Hydrogenation of cyclohexene catalyzed by ruthenium nitrosyl complexes: Crystal structures of catalyst precursors [CpRu(μ2-NO)2RuCp] and [CpRu(NO)(η-C6H10)] (Cp = η-C5(CH3)5)

Hydrogenation of cyclohexene with 0.1 mol% of the (nitrosyl)ruthenium catalyst [Cp^∗Ru(NO)(C₆H₅)₂] (1; Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅(CH₃)₅) under 1.0 MPa of H₂ in water at 90 °C for 13 h afforded cyclohexane in 94% yield. The nitrosyl-bridged dinuclear complex [Cp^∗Ru(μ₂-NO)₂RuCp^∗] (2) and the mononuclear cyclohexene complex [Cp^∗Ru(NO)(η²-C₆H₁₀)] (3), which also serve as catalyst precursors, have been obtained from the reaction mixture. X-ray crystallographic analyses of 2 and 3 have revealed that the bridging nitrosyl ligands in 2 form an almost planar Ru₂N₂ four-membered ring with the Ru–Ru distance of 2.5366(5) Å, whereas the nitrosyl ligand in 3 is linear. On the other hand, a ruthenium complex without a nitrosyl ligand [Cp^∗Ru(CH₃CN)₃][OSO₂CF₃] proved to be less effective for this hydrogenation.     

Chalcogen-capped ruthenium carbonyl clusters derived from diphosphazane mono- and dichalcogenides of the type X2P(E)N(R)PX2 and X2P(E)N(R)P(E)X2 (E = S or Se)

Reactions of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with diphosphazane monoselenides Ph₂PN(R)P(Se)Ph₂ [R = (S)-∗CHMePh (L⁴), R = CHMe₂ (L⁵)] yield mainly the selenium bicapped tetraruthenium clusters [Ru₄(μ₄-Se)₂(μ-CO)(CO)₈{μ-P,P-Ph₂PN(R)PPh₂}] (1, 3). The selenium monocapped triruthenium cluster [Ru₃(μ₃-Se)(μ_sb-CO)(CO)₇{κ²-P,P-Ph₂PN((S)-∗CHMePh)PPh₂}] (2) is obtained only in the case of L⁴. An analogous reaction of the diphosphazane monosulfide (PhO)₂PN(Me)P(S)(OPh)₂ (L⁶) that bears a strong π-acceptor phosphorus shows a different reactivity pattern to yield the triruthenium clusters, [Ru₃(μ₃-S)(μ₃-CO)(CO)₇{μ-P,P-(PhO)₂PN(Me)P(OPh)₂}] (9) (single sulfur transfer product) and [Ru₃(μ₃-S)₂(CO)₅{κ²-P,P-(PhO)₂PN(Me)P(OPh)₂}{μ-P,P-(PhO)₂PN(Me)P(OPh)₂}] (10) (double sulfur transfer product). The reactions of diphosphazane dichalcogenides with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ yield the chalcogen bicapped tetraruthenium clusters [Ru₄(μ₄-E)₂(μ-CO)(CO)₈{μ-P,P-Ph₂PN(R)PPh₂}] [R = (S)-∗CHMePh, E = S (6); R = CHMe₂, E = S (7); R = CHMe₂, E = Se (3)]. Such a tetraruthenium cluster [Ru₄(μ₄-S)₂(μ- CO)(CO)₈{μ-P,P-(PhO)₂PN(Me)P(OPh)₂}] (11) is also obtained in small quantities during crystallization of cluster 9. The dynamic behavior of cluster 10 in solution is probed by NMR studies. The structural data for clusters 7, 9, 10 and 11 are compared and discussed.     

Formations and electrochemical behavior of mononuclear and binuclear molybdenum dithiolene complexes with nitrosyl ligands: Evidence for the formation of a coordinatively unsaturated species [CpMo(NO)(dithiolene)]

The one-pot reaction of [Cp^∗Mo(NO)(CO)₂] with elemental sulfur and dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (C₂Z₂ (Z = COOMe)) gave the [2+2] cycloadduct of the mononuclear molybdenum dithiolene complex [Cp^∗Mo(NO)(S₂C₂Z₂)(C₂Z₂)] (1), and some binuclear complexes:[Cp^∗Mo(NO)(S₂C₂Z₂)]₂ (2), [Cp^∗₂Mo₂(NO)₂S₂(S₂C₂Z₂)] (3) and [Cp^∗Mo(NO)S₂]₂ (4).The reaction of [Cp^∗Mo(NO)(Cl)(μ-Cl)]₂ with OC{S₂C₂(COOMe)₂} in the presence of sodium methoxide also produced complex 2 and the paramagnetic Cp^∗Mo bisdithiolene complex [Cp^∗Mo(S₂C₂Z₂)₂] (5, Z = COOMe).The structures of complexes 1-5 were determined by X-ray crystal structure analysis.The nitrosyl ligands of complexes 1-4 showed a linear coordination to the molybdenum center (the Mo-N-O bond angles = 169-174°), and their N-O bond lengths were 1.17-1.20 Å.In the binuclear complexes 2-4, two nitrosyl ligands were placed at cis-position.Complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry (visible and IR). The electrochemical reduction of the dimeric complex 2 formed the monomeric dithiolene complex[Cp^∗Mo(NO)(S₂C₂Z₂)]⁻ (X⁻) whose lifetime was several minutes. When the anion X⁻ was electrochemically oxidized, the coordinatively unsaturated species X was generated, but it was immediately dimerized to afford the original dimeric complex 2. The reduction of the complex 1 included the elimination of the bridged DMAD moiety (C₂Z₂) to give the anion X⁻.     

Ruthenium hydride complexes of chiral and achiral diphosphazane ligands and asymmetric transfer hydrogenation reactions

The half-sandwhich ruthenium chloro complexes bearing chelated diphosphazane ligands, [(η⁵-Cp)RuCl{κ²-P,P-(RO)₂PN(Me)P(OR)₂}] [R = C₆H₃Me₂-2,6] (1) and [(η⁵-Cp^∗)RuCl{κ²-P,P-X₂PN(R)PYY′}] [R = Me, X = Y = Y′ = OC₆H₅ (2); R = CHMe₂, X₂ = C₂₀H₁₂O₂, Y = Y′ = OC₆H₅ (3) or OC₆H₄^tBu-4 (4)] have been prepared by the reaction of CpRu(PPh₃)₂Cl with (RO)₂PN(Me)P(OR)₂ [R = C₆H₃Me₂-2,6 (L¹)] or by the reaction of [Cp^∗RuCl₂]_n with X₂PN(R)PYY′ in the presence of zinc dust. Among the four diastereomers (two enantiomeric pairs) possible for the “chiral at metal” complexes 3 and 4, only two diastereomers (one enantiomeric pair) are formed in these reactions. The complexes 1, 2, 4 and [(η⁵-Cp)RuCl{κ²-P,P-Ph₂PN((S)-^∗CHMePh)PPhY}] [Y = Ph (5) or N₂C₃HMe₂-3,5 (S_CS_PR_Ru)-(6)] react with NaOMe to give the corresponding hydride complexes [(η⁵-Cp)RuH{κ²-P,P-(RO)₂PN(Me)P(OR)₂}] (7), [(η⁵-Cp^∗)RuH{κ²-P,P′-X₂PN(R)PY₂}] [R = Me, X = Y = OC₆H₅ (8); R = CHMe₂, X₂ = C₂₀H₁₂O₂, Y = OC₆H₄^tBu-4 (9)] and [(η⁵-Cp)RuH{κ²-P,P-Ph₂PN((S)-^∗CHMePh)PPhY}][Y = Ph (10) or N₂C₃HMe₂-3,5 (S_CS_PR_Ru)-(11a) and (S_CS_PS_Ru)-(11b)]. Only one enantiomeric pair of the hydride 9 is obtained from the chloro precursor 4 that bears sterically bulky substituents at the phosphorus centers. On the other hand, the optically pure trichiral complex 6 that bears sterically less bulky substituents at the phosphorus gives a mixture of two diastereomers (11a and 11b). Protonation of complex 7 using different acids (HX) gives a mixture of [(η⁵-Cp)Ru(η²-H₂){κ²-P,P-(RO)₂PN(Me)P(OR)₂}]X (12a) and [(η⁵-Cp)Ru(H)₂{κ²-P,P-(RO)₂PN(Me)P(OR)₂}]X (12b) of which 12a is the major product independent of the acid used; the dihydrogen nature of 12a is established by T₁ measurements and also by synthesizing the deuteride analogue 7-D followed by protonation to obtain the D-H isotopomer. Preliminary investigations on asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of 2-acetonaphthone in the presence of a series of chiral diphosphazane ligands show that diphosphazanes in which the phosphorus centers are strong π-acceptor in character and bear sterically bulky substituents impart moderate levels of enantioselectivity. Attempts to identify the hydride intermediate involved in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation by a model reaction suggests that a complex of the type, [Ru(H)(Cl){κ²-P,P-X₂PN(R)PY₂}(solvent)₂] could be the active species in this transformation.     

Synthesis and reactivity of rhodium(III) pentamethylcyclopentadienyl complexes of N-B-PTA(BH3): X-ray crystal structures of [CpRhCl2{N-B}-PTA(BH3)] and [CpRh{N-B-PTA(BH3)}(η-CH2 = CHPh)]

The reaction between 1-boranyl-1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane ligand N-B-PTA(BH₃) and [Cp^∗RhCl(μ-Cl)]₂ affords [Cp^∗Rh{N-B-PTA(BH₃)}Cl₂] (3) or [Cp_∗Rh{N-B-PTA(BH₃)}₂Cl]Cl (5) containing one or two P-bonded boronated PTA ligands. The hydride [Cp_∗Rh{N-B-PTA(BH₃)}H₂] (8) was also obtained by reaction of 3 with NaBH₄ and alternatively by direct hydroboration of [Cp^∗Rh(PTA)Cl₂] with excess NaBH₄. Moderately slow hydrolysis of the N-boranyl rhodium complexes affords dihydrogen, H₃BO₃ and the corresponding PTA derivatives, including the water-soluble dihydride [Cp^∗Rh(PTA)H₂] (9). Finally, the reaction of 8 with electron poor alkynes gives the alkene complexes [Cp^∗Rh{N-B-PTA(BH₃)}(η²-CH₂ = CHR)] (R = Ph, 10; C(O)OEt, 11) as a mixture of rotamers η²-coordinated to rhodium without affecting the N-BH₃ moiety. The X-ray crystal structures of 3 and 10 were also obtained and are here discussed.     

Synthesis of sulfido- and thiolato-bridged Ir3 cluster and its reactions with alkyne and isocyanide including highly regioselective cyclotrimerization of methyl propiolate

Reactions of a sulfido- and thiolato-bridged diiridium complex [(Cp^∗Ir)₂(μ-S)(μ-SCH₂CH₂CN)₂] (Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅Me₅) with [(Cp^∗MCl)₂(μ-Cl)₂] (M = Ir, Rh) afforded the sulfido- and thiolato-bridged trinuclear clusters [(Cp^∗M)(Cp^∗Ir)₂(μ₃-S)(μ₂-SCH₂CH₂CN)₂(μ₂-Cl)]Cl (4: M = Ir, 5: M = Rh). Upon treatment with XyNC (Xy = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃) in the presence of KPF₆ at 60 °C, 4 was converted into a mixture of a mononuclear XyNC complex [Cp^∗Ir(SCH₂CH₂CN)(CNXy)₂][PF₆] (6) and a dinuclear XyNC complex [{Cp^∗Ir(CNXy)}₂(μ-S)(μ-SCH₂CH₂CN)][PF₆] (7). On the other hand, reactions of 4 and 5 with methyl propiolate in the presence of KPF₆ at 60 °C resulted in the formation of a cyclic trimer of the alkyne 1,3,5-C₆H₃(COOMe)₃ as the sole detectable organic product. The reactions proceeded catalytically with retention of the cluster cores of 4 and 5, whereby the activity of the former was much higher than that of the latter.     

Reactivity of the triruthenium ortho-metalated cluster [Ru3(CO)9{μ3-η,κ,κ-PhP(C6H4)CH2PPh}] with tri(2-thienyl)phosphine and tri(2-furyl)phosphine: Formation of 1,3-diphenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-1,3-benzodiphosphine complexes via phosphorus-carbon bond formation

Reaction of [Ru₃(CO)₉{μ₃-η¹,κ¹,κ²-PhP(C₆H₄)CH₂PPh}] (1) with tri(2-thienyl)phosphine (PTh₃) in refluxing THF afforded [Ru₃(CO)₉(PTh₃)(μ-dpbm)] (3) {dpbm = PhP(C₆H₄)(CH₂)PPh} and [Ru₃(CO)₆(μ-CO)₂{μ-κ¹,η¹-PTh₂(C₄H₂S)}{μ₃-κ¹,κ²-Ph₂PCH₂PPh}] (5) in 18% and 12% yields, respectively, while a similar reaction with tri(2-furyl)phosphine (PFu₃) gave [Ru₃(CO)₉(PFu₃)(μ-dpbm)] (4) and [Ru₃(CO)₇(μ-η¹,η²-C₄H₃O)(μ-PFu₂){μ₃-η¹,κ¹,κ²-PhP(C₆H₄)CH₂PPh}] (6) in 24% and 27% yields, respectively. Compounds 2 and 4 are phosphine adducts of 1 in which the diphosphine ligand is transformed into 1,3-diphenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-1,3-benzodiphosphine (dpbm) via phosphorus-carbon bond formation. Cluster 5 results from metalation of a thienyl ring, the cleaved proton being transferred to the diphosphine. Carbon-phosphorus bond cleavage of a PFu₃ ligand is observed in 6 to afford a phosphido-bridge and a furyl fragment, the latter bridging in a σ,π-vinyl fashion. The molecular structures of 3, 5 and 6 have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Half-sandwich rhodium complexes containing both N-heterocyclic carbene and ortho-carborane-1,2-dithiolate ligands

A new route was used to synthesize half-sandwich rhodium complexes containing both N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) and carborane ligands. The rhodium carbene complexes Cp^∗Rh(L)[S₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] (Cp^∗ = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, L = 1,3-dimethylimidazolin-2-ylidene; 4) can be obtained from the reaction of Cp^∗Rh(L)Cl₂ (2) with Li₂S₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀) or from the reaction of Cp^∗Rh[S₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] (3) with silver-NHC complex prepared by direct reaction of an imidazolium precursor and Ag₂O. Complexes 2 and 4 were characterized by IR, NMR spectroscopy, element analysis and X-ray structure analyses.     

Two coordination modes of TCNE in the ruthenium amidinates: The first example providing experimental evidence for κ-N to η-C rearrangement

Reactions of Cp^∗Ru(κ²-N(R)C(R′)NR) (1a; R = ⁱPr, R′ = Me, 1b; R = ^tBu, R′ = Ph) with TCNE initially give dark green colored intermediary species, which are readily converted to brown colored “η²-C” coordination complexes, Cp^∗Ru(κ²-N(R)C(R′)NR)(η²-TCNE) (3a; R = ⁱPr, R′ = Me, 3b; R = ^tBu, R′ = Ph). These “η²-C” complexes are characterized by spectroscopy and crystallography. A stable ruthenium amidinate having a “κ¹-N”-coordinated TCNE, Cp^∗Ru(κ²-N(^tBu)C(Mes)N^tBu)(κ¹(N)-TCNE) (2c), is synthesized by treatment of Cp^∗Ru(κ²-N(^tBu)C(Mes)N^tBu) (1c) with TCNE, the structure of which is unequivocally confirmed by X-ray structure determination and the charge transfer nature is supported by ESR analysis. Close analogy in IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy of 2c with the dark green colored intermediary species formed from 1b suggests that this is “κ¹-N” ruthenium amidinate, which is rearranged to the “η²-C” complex 3b.     

Synthesis and characterization of some new mononuclear ruthenium complexes containing 4-(un)substituted dipyridylpyrazole ligands

A mononuclear ruthenium complex [Ru(bpy)₂(bpp)](PF₆) (1) and its halogenated and nitro derivatives [Ru(bpy)₂(Xbpp)](PF₆) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; bpp = 3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazole; X = Cl, 2; X = Br, 3; X = I, 4; X = NO₂, 5) have been synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, HRMS, elemental analysis. Complexes 2–5 have been further confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Their UV–Vis and emission spectroscopies, electrochemical measurements and acid–base properties are described. The results presented here reveal that the introduction of Cl, Br, I and NO₂ groups to the coordinated bpp⁻ ligand makes the absorption and emission maxima of the parent complex 1 blue-shifted, the oxidation potential of the Ru^II/Ru^III couple increased and the pK_a value decreased obviously. In addition, significant quenching of the emission by these groups is also observed.     

Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical behavior of some N-heterocyclic carbene-containing active site models of [FeFe]-hydrogenases

Treatment of parent compounds [(μ-SCH₂)₂X]Fe₂(CO)₆ (A, X = O; B, X = NBu-t; C, X = NC₆H₄OMe-p) with N-heterocyclic carbene I_Mes (I_Mes = 1,3-bis(mesityl)imidazol-2-ylidene) generated in situ through reaction of imidazolium salt I_Mes ·HCl with n-BuLi or t-BuOK afforded the monocarbene-substituted complexes [(μ-SCH₂)₂X]Fe₂(CO)₅(I_Mes) (1, X = O; 2, X = NBu-t; 3, X = NC₆H₄OMe-p). Similarly, the monocarbene and dicarbene-substituted complexes [(μ-SCH₂)₂NBu-t]Fe₂(CO)₅[I^∗_Mes(CH₂)₃I^∗_Mes]·HBr (4) and [(μ-SCH₂)₂CH₂Fe₂(CO)₅]₂[μ-I^∗_Mes(CH₂)₃I^∗_Mes] (5, I^∗_Mes = 1-(mesityl)imidazol-2-ylidene) could be prepared by reactions of parent compound B with the mono-NHC ligand-containing imidazolium salt [I^∗_Mes(CH₂)₃I^∗_Mes] · HBr and parent compound [(μ-SCH₂)₂CH₂]Fe₂(CO)₆ (D) with di-NHC ligand I^∗_Mes(CH₂)₃I^∗_Mes (both NHC ligands were generated in situ from reaction of n-BuLi with imidazolium salt [I^∗_MesI^∗_Mes(CH₂)₃I^∗_Mes] · 2HBr), respectively. The imidazolium salt [I^∗_Mes(CH₂)₃I^∗_Mes] · 2HBr was prepared by reaction of 1-(mesityl)imidazole with Br(CH₂)₃Br. All the new model compounds 1-5 and imidazolium salt [I^∗_Mes(CH₂)₃I^∗_Mes] · 2HBr were fully characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. On the basis of electrochemical studies of 1 and 2, compound 2 was found to be a catalyst for proton reduction to hydrogen. In addition, an EECC mechanism for this electrocatalytic reaction is preliminarily suggested.     

New diruthenium vinyliminium complexes from the insertion of alkynes into bridging aminocarbynes

Primary alkynes R′CCH [R′ = Me₃Si, Tol, CH₂OH, CO₂Me, (CH₂)₄CCH, Me] insert into the metal-carbon bond of diruthenium μ-aminocarbynes [Ru₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(MeCN)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] [R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (Xyl), 1a; CH₂Ph (Bz), 1b; Me, 1c] to give the vinyliminium complexes [Ru₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(R′)CHCN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] [R = Xyl, R′ = Me₃Si, 2a; R = Bz, R′ = Me₃Si, 2b; R = Me, R′ = Me₃Si, 2c; R = Xyl, R′ = Tol, 3a; R = Bz, R′ = Tol, 3b; R = Bz, R′ = CH₂OH, 4; R = Bz, R′ = CO₂Me, 5a; R = Me, R′ = CO₂Me, 5b; R = Xyl, R′ = (CH₂)₄CCH, 6; R = Xyl, R′ = Me, 7a; R = Bz, R′ = Me, 7b; R = Me, R′ = Me, 7c]. The related compound [Ru₂{μ-η¹:η³-C[C(Me)CH₂]CHCN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃], (9) is better prepared by reacting [Ru₂{μ-CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cl)(Cp)₂] (8) with AgSO₃CF₃ in the presence of HCCC(Me)CH₂ in CH₂Cl₂ at low temperature.In a similar way, also secondary alkynes can be inserted to give the new complexes [Ru₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(R′)C(R′)CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Bz, R′ = CO₂Me, 11; R = Xyl, R′ = Et, 12a; R = Bz, R′ = Et, 12b; R = Xyl, R′ = Me, 13). The reactions of 2-7, 9, 11-13 with hydrides (i.e., NaBH₄, NaH) have been also studied, affording μ-vinylalkylidene complexes [Ru₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(R′)C(R″)C(H)N(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R = Bz, R′ = Me₃Si, R″ = H, 14a; R = Me, R′ = Me₃Si, R″ = H, 14b; R = Bz, R′ = Tol, R″ = H, 15; R = Bz, R′ = R″ = Et, 16), bis-alkylidene complexes [Ru₂{μ-η¹:η²-C(R′)C(H)(R″)CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R′ = Me₃Si, R″ = H, 17; R′ = R″ = Et, 18), acetylide compounds [Ru₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(CCR′)(Cp)₂] (R = Xyl, R′ = Tol, 19; R = Bz, R′ = Me₃Si, 20; R = Xyl, R′ = Me, 21) or the tetranuclear species [Ru₂{μ-η¹:η²-C(Me)CCN(Me)(Bz)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂]₂ (23) depending on the properties of the hydride and the substituents on the complex. Chromatography of 21 on alumina results in its conversion into [Ru₂{μ-η³:η¹-C[N(Me)(Xyl)]C(H)CCH₂}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (22). The crystal structures of 2a[CF₃SO₃] · 0.5CH₂Cl₂, 12a[CF₃SO₃] and 22 have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis and characterization of Ru/Au,Pd/Au,Pd/2Au,Pt/2Au and Cu/2Au heterometallic complexes of cyclodiphosphazane cis-{(o-MeOC6H4O)P(μ-NBu)}2

Mononuclear complexes of cyclodiphosphazane with an uncoordinated phosphorus centre [RuCl₂(η⁶-cymene){l-κP}] (1a) (L = cis-{(o-MeOC₆H₄O)P(μ-N^tBu)}₂) and [PdCl₂(PEt₃){l-κP}] (1b) react with 1 equiv. of [AuCl(SMe₂)] to afford Ru^II/Au^I and Pd^II/Au^I heterodinuclear complexes [RuCl₂(η⁶-cymene){μ-l-κP,κP}AuCl] (2) and [PdCl₂(PEt₃){μ-l-κP,κP}AuCl] (3), respectively. Heterotrinuclear complexes [PdCl₂{μ-l-κP,κP}₂(AuCl)₂] (4), [PtCl₂{μ-l-κP,κP}₂(AuCl)₂] (5) and [CuI{μ-l-κP,κP}₂(AuCl)₂] (6) containing Pd^II/2Au^I, Pt^II/2Au^I and Cu^I/2Au^I metal centers have been synthesized from the reactions of trans-[PdCl₂{l-κP}₂] (1c), cis-[PtCl₂{l-κP}₂] (1d) and [CuI{{l-κP}₂] (1f) respectively, with 2 equiv. of [AuCl(SMe₂)]. Molecular structures of complexes 2, 3 and 4 were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Stepwise formation of metallo-prisms of iridium and rhodium complexes bearing pentamethylcyclopentadienyl ligands

Reactions of [M(Cp^∗)Cl(μ-Cl)]₂ (M = Ir(1a); M = Rh(1b)) with tridentate ligands tpt (tpt = 2,4,6-tripyridyl-1,3,5-triazine) gave the corresponding trinuclear complexes [M₃(Cp^∗)₃(μ₃-4-tpt-κN)Cl₆] (M = Ir(2a); M = Rh(2b)), which can be converted into hexanuclear complexes [M₆(Cp^∗)₆(μ₃-4-tpt-κN)₂(μ-Cl)₆](O₃SCF₃)₆ (M = Ir(3a); M = Rh(3b)) by treatment with AgO₃SCF₃, respectively. X-ray of 3b revealed that each of six pentamethylcyclopentadienyl metal moieties was connected by two μ-Cl-bridged atoms and a tridentate ligand to construct a cation triangular metallo-prism cavity with the volume of about 273 Å³ based on the distance of the two triazine moieties is 3.62 Å.     

Heterolytic CH-bond activation in the synthesis of Ni{(2-aryl-κC)pyridine-κN}2 and derivatives

Thermolysis of Ni(OTf)₂ in 2-phenyl-pyridine or 2-tolyl-pyridine afforded the cationic chelate derivatives, [bis(2-aryl-pyridine)Ni{(2-aryl-κC²)pyridine-κN}]OTf (aryl = phenyl, 1a; tolyl, 1b). Addition of KBr to 1a and LiBr to 1b provided the bromides, (2-aryl-pyridine)BrNi{(2-aryl-κC²)pyridine-κN} (aryl = phenyl, 2a; tolyl, 2b). When subjected to KO^tBu in Et₂O, the bromides generated the entitled bis-cyclometalated compounds, Ni{(2-aryl-κC²)pyridine-κN}₂ (aryl = phenyl, 3a; tolyl, 3b). These compounds insert diphenylacetylene into one cyclometalate arm to produce [(2-aryl-κC²)pyridine-κN]Ni[2-(2-(1,2-diphenylethenyl-κC²)aryl)pyridine-κN] (aryl = phenyl, 4a; p-tolyl, 4b). X-ray crystallographic studies were conducted on 1a, 2a, 3a and 4a, and a brief DFT study of 3a confirmed its low spin configuration and rippled geometry.     

Reactions of 2-pyridinethiolate cobalt(III) complexes with pyridinethiolate or benzenethiolate ligands

Four half-sandwich cobalt complexes, Cp^∗Co(2-PyS)₂ (2), Cp^∗Co(2-PyS)₂ · HI (3), Cp^∗Co(2-PyS) (4-PyS) (4), (Cp^∗Co)₂(μ-PhS)₂(μ-2-PyS)I (5) [Cp^∗ = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, 2-PyS = 2-pyridinethiolate, 4-PyS = 4-pyridinethiolate, PhS = benzenethiolate] were successfully synthesized by the reactions of 2-pyridinethione, lithium 4-pyridinethiolate and lithium benzenethiolate with Cp^∗Co(2-PyS)I (1), respectively. Complexes 2 and 3 have the structures with two 2-pyridinethiolates ligands coordinated to the cobalt atom. Two different pyridinethiolates ligands can be identified in complex 4. The molecular structure of 5 consists of two Cp^∗-Co fragments, which are triply bridged by three sulfur atoms from different ligands. The molecular structures of 3 and 5 were determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. All the complexes have been well characterized by elemental analysis, NMR and IR spectra.     

Synthesis and characterization of heterometallic Rh/Ru complexes supported by 1,2-dichalcogenolato-o-carborane ligands

The 16-electron half-sandwich complexes Cp^∗Rh[E₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] (E = S, 1a; Se, 1b) react with [Ru(COD)Cl₂]_x under different conditions to give different types of heterometallic complexes. When the reactions were carried out in THF for 24 h, the binuclear Rh/Ru complexes [Cp^∗Rh(μ-Cl)₂(COD)Ru][E₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] (E = S, 2a; Se, 2b) bridged by two Cl atoms and the binuclear Rh/Rh complexes (Cp^∗Rh)₂[E₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] (E = S, 3a; Se, 3b) with direct Rh-Rh bond can be isolated in moderate yields. [Ru(COD)Cl₂] fragments in 2a and 2b have inserted into the Rh-E bond. If the [Ru(COD)Cl₂]_x was reacted with 1a in the presence of K₂CO₃ in methanol solution, the product [Cp^∗Rh(COD)]Ru[S₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀]] (4a), K[(μ-Cl)(μ-OCH₃)Ru(COD)]₄ (5a) and 3a were obtained. The B(3)-H activation in complex 4a was found. However, when the reaction between 1b and [Ru(COD)Cl₂]_x was carried out in excessive NaHCO₃, the carborane cage opened products {Cp^∗Rh[S₂C₂(B₉H₁₀)]}Ru(COD) (6b), {Cp^∗Rh[S₂C₂(B₉H₉)]}Ru(COD)(OCH₃) (7b) and 3b were obtained. All complexes were fully characterized by their IR, ¹H NMR and elemental analyses. The molecular structures of 2a, 2b, 3b, 4a, 5a, and 7b have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis, structure and characterization of dimolybdaheteroboranes

Chalcogen-stabilized dimolybdaboranes 3-5 (3: [(Cp^∗Mo)₂B₄H₅Se(Ph)], 4: [(Cp^∗Mo)₂B₄H₃Se₂(SeCH₂Ph)] and 5: [(Cp^∗Mo)₂B₃H₆(BSR)(μ-η¹-SR)] (R = 2,6-(^tBu)₂-C₆H₂OH)) have been isolated from the mild pyrolysis of dichalcogenide ligands, RE-E‘R (R = Ph: E = S, E‘ = Se; R = CH₂Ph, [2,6-(^tBu)₂-C₆H₂OH]: E = E‘ = Se, S) and [(Cp^∗Mo)₂B₄H₈], 2, an intermediate generated from the reaction of [Cp^∗MoCl₄] (1) (Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅Me₅), with [LiBH₄.thf]. The geometry of [(Cp^∗Mo)₂B₄H₅Se(Ph)] is similar to that of [(Cp^∗Mo)₂B₅H₉], in which one BH₃ unit on the open face is replaced by a triple bridged selenium atom. All the compounds have been characterized in solution by ¹H, ¹¹B, ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The structural types were unequivocally established by X-ray crystallographic analysis of compounds 3-5.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of boratranes with methyl substituents on the atrane cage

Three monomeric boratranes B[(OCH₂CH₂)_nN(CH₂CMe₂O)_3−n] (n = 0, 1; n = 1, 2; n = 2, 3) have been synthesized by the reaction of B(OMe)₃ with a series of triethanolateamines such as [(OCH₂CH₂)_nN(CH₂CMe₂O)_3−n]³⁻ (n = 0, L1; n = 1, L2; n = 2, L3), where the number of CMe₂ groups adjacent to the OH functionality varied from 3 (L1H₃) to 2 (L2H₃) to 1 (L3H₃). These boratranes 1-3 have been characterized by solution ¹H, ¹³C{¹H} and ¹¹B NMR, and the crystal structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

2-Pyridyl ketone oximes in iron(III) carboxylate chemistry: Synthesis,structural and physical studies of tetranuclear clusters containing the [Fe4(μ3-O)2] ‘butterfly’ core

The use of 2-pyridyl ketone oximes, pyC(R)NOH (R = H, Me), in iron(III) carboxylate chemistry yielded the tetranuclear complexes [Fe₄O₂Cl₂(O₂CPh)₂{pyC(R)NO}₄] (R = H, 1; R = Me, 2). The crystal structure of 2 revealed the presence of a central [Fe₄(μ₃-O)₂]⁸⁺ core comprising four Fe^III ions in a ‘butterfly’ disposition and two μ₃-O²⁻ ions, each bridging three Fe^III ions forming the ‘wings’ of the ‘butterfly’. The Mössbauer spectra from polycrystalline samples of 2 consist of composite quadrupole-split doublets, with parameters typical for high-spin iron(III) in octahedral environments. Magnetic susceptibility measurements on 2 revealed antiferromagnetic interactions between the S = 5/2 ferric ions; fits to the data required the use of two different parameters for the wingtip–body interactions. The best-fit values for these interactions were J₁ = −85 cm⁻¹ and J₂ = −27 cm⁻¹ (-2J_ijS_iS_j Hamiltonian formalism) resulting to a diamagnetic ground state.