C-C alpha insertion: insertion of an alkyne into the C-C single bond between the carbene-carbon atom and the alpha-carbon atom of a Fischer carbene complex by an unprecedented metalla(di-pi-methane) skeletal rearrangement

The first examples of insertion of a C(triple bond)C bond of an alkyne into a C(carbene)-Calpha single bond of a carbene complex (C-Calpha insertion) are reported. (prim-Alkyl)carbene complexes [(OC)(5)M=C(OEt)CH(2)R] (1 a-f; M=Cr, W; R=nPr, C(7)H(7), Ph) undergo C-Calpha insertion of electron-deficient alkynes [PhC(triple bond)CC(XEt)NMe(2)]BF(4) (5 a,b; X=O, S) to give zwitterionic carbiminium carbonylmetalates 3 a-g, which are thermally transformed into (CO)(4)M chelate carbene complexes 4 a-g by elimination of CO. The overall reaction is highly regio- and stereoselective. It involves an unprecedented metalla(di-pi-methane) rearrangement as the key step.     

Tautomerism-dependent ring construction of N-heterocyclic compounds from the reactions of 1-alkynyl Fischer carbene complexes and substituted pyrazolinones

Four types of N-heterocyclic ring systems were successfully constructed from the reactions of 1-alkynyl Fischer carbene complexes (OC)5M=C(OEt)C[triple bond]CPh (1) (M = Cr, W) and substituted pyrazolinones (2). Reactions of 1 with 3-methyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (2a), 3-n-propyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (2b), 3,4-dimethyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (2c), 3,4-trimethylene-2-pyrazolin-5-one (2d), or 3,4-tetramethylene-2-pyrazolin-5-one (2e) generated three kinds of Fischer aminocarbene complexes (3-5), and reactions of 1 with phenyl-substituted pyrazolinones, i.e., 3-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (2f) and its tautomer 3-phenyl-3-pyrazolin-5-one (2g), gave Fischer alkoxycarbene complexes (6) as the major products and aminocarbene complexes of types 3-5 as the minor products. Multiple tautomerism of pyrazolinones is attributed to the versatile formation of N-heterocyclic Fischer carbene complexes. Oxidative demetalation of complexes 3-6 with pyridine N-oxide or m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid efficiently afforded organic carbonyl products, and thus, strongly fluorescent syn-mixed-bimanes were prepared. The present findings constitute an alternative new method to synthesize mixed bimanes and other novel N-heterocyclic compounds.     

Reactivity of Phosphaalkenes toward Carbene Complexes

Reaction of phosphaalkenes RP=C(NMe 2 ) 2 (R = t -Bu, Me 3 Si), featuring an inverse distribution of electron density about the P--C double bond, with Fischer carbene complexes [(CO) 5 M=C(OEt)Ar] (Ar=Ph, 2-MeC 6 H 4 , 2-MeOC 6 H 4 , M = Cr, W) afforded a mixture of complexes [(CO) 5 M{P(R)=C(NMe 2 ) 2 }] and [(CO) 5 M{P(R)=C(OEt)Ar}]. The treatment of phosphaalkene HP=C(NMe 2 ) 2 with compound [(CO) 5 W=C(OEt)(2-MeOC 6 H 4 )] gives rise to the formation of an ( E / Z )-mixture of [(CO) 5 W{P(CH(NMe 2 ) 2 )=C(OEt)(2-MeOC 6 H 4 )}].     

Reactivity of the inversely polarized phosphaalkenes RP=C(NMe2)2 (R = tBu, Me3Si, H) towards arylcarbene complexes [(CO)5M=C(oEt)Ar] (Ar= Ph, M = Cr, W; Ar = 2-MeC6H4, 2-MeOC6H4, M = W)

The reaction of the arylated Fischer carbene complexes [(CO)5M=C(OEt)Ar] (Ar=Ph; M = Cr, W; 2-MeC6H4; 2-MeOC6H; M = W) with the phosphaalkenes RP=C(NMe2), (R=tBu, SiMe3) afforded the novel phosphaalkene complexes [[RP=C(OEt)Ar]M(CO)5] in addition to the compounds [(RP=C(NMe2)2]M(CO)5]. Only in the case of the R = SiMe3 (E/Z) mixtures of the metathesis products were obtained. The bis(dimethylamino)methylene unit of the phosphaalkene precursor was incorporated in olefins of the type (Me2N)2C=C(OEt)(Ar). Treatment of [(CO)5W=C(OEt)(2-MeOC6H4)] with HP=C(NMe2)2 gave rise to the formation of an E/Z mixture of [[(Me2N)2CH-P=C(OEt)(2-MeOC6H4)]W(CO)5] the organophosphorus ligand of which formally results from a combination of the carbene ligand and the phosphanediyl [P-CH(NMe2)2]. The reactions reported here strongly depend on an inverse distribution of alpha-electron density in the phosphaalkene precursors (Pdelta Cdelta+), which renders these molecules powerfu] nucleophiles.     

Formation,structure and reactivity of boryloxycarbyne complexes of group 6 metals

Reaction of the diborane(4) B(2)(NMe(2))(2)I(2) with two equivalents of K[(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))M(CO)(3)] (M=Cr, Mo, W) yielded the dinuclear boryloxycarbyne complexes [[(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(OC)(2)M(triple bond)CO](2)B(2)(NMe(2))(2)] (4 a, M=Mo; b, M=W; c, M=Cr), which were fully characterised in solution by multinuclear NMR methods. The Mo and W complexes 4 a, b proved to be kinetically favoured products of this reaction and underwent quantitative rearrangement in solution to afford the complexes [[(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(OC)(2)M(triple bond)CO]B(NMe(2))B(NMe(2))[M(CO)(3)(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))]] (5 a, M=Mo; b, M=W); 5 a was characterised by X-ray crystallography in the solid state. Corresponding reactions of B(2)(NMe(2))(2)I(2) with only one equivalent of K[(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))M(CO)(3)] (M=Mo, W) initially afforded 1:1 mixtures of the boryloxycarbyne complexes 4 a, b and unconsumed B(2)(NMe(2))(2)I(2). This mixture, however, yielded finally the diborane(4)yl complexes [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(OC)(3)M[B(NMe(2))B(NMe(2))I]] (6 a, M=Mo; b, M=W) by [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(OC)(3)M] transfer and rearrangement. Density functional calculations were carried out for 4 c and 5 a, b.     

Binuclear biscarbene complexes of furan

Carbene complexes of chromium and tungsten with a bridging furan substituent were synthesized from lithiated furan precursors and metal hexacarbonyls. The binuclear biscarbene complexes [(CO)5M{C(OEt)-C4H2O-C(OEt)}M'(CO)5](M = M'= Cr (3), W (4)) were obtained as well as the corresponding monocarbene complexes [M{C(OEt)-C(4)H3O}(CO)5](M = Cr (1), W (2)). A method of protecting the carbene moiety during the metal acylate stage was used to increase not only the yields of the binuclear Fischer biscarbene complexes 3 and 4 but to establish a method to synthesize analogous mixed heterobinuclear carbene complexes (M = W, M'= Cr (5)) in high yields. The binuclear biscarbene complexes 3 and 5 were reacted with 3-hexyne and yielded the corresponding benzannulated monocarbene complexes [M{C(OEt)-C14H17O3}(CO)5](M = Cr (6), W(7)). Complex 5 reacted regioselectively with the benzannulation reaction occurring at the chromium-carbene centre. The major products from refluxing 3 in the presence of [Pd(PPh3)4] were a monocarbene-ester complex [Cr{C(OEt)-C4H2O-C(O)OEt}(CO)5](8), the 2,5-diester of furan (9) and a carbene-carbene coupled olefin EtOC(O)-C4H2O-C(OEt)=C(OEt)-C4H2O-C(O)OEt (10). X-Ray structure analysis of 4 and 6 confirmed the molecular structures of the compounds in the solid state and aspects of electron conjugation between the transition metals and the furan substituents in the carbene ligands were investigated.     

Reaction and subsequent transformation of anionic acetylide-carbene complexes using the Ph3PAu+ fragment

The metallated Fischer-type carbene complexes (CO)(5)M=C(NMe(2))C[triple bond]CLi (M = Cr, W) react with Ph(3)PAuNO(3) to form the beta-substituted products (CO)(5)M=C(NMe(2))C[triple bond]CAuPPh(3). In solution these products isomerise by formal metal fragment exchange to furnish Ph(3)PAuC(=NMe(2))C[triple bond]CM(CO)(5). A preliminary kinetic investigation by means of (1)H-NMR spectroscopy indicates an unusual and complicated reaction mechanism. Model DFT calculations predict small energy differences between the products before and after the metal fragment exchange.     

P2 addition to terminal phosphide M[triple bond]P triple bonds: a rational synthesis of cyclo-P3 complexes

The diphosphaazide complex (Mes*NPP)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3 (Mes* = 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl, Np = neopentyl, Ar = 3,5-Me2C6H3), 1, has previously been reported to lose the P2 unit upon gentle heating, to form (Mes*N)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3, 2. The first-order activation parameters for this process have been estimated here using an Eyring analysis to have the values Delta H(double dagger) = 19.6(2) kcal/mol and Delta S(double dagger) = -14.2(5) eu. The eliminated P2 unit can be transferred to the terminal phosphide complexes P[triple bond]M(N[(i)Pr]Ar)3, 3-M (M = Mo, W), and [P[triple bond]Nb(N[Np]Ar)3](-), 3-Nb, to give the cyclo-P3 complexes (P3)M(N[(i)Pr]Ar)3 and [(P3)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3](-). These reactions represent the formal addition of a P[triple bond]P triple bond across a M[triple bond]P triple bond and are the first efficient transfers of the P2 unit to substrates present in stoichiometric quantities. The related complex (OC)5W(Mes*NPP)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3, 1-W(CO)5, was used to transfer the (P2)W(CO)5 unit in an analogous manner to the substrates 3-M (M = Mo, W, Nb) as well as to [(OC)5WP[triple bond]Nb(N[Np]Ar)3](-). The rate constants for the fragmentation of 1 and 1-W(CO)5 were unchanged in the presence of the terminal phosphide 3-Mo, supporting the hypothesis that molecular P2 and (P2)W(CO)5, respectively, are reactive intermediates. In a reaction related to the combination of P[triple bond]P and M[triple bond]P triple bonds, the phosphaalkyne AdC[triple bond]P (Ad = 1-adamantyl) was observed to react with 3-Mo to generate the cyclo-CP2 complex (AdCP2)Mo(N[(i)Pr]Ar)3. Reactions of the electrophiles Ph3SnCl, Mes*NPCl, and AdC(O)Cl with the anionic, nucleophilic complexes [(OC)5W(P3)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3](-) and [{(OC)5W}2(P3)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3](-) yielded coordinated eta(2)-triphosphirene ligands. The Mes*NPW(CO)5 group of one such product engages in a fluxional ring-migration process, according to NMR spectroscopic data. The structures of (OC)5W(P3)W(N[(i)Pr]Ar)3, [(Et2O)Na][{(OC)5W}2(P3)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3], (AdCP2)Mo(N[(i)Pr]Ar)3, (OC)5W(Ph3SnP3)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3, Mes*NP(W(CO)5)P3Nb(N[Np]Ar)3, and {(OC)5W}2AdC(O)P3Nb(N[Np]Ar)3, as determined by X-ray crystallography, are discussed in detail.     

Biscarbene complexes from the reactions of O-ethyl lactim and 1-alkynyl Fischer carbene complexes of chromium and tungsten

Reactions of O-ethyl lactim ∼(CH₂)₃-NC(OEt)∼ with 1-alkynyl Fischer carbene complexes (OC)₅MC(OEt)CCPh (M = Cr, W) afforded biscarbene complexes with an azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptene core. Under a nitrogen atmosphere, the resultant chromium biscarbene complex gave a SiO₂-promoted rearrangement complex in 86% yield. Thermal annelation of the rearrangement product followed by hydrolysis over SiO₂ formed a cyclopentenone derivative. A cyclopentadiene derivative was obtained as a rare example of intermediate Fischer carbene species, suggesting a possible reaction pathway for the thermal annelation of the rearrangement complex. Stepwise oxidation of the chromium biscarbene complexes with an azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptene core with pyridine-N-oxide (PNO) under mild controlled conditions generated partially and completely demetalated carbonyl products, respectively. The key carbene complexes and demetalated compounds were structurally characterized by X-ray crystallographic studies.     

Cyanide-bridged linkage isomers with catecholateruthenium(II) centres bound to Mn(I) or M(alkyne) units

Two series of stable cyanide-bridged linkage isomers, namely [(o-O2C6Cl4)(Ph3P)(OC)2Ru(mu-XY)MnL(NO)(eta-C5Me5)] (XY = CN or NC, L = CNBu(t) or CNXyl) and [(o-O2C6Cl4)L(OC)2Ru(mu-XY)M(CO)(PhC-CPh)Tp'] {M = Mo or W, L = PPh3 or P(OPh)3, Tp' = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate} have been synthesised; pairs of isomers are distinguishable by IR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The molecular structure of [(o-O2C6Cl4)(Ph3P)(OC)2Ru(mu-NC)Mo(CO)(PhC-CPh)Tp'] has the catecholate-bound ruthenium atom cyanide-bridged to a Mo(CO)(PhC[triple band]CPh)Tp' unit in which the alkyne acts as a four-electron donor; the alignment of the alkyne relative to the Mo-CO vector suggests the fragment (CN)Ru(CO)2(PPh3)(o-O2C6Cl4) acts as a pi-acceptor ligand. The complexes [(o-O2C6Cl4)(Ph3P)(OC)2Ru(mu-XY)Mn(NO)L(eta-C5Me5)] undergo three sequential one-electron oxidation processes with the first and third assigned to oxidation of the ruthenium-bound o-O2C6Cl4 ligand; the second corresponds to oxidation of Mn(I) to Mn(n). The complexes [(o-O2C6Cl4)L(OC)2Ru(mu-XY)M(CO)(PhC[triple band]CPh)Tp'] are also first oxidised at the catecholate ligand; the second oxidation, and one-electron reduction, are based on the M(CO)(PhC[triple band]CPh)Tp' fragment. Chemical oxidation of [(o-O,C6Cl4)(Ph3P)(OC)2Ru(mu-XY)MnL(NO)(eta-C5Me5)] with [Fe(eta-C5H4COMe)(eta-C5H5)][BF4], or of [(o-O2C6Cl4)L(OC)2Ru(mu-XY)M(CO)(PhC[triple band]CPh)Tp'] with AgBF4, gave the paramagnetic monocations [(o-O2C6Cl4)(Ph3P)(OC)2Ru(mu-XY)MnL(NO)(eta-C5Me5)]+ and [(o-O2C6Cl4)L(OC)2Ru(mu-XY)M(CO)(PhC[triple band]CPh)Tp']+, the ESR spectra of which are consistent with ruthenium-bound semiquinone ligands. Linkage isomers are distinguishable by the magnitude of the 31P hyperfine coupling constant; complexes with N-bound Ru(o-O2C6Cl4) units also show small hyperfine coupling to the nitrogen atom of the cyanide bridge.     

Synthesis of Fischer type-carbene complexes containing a coordinated thioimidate structural motif

This paper describes a tandem strategy to synthesize a series of new Fischer carbene complexes [(CO)(4)M[double bond, length as m-dash]C[N-(CH(2))(4)-]CH[double bond, length as m-dash]C(NRR')(SR'); M = Cr, W; R = Ar, R' = Me, -(CH(2))(2)-] with a thioimide or thiazoline fragment, in which the sulfur or nitrogen atom is coordinated to a metal center, depending on the nature of alkylating groups included as R'. We have trapped by protonation the proposed intermediate as the thioamide 12 [(CO)(5)W[double bond, length as m-dash]C[N-(CH(2))(4)-]CH(2)C(S)NHPh], which reveals the pathway of this reaction.     

Preparation of stannyl complexes of ruthenium and osmium stabilised by polypyridine and phosphite ligands

Trichlorostannyl complexes [M(SnCl3)(bpy)2P]BPh4 [M = Ru, P = P(OEt)(3), 1a PPh(OEt)2 1b; M = Os, P = P(OEt)3 2; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine] were prepared by allowing chloro complexes [MCl(bpy)2P]BPh4 to react with SnCl2 in 1,2-dichloroethane. Bis(trichlorostannyl) compounds Ru(SnCl3)2(N-N)P2 [N-N = bpy, P = P(OEt)3 3a, PPh(OEt)2 3b; N-N = 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), P = P(OEt)3 4] were also prepared by reacting [RuCl(N-N)P3]BPh4 precursors with SnCl2.2H2O in ethanol. Treatment of both mono- 1a, 2 and bis 3a trichlorostannyl complexes with NaBH4 afforded mono- and bis(trihydridestannyl) derivatives [M(SnH3)(bpy)2P]BPh4 5, 6 and Ru(SnH3)2(bpy)P2 7[P = P(OEt)3], respectively. Treatment of 1a, 2 with MgBrMe gave the trimethylstannyl complexes [M(SnMe3)(bpy)2P]BPh4 8, 9 and treatment of 3a afforded the bis(stannyl) Ru(SnClMe2)2(bpy)P2 10 derivative. Alkynylstannyl complexes [M{Sn(C triple bond CR)3}(bpy)2P]BPh4 11-13 and Ru[Sn(C triple bond CR)3]2(N-N)P2 14-17(R = p-tolyl, Bu t; N-N = bpy, phen) were also prepared by allowing trichlorostannyl compounds 1-4 to react with Li+[RC triple bond C]* in thf. The complexes were characterised spectroscopically and by the X-ray crystal structure determination of [Ru(SnMe3)(bpy)2{P(OEt)3}]BPh4 derivative.     

Formation of cis-enediyne complexes from rhenium alkynylcarbene complexes

Dimerization of the alkynylcarbene complex Cp(CO)(2)Re=C(Tol)C(triple bond)CCH(3) (8) occurs at 100 degrees C to give a 1.2:1 mixture of enediyne complexes [Cp(CO)(2)Re](2)[eta(2),eta(2)-TolC(triple bond)CC(CH(3))=C(CH(3))C(triple bond)CTol] (10-Eand 10-Z), showing no intrinsic bias toward trans-enediyne complexes. The cyclopropyl-substituted alkynylcarbene complex Cp(CO)(2)Re=C(Tol)C(triple bond)CC(3)H(5) (11) dimerizes at 120 degrees C to give a 5:1 ratio of enediyne complexes [Cp(CO)(2)Re](2)[eta(2),eta(2)-TolC(triple bond)C(C(3)H(5))C=C(C(3)H(5))C(triple bond)CTol] (12-E and 12-Z); no ring expansion product was observed. This suggests that if intermediate A formed by a [1,1.5] Re shift and having carbene character at the remote alkynyl carbon is involved, then interaction of the neighboring Re with the carbene center greatly diminishes the carbene character as compared with that of free cyclopropyl carbenes. The tethered bis-(alkynylcarbene) complex Cp(CO)(2)Re=C(Tol)C(triple bond)CCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)C(triple bond)CC(Tol)= Re(CO)(2)Cp (13) dimerizes rapidly at 12 degrees C to give the cyclic cis-enediyne complex [Cp(CO)(2)Re](2)[eta(2),eta(2)-TolC(triple bond)CC(CH(2)CH(2)CH(2))=CC(triple bond)CTol] (15). Attempted synthesis of the 1,8-disubstituted naphthalene derivative 1,8-[Cp(CO)(2)Re=C(Tol)C(triple bond)C](2)C(10)H(6) (16), in which the alkynylcarbene units are constrained to a parallel geometry, leads to dimerization to [Cp(CO)(2)Re](2)(eta(2),eta(2)-1,2-(tolylethynyl)acenaphthylene] (17). The very rapid dimerizations of both 13 and 16 provide compelling evidence against mechanisms involving cyclopropene intermediates. A mechanism is proposed which involves rate-determining addition of the carbene center of A to the remote alkynyl carbon of a second alkynylcarbene complex to generate vinyl carbene intermediate C, and rearrangement of C to the enediyne complex by a [1,1.5] Re shift.     

Syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of low-dimensional heterometallic complexes based on the versatile building block [(Tp)Cr(CN)3]-

Using the tricyano precursor (Bu(4)N)[(Tp)Cr(CN)(3)] (Bu(4)N(+) = tetrabutylammonium cation; Tp = tris(pyrazolyl)hydroborate), a pentanuclear heterometallic cluster [(Tp)(2)Cr(2)(CN)(6)Cu(3)(Me(3)tacn)(3)][(Tp)Cr(CN)(3)](ClO(4))(3)·5H(2)O (1, Me(3)tacn = N,N',N'-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane), three tetranuclear heterometallic clusters [(Tp)(2)Cr(2)(CN)(6)Cu(2)(L(OEt))(2)]·2.5CH(3)CN (2, L(OEt) = [(Cp)Co(P(O)(OEt)(2))(3)], Cp = cyclopentadiene), [(Tp)(2)Cr(2)(CN)(6)Mn(2)(L(OEt))(2)]·4H(2)O (3), and [(Tp)(2)Cr(2)(CN)(6)Mn(2)(phen)(4)](ClO(4))(2) (4, phen = phenanthroline), and a one-dimensional (1D) chain polymer [(Tp)(2)Cr(2)(CN)(6)Mn(bpy)](n) (5, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Complex 1 shows a trigonal bipyramidal geometry in which [(Tp)Cr(CN)(3)](-) units occupy the apical positions and are linked through cyanide to [Cu(Me(3)tacn)](2+) units situated in the equatorial plane. Complexes 2-4 show similar square structures, where Cr(III) and M(II) (M = Cu(II) or Mn(II)) ions are alternatively located on the rectangle corners. Complex 5 consists of a 4,2-ribbon-like bimetallic chain. Ferromagnetic interactions between Cr(III) and Cu(II) ions bridged by cyanides are observed in complexes 1 and 2. Antiferromagnetic interactions are presented between Cr(III) and Mn(II) ions bridged by cyanides in complexes 3-5. Complex 5 shows metamagnetic behavior with a critical field of about 22.5 kOe at 1.8 K.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of group 6 transition metal complexes with terminal fluoromethylidyne (CF) ligands; a DFT/NBO/NRT comparison of bonding characteristics of terminal NO, CF and CH ligands

A family of group 6 transition metal complexes M(C(5)R(5))(CO)(2)(CF) [M = Cr, Mo, W; R = H, Me] with terminal fluoromethylidyne ligands have been synthesized through the reduction of the corresponding trifluoromethyl precursors with potassium graphite or magnesium graphite. They have been characterized spectroscopically and in some cases crystallographically, although the structures show disorder between the CO and CF ligands. The M[triple bond]CF subunit reacts as a triple bond to form cluster complexes containing μ(3)-CF ligands on reaction with Co(2)(CO)(8). Computational (DFT/NBO/NRT) studies on M(C(5)H(5))(CO)(2)(CF) [M = Cr, Mo, W] and the corresponding cationic fragments M(CO)(2)(XY)(+) illustrate significant differences in the metal-ligand bonding between CF and its isoelectronic analogue NO, as well as with its hydrocarbon analogue CH.     

Acetylide-bridged organometallic oligomers via the photochemical metathesis of methyl-iron(II) complexes

The acetylido methyl iron(II) complexes, cis/trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CR)(CH(3))] (1) and trans-[Fe(depe)(2)(C[triple bond]CR)(CH(3))] (2) (dmpe = 1,2-dimethylphoshinoethane; depe = 1,2-diethylphosphinoethane), were synthesized by transmetalation from the corresponding alkyl halide complexes. Acetylido methyl iron(II) complexes were also formed by transmetalation from the chloride complexes, trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CR)(Cl)] or trans-[Fe(depe)(2)(C[triple bond]CR)(Cl)]. The structure of trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CC(6)H(5))(CH(3))] (1a) was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The methyl acetylido iron complexes, [Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CR)(CH(3))] (1), are thermally stable in the presence of acetylenes; however, under UV irradiation, methane is lost with the formation of a metal bisacetylide. Photochemical metathesis of cis- or trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(CH(3))(C[triple bond]CR)] (R = C(6)H(5) (1a), 4-C(6)H(4)OCH(3) (1b)) with terminal acetylenes was used to selectively synthesize unsymmetrically substituted iron(II) bisacetylide complexes of the type trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CR)(C[triple bond]CR')] [R = Ph, R' = Ph (6a), 4-CH(3)OC(6)H(4) (6b), (t)()Bu (6c), Si(CH(3))(3) (6d), (CH(2))(4)C[triple bond]CH (6e); R = 4-CH(3)OC(6)H(4), R' = 4-CH(3)OC(6)H(4), (6g), (t)()Bu (6h), (CH(2))(4)C[triple bond]CH (6i), adamantyl (6j)]. The structure of the unsymmetrical iron(II) bisacetylide complex trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CC(6)H(5))(C[triple bond]CC(6)H(4)OCH(3))] (6b) was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The photochemical metathesis of the bis-acetylene, 1,7-octadiyne, with trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(CH(3))(C[triple bond]CPh)] (1a), was utilized to synthesize the bridged binuclear species trans,trans-[(C(6)H(5)C[triple bond]C)Fe(dmpe)(2)(mu-C[triple bond]C(CH(2))(4)C[triple bond]C)Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CC(6)H(5))] (11). The trinuclear species trans,trans,trans-[(C(6)H(5)C[triple bond]C)Fe(dmpe)(2)(mu-C[triple bond]C(CH(2))(4)C[triple bond]C)Fe(dmpe)(2)(mu-C[triple bond]C(CH(2))(4)C[triple bond]C)Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CC(6)H(5))] (12) was synthesized by the photochemical reaction of Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CPh)(C[triple bond]C(CH(2))(4)C[triple bond]CH) (6e) with Fe(dmpe)(2)(CH(3))(2). Extended irradiation of the bisacetylide complexes with phenylacetylene resulted in insertion of the terminal alkyne into one of the metal acetylide bonds to give acetylide butenyne complexes. The structure of the acetylide butenyne complex, trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CC(6)H(4)OCH(3))(eta(1)-C(C(6)H(5))=CH(C[triple bond]CC(6)H(4)OCH(3)))] (9a) was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Preparing alpha,beta-unsaturated Fischer-type carbene complexes via an unforeseen route

Four 4-(NH-amino)-1-metalla-1,3-diene carbene complexes, two of which contain novel 4-membered heterometallacycles, formed regioselectively from the reaction of a mixture of [(CH(3))(2)(CH(3)S)S][BF(4)], the acetonitrilium electrophile, CH(3)CNCH(3)(+), and the deprotonated alkoxycarbene complexes, (CO)(5)M=C(OCH(3))CH(2)Li (M = Cr, W). The preferred Z-configurations of the alkoxy and amino groups are determined by strong H-bonding in the products. The metal-carbene bonds in the chelates are shorter by 0.08 A than those in the acyclic compounds.     

Rhenium ethoxy- and hydroxycarbene complexes with thiophene substituents

Reaction of mono- and dilithiated thiophene (a), bithiophene (b) and 2,5-dibromothiophene (c) with [Re(2)(CO)(10)] afforded, after subsequent alkylation with triethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate, tetra- and binuclear Fischer carbene complexes, [Re(2)(CO)(9){C(OEt){C(4)H(2)S}(n)X}], n = 1, X = H (1a); n = 2, X = H (1b); n = 1, X = Br (1c); n = 1, X = C(OEt)Re(2)(CO)(9), (2a); n = 2, X = C(OEt)Re(2)(CO)(9) (2b), as major products. The dirhenium acylate intermediates from this reaction not only gave the expected novel ethoxycarbene complexes with alkylation but after rhenium-rhenium bond breaking afforded a number of minor products. The (1)H NMR spectrum of the crude reaction mixture revealed the formation of four metal hydride complexes and aldehydes. Protonation with HBF(4) instead of alkylation with Et(3)OBF(4) significantly increased the yields of the hydride complexes, which enabled the positive identification of three of these complexes. In addition to the known compounds [Re(CO)(5)H] and [Re(3)(CO)(14)H] (3), a unique complex displaying a hydroxycarbene fragment connected to an acyl fragment via an O-H···O hydrogen bond and a Re···H···Re bond linking the two Re centers, [(μ-H){Re(CO)(4)C(OH){C(4)H(2)S}(n)H}{Re(CO)(4)C(O){C(4)H(2)S}(n)H}], n = 1 (4a) or n = 2 (4b), were isolated. The formation of thiophene aldehydes, H{C(O)}(m){C(4)H(2)S}(n)C(O)H (m = 0 or 1 and n = 1 or 2), were observed and the novel monocarbene complexes with terminal aldehyde groups, [Re(2)(CO)(9){C(OEt){C(4)H(2)S}(n)C(O)H}], n = 1 (5a) and n = 2 (5b) could be isolated. A higher yield of 5b was obtained after stirring crystals of 2b in wet THF. The crystal structures of 1a, 2a, 4a and 5b are reported.     

Syntheses of chromium pentacarbonyl derivatives of arsenic(V) and antimony(V). contrasting chemical reactivity with organic halogen derivatives

We have synthesized a new series of chromium-group 15 dihydride and hydride complexes [H(2)As(Cr(CO)(5))(2)](-) (1) and [HE(Cr(CO)(5))(3)](2)(-) (E = As, 2a; E = Sb, 2b), which represent the first examples of group 6 complexes containing E-H fragments. The contrasting chemical reactivity of 2a and 2b with organic halogen derivatives is demonstrated. The reaction of 2a with RBr (R = PhCH(2), HC triple bond CCH(2)) produces the RX addition products [(R)(Br)As(Cr(CO)(5))(2)](-) (R = PhCH(2), 3; R = C(3)H(3), 4), while the treatment of 2b with RX (RX = PhCH(2)Br or HC triple bond CCH(2)Br, CH(3)(CH(2))(5)C(O)Cl) forms the halo-substituted complexes [XSb(Cr(CO)(5))(3)](2-) (X = Br, 5; X = Cl, 6). Moreover, the dihaloantimony complexes [XX'Sb(Cr(CO)(5))(2)](-) can be obtained from the reaction of 2b with the appropriate organic halides. In this study, a series of organoarsenic and antimony chromium carbonyl complexes have been synthesized and structurally characterized and the role of the main group on the formation of the resultant complexes is also discussed.     

Hydrogenolysis of cycloalkanes on a tantalum hydride complex supported on silica and insight into the deactivation pathway by the combined use of 1D solid-state NMR and EXAFS spectroscopies

Hydrogenolysis of cyclic alkanes is catalysed by [(triple bond)SiO)(2)Ta-H] (1) at 160 degrees C and leads to lower alkanes and cyclic alkanes including cyclopentane. The turnover number is correlated with the number of carbon atoms of the cyclic alkanes, and therefore while cycloheptane is readily transformed, cyclopentane does not give any product (<1 %). The mechanism of ring contraction probably involves carbene de-insertion as a key carbon-carbon bond-cleavage step. The reluctance of cyclopentane to undergo hydrogenolysis was further studied: under the reaction conditions cyclopentane reacts with 1 to give the corresponding cyclopentyl derivative [(triple bond)SiO)(2)Ta-C(5)H(9)] (13), which evolves towards cyclopentadienyl derivative [(triple bond)SiO)(2)Ta(C(5)H(5))] (14) according to both solid-state NMR and EXAFS spectroscopies. This latter complex is inactive in the hydrogenolysis of alkanes, and therefore the formation of cyclopentane in the hydrogenolysis of various cyclic alkanes is probably responsible for the de-activation of the catalyst by formation of cyclopentadienyl complexes.