Facile Access to Transition‐Metal–Carbonyl Complexes with an Amidinate‐Stabilized Chlorosilylene Ligand

Three transition‐metal–carbonyl complexes [V( L )(CO)₃(Cp)] ( 1 ), [Co( L )(CO)(Cp)] ( 2 ), and [Co( L₂ )(CO)₃]⁺[CoCO)₄]^? ( 3 ), each containing stable N‐heterocyclic‐chlorosilylene ligands ( L ; L =PhC(NtBu)₂SiCl) were synthesized from [V(CO)₄(Cp)], [Co(CO)₂(Cp)], and Co₂(CO)₈, respectively. Complexes 1 , 2 , 3 were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, EI‐MS spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The molecular structures of compounds 1 , 2 , 3 were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

Self‐assembly properties of Salamo‐type trinuclear Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes based on the regulation of H+/OHˉ

A novel naphthalenediol‐based bis(salamo)‐type tetraoxime compound (H₄L) was designed and synthesized. Two new supramolecular complexes, [Cu₃(L)(μ‐OAc)₂] and [Co₃(L)(μ‐OAc)₂(MeOH)₂]·4CHCl₃ were synthesized by the reaction of H₄L with Cu(II) acetate dihydrate and Co(II) acetate dihydrate, respectively, and were characterized by elemental analyses and X‐ray crystallography. In the Cu(II) complex, Cu1 and Cu2 atoms located in the N₂O₂ sites, and are both penta‐coordinated, and Cu3 atom is also penta‐coordinated by five oxygen atoms. All the three Cu(II) atoms have geometries of slightly distorted tetragonal pyramid. In the Co(II) complex, Co1 and Co3 atoms located in the N₂O₂ sites, and are both penta‐coordinated with geometries of slightly distorted triangular bipyramid and distorted tetragonal pyramid, respectively, while Co2 atom is hexa‐coordinated by six oxygen atoms with a geometry of slightly distorted octahedron. These self‐assembling complexes form different dimensional supramolecular structures through inter‐ and intra‐molecular hydrogen bonds. The coordination bond cleavages of the two complexes have occurred upon the addition of the H⁺, and have reformed again via the neutralization effect of the OH^?. The changes of the two complexes response to the H⁺/OH^? have observed in the UV–Vis and ¹H NMR spectra.     

Trans-bis(dimethylglyoximato) cobalt(III) complexes containing imidazole and thiocyanate as axial ligands

Imidazole(Im), benzimidazole(BzIm), morpholine (Morph) and their derivatives react with Co(CNS)₂ and dimethylglyoxime(DH₂) in ethanolic medium in presence of air to form a number of new cobalt(III) complexes of the type trans-[Co(DH)₂(L)(SCN)], which are characterised on the basis of electronic and IR spectra, NMR (¹H and ¹³C) and mass spectra as well as thermogravimetric (TG-DTA) and conductance measurements. The thiocyanate groups are S-bonded. The NMR observations suggest that in solution these compounds exist as mixtures of the neutral species [Co(DH)₂(L)(SCN)] and the salt [Co(DH)₂(SCN)₂]^? [Co(DH)₂(L)₂]⁺. The mass spectra does not show the molecular ion peak of the complex. The TG-DTA measurements show that the thermolysis of these complexes proceeds through polymeric intermediates giving CO₃O₄ as the end product.     

Spectral,magnetic and thermal studies on homometallic and heterometallic complexes of piperanol thiosemicarbazone

Piperanol thiosemicarbazone (HL) has been interacted with Ag⁺, Co(II), Ni(II) or Cu(II) binary to produce [Ag(HL)]EtOH · NO₃, [Ag₂(L)(H₂O)₂]NO₃, [Co(L)₃], [Cu(L)(H₂O)₃(OAc)]H₂O or [Ni(L)₂] and template with Ag⁺ to form [Cu₂Ag₂(L)₂(OH)₂(H₂O)₄]NO₃ and [NiAg(L)₂(H₂O)₂]NO₃. The prepared complexes are characterized by microanalysis, thermal, magnetic and spectral (IR, ¹H NMR, ESR and electronic) studies. Ag⁺ plays an important role in the complex formation. The variation in coordination may be due to the presence of two different metal ions and the preparation conditions. The outside nitrate is investigated by IR spectra. The outer sphere solvents are detected by IR and thermal analysis. Ni(II) complexes are found diamagnetic having a square-planar geometry. Cu(II) is reduced by the ligand to Cu(I). The cobalt complex is found diamagnetic confirming an air oxidation of Co(II) to Co(III) having a low spin octahedral geometry. The ligand and its metal complexes are found reducing agents which decolorized KMnO₄ solution in 2N H₂SO₄. CoNS and NiNS are the residual parts in the thermal decomposition of [Co(L)₃] and [Ni(L)₂].     

A Cobalt(I) Pincer Complex with an η2‐Caryl−H Agostic Bond: Facile C−H Bond Cleavage through Deprotonation,Radical Abstraction,and Oxidative Addition

The synthesis and reactivity of a Co^I pincer complex [Co(ϰ³P,CH,P‐P(CH)P^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺ featuring an η²‐ C_aryl−H agostic bond is described. This complex was obtained by protonation of the Co^I complex [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]. The Co^III hydride complex [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CNtBu)₂(H)]⁺ was obtained upon protonation of [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CNtBu)₂]. Three ways to cleave the agostic C−H bond are presented. First, owing to the acidity of the agostic proton, treatment with pyridine results in facile deprotonation (C−H bond cleavage) and reformation of [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]. Second, C−H bond cleavage is achieved upon exposure of [Co(ϰ³P,CH,P‐P(CH)P^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺ to oxygen or TEMPO to yield the paramagnetic Co^II PCP complex [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺. Finally, replacement of one CO ligand in [Co(ϰ³P,CH,P‐P(CH)P^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺ by CNtBu promotes the rapid oxidative addition of the agostic η²‐C_aryl−H bond to give two isomeric hydride complexes of the type [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CNtBu)(CO)(H)]⁺.     

Syntheses and Structural Characterization of Two Nitrilotriacetate Cobalt Complexes: [{CoK2(NTA)(Hmta)(H2O)3}NO3]n and [{Co(4,4′‐bpy)2(H2O)4}{Co2(NTA)2(4,4′‐bpy)(H2O)2}]

Two nitrilotriacetate cobalt complexes {[CoK₂(NTA)(Hmta)(H₂O)₃]NO₃}_n ( 1 ) and [{Co(4,4′‐bpy)₂(H₂O)₄}{Co₂(NTA)₂(4,4′‐bpy)(H₂O)₂}] ( 2 ) (NTA = nitrilotriacetate anion, Hmta = hexamethylenetetramine and 4,4′‐bpy = 4,4′‐bipyridine) were prepared and characterized by IR, elemental analysis and single crystal X‐ray diffraction study. The influence of the neutral ancillary ligands on the formation of the complexes with different structures in the Co‐NTA system was discussed. The coordination of NTA and Hmta to Co²⁺ ions only resulted in the formation of mononuclear [Co(NTA)(Hmta)]^? ions which are further connected by K⁺ ions and water molecules to form a three‐dimensional network. The use of 4,4′‐bpy as ancillary ligand in 2 led to the formation of separate mononuclear [Co(4,4′‐bpy)₂(H₂O)₄]²⁺ and dinuclear [Co₂(NTA)₂(4,4′‐bpy)(H₂O)₂]^2? which are further connected by hydrogen bonds to form a supramolecular three‐dimensional network. In these cases it seems to suggest that the addition of neutral ancillary ligand into the Co‐NTA system leads to the formation of lower dimensional structures when the contribution of alkali ions to the structural dimensionality is neglected.     

A Cobalt(I) Pincer Complex with an η2‐Caryl−H Agostic Bond: Facile C−H Bond Cleavage through Deprotonation,Radical Abstraction,and Oxidative Addition

The synthesis and reactivity of a Co^I pincer complex [Co(?³P,CH,P‐P(CH)P^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺ featuring an η²‐ C_aryl?H agostic bond is described. This complex was obtained by protonation of the Co^I complex [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]. The Co^III hydride complex [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CNtBu)₂(H)]⁺ was obtained upon protonation of [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CNtBu)₂]. Three ways to cleave the agostic C?H bond are presented. First, owing to the acidity of the agostic proton, treatment with pyridine results in facile deprotonation (C?H bond cleavage) and reformation of [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]. Second, C?H bond cleavage is achieved upon exposure of [Co(?³P,CH,P‐P(CH)P^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺ to oxygen or TEMPO to yield the paramagnetic Co^II PCP complex [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺. Finally, replacement of one CO ligand in [Co(?³P,CH,P‐P(CH)P^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺ by CNtBu promotes the rapid oxidative addition of the agostic η²‐C_aryl?H bond to give two isomeric hydride complexes of the type [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CNtBu)(CO)(H)]⁺.     

Cyclopentadienylcobalt Complexes Containing Two Phosphine Ligands

The ionic complexes [C₅H₅Co(L)(Ph₂PMe)I]⁺ [I]^- (L = Ph₃P and Ph₂PMe) were prepared by the reactions of cyclopentadienyl(triphenylphosphine)cobalt and cyclopentadienyl(methyldiphenylphosphine)cobalt diiodides with methyldiphenylphosphine. The treatment of these complexes with sodium tetraphenylborate results in the formation of [C₅H₅Co(L)(Ph₂PMe)I]⁺[BPh₄]^- compounds.     

Thermodynamic Stability Versus Kinetic Lability of ZnS4 Core

Density Functional Theory and post‐Hartree Fock calculations reveal an unusual energy profile for Zn? S and Zn? N bond dissociation reactions in several [Zn(SR)₄]^2? and [Zn(Im)(SR)₃]^? complexes. The Zn? S bond dissociation in tetrathiolate dianions, which is highly exothermic in the gas phase, proceeds through a late transition state which can be rationalized on the basis of an avoided crossing resulting from Coulomb repulsion between the anionic fragments and ligand‐to‐metal charge‐transfer in the [Zn(SR)₄]^2? complexes. When solvation models for water, DMSO, or acetonitrile are included, some complexes become stable while others are metastable, so this constitutes the first theoretical model which is in full agreement with the experimental data for various [Zn(SR)₄]^2?, [Zn(SR)₃]^?, and [Zn(Im)(SR)₃]^? complexes. The analysis given here indicates that the Zn(Cys)₄ and Zn(His)(Cys)₃ cores of numerous proteins are metastable with respect to Zn? S and Zn? N bond dissociation, respectively. This is consistent with the kinetic lability at the zinc‐centers and illustrates that in nature, thermodynamic stability is imparted upon the zinc cores by the protein environment.     

Crystal Structures and Luminescent Properties of Two Zinc(II) Coordination Compounds with a β‐Diketonate Derivative Ligand

The β‐diketonate derivative ligand [H₂L = 6‐(3‐hydroxy‐1‐oxo‐3‐pyrryl‐2‐propen‐1‐yl)‐2‐pyridinecarboxylic acid] and its zinc(II) coordination complexes, [Zn(H₂L)Cl₂] · (EtOH)(H₂O) ( 1 ) and [Zn₄(L)₄(H₂O)₂] · 5H₂O ( 2 ), were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Complex 1 is a mononuclear structure. Complex 2 is a [2 × 2] grid tetranuclear structure. The luminescent properties of the free ligand H₂L and complexes 1 and 2 in methanol solution were studied.     

Dithiocarbamate complexes of cyclopentadienylcobalt(III), [Co(η-C5H5)(L)(S2CNR2)] (L = ligand)

The reactions of [Co(η-C₅H₅)(L)I₂] with Na[S₂CNR₂] (R = alkyl or phenyl) give [Co(η-C₅H₅)(I)(S₂CNR₂)] (I) when L = CO and [Co(η-C₅H₅)(L)(S₂CNR₂)]I (II) when L is a tertiary phosphine, phosphite or stibine, or organo-isocyanide ligand. In similar reactions [Co(η-C₅H₅)(CO)(C₃F₇)I] gives [Co(η-C₅H₅)(C₃F₇)(S₂CNMe₂)] and [Mn(η-MeC₅H₄)(CO)₂(NO)]PF₆ forms [Mn(η-MeC₅H₄)(NO)(S₂CNR₂)]. The iodide ligands in I may be displaced by L, to give II, or by other ligands such as [CN]^?, [NCS]^?, H₂O or pyridine whilst SnCl₂ converts it to SnCl₂I. The iodide counter-anion in II may be replaced by others to give [BPh₄]^?, [Co(CO)₄]^? or [NO₃]^? salts. However [CN]^? acts differently and displaces (PhO)₃P from [Co(η-C₅H₅){P(OPh)₃}(S₂CNMe)]I to give [Co(η-C₅H₅)(CN)(S₂CNMe₂)] which may be alkylated reversibly by MeI and irreversibly by MeSO₃F to [Co(η-C₅H₅)(CNMe)(S₂CNMe₂)]⁺ salts. Conductivity measurements suggest that solutions of I in donor solvents are partially ionized with the formation of [Co(η-C₅H₅)(solvent)(S₂CNR₂)]⁺ I^? species. The IR and ¹H NMR spectra of the various complexes are reported. They are consistent with pseudo-octahedral “pianostool” molecular structures in which the bidentate dithiocarbamate ligands are coordinated to the metal atoms through both sulphur atoms.     

One-dimensional Schiff-base-bridged manganese(III) complex: Synthesis,crystal structure and magnetic property

A new one-dimensional Schiff-base ligand bridged manganese(III) complex with the formula [Mn(acacen)(H₂acacen)]ClO₄ (1) (acacen = N, N'-ethylenebis(acetylacetonylideneaminato) has been obtained from the reaction of [Mn(acacen)(H₂O)₂]ClO₄ with K[Fe(bpdBrb)(CN)₂] (bpdBrb^2– = 1,2-bis(pyridine-2-carboxamido)-4,5-dibromobenzenate), which has been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and X-ray structure determination. Single X-ray diffraction analysis reveals it’s onedimensional infinite structure consisting of alternating units of [Mn(acacen)]⁺ and the Schiff-base ligand H₂acacen with a trans conformation, forming a cationic polymeric chain with free ClO₄^- as the balanced anion. The one-dimensional chain structure can be can be further linked into three-dimensional supramolecular network under the help of the intermolecular weak interactions. Investigation over its magnetic property reveals the weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the adjacent Mn(III) ions.     

Novel 2-formylpyridine 4-allyl-S-methylisothiosemicarbazone and Zn(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(III) complexes: Synthesis,characterization, crystal structure,antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiproliferative activity

New zinc (II), copper (II), nickel (II) and cobalt (III) complexes, [Zn (HL)₂]I₂ (1) , [Cu (HL)Cl₂] (2) , [Cu (HL)Br₂] (3) , [Cu (HL)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (4) , [Ni (HL)₂]I₂·H₂O (5) , [Co(L)₂]Cl (6) , [Co(L)₂]NO₃ (7) , [Co(L)₂]I·[Co(L)₂](I₃) (8) were obtained with 2-formylpyridine 4-allyl-S-methylisothiosemicarbazone ( HL ). The isothiosemicarbazone ligand was characterized by NMR (¹H and ¹³C), IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. All the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV–Vis, ESI-MS spectroscopy, molar conductivity, magnetic susceptibility measurements. X-ray diffraction analysis on the monocrystal and powder elucidated the structure of the complexes 1 , 5 , 7 and 8 . The ligand and the complexes were tested for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Candida albicans. Also, the antiproliferative properties of these compounds on human leukemia HL-60, human cervical epithelial HeLa, human epithelial pancreatic adenocarcinoma BxPC-3, human muscle rhabdomyosarcoma spindle, large multinucleated RD cells and normal MDCK cells have been investigated. The nickel complex 5 and cobalt complexes 6 , 7 showed promising antiproliferative activity and low toxicity.     

Proton Affinities of Cationic Carbone Adducts [AC(PPh3)2]+ (A=Halogen,Hydrogen, Methyl) and Unusual Electronic Structures of the Cations and Dications [AC(H)(PPh3)2]2+

This work reports the syntheses and the first crystal structures of the cationic carbone adducts [FC(PPh₃)₂]⁺ and [BrC(PPh₃)₂]⁺ and the protonated dication [FC(H)(PPh₃)₂]²⁺, which are derived from the carbone C(PPh₃)₂. Quantum chemical calculations and bonding analyses were carried out for the series of cations [AC(PPh₃)₂]⁺ and dications [AC(H)(PPh₃)₂]²⁺, where A=H, Me, F, Cl, Br, I. The bonding analysis suggests that the cations are best described as phosphane complexes L→(CA)⁺←L (L=PPh₃), which are related to the neutral borylene adducts L→(BA)←L (L=cyclic carbene; A=H, aryl) that were recently isolated. The carbone adducts [AC(PPh₃)₂]⁺ possess a π electron lone pair at carbon and they can easily be protonated to the dications [AC(H)(PPh₃)₂]²⁺. The calculations of the dications indicate that the molecules are best represented as complexes L→(CHA)²⁺←L (L=PPh₃) where a carbene dication is stabilized by the ligands. The central carbon atom in the cations and even in the dications carries a negative partial charge, which is larger than the negative charge at fluorine. There is also the peculiar situation in which the carbon–fluorine bonds in [FC(PPh₃)₂]⁺ and [FC(H)(PPh₃)₂]²⁺ exhibit the expected polarity with the negative end at fluorine, but the carbon atom has a larger negative charge than fluorine. Given the similarity of carbodiphosphorane C(PPh₃)₂ and carbodicarbene C(NHC)₂, we expect that analogous compounds [AC(NHC)₂]⁺ and [AC(H)(NHC)₂]²⁺ with similar features as [AC(PPh₃)₂]⁺ and [AC(H)(PPh₃)₂]²⁺ can be isolated.     

Cover Picture: Coordination Algorithms Control Molecular Architecture: [CuI4(L2)4]4+ Grid Complex Versus [MII2(L2)2X4]y+ Side‐By‐Side Complexes (M=Mn,Co, Ni,Zn; X=Solvent or Anion) and [FeII(L2)3][Cl3FeIIIOFeIIICl3] (Chem. Eur. J. 16/2003)

The cover picture shows how differing coordination algorithms control the molecular architecture of complexes of the pyridazine‐containing, two‐armed, acyclic Schiff base ligand L2 (left, prepared from one equivalent of 3,6‐diformylpyridazine and two equivalents of d‐anisidine). Two very different complexes of L2 self‐assemble from tetrahedral copper(I ) versus octahedral zinc(II ), nickel(II ), and cobalt(II ) controlled 1 : 1 reactions with L2. In both cases the metal ions are bridged by the pyridazine moieties in L2, but in the case of the tetrahedral copper(II ) the result is a tetrametallic [2×2] grid complex ([Cu^I₄(L2)⁴]⁴⁺: top right), whilst in the case of the octahedral metal(II ) ions dimetallic side‐by‐side complexes, [M^II₂(L2)²(X)₄]^y+ (M = Mn, Co, Ni, Zn; X = solvent or anion), are formed (bottom right). The cover image was kindly generated by M. Crawford (University of Otago) with Strata Studio Pro (Strata). More details are given by S. Brooker and co‐workers on p. 3772 ff.     

Preparative and NMR studies of 1,3-dienecobalt(I) complexes

The synthesis and the characterization of cobalt(I) complexes of the type [Co(diene)(phosphine)₃]Y (diene = 1,3-butadiene and isoprene; phosphine = PMe₃, PMe₂Ph, and HPPh₂; Y = ClO₄, BF₄, or BPh₄) are reported. The fluxional nature of the five-coordinate cations [Co(diene)(phosphine)₃]⁺ is shown by variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy (¹H and ³¹P). Low-temperature spectra are consistent with a square-pyramidal structure in which the diene occupies two basal coordination sites.     

Outer-sphere interactions between octahedral chiral cobalt(iii) complexes and water-soluble calixarenes

The structures and stability of outer-sphere associates of sulfonate derivatives of thiacalix[4]arene and calix[4]resorcinarene with coordinatively saturated cobalt(iii) bis- and tris-chelates ([Co(L-His)₂]⁺, [Co(en)₂ox]⁺, [Co(en)₃]³⁺, and [Co(dipy)₃]³⁺) were compared based on the data from UV, CD, 1D ¹H NMR, and 2D (2D NOESY) ¹H NMR spectroscopy and conductometry. Outer-sphere association is accompanied by partial penetration of the chelate rings of the complexes into the hydrophobic cavity of calixarene, which induces changes in the spectroscopic and spectropolarimetric properties of the cobalt(iii) complexes.     

Synthesis,Spectroscopy, and Structures of Mono‐ and Dinuclear Copper(I) Halide Complexes with 1,3‐Imidazolidine‐2‐thiones

Copper(I) halides with triphenyl phosphine and imidaozlidine‐2‐thiones (L ‐NMe, L ‐NEt, and L ‐NPh) in acetonitrile/methanol (or dichloromethane) yielded copper(I) mixed‐ligand complexes: mononuclear, namely, [CuCl(κ¹‐S‐L ‐NMe)(PPh₃)₂] ( 1 ), [CuBr(κ¹‐S‐L ‐NMe)(PPh₃)₂] ( 2 ), [CuBr(κ¹‐S‐L ‐NEt)(PPh₃)₂] ( 5 ), [CuI(κ¹‐S‐L ‐NEt)(PPh₃)₂] ( 6 ), [CuCl(κ¹‐S‐L ‐NPh)(PPh₃)₂] ( 7 ), and [CuBr(κ¹‐S‐L ‐NPh)(PPh₃)₂] ( 8 ), and dinuclear, [Cu₂(κ¹‐I)₂(μ‐S‐L ‐NMe)₂(PPh₃)₂] ( 3 ) and [Cu₂(μ‐Cl)₂(κ¹‐S‐L ‐NEt)₂(PPh₃)₂] ( 4 ). All complexes were characterized with analytical data, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and X‐ray crystallography. Complexes 2 – 4 , 7 , and 8 each formed crystals in the triclinic system with P$\bar{1}$ space group, whereas complexes 1 , 5 , and 6 crystallized in the monoclinic crystal system with space groups P2₁/c, C2/c, and P2₁/n, respectively. Complex 2 has shown two independent molecules, [(CuBr(κ¹‐S‐L ‐NMe)(PPh₃)₂] and [CuBr(PPh₃)₂] in the unit cell. For X = Cl, the thio‐ligand bonded to metal as terminal in complex 4 , whereas for X = I it is sulfur‐bridged in complex 3 .     

New rhodium(I) water‐soluble complexes with 1‐alkyl‐1‐azonia‐3,5‐diaza‐7‐phospha‐adamantane iodides and their catalytic activity

The water‐soluble phosphine ligands, 1,3,5‐triaza‐7‐phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.1^3,7]decane (tpa) and 1‐alkyl‐1‐azonia‐3,5‐diaza‐7‐phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.1^3,7]decane iodides (Rtpa⁺I⁻), with alkyl=methyl(mtpa⁺I⁻), ethyl (etpa⁺I⁻) and n‐propyl, (ptpa⁺I⁻), and mtpa⁺Cl⁻ react with [Rh₂Cl₂(CO)₄] giving the rhodium(I) complexes [RhCl(CO)(tpa)₂], [RhI(CO)(Rtpa⁺I⁻)₂], [RhCl‐­(CO)(mtpa⁺Cl⁻)₃] and [RhI(CO)(Rtpa⁺I⁻)₃]. The properties and reactivities of the complexes have been investigated using ¹H and ³¹PNMR and IR spectroscopies. The five‐coordinate complexes in solutions show dynamic properties. The complexes are catalysts of the water‐gas shift reaction, the hydrogenation of CC and CO bonds, the hydroformylation of alkenes and the isomerization of unsaturated compounds. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.