The octant rule: XXIII. antioctant effects in γ,δ -unsaturated ketones.

The and -benzyl derivatives (1 and 2, respectively) of (+)-camphor have been synthesized and are found to exert a strong influence on the circular dichroism n→π^* Cotton effects: 1: Δε³⁰¹_max -0.36 (n- heptane) and 2: Δε³⁰²_max +3.22, relative to camphor: Δε³⁰⁴_max +1.8 (n-heptane). Evidence for electric dipole transition moment coupling in these γ, δ -unsaturated systems is found in the n→π^* UV: 1: ε²⁹¹_max 84 (n-heptane) and 2: ε²⁸⁵_max 303, relative to camphor: ε²⁹⁰_max 25.     

Reactions of tetrakis(trifluoromethyl) diphosphine and bis(trifluoromethyl) phosphine with ruthenium carbonyl clusters; X-ray structure of tetraruthenium carbonyl cluster derivatives

Reaction of [Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with (CF₃)₂P---P(CF₃)₂ in p-xylene at 140°C yielded the compounds [Ru₄(CO)₁₃{μ-P(CF₃)₂}₂] (1), [Ru₄(CO)₁₄{μ-P(CF₃)₂}₂] (2) and [Ru₄(CO)₁₁{μ-P(CF₃)₂}₄] (3). Reaction with [(μ-H)₄Ru₄(CO)₁₂] under similar conditions yielded [(μ-H)₃Ru₄(CO)₁₂{μ-P(CF₃)₂}] (4). All four compounds have been characterised by X-ray crystallography. The fluxional behaviour of the hydrides in 4 has also been studied by variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 1, 2 and 4 were also obtained from the reactions of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with (CF₃)₂PH in dichloromethane at 80°C.     

Small angle X-ray scattering from lamellar phase for β-3,7-dimethyloctylglucoside/water system: comparison with β-n-alkylglucosides

Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is measured for the lamellar phase in aqueous systems of 1-o-β-3,7-dimethyoctyl-D-glucopyranoside (β-Glc(Ger)), which has recently been prepared by us, 1-o-β-decyl-D-glucopyranoside (β-GlcC₁₀), and 1-o-β-octyl-D-glucopyranoside (β-GlcC₈). The repeat distance d obtained from the position of the diffraction peak does not follow the swelling law d = 2δ_hc/_hc, where δ_hc and _hc are the thickness and the volume fraction of the hydrophobic layer, respectively. This may result from the fact that δ_hc increases and, equivalently, the surface area per surfactant molecule (a_s) decreases with increasing concentration. So we calculate δ_hc and a_s from the observed d value at each concentration using the above swelling law. The half-thickness δ_hc increases in the order β-GlcC₈ < β-Glc(Ger) < β-GlcC₁₀ at a fixed concentration. On the other hand, the data on a_s for β-GlcC₁₀ and β-GlcC₈ lie on the same line and the data for β-Glc(Ger) lies above this line. These results suggest that the cross-sectional area of the geranyl chain is larger than that of the glucose headgroup. Existence of water filled defects in bilayer sheets is also discussed based on the SAXS pattern and the concentration dependence of d.     

Photochemical synthesis and structural characterization of (η-C5Me5)3Mo3(CO)4(μ2-H)(μ3-O): an unprecedented 46-electron trimolybdenum cluster containing a localized monoprotonated Mo---Mo double bond

Irradiation of the 30-electron Mo₂(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂(CO)₄ and Re₂(CO)₁₀ in toluene solution (containing H₂O) afforded (in 1–2% yields) a novel triangular metal cluster, (η⁵-C₅Me₅)₃Mo₃(CO)₄(η₂-H)(η₃-O) (1), which was characterized by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. Compound 1, of pseudo C_s-m symmetry, has a triangulo-Mo₃(η₃-O) core with composite Mo---H---Mo and Mo---Mo electron-pair bonds along one unusually short edge (2.660(1) Å) and Mo--- electron-pair bonds along the other two edges (2.916(1) and 2.917(1) Å). The edge-bridged hydride ligand, which displays a characteristic high-field proton NMR resonance at δ −17.79 ppm, was not found from the crystallographic determination but was located via a quantitative potential-energy-minimization method. This procedure unambiguously established that the optimized hydrogen position, which corresponds to a distinct coordination site with identical Mo---H distances of 1.85 Å, is the only one that can be sterically occupied by a metal-bound hydride ligand. This 46-electron species is the first electron-deficient trimolybdenum cluster containing a monoprotonated Mo---Mo double bond; its existence is attributed to ligand overcrowding due to the bulky pentamethylcyclopentadienyl rings. Black (η⁵- C₅Me₅)₃Mo₃(CO)₄(η₂-H)(η₃-O) · 1/2THF crystallizes with two formula species in a triclinic unit cell of P1 symmetry with a 8.603(4), b 11.115(4), c 19.412(11) Å, 80.69(4)°, β 101.10(4)°, and γ 98.88(3)° at −40° C. Least-squares refinement (RAELS with 221 variables) of one independent Mo₃ molecule and a centrosymmetrically-disordered THF molecule converged at R₁(F) 5.62%, R₂(F 6.88% for 8460 independent diffractometry data (I₀ ρ 3σ(I₀ collected at −40° C with Mo-K radiation     

Modeling of biliverdin reduction process: regio-specificity and H-bonding

Octa ethyl biliverdin (OEBV) has been employed as a model for natural biliverdin and its geometry has been optimized by using semiempirical (AM1, PM3), DFT, and hybrid ONIOM methods. Geometries and energetics of formation of octa ethyl bilirubin (OEBR) formed by reduction from OEBV via three carbon sites β, γ, and δ have been obtained. It has been shown that γ-OEBR has two configurational isomers (named γ₁ and γ₂), which can convert to each other by internal 1,5-hydrogen shift. The results show that, within the accuracy level of semiempirical methods, all three isomers namely, β, γ₁, and δ-OEBR are of similar stability whereas, at higher level of theory, γ₁-OEBR is less stable than others. Moreover, γ₂-isomer with one more of its pyrrole rings being aromatic can achieve a higher symmetry, and is the most stable among others by at least 5–6 kcal mol⁻¹ based on various methods employed. It is interesting to note that the ridge-tile conformation, which has been confirmed for natural bilirubin was not observed for calculated geometries of γ₁- and γ₂-isomers. A conformational analysis show that an energy barrier of 25 kcal mol⁻¹ must be surmounted for γ₂ to obtain the ridge-tile geometry.

OEBV was synthesized and purified from octa ethyl porphyrin iron (III) chloride, and was reduced to OEBR by sodium borohydride (NaBH₄). Chemical reduction of OEBV with NaBH₄ was followed in CDCl₃ and CD₃OD solutions and the product was characterized by ¹H NMR and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The results show that γ₂-isomer as the major product, forms along with γ₁ via an equilibrium tautomerization reaction.     

Reactions of metalloalkynes VII. Protonation of ruthenium ethyne-1,2-diyl complexes

The acid–base chemistry of some ruthenium ethyne-1,2-diyl complexes, [{Ru(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄R)}₂(μ₂-CC)] (R=H, Me) has been investigated. Initial protonation of [{Ru(CO)₂{η-C₅H₄R}}₂(μ₂-CC)] gave the unexpected complex cation, crystallised as the BF₄ salt, [{Ru(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄R}}₃(μ₃-CC)][BF₄] (R=Me structurally characterised). This synthesis proved to be unreliable but subsequent, careful protonation experiments gave excellent yields of the protonated ethyne-1,2-diyl complexes, [{Ru(CO)₂{η-C₅H₄R)}₂(μ₂-η¹:η²-CCH)](BF₄) (R=Me structurally characterised) which could be deprotonated in high yield to return the starting ethyne-1,2-diyl complexes.     

π-Olefin-Iridium-Komplexe : XXI. Synthese und Kristallstrukturen heterobinuclearer Komplexe mit wannenförmiger, synfacial gebundener η: η-Benzolbrücke

CpIr(η⁴-C₆H₆) (2) has been obtained in high yield by a four-step synthesis. Thermal reaction of 2 with CpCO(C₂H₄)₂ and photochemical reaction of 2 with CpRh(C₂H₄)₂ or CpRh(C₂H₄)₂ give the compounds μ-(η³: η³-C₆H₆)CoIrCp₂ (3), μ-(η³: η³-C₆H₆)RhIrCp₂ (4), and μ-(η³: η³-C₆H₆)(RhCp)(IrCp) (5), respectively. The X-ray crystallography data of 3 and 4 reveal a boat-shaped conformation of the synfacially bridging benzene ligand with a rather long Co---Ir bond distance in 3 and a relatively short Rh---Ir bond length in 4 which are caused by almost constant folding angles of the benzene unit. The dynamic behaviour of the benzene bridge was investigated by NMR spectrometry.     

1.54 and 1.75 μm infrared luminescence of Y2O3:Er

A new 1.75 μm infrared emission transition of Y₂O₃:Er³⁺ is assigned to the ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_9/2 transition of Er³⁺ ions situated at the C₂ sites of cubic RE₂O₃ (RE = Y, Gd, Lu). The intensities of features in the 1.54 μm ⁴I_15/2–⁴I_13/2 absorption transition due to Er³⁺ at S₆ and C₂ sites are consistent with the site occupation ratio and the relative magnetic dipole–electric dipole intensity contributions of Er³⁺ at the different sites. The 1.54 μm emission lines are predominantly from Er³⁺ ions at C₂ sites. The different behaviours of the emission intensities 1.75 and 1.54 μm groups with change in Er³⁺ dopant ion concentration, preparation technique, Yb³⁺ co-doping, temperature change and different excitation line are rationalized.     

Synthesis and electrochemistry of organometallic ethanethiolato bridged complexes of ruthenium(IV)

Reaction of the ruthenium(IV) chloro-bridged dimer [{Ru(η³ : η³-C₁₀H₁₆)Cl(μ-Cl)}₂], 1, with ethanethiol (EtSH) in CH₂Cl₂ gives the bridged-cleaved adduct [Ru(η³ : η³-C₁₀H₁₆)Cl₂(SHEt)], 2. Stirring of two molar equivalents of 2 in methanol with one equivalent of 1 gives the binuclear, mixed chloro/thiolato bridged compound [{Ru(η³ : η³-C₁₀H₁₆)Cl} ₂(μ-SEt)], 3. The related doubly thiolato bridged complex [{Ru(η³ : η³-C₁₀H₁₀)Cl(μ-SEt)}₂], 4, is formed by treatment of 1 with an excess of EtSH, or by prolonged stirring of 2 alone in methanol. Compounds 2–4 have been studied by cyclic voitammetry. Compound 2 undergoes only irreversible oxidation, whereas in the case of both 3 and 4 the observation of significant return waves is consistent with a greater stability of the primary redox products.     

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.     

Oxidative-addition to a four-coordinate tin(II) complex supported by octamethyldibenzotetraaza[14]annulene dianion ligation, [η-Me8taa]Sn: The syntheses and structures of [η-Me8taa]SnI2 and *[η-Me8taa]SnI(THF)**I3*

The four-coordinate tin(II) complex [η⁴-Me₈taa]Sn undergoes oxidative addition of I₂ to give six-coordinate [η⁴-Me₈taa]SnI₂, in which the iodide ligands exhibit a trans arrangment. Abstraction of I⁻ from [η⁴-Me₈taa]SnI₂ is facile, as indicated by the rapid formation of the triiodide derivative *[η⁴-Me₈taa]SnI(THF)**I₃* upon treatment with I₂ in the presence of THF. The molecular structures of [η⁴-Me₈taa]SnI₂ and *[η⁴-Me₈taa]SnI(THF)**I₃* have been determined by X-ray diffraction.     

The synthesis and spectroscopic properties of some but-2-yne tungsten complexes of the type [WIX(CO){Ph2P(CH2)PPh2}(η-MeC2Me)] (X = Cl, Br, I, NO2, NO3, NCS or OH)

Reaction of the cationic complex [WI(CO)(NCMe){Ph₂P(CH₂)PPh₂}(η²-MeC₂ME)][BF₄] with an equimolar amount of MX (MX = NaCl, NaBr, NaI, KNO₂, KNO₃, NaNCS or KOH) in acetone at room temperature gave the neutral complex [WIX(CO){Ph₂P(CH₂)PPh₂}(η²-MeC₂Me)] (1–7) in good yield. Complexes 1–7 have been characterized by elemental analysis (C, H and N), IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Hydroxide complexes of lanthanides--II: samarium(III) in perchlorate medium

From the precipitation borderline in the pM′—pH diagram, determined experimentally under CO₂-free conditions, the stability constants of the mononuclear and polynuclear species of samarium hydroxide have been established. The values found are log*β₁ = −7.5, log*β₂ = −15.0, log*β₃ = −22.7, logβ_{4, 3} = −19.5 and log*K_s0 = 17.5. They refer to fresh precipitates, prepared at room temperature in sodium perchlorate medium with an ionic strength of 1.     

H2O2-based epoxidation of bridged cyclic alkenes with [P{Ti(O2)}2W10O38] in monophasic systems: active site and kinetics

The H₂O₂-based epoxidation of bridged cyclic alkenes in a monophasic system containing low concentrations (<2 mM) of [Bu₄ⁿN]₄[Pr₂ⁱNH₃]₂H[P{Ti(O₂)}₂W₁₀O₃₈]·H₂O (1) (with two η²-peroxotitanium sites in the anion) has been studied in search of the catalytically active species involved. ³¹P NMR spectra of 1, measured under a variety of conditions, revealed that the active species was not hydroperoxotitanium complex [P{Ti(OOH)}₂W₁₀O₃₈]⁷⁻or [P{Ti(OOH)}Ti(O₂)W₁₀O₃₈]⁷⁻. The reaction pathways for the alkene epoxidation are discussed to understand the kinetics (especially the initial [H₂O₂] dependence). It was concluded that the net catalytic reaction for the epoxidation occurred through the two-electron oxidation at the hydroperoxotitanium site in the catalyst.     

Synthesis of metallocenes of zirconium, hafnium, manganese, iron, tin, lead and half-sandwich complexes of rhodium and iridium containing the ligands (η-C5R4CR′2PMe2), where R and R′ may be H or Me

The dimethylphosphino substituted cyclopentadienyl precursor compounds [M(C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)], where M=Li⁺ (1), Na⁺ (2), or K⁺ (3), and [Li(C₅H₄CR′₂PMe₂)], where R′₂=Me₂ (4), or (CH₂)₅ (5), [HC₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂H]X, where X⁻=Cl⁻ (6) or PF₆⁻ (7) and [HC₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂] (8), are described. They have been used to prepare new metallocene compounds, of which representative examples are [Fe(η-C₅R₄CR′₂PMe₂)₂], where R=Me, R′=H (9); R=H and R′₂=Me₂ (10), or (CH₂)₅ (11), [Fe(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₃)₂]I₂ (12), [Fe{η-C₅Me₄CH₂P(O)Me₂}₂] (13), [Zr(η-C₅R₄CR′₂PMe₂)₂Cl₂], where R=H, R′=Me (14), or R=Me, R′=H (15), [Hf(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂]Cl₂] (16), [Zr(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂Me₂] (17), {[Zr(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)₂]Cl}{(C₆F₅)₃BClB(C₆F₅)₃} (18), [Zr{(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)₂Cl₂}PtI₂] (19), [Mn(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)₂] (20), [Mn{(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂B(C₆F₅)₃}₂] (21), [Pb(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂] (23), [Sn(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂] (24), [Pb{η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂B(C₆F₅)₃}₂] (25), [Pb(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂PtI₂] (26), [Rh(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)(C₂H₄)] 29, [M(η,κP-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)I₂], where M=Rh (30), or Ir, (31).     

Interaction of half-sandwich alkylmolybdenum(III) complexes with B(C6F5)3. The X-ray structure of [CpMo(η-C4H6)(μ-Cl)(μ-CH2)(O)MoCp][CH3B(C6F5)3]

The reactions of the half-sandwich molybdenum(III) complexes CpMo(η⁴-C₄H₄R₂)(CH₃)₂, where Cp=η⁵-C₅H₅ and R=H or CH₃, with equimolar amounts of B(C₆F₅)₃ have been investigated in toluene. EPR monitoring shows the formation of an addition product which does not readily react with Lewis bases such as ethylene, pyridine, or PMe₃. The analysis of the EPR properties and the X-ray structure of a decomposition product obtained from dichloromethane, [CpMo(η⁴-C₄H₆)(μ-Cl)(μ-CH₂)(O)MoCp][CH₃B(C₆F₅)₃], indicate that the borane attack has occurred at the methyl position.     

Stabile Bis(η-alkin)MCl2-komplexe; Darstellung und reaktivität

The synthesis and reactivity of {(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti(CCSiMe₃)₂} MCl₂ (M = Fe: 3a; M = Co: 3b; M = Ni: 3c) is described. The complexes 3 are accessible by the reaction of (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃) ₂Ti(CSiMe₃)₂ (1) with equimolar amounts of MCl₂ (2) (M = Fe, Co, Ni). 3a reacts with the organic chelat ligands 2,2′-dipyridyl (dipy) (4a) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) (4b) in THF at 25°C to afford in quantitative yields (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti(CSiMe₃)₂ (1) and [Fe(dipy)₂]Cl₂ (5a) or [Fe(phen)₂]Cl₂ (5b). 1/n[Cu^IHal]_n (6) or 1/n[Ag^IHal]_n (7) (Hal = Cl, Br) react with {(η⁵ -C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti(CCSiMe₃)₂}FeCl₂ (3a), by replacement of the FeCl₂ building block in 3a, to yield the compounds {(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti(C CSiMe₃)₂}Cu^IHal (8) or {(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti(CSiMe₃)₂}Ag^IHal (9) (Hal = Cl, Br), respectively. In 8 and 9 each of the two Me₃SiCC-units is η²-coordinated to monomeric Cu^I Hal or Ag^IHal moieties. Compounds 8 and 9 can also be synthesized by the reaction of (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂ Ti(CSiMe₃)₂ (1) with 1/n[Cu^IHal]_n (6) or 1/n [Ag^IHal]_n (7) in excellent yields. All new compounds have been characterized by analytical and spectroscopic data (IR, ¹H-NMR, MS). The magnetic moments of compounds 3 were measured.     

Reactions of the cationic diruthenium carbonyl complex [Ru2(μ-dppm)2(CO)4(μ,η-O2CMe)] with bidentate ligands; intramolecularly assisted stereospecific synthesis via the second-sphere face-to-face π–π stacking interactions

The reactions of the diruthenium carbonyl complexes [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(CO)₄(μ,η²-O₂CMe)]X (X=BF₄⁻ (1a) or PF₆⁻ (1b)) with neutral or anionic bidentate ligands (L,L) afford a series of the diruthenium bridging carbonyl complexes [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-(L,L))₂]X_n ((L,L)=acetate (O₂CMe), 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), acetylacetonate (acac), 8-quinolinolate (quin); n=0, 1, 2). Apparently with coordination of the bidentate ligands, the bound acetate ligand of [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(CO)₄(μ,η²-O₂CMe)]⁺ either migrates within the same complex or into a different one, or is simply replaced. The reaction of [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(CO)₄(μ,η²-O₂CMe)]⁺ (1) with 2,2′-bipyridine produces [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-O₂CMe)₂] (2), [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-O₂CMe)(η²-bpy)]⁺ (3), and [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-bpy)₂]²⁺ (4). Alternatively compound 2 can be prepared from the reaction of 1a with MeCO₂H–Et₃N, while compound 4 can be obtained from the reaction of 3 with bpy. The reaction of 1b with acetylacetone–Et₃N produces [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-O₂CMe)(η²-acac)] (5) and [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-acac)₂] (6). Compound 2 can also react with acetylacetone–Et₃N to produce 6. Surprisingly [Ru₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CO)₂(η²-quin)₂] (7) was obtained stereospecifically as the only one product from the reaction of 1b with 8-quinolinol–Et₃N. The structure of 7 has been established by X-ray crystallography and found to adopt a cis geometry. Further, the stereospecific reaction is probably caused by the second-sphere π–π face-to-face stacking interactions between the phenyl rings of dppm and the electron-deficient six-membered ring moiety of the bound quinolinate (i.e. the N-included six-membered ring) in 7. The presence of such interactions is indeed supported by an observed charge-transfer band in a UV–vis spectrum.     

The behaviour of some selenoglycollic acid derivatives in aqueous solutions and spectrophotometric determination of constants of the system Pd(II)/ethylene-bis- selenoglycollic acid

Interactions between ethylselenoglycollic, selenoglycollic and ethylene-bis- selenoglycollic acids and some “soft”, “borderline” and “hard” metallic ions have been studied. The interactions of [PdCl₄]_aq²⁻ with the three ligands were verified conductometrically and spectrophotometrically. The stability constants β₁ and β₂ for the system [PdCl₄]^2-- ethylene-bis-selenoglycollic acid have been determined at 25°C at ionic strength 3.0 M (NaCl). The stoichiometric ionization constant of the mentioned acid was also studied.     

Preparation and characterization of ruthenium(II), rhodium(III) and iridium(III) complexes of isocyanide bearing the azo group

Reactions of [(η⁶-arene)RuCl₂]₂ (1) (η⁶-arene=p-cymene (1a), 1,3,5-Me₃C₆H₃ (1b), 1,2,3-Me₃C₆H₃ (1c) 1,2,3,4-Me₄C₆H₂(1d), 1,2,3,5-Me₄C₆H₂ (1e) and C₆Me₆ (1f)) or [Cp*MCl₂]₂ (M=Rh (2), Ir (3); Cp*=C₅Me₅) with 4-isocyanoazobenzene (RNC) and 4,4′-diisocyanoazobenzene (CN–R–NC) gave mononuclear and dinuclear complexes, [(η⁶-arene)Ru(CNC₆H₄N=NC₆H₅)Cl₂] (4a–f), [Cp*M(CNC₆H₄N=NC₆H₅)Cl₂] (5: M=Rh; 6: M=Ir)_, [{(η⁶-arene)RuCl₂}₂{μ-CNC₆H₄N=NC₆H₄NC}] (8a–f) and [(Cp*MCl₂)₂(μ-CNC₆H₄N=NC₆H₄NC)}] (9: M=Rh; 10: M=Ir)_, respectively. It was confirmed by X-ray analyses of 4a and 5 that these complexes have trans-forms for the ---N=N--- moieties. Reaction of [Cp*Rh(dppf)(MeCN)](PF₆)₂ (dppf=1,1′-bis (diphenylphosphino)ferrocene) with 4-isocyanoazobenzene gave [Cp*Rh(dppf)(CNC₆H₄N=NC₆H₅)](PF₆)₂ (7), confirmed by X-ray analysis. Complex 8b reacted with Ag(CF₃SO₃), giving a rectangular tetranuclear complex 11b, [{(η⁶-1,3,5-Me₃C₆H₃)Ru(μ-Cl}₄(μ-CNC₆H₄N=NC₆H₄NC)₂](CF₃SO₃)₄ bridged by four Cl atoms and two μ-diisocyanoazobenzene ligands. Photochemical reactions of the ruthenium complexes (4 and 8) led to the decomposition of the complexes, whereas those of 5, 7, 9 and 10 underwent a trans-to-cis isomerization. In the electrochemical reactions the reductive waves about −1.50 V for 4 and −1.44 V for 8 are due to the reduction of azo group, [---N=N---]→[---N=N---]²⁻. The irreversible oxidative waves at ca. 0.87 V for the 4 and at ca. 0.85 V for 8 came from the oxidation of Ru(II)→Ru(III).