Synthesis, characterization and solid state structures of thiosemicarbazone palladacycles: Influence of hydrogen bonding in the molecular arrangement

Treatment of the thiosemicarbazones 4-FC₆H₄C(Me)NN(H)C(S)NHR, (R = Me, a; Ph, b) and 2-ClC₆H₄C(Me)NN(H)C(S)NHR (R = Ph, c) with lithium tetrachloropalladate(II) in methanol or palladium(II) acetate in acetic acid gave the tetranuclear cyclometallated complex [Pd{4-FC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHR}]₄ (1a, 1b) and [Pd{2-ClC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHPh}]₄ (1c). Reaction of these tetramers with the diphosphines dppe, t-dppe, dppp or dppb in a 1:2 molar ratio gave the dinuclear cyclometallated complexes [(Pd{4-FC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHR})₂(μ-Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂)], (n = 2, 2a, 2b; 3, 4a, 4b; 4, 5a, 5b), [(Pd{4-FC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHPh})₂(μ-Ph₂PCHCHPPh₂)], (3a, 3b) and [(Pd{2-ClC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHR})₂(μ-Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂)], (n = 2, 2c, 2d; 3, 4c, 4d; 4, 5c, 5d), [(Pd{2-ClC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHPh})₂(μ-PPh₂CHCHPPh₂)], (3c, 3d). The X-ray crystal structure of the ligand b and the complexes 3c, 4a and 4d were determined. The structures of complexes 4a and 4d show that the different disposition of the chain cyclometallated of the thiosemicarbazones (in the same orientation or in the opposite one) is due to the different H bonds produced.     

Thiocarbene and alkoxycarbene tungsten complexes exhibit typically different reaction paths

The condensation of (butyl)thiocarbene tungsten complex [(OC)₅WC(SEt)Bu] (1a) with an α,β-unsaturated secondary acid amide R²CHCHC(O)NHR¹4 in the presence of POCl₃/Et₃N gives cyclopentadienimines 12, whereas the isostructural alkoxycarbene complex [(OC)₅WC(OEt)Bu] (1c) under similar conditions affords a (N-enamino)ethoxycarbene compound 9. Furthermore, condensation of the (methyl)thiocarbene tungsten complex [(OC)₅WC(SEt)Me] (1b) with an amide 4 yields cyclopentenimines 19 and allenylidene complexes 20, whereas the corresponding ethoxycarbene complex [(OC)₅WC(OEt)CH₃] (1d) forms 4-NH-amino-1-tungsta-1,3,5-hexatrienes 16 under similar conditions.     

Synthesis of heterocyclic carbene ligands via 1,2,3-diheterocyclization of allenylidene complexes with dinucleophiles

Heterocyclic carbene complexes are accessible from π-donor-substituted allenylidene complexes, [(CO)₅CrCCC(NMe₂)Ph] (1) and [(CO)₅CrCCC(O-endo-Bornyl)OEt] (4), and various dinucleophiles by 1,2,3-diheterocyclization. The reaction of 1 with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine gives the 1,2-dimethylpyrazolylidene complex (2) in high yield in addition to small amounts of the α,β-unsaturated carbene complex [(CO)₅CrC(NMe₂)-C(H)C(NMe₂)Ph] (3). The analogous reaction of 4 with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine affords the 1,2-dimethylpyrazolylidene complex (5) and, via displacement of the C_γ-bound ethoxy substituent, the hydrazinoallenylidene complex [(CO)₅CrCCC(O-endo-Bornyl){NMe-N(H)Me}] (6). Treatment of 6 with catalytic amounts of acids induces cyclization to 5. On addition of 1,1-dimethylhydrazine to 1 the zwitterionic pyrazolium-5-ylidene complex (7) is formed. The reaction of 1 with 1,2-diaminocyclohexane affords a octahydro-benzo[1,4]diazepinylidene complex (10) and, via intermolecular substitution, a binuclear bisallenylidene complex (11). Thiazepinylidene complexes (12-14), containing 7-membered N/S-heterocyclic carbene ligands, are formed highly selectively in the reaction of 1 with 2-aminoethanethiol or related cysteine derivatives by a substitution/cyclization sequence. The analogous reaction of 1 with homocysteine methylester yields a thiazocanylidene complex (15). All new heterocyclic carbene ligands are strong donors exhibiting σ-donor/π-acceptor ratios similar to those of the known imidazolylidene complexes. On photolysis of 2 and 12 in the presence of triphenylphosphine, the corresponding cis-carbene tetracarbonyl triphenylphosphine complexes (16 and 17) are formed. The solid state structure of complexes 2, 7, 14, 15, and 16 is established by X-ray structural analysis.     

Synthesis, structure and photo-physical properties of phosphorus-supported fluorescent probes

Various phosphorus-supported fluorescent probes have been synthesized by the condensation reaction of multi-functional phosphorus hydrazides with various fluorophore-containing carboxaldehydes. Compounds, thus prepared, in this study are (PhO)₂P(O)[N(Me)-NCH-R] (1a, 1b), Ph₂P(O)[N(Me)-NCH-R] (2b, 2c, 2d), PhP(O)[N(Me)-NCH-R]₂ (3b, 3c), P(S)[N(Me)-NCH-R]₃ (4b, 4c), P(O)[N(Me)-NCH-R]₃ (5a, 5b, 5c), N₃P₃(O₂C₁₂H₈)₂[N(Me)-NCH-R]₂ (6a, 6b, 6c), N₃P₃(O₂C₁₂H₈)[N(Me)-NCH-R]₄ (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) and N₃P₃[N(Me)-NCH-R]₆ (8b, 8c), where R=1-pyrenyl (a), 9-anthracenyl (b), 9-phenanthryl (c) and 7-(N,N′-diethylamino)-3-coumarinyl (d). All of these compounds have been characterized by various analytical techniques including ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 5c and 6d have also been characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis. All of these phosphorus-supported compounds exhibit excellent fluorescence properties in aqueous solution at near physiological conditions.     

Further reactions of some bis(vinylidene)diruthenium complexes

Whereas {Ru(dppm)Cp*}₂(μ-CCCC) (2) is the only product formed by deprotonation of [{Ru(dppm)Cp*}₂{μ(CCHCHC)}]⁺ with dbu, a mixture of 2 with Ru{CCCHCH(PPh₂)₂[RuCp*]}(dppm)Cp* (3) and {Cp*Ru(PPh₂CHCCH-)}₂ (4) is obtained with KOBu^t. A similar reaction with [{Ru(dppm)Cp*}₂{μ(CCMeCMeC)}]⁺ (5) gave Ru{CCCMeCH(PPh₂)₂[RuCp*]}(dppm)Cp* (6). X-ray structures of 4, 5 and 6 confirm the presence of the 1-ruthena-2,4-diphosphabicyclo[1.1.1]pentane moiety, which is likely formed by an intramolecular attack of the deprotonated dppm ligand on C(1) of the vinylidene ligand. Protonation of {Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂(μ-CCCC) (8-Ru) regenerates its precursor [{Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂{μ(CCHCHC)}]²⁺ (7-Ru). Ready oxidation of the bis(vinylidene) complex affords the cationic carbonyl [Ru(CO)(dppe)Cp*]PF₆ (9) (X-ray structure).     

Synthesis of ruthenium phenylindenylidene, carbyne, allenylidene and vinylmethylidene complexes from (PPh3)3−4RuCl2: A mechanistic and structural investigation

The reaction of (Ph₃P)₃RuCl₂ with 1,1-diphenyl-2-propyn-1-ol was investigated in various solvents. The reaction in thf under reflux is reported to produce the (PPh₃)₂Cl₂Ru(3-phenylindenylidene) complex (3) which has undergone rearrangement of the allenylidene C₃-spine. We have improved the reliability of the reported synthesis by adding acetyl chloride which converts the formed water of the reaction and thus increases the acidity of the reaction solution. Without the additive, we observed the exclusive formation of an intermediate of the transformation and identified it as dinuclear (PPh₃)₂ClRu(μ-Cl)₃(PPh₃)₂RuCCCPh₂ complex (5). The reaction of (Ph₃P)₃₋₄RuCl₂ with 1,1-diphenyl-2-propyn-1-ol in CH₂Cl₂ or C₂H₄Cl₂ under reflux in the presence of excess conc. aqueous HCl afforded the new, neutral (PPh₃)₂Cl₃RuC-CHCPh₂ carbyne complex (7), an HCl adduct of previously elusive (PPh₃)₂Cl₂RuCCCPh₂ complex 6 in high yields. In contrast to the formation of complex 3, the reaction in a non-coordinating solvent did not afford the rearrangement of the allenylidene C₃-spine. Complex 7 was converted into complex 3 in thf under reflux under loss of a molecule HCl. Complex 7 was converted with triethylamine under loss of HCl to complex 6. Pentacoordinate complex 6 was crystallized in the presence of O-donor ligands (EtOH, MeOH and H₂O) to give hexacoordinate (PPh₃)₂Cl₂(ROH)RuCCCPh₂ (R = H, CH₃, C₂H₅) complexes (9)-(11) with the O-donor coordinating in trans-position to the allenylidene moiety. The reaction of complex 7 with 2 equiv. of 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) gave hexacoordinate (PPh₃)₂Cl₂(DMAP)RuCCCPh₂complex (12) with one molecule DMAP also coordinating in trans-position to the allenylidene group. Methanol and acetic acid in the absence of strong bases afforded the Fischer-carbene complexes (PPh₃)₂Cl₂RuC(OCH₃)-CHCPh₂ (14) and (PPh₃)₂Cl₂RuC(OAc)-CHCPh₂ (15) where the nucleophile added to the α-carbon atom. The structures of complexes 5, 7, 9-11, 14, and 15 were solved via X-ray crystallography.     

Presumptive evidence for an intermediate oxirane in the reaction of phenylfluorocarbene with cyclohexenone

Reaction of phenylfluorocarbene with 2-cyclohexen-1-one affords cyclopropane isomers 2a and 2b via CC addition, as well as the fluoroketone isomers 1a and 1b, apparent rearrangement products of oxiranes 3 formed by carbene addition at CO.     

Cyclometallated thiosemicarbazone palladium(II) compounds: The first crystal and molecular structures of mononuclear complexes with a η-diphosphine ligand

Treatment of the thiosemicarbazones 2-XC₆H₄C(Me)NN(H)C(S)NHR (R = Me, X = F, a; R = Et, X = F, b; R = Me, X = Cl, c; R = Et, X = Br, d) with potassium tetrachloropalladate(II) in ethanol, lithium tetrachloropalladate(II) in methanol or palladium(II) acetate in acetic acid, as appropriate, gave the tetranuclear cyclometallated complexes [Pd{2-XC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHR}]₄ (1a-1d). Reaction of 1a-1d with the diphosphines Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂ (dppm), Ph₂P(CH₂)₂PPh₂ (dppe), Ph₂P(CH₂)₃PPh₂ (dppp) or trans-Ph₂PCHCHPPh₂ (trans-dpe) in 1:2 molar ratio gave the dinuclear cyclometallated complexes [{Pd[2-XC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)-NHR]}₂(μ-diphosphine-P,P)] (2a-5a, 3b, 3d, 4c, 5c). Reaction of 1a, 1b with the short-bite or long-bite diphosphines, dppm or cis-dpe, in a 1:4 molar ratio gave the mononuclear cyclometallated complexes [Pd{2-XC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHR}(diphosphine-P)] (6a, 6b, 7a). The molecular structure of ligand a and of complexes 1a, 3d, 5a, 5c, 6a, 6b and 7a have been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The structure of complex 7a shows that the long-bite cis-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethene phosphine appears as monodentate with an uncoordinated phosphorus donor atom.     

Silicon version of enamines: Amino-substituted disilenes by the reactions of the disilyne RSiSiR (R = SiPr[CH(SiMe3)2]2) with amines

The reaction of 1,1,4,4-tetrakis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]-1,4-diisopropyltetrasila-2-yne 1 with secondary or primary amines produced amino-substituted disilenes R(R₂′N)SiSiHR 2a-d (R = SiⁱPr[CH(SiMe₃)₂]₂, R₂′NEt₂N (2a), (CH₂CH₂)₂N (2b), ^tBu(H)N (2c), and Ph₂N (2d)). Spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic analyses of 2 showed that 2a-c have a nearly coplanar arrangement of the SiSi double bond and the amino group, giving π-conjugation between the SiSi double bond and the lone pair on the nitrogen atom, whereas 2d has a nearly perpendicular arrangement precluding such conjugation. Theoretical calculations indicate that π-conjugation between the π-orbital of the SiSi double bond and the lone pair on the nitrogen atom is markedly influenced by the torsional angle between the SiSi double-bond plane and the amino-group plane.     

Some ruthenium complexes containing cyanocarbon ligands: syntheses, structures and extent of electronic communication in binuclear systems

The preparation of several ruthenium complexes containing cyanocarbon anions is reported. Deprotonation (KOBu^t) of [Ru(NCCH₂CN)(PPh₃)₂Cp]PF₆ (1) gives Ru{NCCH(CN)}(PPh₃)₂Cp (2), which adds a second [Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp]⁺ unit to give [{Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp}₂(μ-NCCHCN)]⁺ (3). Attempted deprotonation of the latter to give the μ-NCCCN complex was unsuccessful. Similar chemistry with tricyanomethanide anion gives Ru{NCC(CN)₂}(PPh₃)₂Cp (4) and [{Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp}₂{μ-NCC(CN)CN}]PF₆ (5), and with pentacyanopropenide, Ru{NCC(CN)C(CN)C(CN)₂}(PPh₃)₂Cp (6) and [{Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp}₂{μ-NCC(CN)C(CN)C(CN)CN}]PF₆ (7). The Ru(dppe)Cp* analogues of 6 and 7 (8 and 9) were also prepared. Thermolysis of 6 (refluxing toluene, 12 h) results in loss of PPh₃ and formation of the binuclear cyclic complex {Ru(PPh₃)Cp[μ-NC{C(CN)C(CN)₂}CN]}₂ (10). The solid-state structures of 2-4 and 8-10 have been determined and the nature of the isomers shown to be present in solutions of the binuclear cations 7 and 9 by NMR studies has been probed using Hartree-Fock and density functional theory.     

Formation of multifunctional ligands by nucleophilic addition of alcohols and thiols to the alkyne groups in compound C5H5FeC5H4CCSCCH: Reactivity studies

The multifunctional ligands [(Z)-FcCCSC(H)C(H)XR] [X = O, R = Me (2a); X = O, R = Et (2b); X = S, R = Ph (3); X = S, R = C₆F₅ (5)] and [(Z,Z)-Fc(SR)CC(H)SC(H)C(H)SR] [R = Ph (4), C₆F₅ (6)] have been prepared through hydroalkoxylation and hydrothiolation processes of the alkyne groups in the compound FcCCSCCH 1. Reactions between compound 3 and the carbonyl metals Co₂(CO)₈, Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ and Fe₂(CO)₉ have allowed the synthesis of the polynuclear compounds [(Z)-{Co₂(CO)₆}(μ-η²-FcCCSC(H)C(H)SPh)] 9, [(Z)-Os₃(CO)₉(μ-CO){μ₃-η²-FcCCSC(H)C(H)(SPh)}] 10 and [(Z)-{Fe₃(CO)₉}[μ₃,η³-(CCS)-FcCCSC(H)C(H)(SPh)] 11. All the compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and the crystal structure of compounds [(Z)-FcCCSC(H)C(H)OMe] 2a and [{Co₂(CO)₆}₂(μ-η²:η²-FcCCSCCSiMe₃)] 7 have been solved by X ray diffraction analysis.     

Bis(amino)allenylidene complexes by displacement of the MeO group in methoxy allenylidene complexes of chromium and tungsten. Synthesis, DFT calculations and solid-state structures of new bis(amino)allenylidene complexes

Pentacarbonyl dimethylamino(methoxy)allenylidene tungsten, [(CO)₅WCCC(OMe)NMe₂] (1b), reacts with one equivalent of primary amines, H₂NR, by selectively replacing the methoxy group to give dimethylamino(amino)allenylidene complexes, [(CO)₅WCCC(NHR)NMe₂]. When the amine is used in excess both terminal groups, OMe as well as NMe₂, are replaced by the primary amino group giving [(CO)₅WCCC(NHR)₂ ]. The NHR substituent in these complexes may be modified by deprotonation with LDA followed by alkylation. The replacement of the methoxy group in 1b by a secondary amino group, NR₂, can be achieved by a stepwise process. Addition of Li[NR₂] to the C_γ atom of 1b affords an alkynyl tungstate. Subsequent OMe⁻ elimination induced by TMS-Cl/SiO₂ yields the allenylidene complexes [(CO)₅WCCC(NR₂)NMe₂]. When bidentate diamines are used instead of monoamines both substituents, OMe and NMe₂, are replaced and allenylidene complexes are formed in which C_γ constitutes part of a 5-, 6-, or 7-membered heterocycle. The reaction of [(CO)₅CrCCC(OMe)NMe₂] (1a) with diethylene triamine affords an allenylidene complex with a heterocyclic endgroup carrying a dangling CH₂CH₂NH₂ substituent. All reactions follow a strict regioselective attack of the nucleophile at C_γ and proceed with good to excellent yields. The addition of N-H to the C_αC_β bond is not observed. By applying either one of these routes nearly any substitution pattern in bis(amino)allenylidene complex can be realized.     

Synthesis and reactivity of η-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl-propenyl rhenium complexes: Molecular structure of [(η:η-C5Me4CH2CHCH2)Re(CO)2]

The fulvene complexes [(η⁶-C₅Me₄CH₂)Re(CO)₂(R)] (1a, RI; 1b, RC₆F₅) react at the exocyclic methylene carbon with a vinylmagnesium bromide solution to produce the anionic species [(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₂(R)]⁻. Protonation with HCl at 0 °C produces the hydride complexes [trans-(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₂(R)(H)] (2a, RI; 2b, RC₆F₅). Thermolysis of an hexane solution of the iodo-hydride (2a) under a CO atmosphere yields the complex [(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₃] (3) and [Re(CO)₅I] as by-product. Thermolysis of 2b produced three new products, mainly the chelated complex [(η⁵:η²-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₂] (4) and complex 3, with a non-coordinated olefin group, in moderated yield, and traces of [Re(CO)₅(C₆F₅)]. Thermolysis of an hexane solution of 2 in presence of an excess of PMe₃, afforded the phosphine derivative [(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₂(PMe₃)] (5). All the complexes were characterized by IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectroscopies and mass spectrometry. The molecular structure of 4 has also been determined. The molecule exhibits a formal three-legged piano-stool structure, with two CO groups, and the third position corresponding to the η²-coordination of the propenyl side arm of the η⁵-C₅Me₄ ring.     

Synthesis, structures and some reactions of Ru(CCCCFc)(PP)Cp (PP = dppm, dppe) and related compounds

The compounds Ru(CCCCFc)(PP)Cp [PP = dppe (1), dppm (2)], have been obtained from reactions between RuCl(PP)Cp and FcCCCCSiMe₃ in the presence of KF (1) or HCCCCFc and K[PF₆] (2), both with added dbu. The dppe complex reacts with Co₂(CO)₆(L₂) [L₂ = (CO)₂, dppm] to give 3, 4 in which the Co₂(CO)₄(L₂) group is attached to the outer CC triple bond. The PPh₃ analogue of 3 (5) has also been characterised. In contrast, tetracyanoethene reacts to give two isomeric complexes 6 and 7, in which the cyano-olefin has added to either CC triple bond. The reaction of RuCl(dppe)Cp with HCCCCFc, carried out in a thf/NEt₃ mixture in the presence of Na[BPh₄], gave [Ru{CCC(NEt₃)CHFc}(dppe)Cp]BPh₄ (8), probably formed by addition of the amine to an (unobserved) intermediate butatrienylidene [Ru(CCCCHFc)(dppe)Cp]⁺. The reaction of I₂ with 8 proceeds via an unusual migration of the alkynyl group to the Cp ring to give [RuI(dppe){η-C₅H₄CCC(NEt₃)CHFc}]I₃ (9). Single-crystal X-ray structural determinations of 1, 2 and 4-9 are reported.     

Ferrole-type compounds containing thiophenic or thiepinic rings in the 3,4-positions of the metallacycle

The new ferrole Fe₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Fc)CC{C(H)C(R)S}CC(SiMe₃)] [R = SiMe₃ (1) and R = Fc (2)] and ruthenoles Ru₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Me₃Si)CC{SC(Fc)C(H)}CC(Fc)] 3 and Ru₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Me₃Si)CC(SCCFc)C(H)C(Fc)] 4, have been obtained from the reactions of M₃(CO)₁₂ (M = Fe, Ru) and FcCCSCCSiMe₃ through S-C bond activations and C-C coupling reactions. Thermolysis of Ru₂(CO)₆[μ₃-η²,η⁴,η³-(Me₃Si)CC{SC(Fc)C(SCCSiMe₃}Ru(CO)₃}CC(Fc)] alone and in the presence of HCCFc, yielded the compounds Ru₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Me₃Si)CC{SC(Fc)C(SCCSiMe₃)}CC(Fc)] 5 and Ru₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Me₃Si)CC{SC(Fc)C(SCCSiMe₃)C(H)C(Fc)}CC(Fc)] 6, respectively. The crystal structures of the compounds 1, 3, 4 and 6 are reported.     

Additions and intramolecular migrations of nucleophiles in cationic diruthenium μ-allenyl complexes

The diruthenium μ-allenyl complex [Ru₂(CO)(NCMe)(μ-CO){μ-η¹:η²-C(H)CC(Me)(Ph)}(Cp)₂][BF₄], 3b, reacts with halide anions to yield the neutral derivatives [Ru₂(CO)₂(X){μ-η¹:η²-C(H)CC(Me)(Ph)}(Cp)₂] [X = Cl, 4b; X = Br, 4c; X = I, 4d]. Complex 4b undergoes isomerization to the unprecedented bridging vinyl-chlorocarbene species [Ru₂(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η¹:η³- C(Cl)C(H)C(Me)(Ph)}(Cp)₂], 10, upon filtration of a CH₂Cl₂ solution through an alumina column.Complex 3b reacts with an excess of NaBH₄ to give five products: the allene complex [Ru₂(CO)₂{μ-η²:η²- CH₂CC(Me)(Ph)}(Cp)₂], 5; the hydride species trans-[Ru₂(CO)₂(μ-H){μ-η¹:η²-CHCC(Me)(Ph)}(Cp)₂], 6, and cis-[Ru₂(CO)₂(μ-H){μ-η¹:η²-CHCC(Me)(Ph)}(Cp)₂], 8; the vinyl-alkylidene [Ru₂(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η¹:η³- C(H)C(H)C(Me)(Ph)}(Cp)₂], 9; and the cluster [Ru₃(CO)₃(μ-H)₃(Cp)₃], 7.Studies on the thermal stabilities of 5, 6, 8 and 9 have suggested a plausible mechanism for the formation of these complexes and for the synthesis of 10.     

Palladacycles bearing pendant benzamidinate ligands as catalysts for the Suzuki and Heck coupling reactions

Three pendant benzamidines [Ph-C(NC₆H₅)-{NH(CH₂)₂NMe₂}] (1), [Ph-C(NC₆H₅)-{NH(CH₂Py)}] (2) and [Ph-C(NC₆H₅)-{NH(o-C₆H₄)(oxazoline)}] (3) are described. Reactions of 1, 2 or 3 with one molar equivalent of Pd(OAc)₂ in THF give the palladacyclic complexes [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(CH₂)₂NMe₂}]Pd(OAc) (4), [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N (CH₂Py)}]Pd(OAc) (5) and [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(o-C₆H₄)(oxazoline)}]Pd(OAc) (6), respectively. Treatment of 4, 5 or 6 with excess of LiCl in chloroform affords [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(CH₂)₂NMe₂}]PdCl (7), [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(CH₂Py)}]PdCl (8) and [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(o-C₆H₄)(oxazoline)}]PdCl (9). The crystal and molecular structures are reported for compounds 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7. The application of these palladacyclic complexes to the Suzuki and Heck coupling reactions was examined.     

Proton reduction catalysis by manganese vinylidene and allenylidene complexes

The present paper reports the unprecedented observation of a catalytic electrochemical proton reduction based on metallocumulene complexes. Manganese phenylvinylidene (η⁵-C₅H₅)(CO)(PPh₃)MnCC(H)Ph (1) and diphenylallenylidene (η⁵-C₅H₅)(CO)₂MnCCCPh₂ (3) are shown to catalyze the reduction of protons from HBF₄ into dihydrogen in CH₂Cl₂ or CH₃CN media at −1.60 and −0.84 V (in CH₃CN) vs. Fc, respectively. The working potential for 3 (−0.84 V vs. Fc in CH₃CN) is the lowest reported to date for protonic acids reduction in non-aqueous media. The similar catalytic cycles disclosed here include the protonation of 1, 3 into the carbyne cations [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(CO)(PPh₃)MnC-CH₂Ph]BF₄ ([2]BF₄), [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(CO)₂MnC-CHCPh₂]BF₄ ([4]BF₄) followed by their reduction to the corresponding 19-electron radicals 2, 4, respectively. Both carbyne radicals undergo a rapid homolytic cleavage of the C_β-H bond generating an H-radical producing molecular hydrogen with concomitant recovery of the neutral metallocumulenes thereby completing a catalytic cycle.