Substituents effect on molecular structures of 13-vertex closo-metallacarboranes of rare earths. Synthesis and structural characterization of metallacarboranes bearing nido- and arachno-carborane ligands

Several new 13-vertex closo-metallacarboranes of rare earths incorporating nido- and arachno-carborane ligands have been prepared and structurally characterized. They represent a new class of metallacarboranes bearing a η⁷-carboranyl ligand recently discovered in our laboratory. This work indicates that the substituents on carborane cage carbons may affect the overall molecular structures of the resultant 13-vertex closo-metallacarborane complexes, but have little influence on the interactions between the central metal ion and nido- or arachno-carborane ligand.     

Another example of carborane based trianionic ligand: Syntheses and catalytic activities of cyclohexylamino tailed ortho-carboranyl zirconium and titanium dicarbollides

In situ reaction of Li[closo-1-Ph-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀] with 7-azabicyclo [4.1.0] heptane results in the formation of the disubstituted carborane, closo-1-Ph-2-(2′-aminocyclohexyl)-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀ (1), in 63% yield. Decapitation of (1) with potassium hydroxide in refluxing ethanol produces the cage-opened nido-carborane, K[nido-7-Ph-8-(2′-aminocyclohexyl)-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀]⁻ (2), in 80% yield. Deprotonation of the above monoanion with two equivalents of n-butyllithium followed by reaction with anhydrous MCl₄ · 2THF (M = Zr, Ti) provides d⁰-half-sandwich metallocarboranes, closo-1-M(Cl)-2-Ph-3-(2′-σ-(H)N-cyclohexyl)-2,3-η⁵-C₂B₉H₉ (3 M = Zr; 4 M = Ti) in 53% and 42% yields, respectively. The reaction of Li[closo-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₁] with 7-azabicyclo [4.1.0] heptane in THF affords closo-1-(2′-aminocyclohexyl)-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀ (5) in 59% yield. Immobilization of the carboranyl amino ligand (1) to an organic support, Merrifield’s peptide resin (1%), has been achieved by the reaction of the sodium salt of (5) with polystyryl chloride in THF to produce closo-1-(2′-aminocyclohexyl)-2-polystyryl-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀ (6) in 87% yield. Further reaction of the dianion derived from (6) with anhydrous ZrCl₄ · 2THF led to the formation of the organic polystyryl supported d⁰-half-sandwich metallocarborane, closo-1-Zr(Cl)-2-(2′-σ-(H)N-cyclohexyl)-3-polystyryl-2,3-η⁵-C₂B₉H₉ (7), in 38% yield. These new compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses, NMR, and IR spectra. Polymerizations of both ethylene and vinyl chloride with (3) and (7) have been performed in toluene using MMAO-7 (13% ISOPAR-E) as the co-catalyst. Molecular weights up to 32.8 × 10³ (M_w/M_n = 1.8) and 9.5 × 10³ (M_w/M_n = 2.1) were obtained for PE and PVC, respectively.     

Rhenium(I) methoxo carbonyl complexes containing tetraphosphine or triphosphine ligands; facile separation and X-ray crystallographic studies of d/l- and meso-[{Re2(μ-OMe)2(CO)6}2(μ,μ′-1,1,4,7,10,10-hexaphenyl-1,4,7,10-tetra-phosphadecane)]

Reaction of the activated mixture of Re₂(CO)_10, Me₃NO and MeOH with a 1:1 mixture of rac (d/l)- and meso-1,1,4,7,10,10-hexaphenyl-1,4,7,10-tetraphosphadecane (hptpd) yields a mixture of (d/l)- and meso-[{Re₂(μ-OMe)₂(CO)₆}₂(μ,μ′-hptpd)] 1. The diastereomers can be easily separated by selective dissolution of d/l-1 in benzene, and give clearly distinguishable ¹H- and ³¹P-NMR spectra. The fluxional behavior of d/l-1 in solution has been studied by variable-temperature ¹H- and ³¹P-{¹H}-NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of both d/l- and meso-1 have been determined. Both molecules consist of two {Re₂(μ-OMe)₂(CO)₆} moieties which are bridged by the two P---CH₂---CH₂---P moieties of the hptpd ligand. Whilst the molecules of meso-1 possess crystallographic i-symmetry, those of d/l-1 do not have any crystallographic symmetry. These diastereomers therefore give clearly distinguishable Raman spectra in the solid state. Reaction of tris[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]phosphine (tdppep) with the activated mixture affords the complex [{Re₂(μ-OMe)₂(CO)₆}(μ,η²-tdppep)] 2, and the analogous reaction involving bis[2-diphenylphospinoethyl)phenylphosphine (triphos) gives [{Re₂(μ-OMe)₂(CO)₆}(μ,μ′,η³-triphos){Re₂(CO)₉}] 3 and [{Re₂(μ-OMe)₂(CO)₆}(μ,η²-triphos)] 4.     

Synthesis and characterization of planarly chiral nonbridged bis(1-R-indenyl) zirconium dichloride complexes and X-ray structure of rac-[(η-C9H6-1-C(CH3)2---o-C6H4---OCH3)2ZrCl2]·THF

Reactions of the lithium salts of 3-substituted indenes 1, 2 with ZrCl₄(THF)₂ gave two series of nonbridged bis(1-substituted)indenyl zirconocene dichloride complexes. Fractional recrystallization from THF–petroleum ether furnished the pure racemic and mesomeric isomers of [(η⁵-C₉H₆-1-C(R¹)(R²)---o-C₆H₄---OCH₃)₂ZrCl₂]·nTHF (R¹=R²=CH₃, n=1, rac-1a and meso-1b; R¹=CH₃, R²=C₂H₅; n=0.5 or 0, rac-2a and meso-2b), respectively. Complex 1a was further characterized by X-ray diffraction to have a C₂ symmetrically racemic structure, where the six-member rings of the indenyl parts are oriented laterally and two o-CH₃O---C₆H₄---C(CH₃)₂--- substituents are oriented to the open side of the metallocene (Ind: bis-lateral, anti; Substituent: bis-central, syn). The four zirconocene complexes are highly symmetrical in solution as characterized by room temperature ¹H-NMR, however ¹H–¹H NOESY of meso-1b shows that some of the NOE interactions arise from the two separated indenyl parts of the same molecule, which can only be well explained by taking into account the torsion isomers in solution.     

New ferrocenyl heterometallic complexes of 2,7-diethynylfluoren-9-one

A new series of rigid-rod alkynylferrocenyl precursors with central fluoren-9-one bridge, 2-bromo-7-(2-ferrocenylethynyl)fluoren-9-one (1b), 2-trimethylsilylethynyl-7-(2-ferrocenylethynyl)fluoren-9-one (2) and 2-ethynyl-7-(2-ferrocenylethynyl)fluoren-9-one (3), have been prepared in moderate to good yields. The ferrocenylacetylene complex 3 can provide a direct access to novel heterometallic complexes, trans-[(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)CCRCCPt(PEt₃)₂Ph] (4), trans-[(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)CCRCCPt(PBu₃)₂CCRCC(η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)] (5), [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)CCRCCAu(PPh₃)] (6) and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)CCRCCHgMe] (7) (R=fluoren-9-one-2,7-diyl), following the CuI-catalyzed dehydrohalogenation reactions with the appropriate metal chloride compounds. All the new complexes have been characterized by FTIR, ¹H-NMR and UV–vis spectroscopies and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. The solid state molecular structures of 3, 5, 6 and 7 have been established by X-ray crystallography. The redox chemistry of these mixed-metal species has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and oxidation of the ferrocenyl moiety is facilitated by the presence of the heavy metal centre and increased conjugation in the chain through the ethynyl and fluorenone linkage units.     

Electron interactions in the closo-carboranes 1,2- and 1,7-C2B10H12

Ultra-soft X-ray fluorescence spectra of ortho- and meta-carborane C₂B₁₀H₁₂ were obtained. Ab initio self-consistent field (SCF) quantum-chemical calculations of these molecules were performed to interpret BK and CK spectra. Distinctions between electronic structure of closo-carboranes 1,2- and 1,7-C₂B₁₀H₁₂ are caused by different efficiency in the interaction of carbon and boron atoms. Location of boron atom between carbon atoms leads to stronger delocalization of electron density in meta-carborane molecule. The correlation between molecular orbitals (MOs) of the anion B₁₂H₁₂²⁻ and the closo-carboranes was carried out.     

Structural and spectral studies of N-2-(pyridyl)-, N-2-(3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-picolyl)- and N-2-(4,6-lutidyl)-N′-2-thiomethoxyphenylthioureas

Structures of the following compounds have been obtained: N-(2-pyridyl)-N′-2-thiomethoxyphenylthiourea, PyTu2SMe, monoclinic, P2₁/c, a=11.905(3), b=4.7660(8), c=23,532(6) Å, β=95.993(8)°, V=1327.9(5) ų and Z=4; N-2-(3-picolyl)-N′-2-thiomethoxyphenyl-thiourea, 3PicTu2SeMe, monoclinic, C2/c, a=22.870(5), b=7.564(1), c=16.941(4) Å, β=98.300(6)°, V=2899.9(9) ų and Z=8; N-2-(4-picolyl)-N′-2-thiomethoxyphenylthiourea, 4PicTu2SMe, monoclinic P2₁/a, a=9.44(5), b=18.18(7), c=8.376(12) Å, β=91.62(5)°, V=1437(1) ų and Z=4; N-2-(5-picolyl)-N′-2-thiomethoxyphenylthiourea, 5PicTu2SMe, monoclinic, C2/c, a=21.807(2), b=7.5940(9), c=17.500(2) Å, β=93.267(6)°, V=2893.3(5) ų and Z=8; N-2-(6-picolyl)-N′-2-thiomethoxyphenylthiourea, 6PicTu2SMe, monoclinic, P2₁/c, a=8.499(4), b=7.819(2), c=22.291(8) Å, β=90.73(3)°, V=1481.2(9) ų and Z=4 and N-2-(4,6-lutidyl)-N′-2-thiomethoxyphenyl-thiourea, 4,6LutTu2SMe, monoclinic, P2₁/c, a=11.621(1), b=9.324(1), c=14.604(1) Å, β=96.378(4)°, V=1572.4(2) ų and Z=4. Comparisons with other N-2-pyridyl-N′-arylthioureas having substituents in the 2-position of the aryl ring are included.     

Direkte und indirekte metallierung von endo-dicylopentadien. Sn- und C-NMR studie stannylierter folgeprodukte

endo-Dicyclopentadiene (1) can be metalated by use of simple procedures with good overall yields. The attack occurs at the various vinyl, rather than at the allyl, positions of 1 as was confirmed by trapping the carbanions with Me₃SnCl. When t-BuLi/TMEDA are used, the 8- and 9-stannyl derivatives (3 and 4) are formed, whereas an excess of n-BuLi/t-BuOK leads to doubly stannylated derivatives with Me₃Sn groups in position 4/8 (6), 4/9 (7), and 3/9 (8) in addition to 3 and 4. Furthermore the latter reaction yields 5,5-bis(trimethylstannyl)cyclopentadiene (5). With stoichiometric amounts of n-BuLi/t-BuOK the formation of 3 and 4 predominates over that of 5–8. 5 is obtained from 1 after deprotonation at the allyl position, followed by an extremely fast retro-Diels-Alder reaction and then by further deprotonation. This follows from two experiments: (1) exo- and endo-5-trimethylstannyl-endo-dicyclopentadiene (11 and 12) which are synthesized from 1 in three steps give cyclopentadienyllithium and 1 when treated with methyllithium at −78°C; (2) cyclopentadiene reacts with an excess of n-BuLi/t-BuOK and Me₃SnCl to give 5. When 12 is heated syn-10-trimethylstannyl-endo-dicyclopentadiene (13) is obtained. The eight stannyl derivatives of 1 are identified mainly from the following NMR parameters: δ(¹¹⁹Sn), δ(¹³C), δ(¹H), ⁿJ(^119/117Sn---¹³C), and ⁶J(¹¹⁹Sn---^119/117Sn). The ¹³C NMR satellite spectrum of 1 yields the isotope shifts ¹Δ¹³(i(¹³C(j)) and ¹J(¹³C---¹³C). The latter lead to the revision of earlier signal assignments.     

Non-spectator behavior of carborane ligands in icosahedral metallacarboranes

Icosahedral metallacarboranes with closo-3,1,2-MC₂B₉ frameworks are formally derived by η⁵ coordination of the open face of a nido-7,8-C₂B₉ cage to a metal atom. Recent work has established that the boron vertices of these faces readily form exo-polyhedral bonds of various kinds. These include linkages to other metal-ligand systems via either three-center two-electron B---H metal of two-center B-metal σ interactions, as well as attachments to organic groups with B---C or B---O bonds. Many new types of molecular structure have been identified, thereby opening a new domain of metallacarborane chemistry which merits further study.     

Variation of activation volumes for aquation of chloroaminecobalt(III) complexes

Activation volumes for aquation of cis-[Co(en)₂(NO₂)Cl]⁺, trans-[Co(en)₂ (CN)Cl]⁺, cis-- and cis-β-[Co(trien)Cl₂]⁺ have been determined, and are compared with values reported for a range of chloroaminecobalt(III) complexes. Variation of reported ΔV^≠ in terms of, particularly, solvation effects is discussed.     

Group 4 metallacarboranes of constrained geometries derived from B(cage)- and C(cage)-silylamido-substituted carborane ligands: a synthetic and structural investigation

The reactions of RNHSi(Me)₂Cl (1, R=t-Bu; 2, R=2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃) with the carborane ligands, nido-1-Na(C₄H₈O)-2,3-(SiMe₃)₂-2,3-C₂B₄H₅ (3) and Li[closo-1-R′-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀] (4), produced two kinds of neutral ligand precursors, nido-5-[Si(Me)₂N(H)R]-2,3-(SiMe₃)₂-2,3-C₂B₄H₅, (5, R=t-Bu) and closo-1-R′-2-[Si(Me)₂N(H)R]-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀ (6, R=t-Bu, R′=Ph; 7, R=2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃, R′=H), in 85, 92, and 95% yields, respectively. Treatment of closo-2-[Si(Me)₂NH(2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃)]-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₁ (7) with three equivalents of freshly cut sodium metal in the presence of naphthalene produced the corresponding cage-opened sodium salt of the “carbons apart” carborane trianion, [nido-3-{Si(Me)₂N(2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃)}-1,3-C₂B₁₀H₁₁]³⁻ (8) in almost quantitative yield. The reaction of the trianion, 8, with anhydrous MCl₄ (M=Ti and Zr) in 1:1 molar ratio in dry tetrahydrofuran (THF) at −78 °C, resulted in the formation of the corresponding half-sandwich neutral d⁰-metallacarborane, closo-1-M[(Cl)(THF)_n]-2-[1′-η¹σ-N(2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃)(Me)₂Si]-2,4-η⁶-C₂B₁₀H₁₁ (M=Ti (9), n=0; M=Zr (10), n=1) in 47 and 36% yields, respectively. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H-, ¹¹B-, and ¹³C-NMR spectra and IR spectra. The carborane ligand, 7, was also characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 7 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a=8.2357(19) Å, b=28.686(7) Å, c=9.921(2) Å; β=93.482(4)°; V=2339.5(9) ų, and Z=4. The final refinements of 7 converged at R=0.0736; wR=0.1494; GOF=1.372 for observed reflections.     

Synthesis and characterization of dinuclear p-, m- and o-xylyl bridged complexes of molybdenum and tungsten. The crystal structures of μ-p-xylyl- bis(η-pentamethyl-cyclopentadienyltri- carbonylmolybdenum) and μ-m-xylyl-bis(η- pentamethylcyclopentadienyltricarbonyltungsten)

The reactions of η⁵-Cp^*M(CO)₃Na (M = Mo, W) with ,′-p-, m- and o-dichloro-xylenes yielded p-, m- and o-xylyl bridged dinuclear complexes of η⁵-Cp^*M(CO)₃ in high yields. All of such new complexes are stable to air and water, even stable in dilute acids and bases.     

Nido-6-metalladecaborane chemistry: Molecular structure and fluxionality of [6,6,6,6-(CO)2(PPh3)2-nido-6-WB9H13]

The molecular and crystal structure of the nido-6-tungstadecaborane [6,6,6,6-(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂-nido-6-WB₉H₁₃] (1) has been determined showing that the tungsten atom is incorporated into the 6-position of a nido 10-vertex (WB₉) cage. The tungsten atom has a seven-coordinate capped trigonal prismatic environment and is bonded to two hydrogen and three boron atoms of the {B₉H₁₃} cage, in addition to two CO groups and two PPh₃ ligands. Variable-temperature (−90°C to +50°C) ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy of 1 reveals that the exo-polyhedral ligands about the tungsten atom are fluxional with respect to PPh₃ site exchange with an activation energy (ΔG‡), at the coalescence temperature (−73°C), of <38 kJ mol⁻¹.     

Macropolyhedral boron-containing cluster chemistry. Aspects of the S2B16H16 system. Preparation, structure, NMR spectroscopy and isomerism

Thermolysis of [arachno-4-SB₈H₁₂] (1) in boiling cyclohexane gives two isomers 2 and 3 of 18-vertex [S₂B₁₆H₁₆], together with known 12-vertex [closo-1-SB₁₁H₁₁] (4) and known 11-vertex [nido-7-SB₁₀H₁₂] (5). Compounds 2 and 3 are characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and single- and double-resonance ¹¹B- and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The [n-S₂B₁₆H₁₆] isomer 2 takes the form of nido ten-vertex: nido ten-vertex [anti-B₁₈H₂₂] with the 9 and 9′ positions occupied by S vertices, whereas the [iso-S₂B₁₆H₁₆] isomer 3 takes the form of a nido 11-vertex {SB₁₀} subcluster fused via a common two-boron edge to a nido-type {B₈} subcluster that is additionally linked exo to the {SB₁₀} subcluster by a bridging S atom that is held endo to the {B₈} unit. Isomer 2 is readily deprotonated and its monoanion 6 is characterised by NMR spectroscopy and by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of its [tmndH]⁺[n-S₂B₁₆H₁₅] salt 6b; deprotonation has occurred from an open-face B---H---B bridging site.     

Cobalt(III) complexes of ethylenediamine-N,N′-di-S-isobutylacetic acid

A new optically active ONNO-type tetradentate ligand, ethylenediamine-N,N′- di-S-isobutylacetate (SS-eniba), has been synthesized. During the preparation of diaqua cobalt(III) complexes of SS-eniba, [Co(SS-eniba)(H₂O)₂]⁺, the title ligand has coordinated stereospecifically to the cobalt(III) ion to give three isomers, Δ-s-cis, Δ-uns-cis and Λ-uns-cis, which have been isolated and characterized via electronic absorption, circular dichroism (CD), and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, along with elemental analysis data. The preparation of Δ-s-cis-[Co(SS-eniba)Cl₂]⁺ and Δ-s-cis-[Co(SS-eniba)CO₃]⁺ are also reported.     

Binuclear methyplatinum and phenylplatinum complexes with bis(dimethylphosphino)methane ligands

Reaction of cis-[Ptph₂(SMe₂)₂] with Me₂PCH₂PMe₂ (dmpm) gave cis-[PtPh₂(dmpm-P)₂] (1) or cis,cis-[Pt₂Ph₄(μ-dmpm)₂] (2) and reaction of 1 with [Pt₂Me₄(μ-SMe₂)₂] gave cis,cis-[Ph₂Pt(μ-dmpm)₂PtMe₂] (3). Reaction of 1 with trans-[PtClR(SMe₂)₂] gave cis,trans-[Ph₂Pt(μ-dmpm)₂PtClR], R = Me (5) or Ph (6), and in polar solvents, these isomerized to give [Ph₂Pt(μ-dmpm)₂PtR]⁺Cl⁻. When R = Me, further isomerization via the phenyl group transfer gave [PhMePt(μ-dmpm)₂PtPh]⁺Cl⁻. Oxidative addition of methyl iodide occurred reversibly at the cis-[PtMe₂P₂ unit of 3 to give cis,fac-[Ph₂Pt(μ-dmpm)₂PtIMe₃] but complex 2 failed to react with MeI. A comparison with similar known complexes of Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂ (dppm) is made and differences are attributed primarily to the lower steric hindrance of dmpm.     

Carbon-carbon bond formation employing organoiron reagents : Syntheses of lavandulol and red scale pheromone

Some aspects of the chemistry of (η¹-allyl)Fp complexes [Fp =η⁵-C₅H₅Fe(CO)₂] are briefly reviewed, especially the means available for their elaboration. The range of electrophiles which react with (η¹-allyl)Fp complexes has been enlarged to include allyl iodides. Two examples of this reaction are given, the first leading to lavandulol 9, the second providing a short synthesis of the red scale pheromone (R,S-15).     

Synthesis of mer-[RuCl3(DMSO)(bpy)], reactivity and electrochemistry of mer-[RuCl3(DMSO)(bpy)] and mer-[RuCl3(TMSO)(bpy)] complexes

[H(DMSO)₂][trans-RuCl₄(DMSO)₂] (1) reacts with 2,2′-bipyridine in ethanol at room temperature resulting in the formation of a major compound, mer-[RuCl₃(DMSO)(bpy)] (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) 3 and a known minor compound, cis-[RuCl₂(DMSO)₄] (4). The compounds 3 and 4 are formed via an anticipated intermediate mer-[RuCl₃(DMSO)₃] (2). The reaction of 3 and mer-[RuCl₃(TMSO)(bpy)] (5) with small molecules like imidazole, carbon monoxide and KSCN yield, mer-[RuCl₃(bpy)(im)] · 2DMSO (im = imidazole) (6) and cis-[RuCl₂(TMSO)(CO)(bpy)] (7), cis-[RuCl₂(DMSO)(CO)(bpy)] (8) and K[RuCl₃(bpy)(SCN)] (9), respectively. The formations of 3, 6 and 7 have been authenticated by single crystal structure determinations. Compound 6 is formed by the substitution of DMSO or TMSO from 3 and 5, respectively, whereas 7 and 8 are formed by unprecedented one-electron reductions of 5 and 3. The reactions of 3 and 5 with KSCN resulted in the same compound, K[RuCl₃(NCS)(bpy)] (9). DFT calculations were performed to distinguish whether the thiocyanate ligand is bound to ruthenium through S or N. In the ruthenium bipyridine systems, the HOMO contains ruthenium d-orbitals and the LUMO is typically π^*-orbitals of the bipyridine ring. Complexes 3, 6 and 7 are redox active in acetone and DMSO solvent showing prominent a reduction peak and corresponding oxidation peak.     

Studies in stereochemistry—I Stereospecific routes to trans- anti- and cis- syn-Δ-dodecahydrophenanthrenes

Reduction of trans-1-oxo-7-methoxy-1,2,3,4,9,10,11,12-octahydrophenanthrene (XI) by lithium tri-t-butoxyaluminohydride gave trans-1β-hydroxy-7-methoxy-1,2,3,4,9,10,11,12-octahydrophenanthrene (XII) which on lithium—liquid ammonia reduction gave trans-anti-1β-hydroxy-7-oxo-Δ⁸⁽¹⁴⁾-dodecahydrophenanthrene (XIII). Reduction of cis-1-oxo-7-methoxy-1,2,3,4,9,10,11,12-octahydrophenanthrene (XV) by sodium borohydride gave cis-1-hydroxy-7-methoxy-1,2,3,4,9,10,11,12-octahydrophenanthrene (XVI) which on lithium—liquid ammonia reduction gave cis-syn-1-hydroxy-7-oxo-Δ⁸⁽¹⁴⁾-dodecahydrophenanthrene (XVII).     

Organometallic complexes for nonlinear optics: Part 32: Synthesis, optical spectroscopy and theoretical studies of some osmium alkynyl complexes

The complexes trans-[Os(CCPh)Cl(dppe)₂] (1), trans-[Os(4-CCC₆H₄CCPh)Cl(dppe)₂] (2), and 1,3,5-{trans-[OsCl(dppe)₂(4-CCC₆H₄CC)]}₃C₆H₃ (3) have been prepared. Cyclic voltammetric studies reveal a quasi-reversible oxidation process for each complex at 0.36–0.39 V (with respect to the ferrocene/ferrocenium couple at 0.56 V), assigned to the Os^II/III couple. In situ oxidation of 1–3 using an optically transparent thin-layer electrochemical (OTTLE) cell affords the UV–Vis–NIR spectra of the corresponding cationic complexes 1⁺–3⁺; a low-energy band is observed in the near-IR region (11 000–14 000 cm⁻¹) in each case, in contrast to the neutral complexes 1–3 which are optically transparent below 20 000 cm⁻¹. Density functional theory calculations on the model compounds trans-[Os(CCPh)Cl(PH₃)₄] and trans-[Os(4-CCC₆H₄CCPh)Cl(PH₃)₄] have been used to rationalize the observed optical spectra and suggest that the low-energy bands in the spectra of the cationic complexes can be assigned to transitions involving orbitals delocalized over the metal, chloro and alkynyl ligands. These intense bands have potential utility in switching nonlinear optical response, of interest in optical technology.