Triamidotriazacyclononane complexes of group 3 metals. Synthesis and crystal structures

Reaction of yttrium and lanthanide trichlorides (Ln = La, Eu, Yb) with 1 equiv of the trisodium salt of 1,4,7-tris(dimethylsilylaniline)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (Na(3)[(SiMe(2)NPh)(3)-tacn](THF)(2)) gives good yields of the compounds [M[(SiMe(2)NPh)(3)-tacn]] (M = Y (1), Eu (3), Yb (4)) and [La[(SiMe(2)NPh)(3)-tacn](THF)] (2). Reduction of 3 with Na/Hg followed by recrystallization in the presence of diglyme yielded crystals of [Eu[(SiMe(2)NPh)(3)-tacn]][Na(diglyme)(2)] (5). Synthesis of the uranium(III) complex [U[(SiMe(2)NPh)(3)-tacn]] (6) is achieved by reaction of 1 equiv of Na(3)[(SiMe(2)NPh)(3)-tacn](THF)(2) with uranium triiodide. The U(IV) complexes, [U[(SiMe(2)NPh)(3)-tacn]X] (X = Cl (7); I (8)), were prepared via oxidation of 6 with benzyl chloride or I(2), but salt metathesis from UCl(4) provided a higher yield route for 7. The solid-state structures of 1-7 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The ligand [(SiMe(2)NPh)(3)-tacn] generates a trigonal prismatic coordination environment for the metal center in the neutral complexes 1, 3, 4, and 6 and the ionic 5. In 2 the six nitrogen atoms of the ligand are in a trigonal prismatic configuration with the oxygen atom of the THF capping one of the triangular faces of the trigonal prism. In 7 the coordination geometry around the uranium atom is best described as bicapped trigonal bipyramidal.     

Synthesis and reactivity of uranium(IV) amide complexes supported by a triamidotriazacyclononane ligand

Reaction of [U{(SiMe2NPh)3-tacn}Cl] with LiNEt2 or LiNPh2 affords the corresponding amide compounds, [U{(SiMe2NPh)3-tacn}(NR2)] (R = Et (1), R = Ph (2)). The complexes have been fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and the solid-state structure of 1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The six nitrogen atoms of the tris(dimethylsilylanilide)triazacyclononane ligand are in a trigonal prismatic configuration with the nitrogen atom of the diethylamide ligand capping one of the trigonal faces of the trigonal prism. Crystallization of 2 from CH3CN solution gave crystals of the six-membered heterocycle [U{(SiMe2NPh)3-tacn}{kappa2-(HNC(Me))2CC[triple bond]N}] (3). The reactivity of the amides was investigated. Both compounds undergo acid-base reactions with protic substrates such as HOC6H2-2,4,6-Me3, 3,5-Me2pzH (pz = pyrazolyl) and HSC5H4N to give the corresponding [U{(SiMe2NPh)3-tacn}X] (X = OC6H2-2,4,6-Me3 (4), 3,5-Me2pzH (5), kappa2-SC5H4N (6)) complexes. The solid-state structures of and were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and revealed that the compounds are eight-coordinate with dodecahedral geometry.     

Li,Ti(III), and Ti(IV) trisamidotriazacyclononane complexes. Syntheses,reactivity, and structures

The preparations of 1,4,7-(NHPhSiMe(2))(3)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (H(3)N(3)-tacn) and its lithium and sodium derivatives are described. The X-ray structure of the THF adduct of the lithium derivative, Li(3)N(3)-tacn(THF)(2), shows that one of the macrocycle pendant arms is bent to allow the coordination of the its lithium ion to two tacn amines. In solution, a fluxional process makes all the pending arms magnetically equivalent. The reactions of Li(3)N(3)-tacn or Na(3)N(3)-tacn with either TiCl(4) and TiCl(3)(THF)(3) led to the formation of [Ti(N(3)-tacn)], 5. The oxidation of 5 with various oxidizing reagents gave cationic complexes [Ti(N(3)-tacn)]X, 6 (X = I, Cl, SCN, PF(6), BPh(4)), that exist as a pair of enantiomers, lambda(lambdalambdalambda)/delta(deltadeltadelta), which interconvert in solution. The molecular structures of 5 and 6 (X = I, BPh(4)) show the coordination of the six nitrogen donor set to the titanium. Due to the short length of the tacn pendant arms, the hexadentate bonding mode of the ligand is mainly achieved through the sharpening of the N-Si-N angles. The reaction of [Ti(N(3)-tacn)]I, 6a, with W(CO)(6) led to the synthesis of [Ti(N(3)-tacn)][W(CO)(5)I], 7.     

Synthesis, structure and hydrosilylation activity of neutral and cationic rare-earth metal silanolate complexes

Rare-earth metal alkyl tri(tert-butoxy)silanolate complexes [Ln{mu,eta2-OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(CH2SiMe3)2]2 (Ln = Y (1), Tb (2), Lu (3)) were prepared via protonolysis of the appropriate tris(alkyl) complex [Ln(CH2SiMe3)3(thf)2] with tri(tert-butoxy)silanol in pentane. Crystal structure analysis revealed a dinuclear structure for with square pyramidal geometry at the yttrium centre. The silanolate ligand coordinates in an eta2-bridging coordination mode giving a 4-rung truncated ladder and non-crystallographic inversion centre. Addition of two equiv. of 12-crown-4 to a pentane solution of 1 or 3 respectively gave [Ln{OSi(O(t)Bu)(3)}(CH2SiMe3)2(12-crown-4)].12-crown-4 (Ln = Y (4), Lu (5)). Crystal structure analysis of 5 showed a slightly distorted octahedral geometry at the lutetium centre. The silanolate ligand adopts an eta(1)-terminal coordination mode, whilst the crown ether unit coordinates in an unusual kappa3-fashion. Reaction of 1-3 with [NEt3H]+[BPh4]- in thf yielded the cationic derivatives [Ln{OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(CH2SiMe3)(thf)4]+[BPh4]- (Ln = Y (6), Tb (7) and Lu (8)); coordination of crown ether led to compounds of the form [Ln{OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(CH2SiMe3)(L)(thf)n]+[BPh4]- (Ln = Y, Lu, L = 12-crown-4, n = 1 (9,10); Ln = Y, Lu, L = 15-crown-5, n = 0 (11,12)). Reaction of 1 with [NMe2PhH]+[B(C6F5)4]-, [Al(CH2SiMe3)3] or BPh3 in thf gave the ion pairs [Y{OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(CH2SiMe3)(thf)4]+[A]- ([A]- = [B(C6F5)4]- (13), [Al(CH2SiMe3)4]- (14), [BPh3(CH2SiMe3)]- (15)), whilst two equiv. [NMe2PhH]+[BPh4]- with 1 in thf produced the dicationic ion triple [Y{OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(thf)6]2+[BPh4]-2 (16). Crystal structure analysis revealed that 16 is mononuclear with pentagonal bipyramidal geometry at the yttrium centre. The silanolate ligand coordinates in an eta(1)-terminal fashion. All diamagnetic compounds have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy. 1, 3, 4, 6 and 13 were tested as olefin hydrosilylation pre-catalysts with a variety of substrates; 1 was found to be highly active in 1-decene hydrosilylation.     

Ruthenium complexes with tridentate PNX (X = O, S) donor ligands

The ligands, PhPNXMe (1), PhPNXPh (2), and PhPNSMe (3), (PhPNX = 2-Ph2P-C6H4CH[double bond, length as m-dash]NC6H4X-2; X = O, S) have been prepared. A range of new ruthenium complexes were synthesised using these and related ligands, namely: [{RuCl(PhPNO)}2Cl] (4), [Ru(PhPNO)2] (5), [RuCl(PhPNXR)(PPh3)]BPh4 [X = O, R = Me (6); X = O, R = Ph (7); X = S, R = Me (8)], [{RuCl(PhPNX'R)}2Cl]X [X' = O, R = Me, X = Cl(-) (9); X' = S, R = Me, X = BPh4(-) or PF6(-) (10)], and [RuCl(PhPNO-eta 6C6H5)]BPh4 (11). The catalytic activity of these complexes with respect to the hydrosilyation of acetophenone and the hydrogenation of styrene has been investigated, giving an insight into the requirements for an active complex in these reactions.     

(C5Me5)2U][(mu-Ph)2BPh2] as a four electron reductant

Examination of the reactivity of [(C5Me5)2U][(mu-Ph)2BPh2] as a "blank" for comparison with the four- and eight-electron reductive chemistry of the sterically crowded (C5Me5)3U and [(C5Me5)2U]2(C6H6) complexes revealed that the tetraphenylborate complex surprisingly functions as a four-electron reductant by combining [BPh4]1- and U(III) reduction; all three complexes cleave the N=N bond in PhN=NPh to form the bis(organoimido) U(VI) complex, (C5Me5)2U(NPh)2, and they also reduce PhC[triple bond]CPh to form (C5Me5)2U(C4Ph4).     

Cationic rare-earth metal trimethylsilylmethyl complexes supported by THF and 12-crown-4 ligands: synthesis and structural characterization

To expand the limited range of rare-earth metal cationic alkyl complexes known, a series of mono- and dicationic trimethylsilylmethyl complexes supported by THF and 12-crown-4 ligands with [BPh4]-, [BPh3(CH2SiMe3)]-, [B(C6F5)4]-, [B(C6F5)3(CH2SiMe3)]-, and [Al(CH2SiMe3)4]- anions were prepared from corresponding neutral precursors [Ln(CH2SiMe3)3Ln] (Ln = Sc, Y, Lu; L = THF, n = 2 or 3; L = 12-crown-4, n = 1) as solvent-separated ion pairs. The syntheses of the monocationic derivatives [Ln(CH2SiMe3)2(12-crown-4)n(THF)m]+[A]- are all high yielding and proceed rapidly in THF solution at room temperature. A "one pot" procedure using the neutral species directly for the syntheses of a number of lutetium and yttrium dicationic derivatives [Ln(CH2SiMe3)(12-crown-4)n(THF)m]2+[A]-2 with a variety of different anions, a class of compounds previously limited to just a few examples, is presented. When BPh3 is used to generate the ion triple, the presence of 12-crown-4 is required for complete conversion. Addition of a second equiv of 12-crown-4 and a third equiv of [NMe2PhH]+[B(C6F5)4]- abstracts a third alkyl group from [Ln(CH2SiMe3)(12-crown-4)2(THF)x]2+[B(C6F5)4]-2 (Ln = Y, Lu). X-ray crystallography and variable-temperature (VT) NMR spectroscopy reveal a structural diversity within the known series of neutral 12-crown-4 supported tris(trimethylsilylmethyl) complexes [Ln(CH2SiMe3)3(12-crown-4)] (Ln = Sc, Y, Sm, Gd-Lu) in the solid and solution states. The X-ray structure of [Sc(CH2SiMe3)3(12-crown-4)] exhibits incomplete 12-crown-4 coordination. VT NMR spectroscopy indicates fluxional 12-crown-4 coordination on the NMR time scale. X-ray crystallography of only the second structurally characterized dicationic rare-earth metal alkyl complex [Y(CH2SiMe3)(12-crown-4)(THF)3]2+[BPh4]-2 shows exocyclic 12-crown-4 coordination at the 8-coordinate metal center with well separated counteranions. 11B and 19F NMR spectroscopy of all mono- and dicationic rare-earth metal complexes reported demonstrate that the anions are symmetrical and noncoordinating on the NMR time scale. A series of trends within the 1H and 13C{1H} NMR resonances arising from the Ln-CH2 groups and, in the case of yttrium, the 1JYC coupling constants at the Y-CH2 group and the 89Y chemical shift values are discussed.     

Synthesis and structure of boron-bridged constrained geometry complexes of titanium

The boron-bridged constrained geometry titanium complexes [Ti[eta5:eta1-(C5H4)B(NR2)NPh](NMe2)2][R = iPr (3), SiMe3(4)] and [Ti[eta5:eta1-(C9H6)B(NiPr2)NPh](NMe2)2](12) have been prepared in good yields by amine elimination reaction from [Ti(NMe2)4]. Subsequent deamination-chlorination with excess Me3SiCl yielded the corresponding dichloro-complexes (5, 6, 13). Reaction of the analogous ligand precursors (C5H5)B(NiPr2)N(H)R (R = Cy, tBu) with [Ti(NMe2)4] did not result in the expected bridged compounds, but rather in the half-sandwich complexes [Ti[(eta5-C5H4)B(NiPr2)N(H)R](NMe2)3][R = Cy (9), tBu (10)]. All compounds were fully characterised by means of multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. Thorough investigation of substituent effects was achieved by comparative X-ray diffraction studies on complexes 3, 5, 6 and 12.     

Unusual iron(III) ate complexes stabilized by Li-pi interactions

Several iron(III) complexes incorporating diamidoether ligands are described. The reaction between [Li(2)[RN(SiMe(2))](2)O] and FeX(3) (X=Cl or Br; R=2,4,6-Me(3)Ph or 2,6-iPr(2)Ph) form unusual ate complexes, [FeX(2)Li[RN(SiMe(2))](2)O](2) (2, X=Cl, R=2,4,6-Me(3)Ph; 3, X=Br, R=2,4,6-Me(3)Ph; 4, X=Cl, R=2,6-iPr(2)Ph) which are stabilized by Li-pi interactions. These dimeric iron(III)-diamido complexes exhibit magnetic behaviour characteristic of uncoupled high spin (S= 5/2 ) iron(III) centres. They also undergo halide metathesis resulting in reduced iron(II) species. Thus, reaction of 2 with alkyllithium reagents leads to the formation of iron(II) dimer [Fe[Me(3)PhN(SiMe(2))](2)O](2) (6). Similarly, the previously reported iron(III)-diamido complex [FeCl[tBuN(SiMe(2))](2)O](2) (1) reacts with LiPPh(2) to yield the iron(II) dimer [Fe[tBuN(SiMe(2))](2)O](2) but reaction with LiNPh(2) gives the iron(II) product [Fe(2)(NPh(2))(2)[tBuN(SiMe(2))](2)O] (5). Some redox chemistry is also observed as side reactions in the syntheses of 2-4, yielding THF adducts of FeX(2): the one-dimensional chain [FeBr(2)(THF)(2)](n) (7) and the cluster [Fe(4)Cl(8)(THF)(6)]. The X-ray crystal structures of 3, 5 and 7 are described.     

Facile access to redox-active C2-bridged complexes with half-sandwich manganese end groups

The dinuclear mixed-valent complex [(MeC5H4)(dmpe)MnC(2)Mn(dmpe)(C5H4Me)](+)[(eta2-MeC5H4)3Mn](-)[1](+)[2]- (dmpe=1,2-bis(dimethylphosphanyl)ethane) was prepared by the reaction of [Mn(MeC5H4)2] with dmpe and Me(3)SnC[triple chemical bond]CSnMe3. The reactions of [1](+)[2]- with K[PF6] and Na[BPh4] yielded the corresponding anion metathesis products [(MeC5H4)(dmpe)MnC2Mn(dmpe)(C5H4Me)][PF6] ([1][PF6]) and [(MeC5H4)(dmpe)MnC2Mn(dmpe)(C5H4Me)][BPh4] ([1][BPh4]). These mixed-valent species can be reduced to the neutral form by reaction with Na/Hg. The obtained complex [(MeC5H4)(dmpe)MnC2Mn(dmpe)(C5H4Me)] (1) displays a triplet/singlet spin equilibrium in solution and in the solid state, which was additionally studied by DFT calculations. The diamagnetic dicationic species [(MeC5H4)(dmpe)MnC2Mn(dmpe)(C5H4Me)][PF6]2 ([1][PF6]2) was obtained by oxidizing the mixed-valent complex [1][PF6] with one equivalent of [Fe(C5H5)2][PF6]. Both redox processes are fully reversible. The dinuclear compounds were characterized by NMR, IR, UV-visible, and Raman spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. X-ray diffraction studies were performed on [1][2], [1][PF6], [1][BPh4], and [1][PF6]2.     

Protonation of a lanthanum phosphide-alkyl occurs at the P-La not the C-La bond: isolation of a cationic lanthanum alkyl complex

Protonation of the heteroleptic, cyclometalated lanthanum phosphide complex [((Me3Si)2CH)(C6H4-2-CH2NMe2)P]La(THF)[P(C6H4-2-CH2NMe2)(CH(SiMe3)(SiMe2CH2))] with [Et3NH][BPh4] yields the cationic alkyllanthanum complex [(THF)4La[P(C6H4-2-CH2NMe2)(CH(SiMe3)(SiMe2CH2))]][BPh4].     

Structure of the decamethyl titanocene cation,a metallocene with two agostic C-h bonds,and its interaction with fluorocarbons

The tetraphenylborate salt of the decamethyl titanocene cation, [Cp*2Ti][BPh4] (1, Cp* = C5Me5), was prepared by reaction of Cp*2TiH with [Cp2Fe][BPh4] and by reaction of Cp*2TiMe with [PhNMe2H][BPh4]. The crystal structure of 1 shows that the Cp*2Ti cation has a bent metallocene structure with agostic interactions with the metal center of two adjacent methyl groups on one of the Cp* ligands. Compound 1 reacts readily with THF to give the adduct [Cp*2Ti(THF)][BPh4] (2). In fluorobenzene, 1 forms the eta1-fluorobenzene adduct [Cp*2Ti(eta1-FC6H5)][BPh4] (3), which was structurally characterized. In contrast to the thermal stability of 3, addition of alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluorotoluene to either 1 or 2 results in C-F activation to give Cp*2TiF2 and PhCF2CF2Ph as the main products. This reactivity toward benzylic C-F bonds is also reflected in the reactivity toward the fluorinated borate anions [B(C6F5)4]- and {B(3,5-(CF3)2C6H3]4}-: reaction of Cp*2TiMe with their [PhNMe2H]+ salts results in a stable complex for the former anion, whereas rapid C-F activation is observed for the latter.     

Aggregation tendency and reactivity toward AgX of cationic half-sandwich ruthenium(II) complexes bearing neutral N,O-ligands

The aggregation tendency of complexes [Ru(eta6-cymene)(N,O)Cl]X [N,O = 2-benzoylpyridine (2-bzpy), 1, and 2-acetylpyridine (2-acpy), 2, X- = BPh4- or PF6-] has been studied by means of PGSE NMR experiments. It was found that complexes with PF6- as counterion are mainly present in CD2Cl2 as ion pairs at low concentration, as a mixture of ion triples and free anions at medium concentration and as ion quadruples at elevated concentration. 19F, 1H-HOESY NMR experiments revealed that in ion triples and ion quadruples two cationic Ru-units pair up. Consistently, in the solid-state structure of 1PF6, determined through X-ray single-crystal investigation, two cationic Ru-units are held together by an intermolecular pi-pi stacking interaction between the pyridyl rings. Complexes having BPh4- as counterion are only present in solution as even aggregates, namely ion pairs at low concentration and ion quadruples at elevated concentration. In such a case a counteranion bridges two cationic Ru-units as observed in the solid-state structure of 1BPh4. The reactivity of complexes 1-2 toward AgX salts has been investigated in different solvents. Bicationic [Ru(eta6-cymene)(N,O)(MeCN)]X2 (N,O = 2-bzpy, 3, and 2-acpy, 4) and [Ru(MeCN)4(N,O)]X2 (N,O = 2-bzpy, 5, and 2-acpy, 6) complexes were obtained by the reaction of 1 and 2 with AgX in the presence of three equivalents of acetonitrile or in acetonitrile, respectively. The reaction of 1 with AgPF6 in acetone afforded complex [Ru(eta6-cymene)(N,O,O)]PF6 (7, where N,O,O = 4-alcoxide-4-phenyl-4-(pyridin-2-yl)butan-2-one) from the C-C coupling of a deprotonated methyl group of the coordinated acetone and the C=O moiety of 2-bzpy ligand.     

Lanthanum and alkali metal coordination chemistry of the bis(dimethylphenylsilyl)amide ligand

The coordination chemistry of the bis(dimethylphenylsilyl)amide ligand, [N(SiMe2Ph)2]1-, with sodium, potassium, and lanthanum has been investigated for comparison with the more commonly used [N(SiMe3)2]1- and [N(SiHMe2)2]1- ligands. HN(SiMe2Ph)2 reacts with KH to produce KN(SiMe2Ph)2, 1, which crystallizes from toluene as the dimer [KN(SiMe2Ph)2(C7H8)]2, 2. The structure of 2 shows that the [N(SiMe2Ph)2]1- ligand can function as a polyhapto ligand with coordination from each phenyl group as well as the normal nitrogen ligation and agostic methyl interactions common in methylsilylamides. Each potassium in 2 is ligated by an eta4-toluene, two bridging nitrogen atoms, and an eta2-phenyl, an eta1-phenyl, and an eta1-methyl group. KN(SiMe2Ph)2 crystallizes from toluene in the presence of 18-crown-6 to make the monometallic complex (18-crown-6)KN(SiMe2Ph)2, 3, in which [N(SiMe2Ph)2]1- functions as a simple monodentate ligand through nitrogen. The reaction of HN(SiMe2Ph)2 with NaH in THF at reflux for 2 days generates Na[N(SiMe2Ph)2], 4, which crystallizes as the solvated dimer {(THF)Na[mu-eta1:eta1-N(SiMe2Ph)2]}2, 5. A lanthanide metallocene derivative of [N(SiMe2Ph)2]1- was obtained by reaction of K[N(SiMe2Ph)2] with [(C5Me5)2La][(mu-Ph)2BPh2]. Crystals of (C5Me5)2La[N(SiMe2Ph)2], 6, show agostic interactions between lanthanum and methyl groups of each silyl substituent. The [N(SiMe3)2]1- analogue of 3, (18-crown-6)KN(SiMe3)2, 7, was also structurally characterized for comparison.     

Synthesis and structure of the incomplete cuboidal clusters [W3Se4H3(dmpe)3]+, [W3Se4H(3-x)(OH)x(dmpe)3]+ and [W3Se4(OH)3(dmpe)3]+, and the mechanism of the acid-assisted substitution of the coordinated hydrides

The novel incomplete cuboidal cluster [W3Se4H3(dmpe)3](PF6), [1](PF6), has been prepared by reduction of [W3Se4Br3(dmpe)3](PF6) with LiBH4 in THF solution. The trihydroxo complex [W3Se4(OH)3(dmpe)3](PF6), [2](PF6), was obtained by reacting [W3Se4Br3(dmpe)3](PF6) with NaOH in MeCN-H2O solution. The complexes [1](PF6) and [2](PF6) were converted to their BPh4- salts by treatment with NaBPh4. Recrystallisation of [1](BPh4) in the presence of traces of water affords the mixed dihydride hydroxo complex [W3Se4H2(OH)(dmpe)3](BPh4). The crystal structures of [1](BPh4), [2](BPh4) and [W3Se4H2(OH)(dmpe)3](BPh4) have been resolved. Although the [1]+ trihydride does not react with an excess of halide salts, reaction with HX leads to [W3Se4X3(dmpe)3]+ (X = Cl, Br). The kinetics of this reaction has been studied at 25 degrees C in MeCN-H2O solution (1:1, v/v) and found to occur with two consecutive kinetic steps. The first step is independent of the nature and concentration of the X(-) anion but shows a first order dependence on the concentration of acid (k1 = 12.0 mol(-1) dm(3) s(-1)), whereas the second one is independent of the nature and concentration of both the acid and added salts (k2 = 0.024 s(-1)). In contrast, the reaction of [2]+ with acids occurs in a single step with kobs = 0.63 s(-1)(HCl) and 0.17 s(-1)(HBr). These kinetic results are discussed on the basis of the mechanism previously proposed for the reactions of the analogous [W3S4H3(dmpe)3]+ cluster, with special emphasis on the effects caused by the change of S by Se on the rate constants for the different processes involved.     

The first structurally characterized cationic lanthanide-alkyl complexes

Reaction of rare earth metal-alkyl complexes [Ln(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2](Ln = Y, Lu) with B(C6X5)3(X = H, F) in the presence of crown ethers gives crystallographically characterized ion pairs [Ln(CH2SiMe3)2(CE)(THF)n]+[B(CH2SiMe3)(C6X5)3]-(CE = [12]-crown-4, n = 1; CE = [15]-crown-5 and [18]-crown-6, n = 0).     

Examination of the mixed-valence state of the doubly boron-bridged diferrocene cation [(FeCp)2{mu-C10H6(BPh)2}]+

A series of mixed-valent (MV) complexes [(FeCp)2(mu-C10H6(BPh)2)]+X ([1+]X; X=I 5, PF6, SbF6, B(C6F5)4) were prepared by oxidation of diboradiferrocene [(FeCp)2(mu-C10H6(BPh)2)] (1) with I 2, AgPF6, and AgSbF6, respectively, and through anion exchange of the I 5(-) salt with [Li(Et2O)x][B(C6F5)4] in the case of X=B(C6F5)4. The MV state of the cation was investigated in solution by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, CV, and UV/Vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy, and in the solid state by IR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray crystallography, and M?ssbauer spectroscopy. The cyclic voltammogram of 1 shows two distinct redox waves with a large redox splitting of Delta E=510 mV in CH2Cl2 and the NIR spectrum for the mono-oxidized species displays an intervalence charge-transfer band at around 1500 to 1700 nm depending on the specific counterion present. The X-ray crystal structures of [1+]X show inversion-symmetric cations with X=I 5 and B(C6F5)4 and unsymmetric valence-trapped structures composed of one ferrocene and one ferrocenium moiety with X=PF6 and SbF6. M?ssbauer data for X=PF6 are consistent with valence trapping at all temperatures between 90 and 343 K. In comparison, fast electron transfer is evident on the M?ssbauer timescale for X=I 5 and temperature-dependent behavior is observed for X=B(C6F5)4. The anion dependence of the X-ray structural and M?ssbauer data is discussed in the context of crystal symmetry and the possibility of static and dynamic disorder effects is considered.     

Unique oxidative metal-metal bond formation of linearly aligned tetranuclear Rh-Mo-Mo-Rh clusters

Reaction of Mo2(pyphos)4 (1) with [RhCl(CO)2]2 followed by treatment of excess amounts of tBuNC resulted in the clean formation of [Mo2Rh2(tBuNC)4(pyphos)4](X)2 (4a; X = Cl). The X-ray diffraction study as well as spectroscopic analyses of 4c (X = BPh4) implied that there is no direct sigma-bonding interaction between each Rh(I) atom and the Mo2 core. Each Rh(I) atom in 4 can be oxidized concurrently by 2 equiv of [Cp2Fe]PF6 to afford [Mo2Rh2(Cl)2(tBuNC)4(pyphos)4](PF6)2 (5) along with the formation of two Mo-Rh(II) single bonds and the reduction of the bond orders of the Mo-Mo moiety.     

Luminescent platinum(II) terpyridyl complexes: effect of counter ions on solvent-induced aggregation and color changes

A series of platinum(II) terpyridyl complexes [Pt(tpy)(C triple bond C-C triple bond CH)]X, 1-X (X=OTf-; PF6-; ClO4-; BF4-; BPh4-); [Pt(tpy)(C triple bond CC6H5)]X, 2-X (X=OTf-; PF6-; ClO4-; BF4-); [Pt(tpy)(C triple bond CC6H4OCH3-4)]OTf, 3-OTf, and [Pt(4'-CH3O-tpy)(C triple bond CC6H5)]OTf, 4-OTf (tpy=2,2':6',2'-terpyridine, OTf=trifluoromethanesulfonate) were synthesized and their photophysical properties determined. Electronic absorption and emission studies showed the formation of a new band upon increasing the diethyl ether content in an acetonitrile/diethyl ether mixture. This was ascribed to the formation of complex aggregates, the solution color of which is dependent on the nature of the anions. This indicates that counter ions play an important role in governing the degree of aggregation and the extent of interactions within these aggregates. Addition of various anions to solutions of 1-OTf and 1-PF6 produced anion-induced color changes upon solvent-induced aggregation, indicating that these complexes may serve as potential colorimetric anion probes.     

Second-sphere interaction of anions with a weakly binding metal complex host: probing the effect of counteranions

The reaction of [Re(OTf)(CO)5] with N-methylimidazole (MeIm) afforded [Re(CO)3(MeIm)3]OTf (1). The reactions of 1 with KPF6, NaBPh4 and NaBAr'4 (Ar' = 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) afforded [Re(CO)3(MeIm)3]PF6 (2) [Re(CO)3(MeIm)3]BPh4 (3) and [Re(CO)3(MeIm)3]BAr'4 (4) respectively. An analogous reaction using N-phenylimidazole (PhIm) yielded [Re(CO)3(PhIm)3]BAr'4 (7). These new compounds were characterized by IR and NMR, and the structures of 1 and 2 were determined by X-ray diffraction. Compounds [Re(CO)3(MeIm)3]2[PtCl6] (5), [Re(CO)3(MeIm)3][HSO4] (6), [Re(CO)3(PhIm)3][Br] (8) and [Re(CO)3(PhIm)3][NO3] (9) were crystallized from equimolar mixtures of either 4 or 7 and the tetrabutylammonium salt of the corresponding anion, and their structures were determined by X-ray diffraction. The solution behavior of 1-4, 7 toward several anions was studied spectroscopically, including the quantitative determination of binding constants by 1H NMR. The cationic tris(imidazole)complexes are stable against imidazole-by-anion substitution, and the main hydrogen bonding interactions involve the imidazole NC(H)N groups. The binding constants for compounds 1-4 with several external anions follow the order 1<2<3<4, indicating that the strength of the cationic complex-counteranion interaction follows the order OTf(-) > PF6(-) > BPh4(-) > BAr'4(-).