Synthesis of [Ir3Rh(CO)12] and Fluxional Behaviour of Some of Its Substituted Derivatives

The redox condensation of [Ir(CO)₄]^–, [Ir(cod)(THF)₂]⁺, and [Rh(cod)(THF)₂]⁺ (cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene) followed by saturation with CO (1 atm) in THF afforded the first synthetic route to pure [Ir₃Rh(CO)₁₂] ( 1 ). Substitution of CO by monodentate ligands gave [Ir₃Rh(CO)₈(μ₂-CO)₃L] (L = Br^–, 2 ; I^–, 3 ; bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene, 4 ; PPh₃, 5 ). Clusters 2 – 5 have C_s symmetry with the ligand L bound to the basal Rh-atom in axial position. They are fluxional in solution at the NMR time scale due to two CO scrambling processes: the merry-go-round of basal CO's and changes of basal face. An additional process takes place in 5 above room temperature: the intramolecular migration of PPh₃ from the Rh- to a basal Ir-atom. Substitution of CO by polydentate ligands gave [Ir₃Rh(CO)_7–x(μ₂-CO)₃(η⁴-L)x] (L = bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene (= norbornadiene; nbd), x = 1, 6 ; L = nbd, x = 2, 13 ; L = cod, x = 1, 7 ; L = cod x = 2, 15 ), [Ir₃Rh(CO)₇(μ₂-CO)₃(η²-diars)] (diars = 1,2-phenylenebis-(dimethylarsine); 8 ), [Ir₃Rh(CO)₇(μ₂-CO)₃(η⁴-L)] (L = methylenebis(diphenylphosphine), bonded to 2 basal Ir-atom ( 9a ) or one Ir- and one Rh-atom ( 9b )), [Ir₃Rh(CO)₆(μ₂-CO)₃(η⁴-nbd)PPh₃] ( 12 ), and [Ir₃Rh(CO)₆(μ₂-CO)₃(μ₃-L)] (L = 1,3,5-trithiane, 10 ; L = CH(PPh₂)₃, 11 ). Complexes 6 – 8 , 9a , 10 , and 11 have C_s symmetry, the others C₁ symmetry. They are fluxional in solution due to CO scrambling processes involving 1, 3, or 4 metal centres as deduced from 2D-EXSY spectra. Comparison of the activation energies of these processes with those of the isostructural Ir₄ and Ir₂Rh₂ compounds showed that substitution of Ir by Rh in the basal face of an Ir₄ compound slows the processes involving 3 or 4 metal centres (merry-go-round and change of basal face), but increases the rate of carbonyl rotation about an Ir-atom.     

Intramolecular Dynamics of Tetranuclear Iridium Carbonyl Cluster Compounds. Part V. Polysubstituted derivatives of [Ir4(CO)12]

The dynamic behaviour of twelve polysubstituted derivatives of [Ir₄(CO)₁₂] has been investigated in solution, using 2D-EXSY, and VT-³¹P- and ¹³C-NMR. [Ir₄(CO)₆(μ₂-CO)₃(η⁴-diarsine) PPh₃] and [Ir₄(CO)₆(μ₂-CO)₃(η⁴-nor-bornadiene)(PMePh₂)] exhibit two isomeric forms in solution, which interconvert through an intramolecular change of basal face. The related cluster [Ir₄(CO)₆(μ₂-CO)₃(η⁴-norbornadiene)PPh₃] exists as a single isomer in solution. It displays rotation of CO ligands about the apical Ir-atom, followed by two consecutive changes of basal face. The tetrasubstituted clusters with two chelating ligands [Ir₄(CO)₅(μ₂-CO)₃(η⁴-diolefin)₂] also exhibit rotation of apical CO's, the activation energy increases with greater steric hindrance of the radical ligands. A quantitative analysis of the ³¹P- and ¹³C-2D-EXSY spectra followed by simulation of the corresponding VT-NMR spectra of [IR₄(CO)₅(μ₂-CO)₃(μ₂-L)₂] (L = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane and 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane) revealed a pairwise averaging of the P-atoms, caused by two parallel changes of basal face averaging all CO ligands. In addition, the restricted rotation of ligands about the apical Ir-atom was identified at higher temperatures. The remaining clusters are either rigid on the NMR time scale, or display CO-scrambling about a single Ir-atom.     

Synthesis and stereochemistry of mono- and di-olefin derivatives of tetrairidium carbonyl clusters

The reactions of NEt₄[Ir₄(CO)₁₁Br] (I) with ethylene, cyclopropene, 5,6-dimethylidene-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene and bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene in the presence of AgBF₄ gave high yields of Ir₄(CO)₁₁(olefin) (II-V), in which the olefin is bonded in an axial position on a basal Ir atom. The mono-olefin in II-V is quantitatively displaced by CO giving Ir₄(CO)₁₂ or by SO₂ giving Ir₄(CO)₁₁(SO₂). The reaction of I with bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene, cycloocta-1,5-diene or cyclooctatetraene in the presence of AgBF₄ gave Ir₄(CO)₁₀(η⁴-polyolefin), the first substitution taking place preferentially at an axial site giving Ir₄(CO)₁₁(η²-polyolefin), followed by chelation on a radial site of the same metal center. All the above clusters are fluxional at room temperature.     

Carbon-carbon coupling on tetrahedral iridium clusters: X-ray molecular structures and multinuclear NMR studies of the two isomeric forms of [Ir4(CO)6(μ3-η-HCCPh)(μ2-η-C4H2Ph2)(μ-PPh2)2]

The reactions of [HIr₄(CO)₉(Ph₂PCCPh)(μ-PPh₂)] (1) or [Ir₄(CO)₈(μ₃-η²-HCCPh)(μ-PPh₂)₂] (2) with HCCPh gave two isomeric forms of [Ir₄(CO)₆(μ₃-η²-HCCPh)(μ₂-η⁴-C₄H₂Ph₂)(μ-PPh₂)₂] (3 and 4) in good yields as the only products. These compounds were characterized with analytical and spectroscopic data including ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR (1 and 2D) spectroscopy and their molecular structures were established by X-ray diffraction studies. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibit the same distorted butterfly metal polyhedral arrangement of metal atoms with two μ-PPh₂ that occupy different positions in the structures of the two isomers. Both molecules contain a HCCPh ligand bonded in a μ₃-η²-// mode to one of the wings of the butterfly and a metallacyclic ring, which resulted from head-to-tail coupling, in the case of [Ir₄(CO)₆(μ₃-η²-HCCPh){μ₂-η⁴-(H)CC(Ph)C(H)C(Ph)}(μ-PPh₂)₂] (3) and tail-to-tail coupling, in that of [Ir₄(CO)₆(μ₃-η²-HCCPh){μ₂-η⁴-(H)CC(Ph)C(Ph)C(H)}(μ-PPh₂)₂] (4), and which is linked to two metal atoms of the second wing of the butterfly.     

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.     

Intramolecular Cyclization of Butadiyne Functionalized Ligands coordinated to Triosmium‐Carbonyl Cluster

Reactions between diynes and [Os₃(CO)₁₁(CH₃CN)] in the presence of water give rise to the formation of intriguing hydride triosmium clusters [Os₃(μ‐H)(CO)₉{μ₃,η¹:η³:η¹‐RC₂COHC≡CR}] ( 1a – 1c ) under mild conditions in high yields. When these allylic alcohol compounds 1a – 1c are dissolved in dry polar and donor solvents, an intramolecular cyclization process takes place to give [Os₃(μ‐H)(CO)₉{μ₃,η¹:η³:η¹‐RC₂CH=COCR}] ( 2a – 2c ) in quantitative yield. The utilization of [Os₃(CO)₁₁(CH₃CN)] as starting material together with the addition of water can replace the inconvenient use of [Os₃(μ‐H)₂(CO)₁₀]. This method of synthesis provides a facile pathway for diyne cyclizations and has a clear advantage over those described to date in the literature. Additionally, the analogous cyclized mixed‐metal complex [Os₃(μ‐H)(CO)₉{μ₃,η¹:η³:η¹‐FcC₂CH=COCFc}] ( 2d ) (Fc = ferrocenyl), was synthesized in order to carry out a comparative electrochemical study with the related compounds [Os₃(CO)₁₁(μ₃‐FcC₄Fc)] ( I ) and [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ₃‐FcC₄Fc)] ( II ), which were previously reported by R. D. Adams.     

Synthesis,Reactivity, and Fluxional Behaviour of [Ir2Rh2(CO)12], and Crystal Structure of [Ir2Rh2(CO)8(norbornadiene)2]

The synthesis of [Ir₂Rh₂(CO)₁₂] ( 1 ) by the literature method gives a mixture 1 /[IrRh₃(CO)₁₂] which cannot be separated using chromatography. The reaction of [Ir(CO)₄]^? with 1 mol-equiv. of [Rh(CO)₂(THF)₂]⁺ in THF gives pure 1 in 61% yield. Crystals of 1 are highly disordered, unlike those of its derivative [Ir₂Rh₂(CO)₅(μ₂-CO)₃(norbornadiene)₂] which were analysed using X-ray diffraction. The ground-state geometry of 1 in solution has three edge-bridging CO's on the basal IrRh₂ face of the metal tetrahedron. Time averaging of CO's takes place above 230 K. The CO site exchange of lowest activation energy is due to one synchronous change of basal face, as shown by 2D- and VT-¹³C-NMR. Substitution of CO by X^? in 1 takes place at a Rh-atom giving [Ir₂Rh₂(CO)₈(μ₂-CO)₃X]^? (X = Br, I). Substitution by bidentate ligands gives [Ir₂Rh₂(CO)₇(μ₂-CO)₃(η⁴-L)] (L = norbornadiene, cycloocta-1,5-diene) where the ligand L is chelating a Rh-atom of the basal IrRh₂ face. Carbonyl substitution by tridentate ligands gives [Ir₂Rh₂(CO)₆(μ₂-CO)₃(μ₃-L)] (L = 1,3,5-trithiane, tripod) with L capping the triangular basal face of the metal tetrahedron. Carbonyl scrambling is also observed in these substituted derivatives of 1 and is mainly due to the rotation of three terminal CO's about a local C₃ axis on the apical Ir-atom.     

Reactivity of the heteronuclear cluster RuOs3(μ-H)2(CO)13 with indene

The heteronuclear cluster RuOs₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₃ (1) reacts with indene under thermal activation to afford the novel clusters RuOs₃(μ-H)(CO)₉(μ-CO)₂(η⁵-C₉H₇) (3), RuOs₃(μ-H)(CO)₉(μ₃,η⁵:η²:η²-C₉H₇) (4) and Ru₂Os₃(μ-H)(CO)₁₁(μ₃,η⁵:η²:η²-C₉H₇) (5), the latter two possessing indenyl ligands in the μ₃,η⁵:η²:η² bonding mode. Cluster 5 exists as a mixture of two isomers. The inter-relationship among the clusters has also been investigated.     

Hydrierung aromatischer Nitrile auf dem Fe3(CO)9-Cluster

Hydrogenation of Aromatic Nitriles on the Fe₃(CO)₉ Cluster The μ₃-nitrile bridged clusters Fe₃(CO)₉(μ₃-η²-N≡CR) ( 3 , R = phenyl, p-tolyl, p-anisyl) consume hydrogen upon heating in solution with formation of the acimidoyl- and the alkylideneimido-bridged clusters HFe₃(CO)₉(μ₃-η²-HN=CR) ( 1 ) and HFe₃(CO)₉(μ₃-η²-N=CHR) ( 2 ). These can be obtained in a better way by successive H⁺ and H^– addition with NaBH₄ and H₃PO₄. HFe₃(CO)₉(μ₃-η²-N=CHR) ( 2 ) adds P(OMe)₃ with concomitant hydrogen migration to form Fe₃(CO)₉P(OMe)₃(μ₃-η¹-N–CH₂R) ( 6 ). The phosphite-substituted cluster Fe₃(CO)₈P(OMe)₃(μ₃-η²-N≡CPh) ( 5 a ) on the other hand is converted by the H⁺/H^– addition to the products HFe₃(CO)₈P(OMe)₃(μ₃-η²-HN=CPh) ( 7 a ) and HFe₃(CO)₈P(OMe)₃(μ₃-η²-N=CHPh) ( 8 a ).     

Synthesis and structural characterization of the first transition metal cluster containing a PPh2AuPPh3 ligand,Ir4(CO)8(μ-CO)3(PPh2AuPPh3), and its conversion into Ir4(CO)9(μ-CO)(μ-PPh2)(μ-AuPPh3)

Deprotonation of Ir₄(CO)₁₁PPh₂H (1) in the presence of [AuPPh₃][PF₆] yields the novel species Ir₄(CO)₁₁(PPh₂AuPPh₃) (2), which possesses a tetrahedral framework bearing a terminally bound PPh₂AuPPh₃ ligand. When heated in toluene, 2 is converted into the phosphido species Ir₄(CO)₁₀(μ-PPh₂)(μ-AuPPh₃).     

Reactions of metal carbonyl cluster complexes with multidentate phosphine ligands; preparation of bis(diphenylphosphino)methane derivatives of the trinuclear complexes M3(CO)12 (M = Fe,Ru and Os) and the X-ray crystal structure of Os3(CO)9(μ-dppm)(η1-dppm) (dppm = Ph2pch2ppH2)

The reaction of bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) with Fe₃(CO)₁₂ gave the known complexes Fe(CO)₄ (dppm), Fe₂(CO)₇ (dppm), in addition to Fe₂CO)₅(dppm)₂. Two new dppm derivatives of Ru₃CO)₁₂, Ru₃(CO)₉(μ-dppm)(η¹-dppm) and Ru₃(CO)₆(dppm)₃ have been isolated and spectroscopically characterised. From the reaction of Os₃(CO)₁₂ with dppm, the derivatives Os₃(CO)₁₀(dppm), Os₃(CO)₉(μ-dppm)(η¹-dppm) and Os₃(CO)₈(dppm)₂ have been isolated. The crystal structure of Os₃(CO)₉(μ-dppm)(η¹-dppm) has been determined.     

Intramolecular rearrangement of the bridging σ,π-acetylide ligand in the Os3H(CO)9(L)(μ-η2-CCPh) (L = CO,PMe2Ph) clusters and crystal structure of Os3H(CO)9(PMe2Ph)(μ-η2-CCPh)

Clusters Os₃H(Cl)(CO)₉(L) (L= CO, PMe₂Ph) react with lithium phenyl-acetylide to yield Os₃H(CO)₉(L)(μ-η²-CCPh),which has a bridging acetylide ligand. The Os₃H(CO)₁₀(μ-η²-CCPh) complex (II) is fluxional owing to rapid π → σ, σ → π interchange of acetylide ligand between the bridged osmium atoms, whereas the phosphine-substituted derivative, Os₃H(CO)₉(PM₂Ph)(μ-η²-CCPh) (III), is stereochemically rigid and exists at room temperature in two isomeric forms. These isomers have been isolated as solids and have been characterized by ¹H and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy. According to the spectroscopic data, in the major (IIIa) and minor (IIIb) isomers the phosphine ligand is coordinated to the metal atom which is σ- or π-bonded to the bridging acetylide group, respectively. The isomerization of IIIb into IIIa occurs only at 80°C. The structure of IIIa has been confirmed by an X-ray diffraction study.     

Unsaturation in homoleptic tetranuclear iridium carbonyls: a comparison of density functional theory with the MP2 method in metal cluster structures

The lowest energy Ir₄(CO)₁₂ structure is predicted by density functional theory to be a triply bridged structure analogous to the experimental structures for its lighter congeners M₄(CO)₉(??-CO)₃ (M=Co, Rh). The experimental unbridged structure for Ir₄(CO)₁₂ is predicted to lie ~6?kcal/mol above the triply bridged structure. However, the MP2 method predicts the unbridged structure for Ir₄(CO)₁₂ to be the lowest energy structure by ~9?kcal/mol over the triply bridged structure. The lowest energy Ir₄(CO)₁₁ structure is predicted to be a doubly bridged structure with a central tetrahedral Ir₄ unit. A higher energy Ir₄(CO)₁₁ structure at ~18?kcal/mol above this global minimum is found with an unusual ??₄-CO group bridging all four atoms of a central Ir₄ butterfly. This Ir₄(CO)₈(??-CO)₂(??₄-CO) structure is analogous to the lowest energy Co₄(CO)₁₁ structure found in a previous theoretical study, as well as Rh₄(CO)₄(??-CO)₄(PBu ₃ ^t )₂(PtPBu ₃ ^t )(??₄-CO), which has been synthesized by Adams and coworkers. The Ir₄ tetrahedron is remarkably persistent in the more highly unsaturated Ir₄(CO) _n (n?=?10, 9, 8) structures with relatively little changes in the Ir?CIr distances as carbonyl groups are removed. This appears to be related to the spherical aromaticity in the tetrahedral Ir₄ structures.     

Ruthenium cluster chemistry: Monodentate bis(diphenylphosphino)acetylene-ligated cluster modules in chain and dendrimer formation

Reaction of Ru₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₁₀ [dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane] with one equivalent of dppa [dppa = bis(diphenylphosphino)acetylene] afforded Ru₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₉(η¹-dppa) which possesses a monodentate dppa ligand,an X-ray structural study revealing that all phosphorus donor atoms are arranged in equatorial coordination sites with respect to the triruthenium cluster plane.Reaction of Ru₃(CO)₉(NCMe)₃ with excess dppa afforded fair yields of Ru₃(CO)₉(η¹-dppa)₃,which possesses three monodentate dppa ligands.Reaction of three equivalents of Ru₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₉(η¹-dppa) with Ru₃(CO)₉(NCMe)₃ or reaction of Ru₃(CO)₉(η¹-dppa)₃ with excess Ru₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₁₀ afforded low yields of the dodecanuclear first-generation dendrimer Ru₃(CO)₉{PPh₂C₂PPh₂Ru₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₉}₃.Reaction of WIr₃(μ-CO)₃(CO)₈(η-C₅Me₅) with excess Ru₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₉(η¹-dppa) afforded fair yields of the decanuclear dppa-bridged tri-cluster WIr₃(CO)₉{PPh₂C₂PPh₂Ru₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₉}₂(η-C₅Me₅).     

Reactivity of triosmium clusters with 3,4-dimethyl-1-phenylphosphole and cyanoethyldi-tert-butylphosphine ligands: X-ray crystal structures of [Os3(CO)9(μ-OH)(μ-H)(η1-PhPC4H2Me2)] and [Os3(CO)11(η1- t Bu2PC2H4CN)]

Reaction of [Os₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₀] with 3,4-dimethyl-1-phenylphosphole in refluxing cyclohexane affords two substituted triosmium clusters: [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-H)(μ³:η¹:η¹:η²-PhPC₄H₃Me₂)] (1) and [Os₃(CO)₉(H)(μ²-η¹:η²-PhPC₄H₄Me₂)] (2), of which cluster 2 exhibits two chromatographically non-separable isomeric forms attributed to terminal and bridging coordination of the hydride ligand, respectively. When this reaction is performed in refluxing THF, the only product is the cluster [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-OH)(μ-H)(η¹-PhPC₄H₂Me₂)] (3). Crystallographic information obtained for cluster 3 shows the phosphole ligand occupying an equatorial position, as expected, while the OH group is asymmetrically bridging unlike previously reported similar compounds. Additionally, interaction of the labile cluster [Os₃(CO)₁₁(CH₃CN)] with cyanoethyldi-tert-butylphosphine in dichloromethane at room temperature was found to give [Os₃(CO)₁₁(η¹- ^t Bu₂PC₂H₄CN)] (4) as the only product; its crystallographic characterization shows that the phosphine ligand coordinates by means of the phosphorus atom in an equatorial fashion, analogous to compound 3.     

Cluster chemistry: XXXV. Reactions of some ruthenium cluster complexes with hydrogen: Cleavage of element-carbon bonds

Hydrogenation (20 atm, 80°C, 2 h) of trinuclear Ru₃(CO)_12-nL_n (L= tertiary phosphine or phosphite; n = 1–3) resulted in aggregation to give mixtures of H₄Ru₄(CO)12-n(L)_n (n = 0–4), but Ru₃(CO)₁₀(L-L) (L-L=dppm, dpam) gave Ru₃(μ-H)(μ₃-PhECH₂EPh₂)(CO)₉ (E = P, As, respectively) and Ru₃(μ-H)₂(μ₃-PPh)(CO)₈(PMePh₂), and Ru₃(μ-H)(μ₃-SBu^t)(CO)₉ gave Ru₃(μ-H)₂(μ₃-S)(CO)₉ by cleavage of PC, AsC, or SC bonds. Both types of reaction occurred with Ru₃(CO)₁₀(dppe) and [Ru₃(CO)₁₁]₂(μ-dppe).     

Mixed-metal cluster chemistry. 26 . Proclivity for “all-terminal” or “plane-of-bridging-carbonyls” ligand disposition in tungsten-triiridium clusters

Reaction of WH(CO)₃(η-C₅Me₅) with IrCl(CO)₂(4-H₂NC₆H₄Me) affords WIr₃(μ-CO)₃(CO)₈(η-C₅Me₅) in low yield. A structural study reveals a WIr₂-centred plane of bridging carbonyls, in contrast to the crystal structure of WIr₃(CO)₁₁(η-C₅H₅) (all-terminal carbonyl distribution). DFT calculations reveal an increasing proclivity to adopt an all-terminal CO disposition for clusters MIr₃(CO)₁₁(η-C₅H₅) in the gas phase on proceeding from M=Cr to Mo and then W, consistent with structural studies in the solid state for which the tungsten-containing cluster is the only all-terminal example. Increasing electron donation from the ligands in the tungsten system (either from phosphine substitution or cyclopentadienyl permethylation) suffices to impose a plane of bridging carbonyls in the ground state structure. ¹³C NMR fluxionality studies reveal that CO exchange mechanism(s) for WIr₃(CO)₁₁(η-C₅H₅) and the related tetrahedral cluster W₂Ir₂(CO)₁₀(η-C₅H₅)₂ are very fast and involve all carbonyls on the clusters. DFT calculations on MIr₃(CO)₁₁(η-C₅H₅) (M=Cr, Mo) substantiate a ‘merry-go-round’ mechanism for carbonyl scrambling in these systems, a result which is consistent with the scrambling behaviour seen in the NMR fluxionality studies on the W-containing congener.     

Reaction of the heteronuclear cluster RuOs3(μ-H)2(CO)13 with azulenes

Reaction of the heteronuclear cluster RuOs₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₃ (1) with azulene under thermal activation afforded the novel clusters RuOs₃(μ-H)(CO)₉(μ₃,η⁵:η²:η²-C₁₀H₉) (3) and Ru₂Os₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₃(μ-CO)(μ₃,η⁵:σ²-C₁₀H₈) (5a), with 4,6,8-trimethylazulene to give RuOs₃(μ-H)(CO)₈(μ-CO)(μ,η⁵:η⁴-C₁₀H₆Me₃) (4) and Ru₂Os₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₃(μ-CO)(μ₃,η⁵:σ²-C₁₀H₅Me₃) (5b), and with guaiazulene to give Ru₂Os₃(CO)₁₁(μ₃,η⁵:η³:η³-C₁₀H₅Me₂ⁱPr) (6), respectively. In 3–5, cluster-to-ligand hydrogen transfer appears to have taken place, with the organic moiety capping a trimetallic face in 3, bridging a metal–metal bond in 4 and via a μ₃,η⁵:σ² bonding mode in 5a and 5b. Cluster 6 contains a trigonal bipyramidal metal framework with the guaiazulene ligand over a triangular metal face. All five clusters have been completely characterised, including by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Intramolecular Dynamics of Tetranuclear Iridium Carbonyl Cluster Compounds. Part IV. Derivatives with monodentate ligands and edge-bridging bidentate ligands

The fluxionality of [Ir₄(CO)₈(μ₂-CO)₃L] (L = Br^?, I^?, SCN^?, NO₂^?, P(4-ClC₆H₄)₃, PPh₃, P(4-MeOC₆H₄)₃, P(4-Me₂NC₆H₄)₃), as studied by 2D-¹³C-NMR in solution, is due to two successive scrambling processes: the merry-go-round of six basal CO's and CO bridging to alternative faces of the Ir₄ tetrahedron. The basicity of the ligand L has no significant effect on the activation parameters. The scrambling process of lowest activation energy in [Ir₄(CO)₇(μ₂-CO)₃(PMePh₂)₂] correspond to the two possible synchronous CO bridging about a unique face of the metal tetrahedron swapping the relative axial and radial positions of the ligands L. The disubstituted clusters [Ir₄(CO)₁₀(μ₂-L? L)] with one edge-bridging ligand have a ground-state geometry with three edge-bridging CO's (L? L = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane, bis(diphenylarsino)methane, bis(diphenylphosphino)propane) or with all terminal CO's (L? L = CH₃SCH₂SCH₃). In all cases, the fluxional process of lowest activation energy in the merry-go-round of six CO's about a unique triangular face. For the P and As donor ligands, this process is followed by the rotation of terminal CO's bonded to two Ir-atoms residing on the mirror plane of the unbridged intermediate.     

IR frequencies and intensities of the vibrational modes of Cx Hy fragments bonded to metal complexes. Relationship with structure,bonding and reactivity

The following organometallic complexes were studied as models of the coordination between metal atoms and different C_x H_y ligands: Co₂Fe(CO)₉(CCH₂), Co₂Ru(CO)₉(CCH₂), Os₃(H)₂(CO)₉(CCH₂) and Co₂Fe(CO)₉(CC(H)CH₃) (η₃-η₂-vinylidene or μ₃-η₂-methylvinylidene group); Fe₂(C₅H₅)₂(CO)₃(CCH₂) (μ₂-η¹-vinylidene group); Os₃(μ-H)(CO)₉(CHCH₂) (μ₂-η²-vinyl group); CH₃Mn(CO)₅ (η¹-methyl group); Os₃(μ-H)₂(Co)₁₀(CH₂) and Fe₂(CO)₈(CH₂) (μ₂-η¹-methylene group); Co₃(CO)₉(CH) (μ₃-methyne group); CO₃(CO)₉(CCH₃) (μ₃-η¹-ethylidyne group); Os₃(H)(CO)₉(C₂H) (μ₃-η²-acetylide group). The infrared frequencies and intensities associated with the main vibrational modes of the ligands (CC and CH stretchings, CH deformations) were evaluated and compared with those of appropriate model molecules. Both the frequency and intensity data can be usefully correlated with structural parameters (e.g. CC and CH bond distances and HCH bond angles) and provide information on the charge distribution on the ligands. It is therefore possible to discuss the type of metal—ligand interaction and the balance between the σ and π contributions to the bond.