A Computational Study of the Olefin Epoxidation Mechanism Catalyzed by Cyclopentadienyloxidomolybdenum(VI) Complexes

A DFT analysis of the epoxidation of C₂H₄ by H₂O₂ and MeOOH (as models of tert‐butylhydroperoxide, TBHP) catalyzed by [Cp*MoO₂Cl] ( 1 ) in CHCl₃ and by [Cp*MoO₂(H₂O)]⁺ in water is presented (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl). The calculations were performed both in the gas phase and in solution with the use of the conductor‐like polarizable continuum model (CPCM). A low‐energy pathway has been identified, which starts with the activation of ROOH (R=H or Me) to form a hydro/alkylperoxido derivative, [Cp*MoO(OH)(OOR)Cl] or [Cp*MoO(OH)(OOR)]⁺ with barriers of 24.9 (26.5) and 28.7 (29.2) kcal mol^?1 for H₂O₂ (MeOOH), respectively, in solution. The latter barrier, however, is reduced to only 1.0 (1.6) kcal mol^?1 when one additional water molecule is explicitly included in the calculations. The hydro/alkylperoxido ligand in these intermediates is η²‐coordinated, with a significant interaction between the Mo center and the O^β atom. The subsequent step is a nucleophilic attack of the ethylene molecule on the activated O^α atom, requiring 13.9 (17.8) and 16.1 (17.7) kcal mol^?1 in solution, respectively. The corresponding transformation, catalyzed by the peroxido complex [Cp*MoO(O₂)Cl] in CHCl₃, requires higher barriers for both steps (ROOH activation: 34.3 (35.2) kcal mol^?1; O atom transfer: 28.5 (30.3) kcal mol^?1), which is attributed to both greater steric crowding and to the greater electron density on the metal atom.     

η-Pentamethylcyclopentadienylruthenium(II) complexes containing η-coordinated α-amino acids

Reaction of [Cp* RuCl₂]₂ with -alanine ( -alaH) in methanol at room temperature in the presence of NaOMe yields the complex Na[Cp* RuCl( -ala)] (1), which contains a five-membered N,O-coordinated chelate ring. The analogous complex Na[Cp* RuCl( -phe)] (2) is obtained under similar conditions but at 0°C in 90% yield. At temperatures above 20°C both 2 and the η⁶-coordinated complex [Cp* Ru( -pheH)]Cl (4) are obtained, with the proportion of the latter increasing with temperature. Compound 4 is obtained in 88% yield by refluxing [Cp* RuCl₂]₂ and -phenylalanine ( -pheH) in CH₃OH/CH₃ONa followed by separation from 2. The analogous ruthenium(II) sandwich complexes 5–10 were obtained from -tyrosine and -tryptophane and various derivatives. [Cp* Ru( -met)] (3), prepared by the reaction of [Cp* RuCl₂]₂ with -methionine ( -metH) in CH₃OH/CH₃ONa, displays N,O,S-coordination.     

Highly Regio‐ and Stereoselective Hydrosilylation of Internal Thioalkynes under Mild Conditions

A general and mild hydrosilylation of thioalkynes is described. With the cationic catalyst [Cp*Ru(MeCN)₃]⁺ and the bulky silane (TMSO)₃SiH, a range of thioalkynes underwent smooth hydrosilylation at room temperature with excellent α regioselectivity and syn stereoselectivity. DFT calculations provided important insight into the mechanism, particularly the unusual syn selectivity with the [Cp*Ru(MeCN)₃]⁺ catalyst. The sulfenyl group in the substrates was found to provide important chelation stabilization to direct the reaction through a new mechanistic pathway.     

Direct Observation by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry of [Cp*RhMo3O8(OMe)5]−, a Key Intermediate in the Formation of the Double-Bookshelf-Type Oxide Cluster [(Cp*Rh)2Mo6O20(OMe)2]2−

The use of methanol as solvent is essential for the formation of the double-bookshelf-type oxide cluster [(Cp*Rh)₂Mo₆O₂₀(OMe)₂]²⁻ from [{Cp*Rh(μ-Cl)Cl}₂] and four equivalents of [Mo₂O₇]²⁻. The reaction proceeds via [Cp*RhMo₃O₈(OMe)₅]⁻. The proposed structure for this key intermediate (shown schematically) is supported by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and labeling experiments with CD₃OD as solvent. Cp*=η⁵-C₅Me₅.     

Mechanistic Study on the Photogeneration of Hydrogen by Decamethylruthenocene

Detailed studies on hydrogen evolution by decamethylruthenocene ([Cp*₂Ru^II]) highlighted that metallocenes are capable of photoreducing hydrogen without the need for an additional sensitizer. Electrochemical, gas chromatographic, and spectroscopic (UV/Vis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR) measurements corroborated by DFT calculations indicated that the production of hydrogen occurs by a two-step process. First, decamethylruthenocene hydride [Cp*₂Ru^IV(H)]⁺ is formed in the presence of an organic acid. Subsequently, [Cp*₂Ru^IV(H)]⁺ is reversibly reduced in a heterolytic reaction with one-photon excitation leading to a first release of hydrogen. Thereafter, the resultant decamethylruthenocenium ion [Cp*₂Ru^III]⁺ is further reduced with a second release of hydrogen by deprotonation of a methyl group of [Cp*₂Ru^III]⁺. Experimental and computational data show spontaneous conversion of [Cp*₂Ru^II] to [Cp*₂Ru^IV(H)]⁺ in the presence of protons. Calculations highlight that the first reduction is endergonic (ΔG⁰=108 kJ mol⁻¹) and needs an input of energy by light for the reaction to occur. The hydricity of the methyl protons of [Cp*₂Ru^II] was also considered.     

Facile access to the pnictocenium ions [Cp*ECl]+ (E = P, As) and [(Cp*)2P]+: chloride ion affinity of Al(OR(F))3

The pnictocenium salts [Cp*PCl]⁺[μCl]^? ( 1 a ), [Cp*PCl]⁺[ClAl(OR^F)₃]^? ( 1 b ), [Cp*AsCl]⁺[ClAl(OR^F)₃]^? ( 2 ), and [(Cp*)₂P]⁺[μCl]^? ( 3 ), in which Cp*=Me₅C₅, μCl=(^FRO)₃Al? Cl? Al(OR^F)₃, and OR^F=OC(CF₃)₃, were prepared by halide abstraction from the respective halopnictines with the Lewis superacid PhF→Al(OR^F)₃. 1 The X‐ray crystal structures of 1 a , 2 , and 3 established that in the half as well as in the sandwich cations the Cp* rings are attached in an η²‐fashion. By using one or two equivalents of the Lewis acid, the two new weakly coordinating anions [μCl]^? and [ClAl(OR^F)₃]^? resulted. They also stabilize the highly reactive cations in PhF or 1,2‐F₂C₆H₄ solution at room temperature. The chloride ion affinities (CIAs) of a range of classical strong Lewis acids were also investigated. The calculations are based on a set of isodesmic BP86/SV(P) reactions and a non‐isodesmic reference reaction assessed at the G3MP2 level.     

Synthesis and Application of a Perfluorinated Ammoniumyl Radical Cation as a Very Strong Deelectronator

The perfluorinated dihydrophenazine derivative (perfluoro‐5,10‐bis(perfluorophenyl)‐5,10‐dihydrophenazine) (“phenazine^F”) can be easily transformed to a stable and weighable radical cation salt by deelectronation (i.e. oxidation) with Ag[Al(OR^F)₄]/ Br₂ mixtures (R^F=C(CF₃)₃). As an innocent deelectronator it has a strong and fully reversible half‐wave potential versus Fc⁺/Fc in the coordinating solvent MeCN (E°′=1.21 V), but also in almost non‐coordinating oDFB (=1,2‐F₂C₆H₄; E°′=1.29 V). It allows for the deelectronation of [Fe^IIICp*₂]⁺ to [Fe^IV(CO)Cp*₂]²⁺ and [Fe^IV(CN‐^tBu)Cp*₂]²⁺ in common laboratory solvents and is compatible with good σ‐donor ligands, such as L=trispyrazolylmethane, to generate novel [M(L)_x]ⁿ⁺ complex salts from the respective elemental metals.     

Niob- und Tantalkomplexe mit P2- und P4-Liganden

Niobium and Tantalum Complexes with P₂ and P₄ Ligands The photolysis of [Cp″Ta(CO)₄] 1 (Cp″ = C₅H₃^tBu₂?1,3) and P₄ affords Cp″(CO)₂Ta(η⁴?P₄) 2 , [{Cp″(CO)Ta}₂(m??η^2:2?P₂)₂] 3 and [Cp₃″(CO)₃Ta₃(P₂)₂] 4 . In a photochemical reaction 2 and [Cp*Nb(CO)₄] 5 form [{Cp*(CO)Nb}{Cp″(CO)Ta}(m??η^2:2?P₂)₂] 6 and [{Cp*(CO)₂Nb} {Cp*Nb}{Cp″(CO)Ta}(m?₃?η^2:1:1?P₂)₂] 7 , a compound with the novel m?₃?η^2:2:1?P₂-coordination mode. The reaction of 2 and [Cp*Co(C₂H₄)₂] 8 leads to [{Cp*Co} {Cp″(CO)Ta}(m??η^2:2?P₂)₂] 9 , a heteronuclear complex with an ?early”? and a ?late”? transition metal. Complexes 2, 3, 7 and 9 have been further characterized by X-ray structure analyses.     

Synthesis,characterization and reactivity of thiolate-bridged cobalt-iron and ruthenium-iron complexes

Thiolate-bridged hetero-bimetallic complexes [Cp*M（Me CN）N₂S₂Fe Cl][PF₆]（2, M = Ru; 3, M = Co, Cp*= η⁵-C₅Me₅, N₂S₂= N,N’-dimethyl-3,6-diazanonane-1,8-dithiolate） were prepared by self-assembly of dimer [N₂S₂Fe]₂ with mononuclear precursor [Cp*Ru（MeCN）₃][PF₆] or [Cp*Co（Me CN）₃][PF₆]₂ in the presence of CHCl₃ as a...     

Halfsandwich Complexes Containing the Tetrathiotungstate Chelate Ligand. Crystal and Molecular Structure of Cp*Rh(PMe3)[(μ‐S)2WS2] (Cp* = η5‐Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)

The reactions of Cp*M(PMe₃)Cl₂ (M = Rh ( 1a ), Ir ( 1b )) with (NEt₄)₂[WS₄] led to the heterodimetallic sulfido‐bridged complexes Cp*M(PMe₃)[(μ‐S)₂WS₂] (M = Rh ( 2a ), Ir ( 2b )), whereas the dimers [Cp*MCl(μ‐Cl)]₂ (M = Rh ( 4a ), Ir ( 4b )) reacted with (NEt₄)₂[WS₄) to give the known trinuclear compounds [Cp*M(Cl)]₂(μ‐WS₄) (M = Rh ( 5a ), Ir ( 5b )). Hydrolysis of the terminal W=S bonds converts 2a, b into Cp*M(PMe₃)[(μ‐S)₂WO₂] (M = Rh ( 3a ), Ir ( 3b )). Salts of a heterodimetallic anion, A[CpMo(I)(NO)(WS₄)] ( 6 ) (A⁺ = NEt₄⁺, NPh₄⁺) were obtained by reactions of [CpMo(NO)I₂]₂ with tetrathiotungstates, A₂[WS₄]. The complexes were characterized by IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P) spectroscopy, and the X‐ray crystallographic structure of Cp*Rh(PMe₃)[(μ‐S)₂WS₂] ( 2a ) has been determined. The bond lengths and angles in the coordinations spheres of Rh and W in 2a (Rh···W 288.5(1) pm) are compared with related complexes containing terminal [WS₄^2—] chelate ligands.     

Reactions of [Cp*Ru(H2O)(NBD)]+ with alkynes

Formal [2 + 2 + 2] addition reactions of [Cp*Ru(H₂O)(NBD)]BF₄ (NBD = norbornadiene) with PhC?CR (R = H, COOEt) give [Cp*Ru(η⁶‐C₆H₅? C₉H₈R)] BF₄ (1a, R = H; 2a, R = COOEt). Treatment of [Cp*Ru(H₂O)(NBD)]BF₄ with PhC?C? C?CPh does not give [2 + 2 + 2] addition product, but [Cp*Ru(η⁶‐C₆H₅? C?C? C?CPh)] BF₄(3a). Treatment of 1a, 2a, 3a with NaBPh₄ affords [Cp*Ru(η⁶‐C₆H₅? C₉H₈R)] BPh₄ (1b, R = H; 2b, R = COOEt) and [Cp*Ru(η⁶‐C₆H₅? C?C? C?CPh)] BPh₄(3b). The structures of 1b, 2b and 3b were determined by X‐ray crystallography. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Activation and Coordination of Ammonia at [Cp*Ir(H)2]: NMR and Matrix Isolation Studies

¹H NMR exchange spectroscopy of a reaction mixture of [Cp*Ir(H)₄] ( 1 ; Cp*=1,2,3,4,5‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) and ammonia suggests an exchange of hydrogen atoms between the hydrido ligands and ammonia. Treatment of 1 with ND₃ led to an H/D exchange between ND₃ and the hydrido ligands of 1 . Subsequent studies showed that photolysis of 1 isolated in frozen argon matrices leads to the formation of the iridium compounds [Cp*Ir(H)₂] ( 2 ) and [Cp*Ir(H)₃] ( 4 ), as it was confirmed by IR spectroscopy. In the presence of water the aqua complex [Cp*Ir(H)₂(OH₂)] ( 3 ) was generated simultaneously. Accordingly, photolysis of 1 in an argon matrix doped with ammonia gave rise to the ammine complex [Cp*Ir(H)₂(NH₃)] ( 5 ). IR assignments were supported by calculations of the gas‐phase IR spectra of 1 – 5 by DFT methods.     

Insight into Oxide‐Bridged Heterobimetallic Al/Zr Olefin Polymerization Catalysts

Reaction of (TBBP)AlMe ? THF with [Cp*₂Zr(Me)OH] gave [(TBBP)Al(THF)?O?Zr(Me)Cp*₂] (TBBP=3,3’,5,5’‐tetra‐tBu‐2,2'‐biphenolato). Reaction of [DIPPnacnacAl(Me)?O?Zr(Me)Cp₂] with [PhMe₂NH]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? gave a cationic Al/Zr complex that could be structurally characterized as its THF adduct [(DIPPnacnac)Al(Me)?O?Zr(THF)Cp₂]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? (DIPPnacnac=HC[(Me)C=N(2,6‐iPr₂?C₆H₃)]₂). The first complex polymerizes ethene in the presence of an alkylaluminum scavenger but in the absence of methylalumoxane (MAO). The adduct cation is inactive under these conditions. Theoretical calculations show very high energy barriers (ΔG=40–47 kcal mol^?1) for ethene insertion with a bridged AlOZr catalyst. This is due to an unfavorable six‐membered‐ring transition state, in which the methyl group bridges the metal and ethene with an obtuse metal‐Me‐C angle that prevents synchronized bond‐breaking and making. A more‐likely pathway is dissociation of the Al‐O‐Zr complex into an aluminate and the active polymerization catalyst [Cp*₂ZrMe]⁺.     

Hydrogen Generation by Water Reduction with [Cp*2Ti(OTf)]: Identifying Elemental Mechanistic Steps by Combined In Situ FTIR and In Situ EPR Spectroscopy Supported by DFT Calculations

A detailed mechanism of hydrogen production by reduction of water with decamethyltitanocene triflate [Cp*₂Ti^III(OTf)] has been derived for the first time, based on a comprehensive in situ spectroscopic study including EPR and ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy supported by DFT calculations. It is demonstrated that two H₂O molecules coordinate to [Cp*₂Ti^III(OTf)] subsequently forming [Cp₂*Ti^III(H₂O)(OTf)] and [Cp*Ti^III(H₂O)₂(OTf)]. Triflate stabilizes the water ligands by hydrogen bonding. Liberation of hydrogen proceeds only from the diaqua complex [Cp*Ti^III(H₂O)₂(OTf)] and involves, most probably, abstraction and recombination of two H atoms from two molecules of [Cp*Ti^III(H₂O)₂(OTf)] in close vicinity, which is driven by the formation of a strong covalent Ti? OH bond in the resulting final product [Cp*₂Ti^IV(OTf)(OH)].     

Potentiometric and spectrophotometric titration of Cu2+ complexes with N-isopropyl-2-methyl-1,2-propanediamine

The complexation of Cu²⁺ by N-isopropyl-2-methyl-1,2-propanediamine (L) has been studied by potentiometric and spectrophotometric titration. The dominant complexes formed in this system are [CuL]²⁺, [CuL₂]²⁺, [Cu₂L₂(OH)₂]²⁺, and [CuL(OH)₂]. The data were thoroughly tested for different models with [CuL(OH)]⁺, [CuL(OH)]⁺, [Cu(OH)]⁺, and [Cu₂(OH)₂]²⁺ as additional species. The importance of steric factors is indicated by the d-d* spectra: for [CuL₂]²⁺, (λ_max = 499 nm) the absorption maximum is shifted by 50 nm to high energies relative to [Cu(en)₂]²⁺, (λ_max = 549 nm), whereas the opposite is true for the 1:1 complexes ([CuL]²⁺ : λ_max = 712 nm,s [Cu(en)]²⁺ : λ_max = 660 nm).     

Synthesis of cationic complexes [(C<Subscript>4</Subscript>Me<Subscript>4</Subscript>)CoL]<Superscript>+</Superscript> (L is naphthalene,phenanthrene, and anthracene)

Cationic arene complexes [Cb*Co(naphthalene)]⁺ (2, Cb* = C₄Me₄) and [Cb*Co(phenanthrene)]⁺ were synthesized by the reactions of [Cb*Co(MeCN)₃]⁺ with arenes. The [Cb*Co(anthracene)]⁺ complex was synthesized by the abstraction of the iodide ion from [Cb*CoI]₂ by TIBF₄ in the presence of anthracene. Complex 2 exchanges the naphthalene ligand for other arenes at room temperature. Dedicated to Academician G. A. Abakumov on the occasion of his 70th birthday. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1861–1863, September, 2007.     

Dreiecksdodekaedrische Heterotri‐ und ‐tetrametall‐Eisen–Ruthenium‐Cluster mit CpR‐ und Pn‐Liganden (n = 5, 4)

Triangulated Dodecahedral Heterotrimetallic‐ and ‐tetrametallic Iron–Ruthenium Clusters with Cp^R and P_n Ligands (n = 5, 4) The cothermolysis of [Cp*Fe(η⁵‐P₅)] ( 1 ) and [{Cp″(OC)₂Ru}₂](Ru–Ru) ( 2 ), Cp″ = C₅H₃But₂‐1,3, affords low yields of [Cp″Ru(η⁵‐P₅)] ( 3 ) and [{Cp″Ru}₂P₄] ( 4 ) as well as the triangulated dodecahedral hetero‐ and homotrimetallic clusters [{Cp″Ru}₂{Cp*Fe}P₅] ( 5 ), [{Cp″Ru}₃P₅] ( 6 ), [{Cp*Fe}₂{Cp″Ru}P₅] ( 7 ) and the tetranuclear compound [{Cp″Ru}₃{Cp*Fe}P₄] ( 8 ). X‐ray crystallographic studies show that the P₅ ligand in the distorted M₂M′P₅‐triangulated dodecahedra of 5 and 7 offers an unusual novel coordination mode derived from the educt 1 .     

Cationic Zinc Organyls as Precatalysts for Hydroamination Reactions

The cationic zinc triple‐decker complex [Zn₂Cp*₃]⁺[BAr^F₄]^? (BAr^F₄=B(3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃)₄) exhibits catalytic activity in intra‐ and intermolecular hydroamination reactions in the absence of a cocatalyst. These hydroaminations presumably proceed through the activation of the C?C multiple bond of the alkene or alkyne by a highly electrophilic zinc species, which is formed upon elimination of the Cp* ligands. The reaction of [Zn₂Cp*₃]⁺[BAr^F₄]^? with phenylacetylene gives the hydrocarbonation product (Cp*)(Ph)CCH₂, which might be formed via a similar reaction pathway. Additionally, several other structurally well‐defined cationic zinc organyls have been examined as precatalysts for intermolecular hydroamination reactions without the addition of a cocatalyst. These studies reveal that the highest activity is achieved in the absence of any donor ligands. The neutral complex [ZnCp^2S₂] (Cp^2S=C₅Me₄(CH₂)₂SMe) shows a remarkably high catalytic activity in the presence of a Brønsted acid.     

Reactions of Group 4 Metallocenes with Monosubstituted Acetonitriles: Keteniminate Formation versus CC Coupling

The reactions of the Group 4 metallocene dichlorides [Cp′₂MCl₂] ( 1 a : M=Ti, Cp′=Cp*=η⁵‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, 1 b : M=Zr, Cp′=Cp=η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl) with lithiated MesCH₂?C?N gave [Cp*₂TiCl(N=C=C(HMes))] ( 3 ; Mes=mesityl) in the case of 1 a . For compound 1 b , a nitrile–nitrile coupling resulted in a five‐membered bridge in 4 . The reaction of the metallocene alkyne complex [Cp*₂Zr(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)] ( 2 ) with PhCH₂?C?N led in the first step to the unstable product [Cp*₂Zr(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)(NC?CH₂Ph)] ( 5 ). After the elimination of the alkyne, a mixture of products was formed. By variation of the solvent and the reaction temperature, three compounds were isolated: a diazadiene complex 6 , a bis(keteniminate) complex 7 , and 8 with a keteniminate ligand and a five‐membered metallacycle. Subsequent variation of the Cp ligand and the metal center by using [Cp₂Zr] and [Cp*₂Ti] with Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃ in the reactions with PhCH₂?C?N gave complex mixtures.     

Versatile reactivity of half-sandwich Ir and Rh complexes toward carboranylamidinates and their derivatives: synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity for norbornene polymerization

Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of carboranylamidinate‐based half‐sandwich iridium and rhodium complexes are reported for the first time. Treatment of dimeric metal complexes [{Cp*M(μ‐Cl)Cl}₂] (M=Ir, Rh; Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅) with a solution of one equivalent of nBuLi and a carboranylamidine produces 18‐electron complexes [Cp*IrCl(Cab^N‐DIC)] ( 1 a ; Cab^N‐DIC=[iPrN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NHiPr)]), [Cp*RhCl(Cab^N‐DIC)] ( 1 b ), and [Cp*RhCl(Cab^N‐DCC)] ( 1 c ; Cab^N‐DCC=[CyN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NHCy)]). A series of 16‐electron half‐sandwich Ir and Rh complexes [Cp*Ir(Cab^N′‐DIC)] ( 2 a ; Cab^N′‐DIC=[iPrN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NiPr)]), [Cp*Ir(Cab^N′‐DCC)] ( 2 b , Cab^N′‐DCC=[CyN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NCy)]), and [Cp*Rh(Cab^N′‐DIC)] ( 2 c ) is also obtained when an excess of nBuLi is used. The unexpected products [Cp*M(Cab^N,S‐DIC)], [Cp*M(Cab^N,S‐DCC)] (M=Ir 3 a , 3 b ; Rh 3 c , 3 d ), formed through BH activation, are obtained by reaction of [{Cp*MCl₂}₂] with carboranylamidinate sulfides [RN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NHR)]S^? (R=iPr, Cy), which can be prepared by inserting sulfur into the C? Li bond of lithium carboranylamidinates. Iridium complex 1 a shows catalytic activities of up to 2.69×10⁶ g_PNB ${{\rm{mol}}_{{\rm{Ir}}}^{ - {\rm{1}}} }Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of carboranylamidinate-based half-sandwich iridium and rhodium complexes are reported for the first time. Treatment of dimeric metal complexes [{Cp*M(μ-Cl)Cl}(2)] (M = Ir, Rh; Cp* = η(5)-C(5)Me(5)) with a solution of one equivalent of nBuLi and a carboranylamidine produces 18-electron complexes [Cp*IrCl(Cab(N)-DIC)] (1?a; Cab(N)-DIC = [iPrN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NHiPr)]), [Cp*RhCl(Cab(N)-DIC)] (1?b), and [Cp*RhCl(Cab(N)-DCC)] (1?c; Cab(N)-DCC = [CyN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NHCy)]). A series of 16-electron half-sandwich Ir and Rh complexes [Cp*Ir(Cab(N')-DIC)] (2?a; Cab(N')-DIC = [iPrN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NiPr)]), [Cp*Ir(Cab(N')-DCC)] (2?b, Cab(N')-DCC = [CyN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10)(NCy)]), and [Cp*Rh(Cab(N')-DIC)] (2?c) is also obtained when an excess of nBuLi is used. The unexpected products [Cp*M(Cab(N,S)-DIC)], [Cp*M(Cab(N,S)-DCC)] (M = Ir 3?a, 3?b; Rh 3?c, 3?d), formed through BH activation, are obtained by reaction of [{Cp*MCl(2)}(2)] with carboranylamidinate sulfides [RN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NHR)]S(-) (R = iPr, Cy), which can be prepared by inserting sulfur into the C-Li bond of lithium carboranylamidinates. Iridium complex 1?a shows catalytic activities of up to 2.69×10(6) g(PNB) mol(Ir)(-1) h(-1) for the polymerization of norbornene in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) as cocatalyst. Catalytic activities and the molecular weight of polynorbornene (PNB) were investigated under various reaction conditions. All complexes were fully characterized by elemental analysis and IR and NMR spectroscopy; the structures of 1?a-c, 2?a, b; and 3?a, b, d were further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction.