Exploring the nitrosyl-approach: “Re(CO)2(NO)”- and “Tc(CO)2(NO)”-complexes provide new pathways for bioorganometallic chemistry

Nitrosylation reactions are rare in the context of low valent Re(I)- and Tc(I)-tricarbonyl complexes so far. We herein describe a method for the conversion of a “M(CO)₃-moiety” (M = Re, Tc) into a dicarbonyl-nitrosyl moiety “M(CO)₂NO”, the synthesis of important precursor complexes and intermediates and possible applications for this new kind of Re- and Tc-chemistry.The behavior of the complex [ReCl₃(CO)₂(NO)]⁻ in water was studied in detail and compared to that of [ReCl₃(CO)₃]²⁻. Contrary to the conversion of [ReCl₃(CO)₃]²⁻ to the mixed aquo-carbonyl complex [Re(OH₂)₃(CO)₃]⁺ in water, one chloride remains initially bound to the metal center in the dicarbonyl-nitrosyl complex, making [ReCl(OH₂)₂(CO)₂(NO)]⁺ the main species for further reactions. In this context, we isolated and characterized the complex [Re(μ₃-O)(CO)₂(NO)]₄. Examples of complexes with different bi- and tridentate ligands based on ReCl₃(CO)₂(NO)]⁻ are discussed.For the development of potential new radiopharmaceuticals we also adapted the nitrosylation technique to the n.c.a. level with ^99mTc. [^99mTc(OH₂)₃(CO)₃]⁺ served as starting material to form a ^99mTc(CO)₂(NO)-core. Labelling reactions with ligands such as iminodiacetic acid (IDA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) were performed, resulting in the complexes [^99mTc(IDA)(CO)₂(NO)], [^99mTc(NTA)(CO)₂(NO)] and [^99mTc(DTPA)(CO)₂(NO)]. In this way, the “nitrosyl-approach” adds a new and challenging synthetic tool to the already established organometallic chemistry of Re- and Tc-tricarbonyl complexes.     

The mer-[RuCl3(dppb)(H2O)] complex: A versatile tool for synthesis of Ru compounds

The complex mer-[RuCl₃(dppb)(H₂O)] [dppb = 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane] was used as a precursor in the synthesis of the complexes tc-[RuCl₂(CO)₂(dppb)], ct-[RuCl₂(CO)₂(dppb)], cis-[RuCl₂(dppb)(Cl-bipy)], [RuCl(2Ac4mT)(dppb)] (2Ac4mT = N(4)-meta-tolyl-2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazone ion) and trans-[RuCl₂(dppb)(mang)] (mang = mangiferin or 1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone-C2-β-D-glucoside) complexes. For the synthesis of Ru^II complexes, the Ru^III atom in mer-[RuCl₃(dppb)(H₂O)] may be reduced by H₂(g), forming the intermediate [Ru₂Cl₄(dppb)₂], or by a ligand (such as H2Ac4mT or mangiferin). The X-ray structures of the cis-[RuCl₂(dppb)(Cl-bipy)], tc-[RuCl₂(CO)₂(dppb)] and [RuCl(2Ac4mT)(dppb)] complexes were determined.     

Two novel procedures of preparation for [Tc(CO)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(NO)]<Superscript>2+</Superscript>labeled by EHIDA and its biodistribution

To develop potential new Tc radiopharmaceuticals, a novel compound [^99mTc(CO)₂(NO)(EHIDA)]⁰ (EHIDA: 2,6-diethylphenylcarbamoylmethyliminodiacetic acid) has been prepared by reacting [^99mTc(CO)₃)(EHIDA)]⁻ with NOBF₄ both in water and acetonitrile. The conversion of [^99mTc(CO)₃)(EHIDA)]⁻ to [^99mTc(CO)₂(NO)(EHIDA)]⁰ was supported by TLC, HPLC and eletrophoresis. The radiochemical purity (more than 99%) was proved by TLC and HPLC. The biodistribution in mice demonstrated that [Tc(CO)₂(NO)(EHIDA)]⁰ showed higher uptake in blood, kidney and lung (15 min, blood: 19.24±2.95; kidney: 13.61±3.49; lung: 10.81±1.09.) but a lower uptake in liver (15 min, 5.73±0.74). The slower clearances (120 min, blood: 12.75±1.34; kidney: 13.61±3.49) from blood and kidney were also found. This research describes two methods for the conversion of [^99mTc(CO)₃]⁺ into [^99mTc(CO)₂)(NO)]²⁺ by using NOBF₄ as the source of NO⁺ both in organic solvent and water. The latter method offers the possibility to introduce the NO-group in high yield in water.     

New cationic palladium (II) and rhodium (I) complexes of [Ph2PCH2C(Ph)N(2,6-Me2C6H3)]

Treatment of the bulky iminophosphine ligand [Ph₂PCH₂C(Ph)N(2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)] (L) with [M(CH₃CN)₂(ligand)]⁺ⁿ, where for M = Pd(II): ligand = η³-allyl, n = 1, and for M = Rh(I), ligand: 2(C₂H₄), 2(CO) or cod, n = 0, yields the mono-cationic iminophosphine complexes [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)(L)][BF₄] (1), [Rh(cod)(L)][BF₄] (2), [Rh(CO)(CH₃CN)(L)][BF₄] (3), and cis-[Rh(L)₂][BF₄] (4). All the new complexes have been characterised by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 shows moderate activity in the copolymerisation of CO and ethene but is inactive towards Heck coupling of 4-bromoacetophenone and n-butyl acrylate.     

Isolation of fac-[Re(CO)3(HMPA)3][BF4]. Structural characterization of a key cationic intermediate in the exchange reaction between [Re(CO)6][BF4] and acetylferrocene. Implications in radiopharmaceutical chemistry

[Re(CO)₆][BF₄] reacts with HMPA to form [Re(CO)₃(HMPA)₃][BF₄] (4), whose structure was determined by X-ray crystallography and proves to be a key intermediate in the ligand exchange reaction between three CO and Cp; and may be related to other cations such as [Re(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺, [Re(CO)₃(CH₃CN)₃]⁺, [Re(CO)₃(DMSO)₃]⁺, obtained by different ways, and important in the field of organometallic radiopharmaceuticals.     

Ligand assisted homolytic cleavage of the Ru-Ru single bond in [Ru2(CO)4] core and the chemical consequence

The Ru-Ru single bond in [Ru₂(CO)₄(MeCN)₆][BF₄]₂ remains intact in the reaction with 2-i-propyl-1,8-naphthyridine (ⁱPrNP) and the isolated product is the cis-[Ru₂(ⁱPrNP)₂(CO)₄(OTf)₂] (1) obtained via crystallization in the presence of [n-Bu₄N][OTf]. The 2-t-butyl-1,8-naphthyridine (^tBuNP), on the contrary, leads to the oxidative cleavage of the Ru-Ru single bond resulting in the trans-[Ru(^tBuNP)₂(MeCN)₂][BF₄]₂[NC(Me)C(Me)N] (2). The anti-[NC(Me)C(Me)N]²⁻ is the product of the two-electron reductive coupling of two acetonitrile molecules. The phenoxo appendage in 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,8-naphthyridine (hpNP) brings the identical effect of the scission of the Ru-Ru bond but the process is non-oxidative and the product obtained is the cis-[Ru(hpNP)₂(CO)₂][BF₄] (3). The bis-(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) in dichloromethane oxidatively cleave the Ru-Ru bond leading to chloro bridged [Ru(μ-Cl)(dppm)(CO)(MeCN)]₂[BF₄]₂ (4). All the complexes have been characterized by the spectroscopic and electrochemical measurements and their structures have been established by X-ray diffraction study.     

[Fe2(μsb‐CO)(CO)3(NO)(μ‐PtBu2)(μ‐Ph2PCH2PPh2)]: Synthese,Kristallstruktur und Koordinationsisomerie

[Fe₂(μ_sb‐CO)(CO)₃(NO)(μ‐P^tBu₂)(μ‐Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂)]: Synthesis, X‐ray Crystal Structure and Isomerization Na[Fe₂(μ‐CO)(CO)₆(μ‐P^tBu₂)] ( 1 ) reacts with [NO][BF₄] at —60 °C in THF to the nitrosyl complex [Fe₂(CO)₆(NO)(μ‐P^tBu₂)] ( 2 ). The subsequent reaction of 2 with phosphanes (L) under mild conditions affords the complexes [Fe₂(CO)₅(NO)L(μ‐P^tBu₂)], L = PPh₃, ( 3a ); η‐dppm (dppm = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂), ( 3b ). In this case the phosphane substitutes one carbonyl ligand at the iron tetracarbonyl fragment in 2 , which was confirmed by the X‐ray crystal structure analysis of 3a . In solution 3b loses one CO ligand very easily to give dppm as bridging ligand on the Fe‐Fe bond. The thus formed compound [Fe₂(CO)₄(NO)(μ‐P^tBu₂)(μ‐dppm)] ( 4 ) occurs in solution in different solvents and over a wide temperature range as a mixture of the two isomers [Fe₂(μ_sb‐CO)(CO)₃(NO)(μ‐P^tBu₂)(μ‐dppm)] ( 4a ) and [Fe₂(CO)₄(μ‐NO)(μ‐P^tBu₂)(μ‐dppm)] ( 4b ). 4a was unambiguously characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis while 4b was confirmed both by NMR investigations in solution as well as by means of DFT calculations. Furthermore, the spontaneous reaction of [Fe₂(CO)₄(μ‐H)(μ‐P^tBu₂)(μ‐dppm)] ( 5 ) with NO at —60 °C in toluene yields a complicated mixture of products containing [Fe₂(μ‐CO)(CO)₄(μ‐H)(μ‐P^tBu₂)(μ‐dppm)] ( 6 ) as main product beside the isomers 4a and 4b occuring in very low yields.     

High-nuclearity ruthenium carbonyl cluster chemistry. 8: Phosphine activation, CO insertion, and deruthenation at a phosphido cluster - X-ray structures of [ppn][Ru8(μ8-P)(μ-CO)2(CO)20] and [ppn][Ru7(μ7-P)(μ-η-OCPh)(μ-PPh2)(μ-CO)(CO)17]

Reaction of the square antiprismatic cluster [ppn][Ru₈(μ₈-P)(μ-CO)₂(CO)₂₀] [ppn = bis(triphenylphosphoranylidene)ammonium] with triphenylphosphine proceeds by loss of one cluster core vertex, phosphine P-C cleavage, and CO insertion into the putative Ru-phenyl bond to afford [ppn][Ru₇(μ₇-P)(μ-η²-OCPh)(μ-PPh₂)(μ-CO)(CO)₁₇] in low yield, the first heptaruthenium μ₇-phosphido-ligated cluster.     

Synthesis of [Ru(CO)2(PPh3)(SP)] and [Ru(CO)(PPh3)2(SP)] and their catalytic activities for the hydroamination of phenylacetylene

The reaction of [Ru(CO)₂(PPh₃)₃] (1) with o-styryldiphenylphophine (SP) (2) gave [Ru(CO)₂(PPh₃)(SP)] (3) in 83% yield. This styrylphosphine ruthenium complex 3 can also be synthesized by the reaction of [Ru(p-MeOC₆H₄NN)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂]BF₄ (4) with NaBH₄ and 2 in 50% yield. When “Ru(CO)(PPh₃)₃” generated by the reaction of [RuH₂(CO)(PPh₃)₃] (8) with trimethylvinylsilane reacted with 2, [Ru(CO)(PPh₃)₂(SP)] (10) was produced in moderate yield as an air sensitive solid. The spectral and X-ray data of these complexes revealed that the coordination geometries around the ruthenium center of both complexes corresponded to a distorted trigonal bipyramid with the olefin occupying the equatorial position and the C-C bonding in the olefin moiety in 3 and 10 contained a significant contribution from a ruthenacyclopropane limiting structure. Complexes 3 and 10 showed catalytic activity for the hydroamination of phenylacetylene 11 with aniline 12. Ruthenium complex 3 in the co-presence of NH₄PF₆ or H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ proves to be a superior catalyst system for this hydroamination reaction. In the case of the reaction using H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ as an additive, ketimines (13) was obtained in 99% yield at a ruthenium-catalyst loading of 0.1 mol%. Some aniline derivatives such as 4-methoxy, 4-trifluoromethyl-, and 4-bromoanilines can also be used in this hydroamination reaction.     

A synthetic route to heteronuclear clusters containing iridium and rhodium: X-ray crystal structures of [IrOs3(μ-H)2(μ-Cl)(CO)12] and [Ir2Rh2(μ-CO)(μ3-CO)2(CO)4(η-C5Me5)2]

The iridium and rhodium complexes [MCl(CO)₂(NH₂C₆H₄Me-4)] (M = Ir or Rh) react with [Os₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₀] to give the tetranuclear clusters [MOs₃(μ-H)₂(μ-Cl)(CO)₁₂]; the iridium compound being structurally identified by X-ray diffraction. Similarly, [IrCl(CO)₂(NH₂C₆H₄Me-4)] and [Rh₂(μ-CO)₂(η-C₅Me₅)₂] afford the tetranuclear cluster [Ir₂Rh₂(μ-CO)(μ₃-CO)₂(CO)₄(η-C₅Me₅)₂], also characterised by single-crystal X-ray crystallog     

Re4(CO)12[μ3-InRe(CO)5]4 und Re2(CO)8[μ-InRe(CO)5]2-cluster aus dem reaktionssystem In/Re2(CO)10 in xylol

The thermally stable solids Re₂(CO)₈[μ-InRe(CO)₅]₂ and Re₄(CO)₁₂[μ₃-InRe(CO)₅]₄ could be obtained by treatment of In with Re₂(CO)₁₀ in a bomb tube. A mechanism of the formation of the latter cluster from the first one is proposed. Compared with Re₂(CO)₈[μ-InRe(CO)₅]₂, Re₄(CO)₁₂[μ₃_InRe(CO)₅]₄ shows in polar solvents an unusual high stability, which can be explained by the higher coordination number of In with rhenium carbonyl ligands. Re₄(CO)₁₂-[μ₃-InRe(CO)₅]₄ dissolves monomerically in acetone, where as Re₂(CO)₈[μ-InRe(CO)₅]₂ dissociates yielding Re(CO)₅^? anions. Single-crystal X-ray analyses of Re₄(CO)₁₂[μ₃-InRe(CO)₅]₄ establish the metal skeleton. The central molecular fragment Re₄(CO)₁₂ contains a tetrahedral arrangement of four bonded Re atoms [ReRe 302.8 (5) pm]. The triangles of this fragment are capped with a μ₃-InRe(CO)₅ group each [InRe(terminal) 273.5 (7) pm; InRe (polyhedral) 281.8 (7) pm]. The bridging type of In atoms with the Re₄ tetrahedron and the metal skeleton was realized for the first time. By treating Re₄(CO)₁₂[μ₃-InRe(CO)₅]₄ with Br₂ the existence of Re(CO)₅ ligands could be proved by isolating BrRe(CO)₅.     

Electrochemical behaviour of [Ru(L)(CO)2Cl2] [Ru(L)(CO)Cl3][Me4N] and [Ru(L)(CO)2(CH3CN)2][CF3SO3]2 complexes (L = 2,2′- bipyridine or 4,4′-isopropoxycarbonyl-2,2′-bipyridine)

The clectrochemical behaviour of the complexes [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂Cl₂], [Ru^II(L)(CO)Cl₃][Me₄N] and [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)₂][CF₃SO₃]₂ (L = 2,2′-bipyridine or 4,4′-isopropoxycarbonyl-2,2′-bipyridine) has been investigated in CH₃CN. The oxidation of [Ru(L)(CO)₂Cl₂] produces new complexes [Ru^III(L)(CO)(CH₃CN)₂Cl]²⁺ as a consequence of the instability of the electrogenerated transient Ru^III species [Ru^III(L)(CO)₂Cl₂]⁺. In contrast, the oxidation of [Ru^II(L)(CO)Cl₃][Me₄N] produces the stable [Ru^III(L)(CO)Cl₃] complex. In contrast [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)₂][CF₃SO₃]₂ is not oxidized in the range up to the most positive potentials achievable. The reduction of [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂Cl₂] and [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)₂][CF₃SO₃]₂ results in the formation of identical dark blue strongly adherent electroactive films. These films exhibit the characteristics of a metal-metal bond dimer structure. No films are obtained on reduction of [Ru^II(L)(CO)Cl₃][Me₄N]. The effect of the substitution of the bipyridine ligand by electron-withdrawing carboxy ester groups on the electrochemical behaviour of all these complexes has also been investigated.     

Imidazole-based bifunctional chelates for the “fac-[Re(CO)3]” core

Three monocationic rhenium(I) complexes of the type [Re(CO)₃(L)]Br, containing the bis-imidazole tridentate ligands bis-(2-(1-methylimidazolyl)methyl)amine (L¹), bis-(2-(1-methylimidazolyl)methyl)aminoethanol (L²) and bis-(2-(benzimidazolyl)ethyl)sulfide (L³), were prepared and characterized by ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopy. The complex salt [Re(CO)₃(L²)]Br (2) was also characterized by X-ray crystallography. The structure consists of discrete monocationic monomers with a fac-[Re(CO)₃]⁺ coordination unit, and the remaining three sites are occupied by one amine and two imidazolyl nitrogen donor atoms.     

Comparison of ‘classic’ Tc-DTPA, Tc(CO)3-DTPA and Tc(CO)2(NO)-DTPA

Diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) was labeled with ^99mTc in three different ways, resulting in ‘classic’ ^99mTc-DTPA, ^99mTc(CO)₃-DTPA and ^99mTc(CO)₂(NO)-DTPA. The biodistribution of the formed DTPA-complexes was studied in mice with a special emphasis on the behavior of the novel tricarbonyl and dicarbonyl-nitrosyl complexes, which was clearly differing from that of ‘classic’ ^99mTc-DTPA. The conversion of a Tc-tricarbonyl complex to a Tc-dicarbonyl-nitrosyl complex using NO⁺ reagents offers a synthetic tool for preparing a novel class of ^99mTc labeled compounds.     

Rhenium‐Dicarbonyl‐Nitrosyl‐Komplexe mit Imidazol

Rhenium Dicarbonyl‐Nitrosyl Complexes with Imidazole Different rhenium‐dicarbonyl‐nitrosyl complexes with imidazole (Im) as monodentate ligand have been synthesized and characterized, starting from [NEt₄][ReCl₃(CO)₂(NO)] and [ReCl(μ?Cl)(CO)₂(NO)]₂. Whereas the complexes [ReCl₂(Im)(CO)₂(NO)] and [ReCl(Im)₂(CO)₂(NO)]⁺ were achieved in high yields, the complex [Re(Im)₃(CO)₂(NO)]²⁺ with three imidazole ligands could only be isolated after complete removal of all halide ions (with AgBF₄) in low yield. The synthesis of a corresponding ^99mTc‐dicarbonyl‐nitrosyl complex with imidazole opens a new perspective for such compounds as potential radiopharmaceuticals and alternatives to the already established ^99mTc‐tricarbonyl complexes.     

Synthesis and reactivity of [ReBr2(NCCH3)2(CO)2]: A new precursor for bioorganometallic chemistry

We have synthesised (Et₄N)[ReBr₂(NCCH₃)₂(CO)₂] 1 in two steps from [ReBr₃(CO)₃]²⁻. Complex 1 is water and air stable and the two Br⁻ ligands are easily exchanged for coordinating solvent molecules such as water. The reactivity of 1 with several ligands such as imidazole (imz) and 2-picolinic acid (2-pic) are easily possible with substitution exclusively occurring in trans-position to the carbonyl groups. The resulting complexes [Re(imz)₂(NCCH₃)₂(CO)₂]⁺ and [Re(2-pic)(NCCH₃)₂(CO)₂] have been isolated and structurally characterised. The two acetonitrile ligands are strongly bound and are not substituted under any conditions. Complex 1 represents therefore the new moiety “trans,cis-[Re(NCCH₃)₂(CO)₂]⁺” which can be considered as a further building block in organometallic chemistry.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of novel neutral fac-M(CO)3(NSO) complexes (M = Re,Tc) with N-acetylcysteine derivatives as tridentate NSO ligands

The reaction of [NEt₄]₂[Re(CO)₃Br₃] with equimolar amount of a tridentate NSO ligand in methanol leads to the formation of neutral tricarbonyl rhenium(I) complexes of the general formula Re(CO)₃(NSO), where the NSO ligand is o-C₅H₄N-CH₂CH₂-S-CH₂CH(NHCOCH₃)COOH (L₁H), complex 1 or o-C₅H₄N-CH₂CH₂-S-C(CH₃)₂CH(NHCOCH₃)COOH (L₂H), complex 2. Both complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods, while complex 2 has also been characterized by X-rays analysis. At technetium-99m level, the corresponding fac-[^99mTc(CO)₃(NSO)] complexes 3 and 4, were obtained in high yield by reacting ligands L₁H or L₂H with the fac-[^99mTc(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺ precursor in water. Their structure was established by chromatographic comparison to the prototype rhenium complex using high-performance liquid chromatographic techniques.     

Chemistry of (Carbonyl)(nitrosyl)[bis(phosphorus donor)]rhenium Complexes

The chemistry of [Re(CO)(NO)L₂] fragments (L ? phosphorus donor) was explored. Starting from [Re(CO)₅Cl] the synthesis of [Re₂Cl₂(μ-Cl)₂(CO)₄(NO)₂] ( 1 ) was accomplished via the preparation of [Et₄N]₂[Re₂Cl₂(μ-Cl)₂(CO)₆] and nitrosylation of this compound with [NO][BF₄]. Complex 1 was converted to [RecL₂(CO)(NO)L₂] complexes 2 ( a L = (MeO)₃P; b L = (EtO)₃P; c L = (i-PrO)₃P; d L ? Me₃P; e L ? Et₃P; f L ? Cy₃P) by heating with L in MeCN. In the case of the reaction of L = (MeO)₃P, a trisubstitued compound mer-{ReCl₂(NO)[P(OMe)₃]₃} 3 was also obtained. Replacement of the Cl ligands in 2a–e with Me groups was achieved by reacting them with MeLi in Et₂O yielding cis, trans-[Re(CO)(NO)Me₂L₂]complexes 4a–e . Reaction of 2a–e with Li[BHEt₃] led to substitution of one Cl by an H ligand with formation of [ReCl(CO)H(NO)L₂] compounds 5a–;e , displaying trans-H,NO geometries. The hydride-transfer agent Na[AlH₂(OCH₂CH₂OCH₃)₂] transformed 2 into the cis-dihydride systems [Re(CO)H₂(NO)L₂] 6a–f . Reductive carbonylation of 2a–d in the presence of Na/Hg and CO gave pentacoordinate [Re(CO)₂(NO)L₂] complexes 7b–d , and under comparable conditions the Cl substituents of 2b–f were replaced by tolane using Mg or t-BuLi giving trigonal bipyramidal [Re(CO)(NO)L₂(PhC?CPh)] compounds 8b–f . Complexes 5c , 6a , and 8d were characterized by X-ray crystal-structure analysis.     

Reactivity of Cyanide and Thiocyanate Towards the Nitrosyl Carbonyl [Co(CO)3(NO)]

The reaction of equimolar amounts of [Co(CO)₃(NO)] and [PPN]CN, PPN⁺ = (PPh₃)₂N⁺, in THF at room temperature resulted in ligand substitution of a carbonyl towards the cyanido ligand presumably affording the complex salt PPN[Co(CO)₂(NO)(CN)] as a reactive intermediate species which could not be isolated. Applying the synthetic protocol using the nitrosyl carbonyl in excess, the title reaction afforded unexpectedly the novel complex salt PPN[Co₂(μ-CN)(CO)₄(NO)₂] ( 1 ) in high yield. Because of many disorder phenomena in crystals of 1 the corresponding NBu₄⁺ salt of 1 has been prepared and the molecular structure of the dinuclear metal core in NnBu₄[Co₂(μ-CN)(CO)₄(NO)₂] ( 2 ) was determined by X-ray crystal diffraction in a more satisfactory manner. In contrast to the former result, the reaction of [PPN]SCN with [Co(CO)₃(NO)] yielded the mononuclear complex salt PPN[Co(CO)₂(NO)(SCN-κN)] ( 3 ) in good yield whose molecular structure in the solid was even determined and its composition additionally confirmed by spectroscopic means.     

The preparation and synthetic value of fac-[M(CO)3(NCR)3]+ cations (M  Mn or Re; R  Et,Pr OR PhCH2)

Treatment of MBr(CO)₅ (M = Mn or Re) with AgClO₄ and an organonitrile in a suitable solvents affords the complexes fac-[M(CO)₃(NCR)₃][ClO₄], (R = Et, Pr or PhCH₂). The use of these complexes as synthetic precursors has been illustrated by the preparation of fac-[M(CO)₃L₃][ClO₄], (M = Mn, L = NH₃ or L₃ = dien; M = Re, L₃ = triphos). Pure fac-[Re(CO)₃(NH₃)₃][ClO₄] could not be prepared using this nitrile displacement route, but may be isolated, as the PF₆^? salt, from the reaction of [Re(CO)₃(toluene)][PF₆] and ammonia in chloroform.