Reaction of [M(CO)4] (M = Ir, Rh) with cyclopropenyl tetrafluoroborate - Ring opening and coupling of cyclopropenyl ligands to form dinuclear metal complexes

Reaction of the iridium tetracarbonylate [PPN][Ir(CO)₄] (1a) with triphenylcyclopropenyl tetrafluoroborate [C₃Ph₃][BF₄] afforded two dinuclear species Ir₂(CO)₄(μ,η¹:η²-C₃Ph₃)(μ,η²:η³-C₃Ph₃) (2) and Ir₂(CO)₄(μ,η⁴:η⁴-C₆Ph₆) (3a) resulting from the ring opening and in the latter case, coupling of the resulting acyclic, propenyl ligands. The analogous reaction with [PPN][Rh(CO)₄] (1b) afforded only the rhodium analogue for 3a.     

Reactions of [η-carboxycyclopentadiene][η-tetraphenylcyclo butadiene] cobalt with alkyl and aryl tin oxides: Synthesis, structural studies and electrochemistry of novel monomeric and dimeric [η-carboxycyclopentadiene][η-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene]cobalt based stannoxanes

Reactions of [η⁵-carboxycyclopentadienyl][η⁴-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene] cobalt, Ph₄C₄CoC₅H₄COOH (1), with (Ph₃Sn)₂O, [(n-Bu)₂SnO]_n and (Ph₂SnO)_n in refluxing toluene resulted in the formation of the monomeric compound Ph₃SnOC(O)C₅H₄CoC₄Ph₄ (2) and dimeric compounds n-Bu₂Sn[OC(O)C₅H₄CoC₄Ph₄]₂ (3) and Ph₂Sn[OC(O)C₅H₄CoC₄Ph₄]₂ (4), respectively. Reactions carried out in the solid state by mechanical grinding also yielded same results. Crystal structure determination and cyclic voltammetric studies of compounds 1, 2, 3 and 4 have been carried out and compared with similar ferrocene carboxylic acid derivatives. The structures and electrochemistry of these compounds are compared with analogous organotin ferrocene carboxylates. The results obtained from the reaction of 1 with alkyl and aryl tin oxides suggest that the formation of stannoxanes assemblies having more than two carboxylate units are not favored indicating that 1 is a highly sterically hindered metallocene carboxylic acid.     

New versatile organyltellurium(IV) halides: Synthesis and X-ray structural features of the telluronium tellurolate salts [PhTe(CH3)2]2[TeX6] (X = Cl, Br) and [Ph3Te][PhTeX4] (X = Cl, Br, I)

TeX₄ (X = Cl, Br) react in HCl/HBr with [Ph(CH₃)₂Te]X (X = Cl, Br) to give [PhTe(CH₃)₂]₂[TeCl₆] (1) and [PhTe(CH₃)₂]₂[TeBr₆] (2). The reaction of PhTeX₃ (X = Cl, Br, I) in cooled methanol with [(Ph)₃Te]X (X = Cl, Br, I) leads to [Ph₃Te][PhTeCl₄] (3), [Ph₃Te][PhTeBr₄] (4) and [Ph₃Te][PhTeI₄] (5). In the lattices of the telluronium tellurolate salts 1 and 2, octahedral TeCl₆ and TeBr₆ dianions are linked by telluronium cations through Te?Cl and Te?Br secondary bonds, attaining bidimensional (1) and three-dimensional (2) assemblies. The complexes 3, 4 and 5 show two kinds of Te?halogen secondary interactions: the anion-anion interactions, which form centrosymmetric dimers, and two identical sets of three telluronium-tellurolate interactions, which accomplish the centrosymmetric fundamental moiety of the supramolecular arrays of the three compounds, with the tellurium atoms attaining distorted octahedral geometries. Also phenyl C-H?halogen secondary interactions are structure forming forces in the crystalline structures of compounds 3, 4 and 5.     

New effective reagent [Cp2ZrH2 · ClAlEt2]2 for alkene hydrometallation

New bimetallic complex [Cp₂ZrH₂ · ClAlEt₂]₂ (1) was synthesized, and its reactivity in hydrometallation reaction with the following alkenes was studied: hept-1-ene, okt-1-ene, α-methylstyrene, (1S)-β-pinene, (+)-camphene. Complex 1 shows the highest reactivity among the other known Al,Zr-bimetallic complexes: [Cp₂ZrH₂ · ClAlBuⁱ₂]₂ (2), [Cp₂ZrH₂ · AlEt₃]₂ (3), [Cp₂ZrH₂ · AlBuⁱ₃]₂ (4) and [Cp₂ZrH₂ · HAlBuⁱ₂] (5) as well as organoaluminium compounds (OAC): ⁱBu₂AlH, ⁱBu₃Al and ⁱBu₂AlCl in presence of Zr catalysts. Chlorine containing complexes 1 and 2 appear to be more effective in alkene hydrometallation, and relative hydrometallation rates are (1S)-β-pinene ? (+)-camphene < α-methylstyrene < oct-1-ene < hept-1-ene. Hydrometallation of (1S)-β-pinene and its subsequent oxidation with I₂ run with high diastereoselectivity and yield trans-myrtanol. However, the diastereoselectivity of (+)-camphene hydrometallation is less than that for (1S)-β-pinene, and the reaction gives predominately endo-camphanol.     

Ruthenium and rhodium nitrosyl complexes containing dichalcogenoimidodiphosphinate ligands

Interaction of [Ru(NO)Cl₃(PPh₃)₂] with K[N(R₂PS)₂] in refluxing N,N-dimethylformamide afforded trans-[Ru(NO)Cl{N(R₂PS)₂}₂] (R = Ph (1), Prⁱ (2)). Reaction of [Ru(NO)Cl₃(PPh₃)₂] with K[N(Ph₂PSe)₂] led to formation of a mixture of trans-[Ru(NO)Cl{N(Ph₂PSe)₂}₂] (3) and trans-[Ru(NO)Cl{N(Ph₂PSe)₂}{Ph₂P(Se)NPPh₂}] (4). Reaction of Ru(NO)Cl₃ · xH₂O with K[N(Ph₂PO)₂] afforded cis-[Ru(NO)(Cl){N(Ph₂PO)₂}₂] (5). Treatment of [Rh(NO)Cl₂(PPh₃)₂] with K[N(R₂PQ)₂] gave Rh(NO){N(R₂PQ)₂}₂] (R = Ph, Q = S (6) or Se (7); R = Prⁱ, Q = S (8) or Se (9)). Protonation of 8 with HBF₄ led to formation of trans-[Rh(NO)Cl{HN(Prⁱ₂PS)₂}₂][BF₄]₂ (10). X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the nitrosyl ligands in 2 and 4 are linear, whereas that in 9 is bent with the Rh–N–O bond angle of 125.7(3)°.     

Synthesis and structural studies of some titanium and zirconium complexes with chiral bis(amide), amidinate or bis(amidinate) ligands

Reaction of bis(amide) sodium Na₂[(1R,2R)-(−)-1,2-(NSiMe₃)₂-C₆H₁₀] (Na₂[L¹]) with Ti(OiPr)₂Cl₂ in different conditions gave mixed-ligand complexes [Ti(OiPr)Cl][L¹] (1) or [Ti(OiPr)₂Cl]₂[L¹] (2); 2 is a dinuclear titanium example in which Ti atoms are bridged by nitrogen and oxygen atoms simultaneously forming a distorted rhombic core. Reaction of the amine-amidinate ligand (1R,2R)-(−)-1-Li[NC(Ph)N(SiMe₃)]-2-(NHSiMe₃)-C₆H₁₀(Li[L²]) or rarely linked bis(amidinate) ligand Li₂[(1R,2R)-(−)-1,2-{NC(Ph)N(SiMe₃)}₂-C₆H₁₀](Li₂[L³]) with ZrCl₄ yielded the unbridged and bridged bis(amidinate) complexes ZrCl₂[L²]₂ (3) and [ZrCl₂(THF)][L³] (4), respectively; Moreover, the reaction of (1R,2R)-(−)-1-Li[NC(Ph)N(SiMe₃)]-2-Li(NSiMe₃)C₆H₁₀(Li₂[L²]) with Ti(OiPr)₂Cl₂ gave a new type of tridentate amido-amidinate product [Ti(OiPr)₂][L²] (6), which is a distinct model compared to [Ti(OiPr)₂Cl][L²] (5) yielded from Li[L²]. All the products have been characterized by X-ray crystallography and the structural studies are presented detailedly comparing with relevant compounds.     

Reactions of P4S10 and pyPS2Cl with N,N′-diphenylurea and N,N′-diphenylthiourea

The reaction of P₄S₁₀ (1) with N,N′-diphenylurea (PhNH)₂CO (2) results in new heterocyclic compounds: the pyridinium salt of 1,3-diphenyl-2-sulfido-2-thioxo-1,3-diaza-2λ⁵-phosphetidine (3) (with a P–N–C–N cycle) and the pyridinium salt of 1,4-diphenyl-2,5-disulfido-2,5-dithioxo-1,4-dithiadiaza-2λ⁵,5λ⁵-diphosphinane (4), containing the (P–S–N)₂ cycle and the cyclic thiophosphates [pyH]₂[P₂S₈] (5), [pyH]₂[P₂S₇] (6) and [pyH]₃[P₃S₉] (7). A similar reaction, but carried out with N,N′-diphenylthiourea (PhNH)₂CS (8), leads to the formation of 4 and 6. pyPS₂Cl (9), used as an alternative starting material, also yields compounds 3, 4, 5, and further [pyH][PS₂Cl₂] (10) and S₈ after reaction with 2. Compound 3 reacts with Pd(CH₃COO)₂, with the formation of the complex [Pd(Ph₂N₂COPS₂)₂] (11). The crystal structures of 3 and 7 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Tin(IV) complexes obtained by reacting 2-benzoylpyridine-derived thiosemicarbazones with SnCl4 and Ph2SnCl2

Reaction of 2-benzoylpyridine thiosemicarbazone (H2Bz4DH, HL1) and its N(4)-methyl (H2Bz4Me, HL2) and N(4)-phenyl (H2Bz4Ph, HL3) derivatives with SnCl₄ and diphenyltin dichloride (Ph₂SnCl₂) gave [Sn(L1)Cl₃] (1), [Sn(L1)PhCl₂] (2), [Sn(L2)Cl₃] (3), (4) [Sn(L3)PhCl₂] (5) and [Sn(L3)Ph₂Cl] (6). Infrared and ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectra of 1-3, 5 and 6 are compatible with the presence of an anionic ligand attached to the metal through the N_py-N-S chelating system and formation of hexacoordinated tin complexes. The crystal structures of 1-3, 5 and 6 show that the geometry around the metal is a distorted octahedron formed by the thiosemicarbazone and either chlorides or chlorides and phenyl groups. The crystal structure of 4 reveals the presence of and trans [Ph₂SnCl₄]²⁻.     

Multi-site coordination ligands assembled on organostannoxane supports

The reactions of bis(pyrazol-1-yl) acetic acid LCOOH (1) (L = (Pz)₂CH-) and bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetic acid L′COOH (2) (L = (3,5-Me₂Pz)₂CH-) with organotin oxide (hydroxide) precursors, n-BuSn(O)(OH), n-Bu₂SnO, (n-Bu₃Sn)₂O and (Ph₃Sn)₂O has led to the isolation of several organotin compounds containing bispyrazolyl unit(s) on the periphery of the stannoxane structure [n-BuSn(O)O₂CL]₆ (3), [n-BuSn(O)O₂CL′]₆ (4), [n-Bu₃SnO₂CL]_n (5), [n-Bu₃SnO₂CL′]_n (6), [Ph₃SnO₂CL]_n (7), [Ph₃SnO₂CL′]_n (8), [{n-Bu₂SnO₂CL}₂O]₂ (9) and [{n-Bu₂SnO₂CL′}₂O]₂ (10). Compounds 5, 7, 9 and 10 have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. In the solid state, these compounds possess interesting 3-D and 2-D supramolecular networks as a result of intermolecular C-H?O, C-H?N, C-H?Cl and C-H?π interactions.     

Dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes containing N-heterocyclic carbenes

Compound MoO₂Cl₂(THF)₂ reacts with two equivalents of 1,3-dialkyl substituted 4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidenes to give the dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes MoO₂Cl₂(L^R)₂ [R = Me (1), i-Pr (2)]. Treatment of MoO₂Cl₂(THF)₂ with one equivalent of the N-heterocyclic carbenes L^Me, L^i-Pr and ^C1L^n-Bu (L^Me = 1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazol-2-ylidene, L^i-Pr = 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene, and ^C1L^n-Bu = 1,3-dibutyl-4,5-dichloroimidazol-2-ylidene) affords the monocarbene adducts MoO₂Cl₂(L^R) [R = Me (3), i-Pr (4)] and MoO₂Cl₂(^C1L^n-Bu) (5), respectively. Decomposition of complexes 1-5 affords a molybdenum oxychloride anion [Mo₂O₅Cl₄]²⁻ as an imidazolium salt.     

Synthesis and characterization of phosphorous-bridged bisphenoxy titanium complexes and their application to ethylene polymerization

Phosphorous-bridged bisphenoxy titanium complexes were synthesized and their ethylene polymerization behavior was investigated. Bis[3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy](phenyl)phosphine tetrahydrofuran titanium dichloride (4a) was obtained by treatment of 3 equiv of n-BuLi with bis[3-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl](phenyl)phosphine hydrochloride salt (3a) followed by TiCl₄(THF)₂ in THF. THF-free complexes 5a-5d were synthesized more conveniently by the direct reaction of MOM-protected ligands (2a-2d) with TiCl₄ in toluene. X-ray analysis of 4a revealed that the ligand is bonded to the octahedral titanium (IV) center in a facial fashion and two chlorine atoms possess cis-geometry. Complexes 4a and 5a-5d were utilized as catalyst precursors for ethylene polymerization. Complex 5c gave high molecular weight polyethylene (M_w = 1,170,000, M_w/M_n = 2.0) upon activation with Al(ⁱBu)₃/[Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] (TB). Ethylene polymerization activity of 5d activated with Al(ⁱBu)₃/TB reached 49.0 × 10⁶ g mol (cat) ⁻¹ h⁻¹.     

Thermal fragmentation of the guanidinato aluminum amide precursor [Me2NC(NPr)2]Al(NMe2)2: An investigation of reactive species by matrix-isolation FTIR spectroscopy and time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The gas-phase thermolysis of the guanidinato aluminum amide precursor [Me₂NC(NⁱPr)₂]Al(NMe₂)₂ (1) in the oven temperature range of ambient temperatures to 600 °C has been investigated with matrix-isolation FTIR spectroscopy and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (argon as carrier gas). Precursor 1 fragments above 300 °C to form iPrCNCiPr (2) and monomeric Al(NMe₂)₃ (3m). Independent thermolysis series with 2 and the aluminum amide dimer 3d, [Al(NMe₂)₃]₂, were conducted and been used to interpret the results of the fragmentation of precursor 1. Compound 3m was present in the thermolysis range of 350–450 °C and has been identified for the first time. Through a comparison of measured FTIR spectra with the calculated spectrum of 3m (D₃ point group symmetry; B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory) all expected IR bands were found and could be assigned to normal modes. At thermolysis temperatures of ?500 °C signals indicative for H₂CNCH₃ (4) were found, showing that 3m fragments further at higher temperature. The thermolysis product 2 (iPrCNCiPr) withstands the higher thermolysis temperatures. From our study one can conclude that precursor 1 cleanly delivers the monomeric aluminum alane 3m, which then acts as the reactive material forming species.     

Synthesis and characterization of palladium(II) complexes with chiral aminophosphine ligands: Catalytic behaviour in asymmetric hydrovinylation. Crystal structure of cis-[PdCl2(PPh((R)-NHCHCH3Ph)2)2]

Optically active ligands of type Ph₂PNHR (R = (R)-CHCH₃Ph, (a); (R)-CHCH₃Cy, (b); (R)-CHCH₃Naph, (c)) and PhP(NHR)₂ (R = (R)-CHCH₃Ph, (d); (R)-CHCH₃Cy, (e)) with a stereogenic carbon atom in the R substituent were synthesized. Reaction with [PdCl₂(COD)₂] produced [PdCl₂P₂] (1) (P = PhP(NHCHCH₃Ph)₂), whose molecular structure determined by X-ray diffraction showed cis disposition for the ligands. All nitrogen atoms of amino groups adopted S configuration. The new ligands reacted with allylic dimeric palladium compound [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)Cl]₂ to gave neutral aminophosphine complexes [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)ClP] (2a-2e) or cationic aminophosphine complexes [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)P₂]BF₄ (3a-3e) in the presence of the stoichiometric amount of AgBF₄. Cationic complexes [Pd(η⁴3-2-methylallyl)(NCCH₃)P]BF₄ (4a-4e) were prepared in solution to be used as precursors in the catalytic hydrovinylation of styrene. ³¹P NMR spectroscopy showed the existence of an equilibrium between the expected cationic mixed complexes 4, the symmetrical cationic complexes [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)P₂]BF₄ (3) and [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)(NCCH₃)₂]BF₄ (5) coming from the symmetrization reaction. The extension of the process was studied with the aminophosphines (a-e) as well as with nonchiral monodentate phosphines (PCy₃ (f), PBn₃ (g), PPh₃ (h), PMe₂Ph (i)) showing a good match between the extension of the symmetrization and the size of the phosphine ligand. We studied the influence of such equilibria in the hydrovinylation of styrene because the behaviour of catalytic precursors can be modified substantially when prepared ‘in situ’. While compounds 3 and bisacetonitrile complex 5 were not active as catalysts, the [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)(η²-styrene)₂]⁺ species formed in the absence of acetonitrile showed some activity in the formation of codimers and dimers. Hydrovinylation reaction between styrene and ethylene was tested using catalytic precursors solutions of [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)LP]BF₄ ionic species (L = CH₃CN or styrene) showing moderate activity and good selectivity. Better activities but lower selectivities were found when L = styrene. Only in the case of the precursor containing Ph₂PNHCHCH₃Ph (a) ligand was some enantiodiscrimination (10%) found.     

Synthesis and ethylene polymerization behavior of {MeB(3-Ph-pyrazolyl)3}TiCl3

The new methyl-tris(pyrazolyl)borate reagents Li[MeTp^Ph] (1) [MeTp^Ph]⁻ = MeB(3-Ph-pyrazolyl)₃⁻) and Tl[MeTp^Ph] (2) react with TiCl₄ to afford (MeTp^Ph)TiCl₃ (3) in 77% and 81% yield respectively. 2 reacts with ZrCl₄ and HfCl₄ to yield mixtures of products. The reaction of 1 with TiCl₃(THF)₃ proceeds with B-N bond cleavage to afford TiCl₃(3-Ph-pyrazole)(THF)₂ as the major product (30%). The reaction of 3 with MeLi (3 equiv) yields 1 (60%) and reduced Ti species, via apparent displacement of [MeTp^Ph]⁻ and generation of unstable TiCl₄Me_4−x species. Under MAO activation conditions (MAO = methylalumoxane), 3 polymerizes ethylene to linear polyethylene. 3/MAO is significantly more active in ethylene polymerization than the hydrido-tris(pyrazolyl)borate analogue {HB(3-Ph-pyrazolyl)₃}TiCl₃/MAO.     

Ferrocene-Mn π-interaction in the complex [Fc2Bpz2Mn(THF)Cl]

The ferrocene-based bis(pyrazol-1-yl)borate ligands [Fc₂Bpz₂]⁻ ([2]⁻) and [Fc₂Bpz^Ph₂]⁻ ([2^Ph]⁻) have been prepared (Fc: ferrocenyl; pz: pyrazol-1-yl; pz^Ph: 3-phenylpyrazol-1-yl). Treatment of [2]⁻ and [2^Ph]⁻ with MnCl₂ in THF leads to the complexes [Fc₂Bpz₂Mn(THF)(μ-Cl)₂Mn(THF)pz₂BFc₂] (3) and [Fc₂Bpz^Ph₂Mn(THF)Cl] (3^Ph), respectively, which have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. While there is clearly no ferrocene-Mn^II π-coordination in the solid-state structure of 3, short Mn^II-C₅H₄ contacts are established in 3^Ph (shortest Mn-C distances: 2.780(2) Å, 2.872(2) Å). The cyclic voltammograms of K[2^Ph] and 3^Ph show the first ferrocene/ferricinium redox wave of 3^Ph to be shifted anodically by 0.60 V compared with the first Fe^II/Fe^III transition of K[2^Ph].     

Preparation of phosphinoferrocene carboxamides from isocyanates. Synthesis and structural characterisation of palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes with 1′-(diphenylphosphino)-1-(N-phenylcarbamoyl)ferrocene

The reaction of in situ generated 1′-(diphenylphosphino)-1-lithioferrocene with isocyanates RNCO affords the respective phosphino-carboxamides Ph₂PfcCONHR (fc = ferrocene-1,1′-diyl, R = cyclohexyl (2), and Ph (3)) in moderate yields. The coordination behaviour of 3 chosen as a representative was studied in palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes. Depending on the metal precursor and the reaction conditions, the following compounds featuring this ligand as a P-monodentate or an O,P-chelating donor were isolated and characterised by spectroscopic methods (IR, multinuclear NMR and electrospray ionisation MS): trans-[PdCl₂(3-κP)₂] (5), trans-[PtCl₂(3-κP)₂] (6), cis-[PtCl₂(3-κP)₂] (7), [SP-4-4]-[(L^NC)PdCl(3-κP)] (8; L^NC = 2-[(dimethylamino-κN)methyl]phenyl-κC¹), and [SP-4-3]-[(L^NC)PdCl(3-κ²O,P)]SbF₆ (9). Besides, the crystal structures of a phosphine oxide resulting by oxidation of 2, viz Ph₂P(O)fcCONHCy (4), and of complexes 5·2Et₂O and 9 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Stereochemistry of the reaction of cis,trans,cis-2,4,6,8-tetraisocyanato-2,4,6,8-tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane with triphenylsilanol and 1,1,3,3-tetraphenyldisiloxane-1,3-diol

All-cis-2,4,6,8-tetramethyl-2,4,6,8-tetrakis(triphenylsiloxy)cyclotetrasiloxane (4) and syn-1,3,9,11-tetramethyl-5,5,7,7,13,13,15,15-octaphenyltricyclo[9.5.1.1^3,9]octasiloxane (5) were synthesized by the reaction of cis,trans,cis-[MeSi(NCO)O]₄ (1) with Ph₃SiOH (2) and [Ph₂Si(OH)]₂O (3), respectively, in the presence of pyridine for the sake of investigating the synthesis of ladder polysilsesquioxanes with perfect siloxane frameworks. Their stereostructures were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and X-ray crystallography, which revealed that 4 and 5 did not retain the stereostructure of the precursor 1. This result was caused by the racemization of 1 with pyridine, and a subsequent nucleophilic substitution reaction of 1 with 2 or 3, including inversion and retention of the configuration at the silicon atoms.     

Synthesis and characterization of new Rh complexes bearing CO, PPh3 and chelating P,O- or Se,Se-ligands: Application to hydroformylation of styrene

The complexes [Rh(CO)(PPh₃){Ph₂PNP(O)Ph₂-P,O}] (3), [Rh(CO)₂{Ph₂P(Se)NP(Se)Ph₂-Se,Se′}] (5), and [Rh(CO)(PPh₃){Ph₂P(Se)NP(Se)Ph₂-Se,Se′}] (6), were synthesised by stepwise reactions of CO and PPh₃ with [Rh(cod){Ph₂PNP(O)Ph₂-P,O}] (2) and [Rh(cod){Ph₂P(Se)NP(Se)Ph₂-Se,Se′}] (4), respectively. The complexes 3, 5 and 6 have been studied by IR, as well as ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. The ν(CO) bands of complexes 3 and 6 appear at approximately 1960 cm⁻¹, indicating high electron density at the Rh^I centre. The structure of complexes 3 and 6 has been determined by X-ray crystallography, and the ³¹P NMR chemical shifts have been resolved via low temperature NMR experiments. Both complexes exhibit square planar geometry around the metal centre, with the five-membered ring of complex 3 being almost planar, and the six-membered ring of complex 6 adopting a slightly distorted boat conformation. The C-O bond of the carbonyl ligand is relatively weak in both complexes, due to strong π-back donation from the electron rich Rh^I centre. The catalytic activity of the complexes 2, 3 and 6 in the hydroformylation of styrene has been investigated. Complexes 2 and 3 showed satisfactory catalytic properties, whereas complex 6 had effectively no catalytic activity.     

Mononuclear ruthenium(II) complexes bearing the (S,S)-Pr-pybox ligand

The complexes trans-[RuCl₂(L){(S,S)-ⁱPr-pybox}] ((S,S)-ⁱPr-pybox = 2,6-bis[4′-(S)-isopropyloxazolin-2′-yl]pyridine, L = PMe₃ (1), P(OMe)₃ (2), PPh₂(CH₂CHCH₂) (3), CNBn (5), CNCy (6) and MeCN (7)) have been synthesized by substitution of ethylene on the precursor trans-[RuCl₂(η²-C₂H₄){(S,S)-ⁱPr-pybox}]. This complex also reacts with cyclooctadiene (cod) or norbornadiene (nbd) and NaPF₆, in refluxing methanol, giving the coordination compounds [RuCl(η⁴-cod){(S,S)-ⁱPr-pybox}][PF₆] (8) and [RuCl(η⁴-nbd){(S,S)-ⁱPr-pybox}][PF₆] (9). The structures of complexes [RuCl(CO)(PPh₃)(H-pybox)][BF₄] (H-pybox = 2,6-bis(dihydrooxazolin-2′-yl)pyridine) (4), 6 and 8, have been resolved by X-ray diffraction methods. The catalytic activity of the new complexes in transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone has also been examined.