂H₆] ( 2 ), which exhibits a butterfly structure, reminiscent of 7 sep B₄H₁₀. Compound 2 was found to be a very good precursor for the generation of bridged borylene species. Mild pyrolysis of 2 with [Fe₂(CO)₉] yielded a triply bridged heterotrinuclear borylene complex [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*RuCO)₂(μ‐CO){Fe(CO)₃}] ( 3 ) and bis‐borylene complexes [{(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*Ru)(μ‐CO)}₂Fe₂(CO)₅] ( 4 ) and [{(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*Ru)Fe(CO)₃}₂(μ‐CO)] ( 5 ). In a similar fashion, pyrolysis of 2 with [Mn₂(CO)₁₀] permits the isolation of μ₃‐borylene complex [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*RuCO)₂(μ‐H)(μ‐CO){Mn(CO)₃}] ( 6 ). Both compounds 3 and 6 have a trigonal‐pyramidal geometry with the μ₃‐BH ligand occupying the apical vertex, whereas 4 and 5 can be viewed as bicapped tetrahedra, with two μ₃‐borylene ligands occupying the capping position. The synthesis of tantalum borylene complex [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*TaCO)₂(μ‐CO){Fe(CO)₃}] ( 7 ) was achieved by the reaction of [(Cp*Ta)₂B₄H₈(μ‐BH₄)] at ambient temperature with [Fe₂(CO)₉]. Compounds 2 – 7 have been isolated in modest yield as yellow to red crystalline solids. All the new compounds have been characterized in solution by mass spectrometry; IR spectroscopy; and ¹H, ¹¹B, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and the structural types were unequivocally established by crystallographic analysis of 2 – 6 .     

Cubane-type heterometallic sulfido clusters: incorporation of two metal fragments into a dinuclear ReS(mu-S)2ReS core affording bimetallic M2Re2(mu 3-S)4 clusters (M = Ru,Pt, Cu) or trimetallic MM'Re2(mu 3-S)4 clusters via incomplete cubane-type MRe2(mu 3-S)(mu 2-S)3 intermediates (M = Ru,Rh, Ir; M' = Mo,W, Pd,Ru, Rh)

Reactions of a dirhenium tetra(sulfido) complex [PPh(4)](2)[ReS(L)(mu-S)(2)ReS(L)] (L = S(2)C(2)(SiMe(3))(2)) with a series of group 8-11 metal complexes in MeCN at room temperature afforded either the cubane-type clusters [M(2)(ReL)(2)(mu(3)-S)(4)] (M = CpRu (2), PtMe(3), Cu(PPh(3)) (4); Cp = eta(5)-C(5)Me(5)) or the incomplete cubane-type clusters [M(ReL)(2)(mu(3)-S)(mu(2)-S)(3)] (M = (eta(6)-C(6)HMe(5))Ru (5), CpRh (6), CpIr (7)), depending on the nature of the metal complexes added. It has also been disclosed that the latter incomplete cubane-type clusters can serve as the good precursors to the trimetallic cubane-type clusters still poorly precedented. Thus, treatment of 5-7 with a range of metal complexes in THF at room temperature resulted in the formation of novel trimetallic cubane-type clusters, including the neutral clusters [[(eta(6)-C(6)HMe(5))Ru][W(CO)(3)](ReL)(2)(mu(3)-S)(4)], [(CpM)[W(CO)(3)](ReL)(2)(mu(3)-S)(4)] (M = Rh, Ir), [(Cp*Ir)[Mo(CO)(3)](ReL)(2)(mu(3)-S)(4)], [[(eta(6)-C(6)HMe(5))Ru][Pd(PPh(3))](ReL)(2)(mu(3)-S)(4)], and [(Cp*Ir)[Pd(PPh(3))](ReL)(2)(mu(3)-S)(4)] (13) along with the cationic clusters [(Cp*Ir)(CpRu)(ReL)(2)(mu(3)-S)(4)][PF(6)] (14) and [(Cp*Ir)[Rh(cod)](ReL)(2)(mu(3)-S)(4)][PF(6)] (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene). The X-ray analyses have been carried out for 2, 4, 7, 13, and the SbF(6) analogue of 14 (14') to confirm their bimetallic cubane-type, bimetallic incomplete cubane-type, or trimetallic cubane-type structures. Fluxional behavior of the incomplete cubane-type and trimetallic cubane-type clusters in solutions has been demonstrated by the variable-temperature (1)H NMR studies, which is ascribable to both the metal-metal bond migration in the cluster cores and the pseudorotation of the dithiolene ligand bonded to the square pyramidal Re centers, where the temperatures at which these processes proceed have been found to depend upon the nature of the metal centers included in the cluster cores.     

Synthesis of mixed tin-ruthenium and tin-germanium-ruthenium carbonyl clusters from [Ru3(CO)12] and diaminometalenes (M = Sn, Ge)

Diaminostannylenes react with [Ru(3)(CO)(12)] without cluster fragmentation to give carbonyl substitution products regardless of the steric demand of the diaminostannylene reagent. Thus, the Sn(3)Ru(3) clusters [Ru(3){μ-Sn(NCH(2)(t)Bu)(2)C(6)H(4)}(3)(CO)(9)] (4) and [Ru(3){μ-Sn(HMDS)(2)}(3)(CO)(9)] (6) [HMDS = N(SiMe(3))(2)] have been prepared in good yields by treating [Ru(3)(CO)(12)] with an excess of the cyclic 1,3-bis(neo-pentyl)-2-stannabenzimidazol-2-ylidene and the acyclic and bulkier Sn(HMDS)(2), respectively, in toluene at 110 °C. The use of smaller amounts of Sn(HMDS)(2) (Sn/Ru(3) ratio = 2.5) in toluene at 80 °C afforded the Sn(2)Ru(3) derivative [Ru(3){μ-Sn(HMDS)(2)}(2)(μ-CO)(CO)(9)] (5). Compounds 5 and 6 represent the first structurally characterized diaminostannylene-ruthenium complexes. While a further treatment of 5 with Ge(HMDS)(2) led to a mixture of uncharacterized compounds, a similar treatment with the sterically alleviated diaminogermylene Ge(NCH(2)(t)Bu)(2)C(6)H(4) provided [Ru(3){μ-Sn(HMDS)(2)}(2){μ-Ge(NCH(2)(t)Bu)(2)C(6)H(4)}(CO)(9)] (7), which is a unique example of Sn(2)GeRu(3) cluster. All these reactions, coupled to a previous observation that [Ru(3)(CO)(12)] reacts with excess of Ge(HMDS)(2) to give the mononuclear complex [Ru{Ge(HMDS)(2)}(2)(CO)(3)] but triruthenium products with less bulky diaminogermylenes, indicate that, for reactions of [Ru(3)(CO)(12)] with diaminometalenes, both the volume of the diaminometalene and the size of its donor atom (Ge or Sn) are of key importance in determining the nuclearity of the final products.     

Zinc-rich compounds of iron and cobalt: formation of [Fe2Zn(n)] (n = 2-4) and [Co2Zn3] cores

The reactions of heteroleptic GaCp*/CO containing transition metal complexes of iron and cobalt, namely [(CO)(3)M(μ(2)-GaCp*)(m)M(CO)(3)] (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl; M = Fe, m = 3; M = Co, m = 2) and [Fe(CO)(4)(GaCp*)], with ZnMe(2) in toluene and the presence of a coordinating co-solvent were investigated. The reaction of the iron complex [Fe(CO)(4)(GaCp*)] with ZnMe(2) in presence of tetrahydrofurane (thf) leads to the dimeric compound [(CO)(4)Fe{μ(2)-Zn(thf)(2)}(2)Fe(CO)(4)] (1). Reaction of [(CO)(3)Fe(μ(2)-GaCp*(3))Fe(CO)(3)] with ZnMe(2) and stoichiometric amounts of thf leads to the formation of [(CO)(3)Fe{μ(2)-Zn(thf)(2)}(2)(μ(2)-ZnMe)(2)Fe(CO)(3)] (2) containing {Zn(thf)(2)} as well as ZnMe ligands. Using pyridine (py) instead of thf leads to [(CO)(3)Fe{μ(2)-Zn(py)(2)}(3)Fe(CO)(3)] (3) via replacement of all GaCp* ligands by three{Zn(py)(2)} groups. In contrast, reaction of [(CO)(3)Co(μ(2)-GaCp*)(2)Co(CO)(3)] with ZnMe(2) in the presence of py or thf leads in both cases to the formation of [(CO)(3)Co{μ(2)-ZnL(2)}(μ(2)-ZnCp*)(2)Co(CO)(3)] (L = py (4), thf (5)) via replacement of GaCp* with {Zn(L)(2)} units as well as Cp* transfer from the gallium to the zinc centre. All compounds were characterised by NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, single crystal X-ray diffraction and elemental analysis.     

Cationic diiron and diruthenium μ-allenyl complexes: synthesis, X-ray structures and cyclization reactions with ethyldiazoacetate/amine affording unprecedented butenolide- and furaniminium-substituted bridging carbene ligands

The novel cationic diiron μ-allenyl complexes [Fe(2)Cp(2)(CO)(2)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(2)(α,β)-C(α)(H)=C(β)=C(γ)(R)(2)}](+) (R = Me, 4a; R = Ph, 4b) have been obtained in good yields by a two-step reaction starting from [Fe(2)Cp(2)(CO)(4)]. The solid state structures of [4a][CF(3)SO(3)] and of the diruthenium analogues [Ru(2)Cp(2)(CO)(2)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(2)(α,β)-C(α)(H)=C(β)=C(γ)(R)(2)}][BPh(4)] (R = Me, [2a][BPh(4)]; R = Ph, [2c][BPh(4)]) have been ascertained by X-ray diffraction studies. The reactions of 2c and 4a with Br?nsted bases result in formation of the μ-allenylidene compound [Ru(2)Cp(2)(CO)(2)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(1)-C(α)=C(β)=C(γ)(Ph)(2)}] (5) and of the dimetallacyclopentenone [Fe(2)Cp(2)(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(3)-C(α)(H)=C(β)(C(γ)(Me)CH(2))C(=O)}] (6), respectively. The nitrile adducts [Ru(2)Cp(2)(CO)(NCMe)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(2)-C(α)(H)=C(β)=C(γ)(R)(2)}](+) (R = Me, 7a; R = Ph, 7b), prepared by treatment of 2a,c with MeCN/Me(3)NO, react with N(2)CHCO(2)Et/NEt(3) at room temperature, affording the butenolide-substituted carbene complexes [Ru(2)Cp(2)(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(3)-C(α)(H)[upper bond 1 start]C(β)C(γ)(R)(2)OC(=O)C[upper bond 1 end](H)] (R = Me, 10a; R = Ph, 10b). The intermediate cationic compound [Ru(2)Cp(2)(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(3)-C(α)(H)[upper bond 1 start]C(β)C(γ)(Me)(2)OC(OEt)C[upper bond 1 end](H)](+) (9) has been detected in the course of the reaction leading to 10a. The addition of N(2)CHCO(2)Et/NHEt(2) to 7a gives the 2-furaniminium-carbene [Ru(2)Cp(2)(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(3)-C(α)(H)[upper bond 1 start]C(β)C(γ)(Me)(2)OC(OEt)C[upper bond 1 end](H)](+) (11). The X-ray structures of 10a, 10b and [11][BF(4)] have been determined. The reactions of 4a,b with MeCN/Me(3)NO result in prevalent decomposition to mononuclear iron species.     

New Heteronuclear Bridged Borylene Complexes That Were Derived from [{Cp*CoCl}2] and Mono‐Metal?Carbonyl Fragments

The synthesis, structural characterization, and reactivity of new bridged borylene complexes are reported. The reaction of [{Cp*CoCl}₂] with LiBH₄ ? THF at ?70 °C, followed by treatment with [M(CO)₃(MeCN)₃] (M=W, Mo, and Cr) under mild conditions, yielded heteronuclear triply bridged borylene complexes, [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*Co)₂(μ‐CO)M(CO)₅] ( 1 – 3 ; 1 : M=W, 2 : M=Mo, 3 : M=Cr). During the syntheses of complexes 1 – 3 , capped‐octahedral cluster [(Cp*Co)₂(μ‐H)(BH)₄{Co(CO)₂}] ( 4 ) was also isolated in good yield. Complexes 1 – 3 are isoelectronic and isostructural to [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*RuCO)₂(μ‐CO){Fe(CO)₃}] ( 5 ) and [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*RuCO)₂(μ‐H)(μ‐CO){Mn(CO)₃}] ( 6 ), with a trigonal‐pyramidal geometry in which the μ₃‐BH ligand occupies the apical vertex. To test the reactivity of these borylene complexes towards bis‐phosphine ligands, the room‐temperature photolysis of complexes 1 – 3 , 5 , 6 , and [{(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*Ru)Fe(CO)₃}₂(μ‐CO)] ( 7 ) was carried out. Most of these complexes led to decomposition, although photolysis of complex 7 with [Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂] (n=1–3) yielded complexes 9 – 11 , [3,4‐(Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂)‐closo‐1,2,3,4‐Ru₂Fe₂(BH)₂] ( 9 : n=1, 10 : n=2, 11 : n=3). Quantum‐chemical calculations by using DFT methods were carried out on compounds 1 – 3 and 9 – 11 and showed reasonable agreement with the experimentally obtained structural parameters, that is, large HOMO–LUMO gaps, in accordance with the high stabilities of these complexes, and NMR chemical shifts that accurately reflected the experimentally observed resonances. All of the new compounds were characterized in solution by using mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, and ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹¹B NMR spectroscopy and their structural types were unequivocally established by crystallographic analysis of complexes 1 , 2 , 4 , 9 , and 10 .     

New Trinuclear Complexes of Group 6, 8, and 9 Metals with a Triply Bridging Borylene Ligand

Trinuclear complexes of group 6, 8, and 9 transition metals with a (μ₃‐BH) ligand [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*Rh)₂(μ‐CO)M′(CO)₅], 3 and 4 ( 3 : M′=Mo; 4 : M′=W) and 5 – 8 , [(Cp*Ru)₃(μ₃‐CO)₂(μ₃‐BH)(μ₃‐E)(μ‐H){M′(CO)₃}] ( 5 : M′=Cr, E=CO; 6 : M′=Mo, E=CO; 7 : M′=Mo, E=BH; 8 : M′=W, E=CO), have been synthesized from the reaction between nido‐[(Cp*M)₂B₃H₇] (nido‐ 1 : M=Rh; nido‐ 2 : M=RuH, Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅) and [M′(CO)₅ ? thf] (M′=Mo and W). Compounds 3 and 4 are isoelectronic and isostructural with [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*Co)₂(μ‐CO)M′(CO)₅], (M′=Cr, Mo and W) and [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*Co)₂(μ‐CO)(μ‐H)₂M′′H(CO)₃], (M′′=Mn and Re). All compounds are composed of a bridging borylene ligand (B?H) that is effectively stabilized by a trinuclear framework. In contrast, the reaction of nido‐ 1 with [Cr(CO)₅ ? thf] gave [(Cp*Rh)₂Cr(CO)₃(μ‐CO)(μ₃‐BH)(B₂H₄)] ( 9 ). The geometry of 9 can be viewed as a condensed polyhedron composed of [Rh₂Cr(μ₃‐BH)] and [Rh₂CrB₂], a tetrahedral and a square pyramidal geometry, respectively. The bonding of 9 can be considered by using the polyhedral fusion formalism of Mingos. All compounds have been characterized by using different spectroscopic studies and the molecular structures were determined by using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

Solution and solid-state dynamics of metal-coordinated white phosphorus

The dynamic behavior in solution of eight mono-hapto?tetraphosphorus transition metal-complexes, trans-[Ru(dppm)(2) (H)(η(1) -P(4) )]BF(4) ([1]BF(4) ), trans-[Ru(dppe)(2) (H)(η(1) -P(4) )]BF(4) ([2]BF(4) ), [CpRu(PPh(3) )(2) (η(1) -P(4) )]PF(6) ([3]PF(6) ), [CpOs(PPh(3) )(2) (η(1) -P(4) )]PF(6) ([4]PF(6) ), [Cp*Ru(PPh(3) )(2) (η(1) -P(4) )]PF(6) ([5]PF(6) ), [Cp*Ru(dppe)(η(1) -P(4) )]PF(6) ([6]PF(6) ), [Cp*Fe(dppe)(η(1) -P(4) )]PF(6) ([7]PF(6) ), [(triphos)Re(CO)(2) (η(1) -P(4) )]OTf ([8]OTf), and of three bimetallic Ru(μ,η(1:2) -P(4) )Pt species [{Ru(dppm)(2) (H)}(μ,η(1:2) -P(4) ){Pt(PPh(3) )(2) }]BF(4) ([1-Pt]BF(4) ), [{Ru(dppe)(2) (H)}(μ,η(1:2) -P(4) ){Pt(PPh(3) )(2) }]BF(4) ([2-Pt]BF(4) ), [{CpRu(PPh(3) )(2) )}(μ,η(1:2) -P(4) ){Pt(PPh(3) )(2) }]BF(4) ([3-Pt]BF(4) ), [dppm=bis(diphenylphosphanyl)methane; dppe=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ethane; triphos=1,1,1-tris(diphenylphosphanylmethyl)ethane; Cp=η(5) -C(5) H(5) ; Cp*=η(5) -C(5) Me(5) ] was studied by variable-temperature (VT) NMR and (31) P{(1) H} exchange spectroscopy (EXSY). For most of the mononuclear species, NMR spectroscopy allowed to ascertain that the metal-coordinated P(4) molecule experiences a dynamic process consisting, apart from the free rotation about the M?P(4) axis, in a tumbling movement of the P(4) cage while remaining chemically coordinated to the central metal. EXSY and VT (31) P?NMR experiments showed that also the binuclear complex cations [1-Pt](+) -[3-Pt](+) are subjected to molecular motions featured by the shift of each metal from one P to an adjacent one of the P(4) moiety. The relative mobility of the metal fragments (Ru vs. Pt) was found to depend on the co-ligands of the binuclear complexes. For complexes [2]BF(4) and [3]PF(6) , MAS, (31) P?NMR experiments revealed that the dynamic processes observed in solution (i.e., rotation and tumbling) may take place also in the solid state. The activation parameters for the dynamic processes of complexes 1(+) , 2(+) , 3(+) , 4(+) , 6(+) , 8(+) in solution, as well as the X-ray structures of 2(+) , 3(+) , 5(+) , 6(+) are also reported. The data collected suggest that metal-coordinated P(4) should not be considered as a static ligand in solution and in the solid state.     

A homometallic tricapped cubane cluster: [(Cp*Mo)4B4H4(μ4-BH)3] (Cp* = η5-C5Me5)

The reaction of [Cp*MoCl(4)] with an excess of LiBH(4), followed by thermolysis with tellurium powder in toluene, afforded a tricapped cubane cluster, [(Cp*Mo)(4)B(4)H(4)(μ(4)-BH)(3)] (1), which represents an unprecedented metal-rich metallaborane cluster with a cubane core containing 58 cluster valence electrons (cve) and three metal-metal bonds.     

Heterometallic derivatives of [Fe2Cp2(μ-PCy)(μ-CO)(CO)2]: rational synthesis of polynuclear complexes from neutral precursors having pyramidal-phosphinidene bridges

The title complex (Cp = η(5)-C(5)H(5)) reacted with the labile carbonyl complexes [M(CO)(5)(THF)] (M = Cr, Mo, W) and [MnCp'(CO)(2)(THF)] (Cp' = η(5)-C(5)H(4)Me) to give phosphinidene-bridged trimetallic compounds of formula [Fe(2)MCp(2)(μ(3)-PCy)(μ-CO)(CO)(7)] (Cr-P = 2.479(1) ?) and [Fe(2)MnCp(2)Cp'(μ(3)-PCy)(μ-CO)(CO)(4)], respectively, after formation of a new M-P bond in each case, and related heterometallic complexes [Fe(2)MClCp(2)(μ(3)-PCy)(μ-CO)(CO)(2)] (M = Cu, Au; Au-P = 2.262(1) ?) were cleanly formed upon reaction with CuCl or the labile tetrahydrothiophene (THT) complex [AuCl(THT)]. The reaction with [Fe(2)(CO)(9)] proceeded analogously to give the triiron derivative [Fe(3)Cp(2)(μ(3)-PCy)(μ-CO)(CO)(6)] in high yield (new Fe-P bond =2.318(1) ?), along with a small amount of the pentanuclear compound [{Fe(CO)(3)}{(μ(3)-PCy)Fe(2)Cp(2)(μ-CO)(CO)(2)}(2)], the latter displaying a central Fe(CO)(3)P(2) core with a distorted bipyramidal geometry (P-Fe-P = 164.2(1)°). In contrast, the reaction with [Co(2)(CO)(8)] resulted in a full disproportionation process to give the salt [{Co(CO)(3)}{(μ(3)-PCy)Fe(2)Cp(2)(μ-CO)(CO)(2)}(2)][Co(CO)(4)], having a pentanuclear Fe(4)Co cation comparable to the above Fe(5) complex (P-Co-P = 165.3(2)°). The attempted photochemical decarbonylation of the above trinuclear complexes gave results strongly dependent on the added metal fragment. Thus, the irradiation with visible or visible-UV light of the new Fe(3) and Fe(2)Cr species caused no decarbonylation but a tautomerization of the metal framework to give the corresponding isomers [Fe(2)MCp(2)(μ(3)-PCy)(μ-CO)(CO)(n)] now exhibiting a dangling FeCp(CO)(2) moiety (M = Cr, n = 7, Cr-Fe = 2.7370(3) ?; M = Fe, n = 6, new Fe-Fe bond = 2.6092(9) ?) as a result of the cleavage of the Fe-Fe bond in the precursor and subsequent formation of a new M-Fe bond. These processes are reversible, since the new isomers gave back the starting complexes under low (Cr) or moderate (Fe) thermal activation. In contrast, the manganese-diiron complex [Fe(2)MnCp(2)Cp'(μ(3)-PCy)(μ-CO)(CO)(4)] could be decarbonylated stepwise, to give first the tetracarbonyl complex [Fe(2)MnCp(2)Cp'(μ(3)-PCy)(μ-CO)(2)(CO)(2)] and then the tricarbonyl cluster [Fe(2)MnCp(2)Cp'(μ(3)-PCy)(μ-CO)(3)], the latter having a closed triangular metal core (Fe-Fe = 2.568(7) ?; Mn-Fe = 2.684(8) and 2.66(1) ?).     

Hydride mobility in trinuclear sulfido clusters with the core [Rh3(μ-H)(μ3-S)2]: molecular models for hydrogen migration on metal sulfide hydrotreating catalysts

The treatment of [{Rh(μ-SH){P(OPh)(3)}(2)}(2)] with [{M(μ-Cl)(diolef)}(2)] (diolef=diolefin) in the presence of NEt(3) affords the hydrido-sulfido clusters [Rh(3)(μ-H)(μ(3)-S)(2)(diolef){P(OPh)(3)}(4)] (diolef=1,5-cyclooctadiene (cod) for 1, 2,5-norbornadiene (nbd) for 2, and tetrafluorobenzo[5,6]bicyclo[2.2.2]octa-2,5,7-triene (tfb) for 3) and [Rh(2)Ir(μ-H)(μ(3)-S)(2)(cod){P(OPh)(3)}(4)] (4). Cluster 1 can be also obtained by treating [{Rh(μ-SH){P(OPh)(3)}(2)}(2)] with [{Rh(μ-OMe)(cod)}(2)], although the main product of the reaction with [{Ir(μ-OMe)(cod)}(2)] was [RhIr(2)(μ-H)(μ(3)-S)(2)(cod)(2){P(OPh)(3)}(2)] (5). The molecular structures of clusters 1 and 4 have been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The deprotonation of a hydrosulfido ligand in [{Rh(μ-SH)(CO)(PPh(3))}(2)] by [M(acac)(diolef)] (acac=acetylacetonate) results in the formation of hydrido-sulfido clusters [Rh(3)(μ-H)(μ(3)-S)(2)(CO)(2) (diolef)(PPh(3))(2)] (diolef=cod for 6, nbd for 7) and [Rh(2)Ir(μ-H)(μ(3)-S)(2)(CO)(2)(cod)(PPh(3))(2)] (8). Clusters 1-3 and 5 exist in solution as two interconverting isomers with the bridging hydride ligand at different edges. Cluster 8 exists as three isomers that arise from the disposition of the PPh(3) ligands in the cluster (cis and trans) and the location of the hydride ligand. The dynamic behaviour of clusters with bulky triphenylphosphite ligands, which involves hydrogen migration from rhodium to sulfur with a switch from hydride to proton character, is significant to understand hydrogen diffusion on the surface of metal sulfide hydrotreating catalysts.     

C-X bond formation and cleavage in the reactions of the ditungsten hydride complex [W2(η5-C5H5)2(H)(μ-PCy2)(CO)2] with small molecules having multiple C-X bonds (X = C, N, O)

Two molecules of C(2)(CO(2)Me)(2) or isocyanides could be added to the title hydride complex under mild conditions to give dienyl-[W(2)Cp(2){μ-η(1),κ:η(2)-C(CO(2)Me)=C(CO(2)Me)C(CO(2)Me)=CH(CO(2)Me)}(μ-PCy(2))(CO)(2)] (Cp = η(5)-C(5)H(5)), diazadienyl-[W(2)Cp(2){μ-κ,η:κ,η-C{CHN(4-MeO-C(6)H(4))}N(4-MeO-C(6)H(4))}(μ-PCy(2))(CO)(2)] or aminocarbyne-bridged derivatives [W(2)Cp(2){μ-CNH(2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))}(μ-PCy(2)){CN(2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))}(CO)]. In contrast, its reaction with excess (4-Me-C(6)H(4))C(O)H gave the C-O bond cleavage products [W(2)Cp(2){CH(2)(4-Me-C(6)H(4))}(O)(μ-PCy(2))(CO)(2)] and [W(2)Cp(2){μ-η:η,κ-C(O)CH(2)(4-Me-C(6)H(4))}(O)(μ-PCy(2))(CO)].     

Preparation and structure of mono- and binuclear half-sandwich iridium, ruthenium, and rhodium carbene complexes containing 1,2-dichalcogenolao 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes

The synthesis of half-sandwich transition metal complexes containing both 1,2-dichalcogenolato-1,2-dicarba-closo-docecaborane (Cab(E,E)) [Cab(E,E)=E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10)); E = S, Se] and N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands is described. Addition of mono-NHC ligand to the 16e half-sandwich dichalcogenolato carborane complexes [Cp*Rh(Cab(E,E))], [Cp*Ir(Cab(S,S))], [(p-cymene)Ru(Cab(S,S))] (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) gives corresponding mononuclear 18e dithiolate complexes of the type [LM(Cab(E,E))(NHC)]: [Cp*M(Cab(S,S))(1-ethenyl-3-methylimidazolin-2-ylidene)] (M = Ir (2), Rh (3)), [Cp*Rh(Cab(E,E))(3-methyl-1-picolyimidazolin-2-ylidene)] [E = S (6), Se (7)], [(p-cymene)Ru(Cab(S,S))(NHC)] [NHC = 1-ethenyl-3-methylimidazolin-2-ylidene (4), 3-methyl-1-picolyimidazolin-2-ylidene (8)], whereas bis-NHC give centrosymmetric binuclear complexes [{Cp*M(Cab(S,S))}(2)(1,1'-dimethyl-3,3'-methylene(imidazolin-2-ylidene))] [M = Rh (10), Ir (11)]. The complexes were characterized by IR, NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. In addition, X-ray structure analyses were performed on complexes 2-4, 6, 8, 10 and 11.     

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of novel pyridazine-coordinated diiron bridging carbene complexes

[{mu-(Pyridazine-N(1):N(2))}Fe(2)(mu-CO)(CO)(6)](1) reacts with aryllithium reagents, ArLi (Ar = C(6)H(5), m-CH(3)C(6)H(4)) followed by treatment with Me(3)SiCl to give the novel pyridazine-coordinated diiron bridging siloxycarbene complexes [(C(4)H(4)N(2))Fe(2){mu-C(OSiMe(3))Ar}(CO)(6)](2, Ar = C(6)H(5); 3, Ar =m-CH(3)C(6)H(4)). Complex 2 reacts with HBF(4).Et(2)O at low temperature to yield a cationic bridging carbyne complex [(C(4)H(4)N(2))Fe(2)(mu-CC(6)H(5))(CO)(6)]BF(4)(4). Cationic 4 reacts with NaBH(4) in THF at low temperature to afford the diiron bridging arylcarbene complex [(C(4)H(4)N(2))Fe(2){mu-C(H)C(6)H(5)}(CO)(6)](5). Unexpectedly, the reaction of 4 with NaSCH(3) under similar conditions gave the bridging arylcarbene complex 5 and a carbonyl-coordinated diiron bridging carbene complex [Fe(2){mu-C(SCH(3))C(6)H(5)}(CO)(7)](6), while the reaction of NaSC(6)H(4)CH(3)-p with 4 affords the expected bridging arylthiocarbene complex [(C(4)H(4)N(2))Fe(2){mu-C(SC(6)H(4)CH(3)-p)C(6)H(5)}(CO)(6)](7), which can be converted into a novel diiron bridging carbyne complex with a thiolato-bridged ligand, [Fe(2)(mu-CC(6)H(5))(mu-SC(6)H(4)CH(3)-p)(CO)(6)](8). Cationic can also react with the carbonylmetal anionic compound Na(2)[Fe(CO)(4)] to yield complex 5, while the reactions of 4 with carbonylmetal anionic compounds Na[M(CO)(5)(CN)](M = Cr, Mo, W) produce the diiron bridging aryl(pentacarbonylcyanometal)carbene complexes [(C(4)H(4)N(2))Fe(2)-{mu-C(C(6)H(5))NCM(CO)(5)}(CO)(6)](9, M = Cr; 10, M = Mo; 11, M = W). The structures of complexes 2, 5, 6, 8, and 9 have been established by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Construction of Heterometallic Cubanes

Incorporation of M(CO)(3) fragments by trinuclear Ti complexes [{Ti(3)Cp(μ(3)-CR)}(μ-O)(3)] and [{Ti(3)Cp(μ(3)-N)}(μ-NH)(3)] (Cp*=eta(5)-C(5)Me(5)) leads to the formation of an unprecedented class of heterometallic clusters with cubane structure [e.g., Eq. (a)]. Density functional calculations on these complexes indicate the existence of electron delocalization in the Ti(3)M cores (M=Cr, Mo, W).     

Synthesis and reactivity of a bis(disulfide)-bridged RuMo3S4 double-cubane cluster: a new family of nona- or decanuclear mixed-metal sulfide clusters with two RuMo3S4 units

A bis(disulfide)-bridged RuMo3S4 double-cubane cluster [{(Cp*Mo)3(mu3-S)4Ru}(mu2-eta2:eta1-S2)]2[PF6]2 (2, Cp* = eta5-C5Me5) is readily available from cluster [(Cp*Mo)3(mu3-S)4RuH2(PPh3)][PF6] (1) and S8. The reactions of cluster 2 with [M(PPh3)4] (M = Pd, Pt) give rise to the formation of a new family of nona- or decanuclear mixed-metal sulfide clusters, [{(Cp*Mo)3(mu3-S)4Ru}2(mu3-S)2{Pd(S)(PPh3)}][PF6]2 (3), [{(Cp*Mo)3(mu3-S)4Ru}2(mu3-S)2{(Pd(PPh3))2(mu2-S)}][PF6]2 (4), and [{(Cp*Mo)3(mu3-S)4Ru}2(mu3-S)2{Pt(PPh3)2}][PF6]2 (5), with two RuMo3S4 cubane units, the structures of which have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.