Sb–C Bond Cleavage Reaction on a Triruthenium Cluster and the Formation of a Bridging Phenylacyl Unit

Syntheses and single crystal X-ray structures of an open triruthenium acyl carbonyl cluster [(C₆H₅)₂SbRu₃(COC₆H₅)(CO)₁₀] (1) and a simple triruthenium Ru₃(CO)₉[(C₆H₅)₂PCH₂P(C₆H₅)₂]Sb(C₆H₅)₃ (2) are reported. Formation of compound (1) at room temperature from [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] and [Sb(C₆H₅)₃] is unique, a similar reaction with Ru₃(CO)₁₀[(C₆H₅)₂PCH₂P(C₆H₅)₂] under identical conditions results in compound (2), with Sb(C₆H₅)₃ occupying an equatorial site. IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR spectra of the compounds are reported. The X-ray crystal structure of (1) consist of 2 crystallography distinct molecules and shows Ru–Sb distances in the range: 2.6361(6)–2.6273(7) Å and Ru–Ru distances in the range: 2.8236(7)–2.9855(7) Å. Ru–O distances in the bridging carbonyl are: 2.137(4), 2.158(4) Å. The Sb–Ru–Ru angles in the two molecules of the asymmetric unit are in the range of 73.78(2)–77.52° indicating the puckered nature. Compound (2) has bond parameters comparable to those of Ru₃(CO)₁₀[(C₆H₅)₂PCH₂P(C₆H₅)₂]. The present study shows for the first time that the cleaving of Sb–C bond at room temperature is possible under non-ionic conditions, though there have been many instances of P–C and As–C bond cleavages reported previously.     

Chemistry of a family of semiquinone monochelates of carbonyl ruthenium(II) generated by reacting quinones with hydridic species

The reactions of [Ru(H)(Cl)(CO)(PPh₃)₃] with 3,5-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone (dbq) and 3,4,5,6-tetrachloro-o-benzoquinone (tcq) have afforded the corresponding semiquinone complexes [Ru^II(dbsq)(Cl)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] and [Ru^II(tcsq)(Cl)(CO)(PPh₃)₂], respectively. The reaction of [Ru(H)₂(CO)(PPh₃)₃] with tcq has furnished [Ru^II(tcsq)(H)(CO)(PPh₃)₂]. Structure determination of [Ru(dbsq)(Cl)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] has revealed that it is a model semiquinonoid chelate with two equal C---O lengths ( 1.291(6) and 1.296(6) Å). The complexes are one-electron paramagnetic (1.85μ_B) and their EPR spectra in fluid media display a triplet structure (g2.00) due to superhyperfine coupling with two trans-³¹P atoms (A_iso17 G). The stretching frequency of the CO ligand increases by 20 cm⁻¹ in going from [Ru(dbsq)(Cl)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] to [Ru(tcsq)(Cl)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] consistent with electron withdrawal by chloro substituents. For the same reason the E_1/2 values of the cyclic voltammetric quinone/semiquinone and semiquinone/catechol couples undergo a shift of 500 mV to higher potentials between [Ru(dbsq)(Cl)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] and [Ru(tcsq)(Cl)(CO)(PPh₃)₂].     

Cyclopentadienyl-ruthenium and -osmium chemistry : XXXIX. Syntheses of novel alkynyl-ruthenium complexes. X-Ray structures of two forms of {Ru(PPh3)2(η-C5H5)}2(μ-C4) and of Ru{CCC(O)Me}(PPh3)2(η-C5H5)

Reactions between [Ru(thf)(PPh₃)₂(η-C₅H₅)]⁺ and lithium acetylides have given further examples of substituted ethynylruthenium complexes that are useful precursors of allenylidene and cumulenylidene derivatives. From Li₂C₄, mono- and bi-nuclear ruthenium complexes were obtained: single-crystal X-ray studies have characterised two rotamers of {Ru(PPh₃)₂(η-C₅H₅)}₂(μ-C₄), which differ in the relative cis and trans orientations of the RuL_n groups. Protonation of Ru(CCCCH)(PPh₃)₂(η-C₅H₅) afforded the butatrienylidene cation [Ru(C=C=C=CH₂)(PPh₃)₂(η-C₅H₅)]⁺, which reacted readily with atmospheric moisture to give the acetylethynyl complex Ru{CCC(O)Me}(PPh₃)₂(η-C₅H₅), also fully characterised by an X-ray structural study.     

Ruthenium Carbonyl Cluster Complexes with Phenylgermyl Ligands from the Reactions of Ph<Subscript>3</Subscript>GeH with Ru(CO)<Subscript>5</Subscript> and Ru<Subscript>3</Subscript>(CO)<Subscript>12</Subscript>

Four new triphenylgermylruthenium carbonyl compounds HRu(CO)₄GePh₃, 14; Ru(CO)₄(GePh₃)₂, 15; Ru₂(CO)₈(GePh₃)₂, 16; and Ru₃(CO)₉(GePh₃)₃(μ-H)₃, 17 were obtained from the reaction of Ru(CO)₅ with Ph₃GeH in hexane solvent at reflux, 68 °C. The major product 14 was formed by loss of CO from the Ru(CO)₅ and an oxidative addition of the GeH bond of the Ph₃GeH to the metal atom. This six coordinate complex contains one terminal hydrido ligand. Compound 15 is formed from 14 and contains two trans-positioned GePh₃ ligands in the six coordinate complex. Compound 16 contains two Ru(CO)₄(GePh₃) fragments joined by an Ru–Ru single bond. Compound 17 contains a triangular cluster of three ruthenium atoms with three bridging hydrido ligands and one terminal GePh₃ ligand on each metal atom. When heated to 125 °C, 14 was converted to the new triruthenium compound Ru₃(CO)₁₀(μ-GePh₂)₂, 18. Compound 18 consists of a triangular tri-ruthenium cluster with two GePh₂ ligands bridging two different edges of the cluster and one bridging CO ligand. Ru₃(CO)₁₂ was found to react with Ph₃GeH at 97 °C to yield three products: 15, and two new compounds Ru₃(CO)₉(μ-GePh₂)₃, 19 and Ru₂(CO)₆(μ-GePh₂)₂(GePh₃)₂, 20 were obtained. Compound 19 is similar to 18 having a triangular tri-ruthenium cluster but has three bridging GePh₂ ligands, one on each Ru–Ru bond. Compound 20 contains only two ruthenium atoms joined by a single Ru–Ru bond that has two bridging GePh₂ ligands and a terminal GePh₃ ligand on each metal atom. All compounds were characterized by a combination of IR, ¹H NMR, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. This report is dedicated to Professor Dieter Fenske on the occasion of his 65th birthday for his many pioneering contributions to the chemistry of metal chalcogenide cluster complexes.     

The insertion of acetylene into the formal ruthenium-phosphorus bonds of closo-[Ru4(μ4-PPh)2(μ2-CO)(CO)10. Crystal structure of [Ru4(μ4-PPh){μ4-η-P(Ph)CHCH}(μ2-CO)(CO)10]

Treatment of closo-[Ru₄(μ₄-PPh)₂(μ₂-CO)(CO)₁₀] with acetylene under ambient conditions leads to the insertion of the acetylene into the skeletal framework of the cluster and the formation of [Ru₄(μ₄-PPh){μ₄-η³-P(Ph)CHCH}(μ₂-CO)(CO)₁₀], the structure of which has been determined X-ray crystallographically.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of some new metal carbonyl derivatives of 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol

Interaction of 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) with [Mo(CO)₆] in air resulted in formation of the tricarbonyl oxo-complex [Mo(O)(CO)₃(PAN)], 1. The dicarbonyl complex [Ru(CO)₂(PAN)], 3, was obtained from the reaction of [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] with PAN. In presence of triphenyl phosphine (PPh₃), the reaction of PAN with either Mo(CO)₆ or Ru₃(CO)₁₂ gave [Mo(CO)₃(PAN)(PPh₃)], 2, and [Ru(CO)₂(PAN)(PPh₃)], 4. All the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, IR, and NMR spectroscopy. The thermal properties of the complexes were also investigated by thermogravimetry.     

A dinuclear triple bonded RuRu compound: preparation and crystal structure of μ,μ′-1,2-phenylenediimine-(N,N′)-dicarbonylbis(triphenylphosphine)diruthenium(RuRu) (I)

Reaction of [Ru{1,2-C₆H₄(NH)₂}(PPh₃)₃] (1) with CO in toluene at room temperature afforsa as one of the products the dinuclear complex syn-[Ru₂{μ-1,2-C₆H₄(NH)₂}(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂] (2). The crystal structure of 2 reveals it to be an unsaturated bimetallic species, with two Ru(CO)(PPh₃) moieties bridged by an 8e⁻ donor η²-diimine ligand in a tetrahedral-like fashion and involving a triple RuRu bond.     

A tetraruthenium carbonyl cluster bearing indenyl-type ligand as the facial bonding mode

A tetraruthenium carbonyl cluster, (μ₃:η¹:η³:η⁵-3,4,5-trihydroacenaphthylenyl)Ru₄H(CO)₉ (3), was synthesized from (μ₃:η¹:η⁵-dihydroacenaphthylene)Ru₃H₂(CO)₁₂ (2) in chloroform. The molecular structure showed the trihydroacenaphthylenyl ligand to be a rare example of triply bridging nine electron donor ligands, being bound to three ruthenium atoms by the face-capping mode. One ruthenium atom was bonded by the π-cyclopentadienyl coordination mode, whereas the latter two were bound to four carbons in the six-membered ring by the η¹:η³-bonding mode.     

Preparation and Structures of Several Complexes Containing Carbon-Rich Ligands Attached to Polynuclear Metal Carbonyls

Several new gold-containing cluster complexes have been prepared from the reactions of gold alkynyl complexes, L _n M-C _x -Au(PPh₃), (x = 3, 4, 6) with Ru₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂. The bis-cluster complex 1,4-{AuRu₃(CO)₉(PPh₃)(μ₃-C₂)}₂C₆H₄ was obtained from Ru₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ and 1,4-{(Ph₃P)Au(C≡C)}₂C₆H₄. The complexes Ru₃(μ-H){μ₃-C₂C≡C[Ru(PP)Cp′]}(CO)₉ [PP = (PPh₃)₂, Cp′ = Cp; PP = dppe, Cp′ = Cp*] were also obtained as minor by-products and synthesised independently from Ru(C≡CC≡CH)(PP)Cp′. A reaction between Co₃{μ₃-CC≡CC≡CAu(PPh₃)}(μ-dppm)(CO)₇ and Ru₃(CO)₁₂ afforded {(Ph₃P)(OC)₉AuRu₃}C≡CC≡CC{Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} 7. Related complexes AuRu₃{μ₃-C₂C≡[M(CO)₂Tp]}(CO)₉(PPh₃) (M = Mo 8, W 9) were obtained from {Tp(OC)₂M}≡CC≡C{Au(PPh₃)}, while the mixed metal cluster complexes MoM₂(C₂Me)(CO)₈Tp (M = Ru 13, Fe 14) were obtained from M(≡CC≡CSiMe₃)(CO)₂Tp (M = Mo, W) with Fe₂(CO)₉ and Ru₃(CO)₁₂, respectively. Reactions of the Mo carbyne complex with Co₂(LL)(CO)₆ [LL = (CO)₂, μ-dppm] or nickelocene afforded complexes 15–17 in which Co₂ and Ni₂ fragments, respectively, had coordinated to the C≡C triple bond. XRD structural determinations of 7, 8, 14, 16 and {Tp(OC)₂W}≡CC≡CC≡{Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} (18-W) are reported. In memoriam: F. Albert Cotton (1930–2007).     

A SIMPLE ROUTE FOR SYNTHESES OF TRIHALIDE-BRIDGED CARBONYL DIRUTHENIUM(II,III) COMPLEXES: CRYSTAL AND MOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF ttt-[RuIICl2(CO)2(PPh3)2],[(CO)(AsPh3)2RuII(μ-Cl3)RuIIICl2(AsPh3)] AND ([CO)(PPh3)2RuII(μ-Br3)RuIIIBr2(PPh3)], SPECTROSCOPIES,ELECTROCHEMISTRY AND PROPERTIES

Abstract

The triply halide-bridged binuclear complexes [Ru₂Cl₅(CO)(AsPh₃)₃] (AsPh₃ = triphenylarsine), [Ru₂Cl₅(CO)(PPh₃)₂(AsPh₃)] (PPh₃ = triphenylphosphine), [Ru₂Cl₅(CO)(AsPh₃)₂(PPh₃)], [Ru₂ Br₅(CO)(PPh₃)₃], [Ru₂Cl₅(CO)(P{p-tol}₃)₂(PPh₃)] (P{p-tol}₃ = tri-p-tolylphosphine) and [Ru₂ Br₂Cl₃(PPh₃)₂(AsPh₃)] were prepared from the precursor compounds ttt-[RuX₂(CO)₂(P)₂] (X = Cl or Br) and [RuY₃(P')₂S]·S (Y = Cl or Br; P=PPh₃, AsPh₃ or P{p- tol}₃ and P' = AsPh₃ or PPh₃; S=DMA or MeOH, where DMA = N,N'-dimethylacetamide). The molecular structures of the binuclear complexes [Ru₂Cl₅(CO)(AsPh₃)₃] (P2_1/c), [Ru₂Br₅(CO)(PPh₃)₃] (P2_1/c) and ttt-[RuCl₂(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂] (P1) were determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The complexes are always formed by two Ru atoms bridged through three halide anions, two of which are × type (from the Ru^II precursor) and the other is Y type (from the ruthenium^III precursor) confirming our previously suggested mechanism for obtaining this class of complexes. The Ru^II atom is also coordinated to a carbon monoxide molecule and two P ligands from the ttt-starting isomer whereas the Ru^III atom is bonded to two non-bridging Y halides and one P' molecule. The presence of Ru^III was confirmed by EPR data, a technique that was also useful to suggest the symmetry of the complexes. The absence of intervalence charge-transfer transitions (IT) in the near infrared spectrum confirms that the binuclear complexes have localized valence. The IR spectra of the complexes show; (CO) bands close to 1970 cm^?1 and ν(Ru-Cl) or(Ru-Br) bands at about 230–380 cm^?1 corresponding to halides at terminal or bridged positions. Two widely separated redox processes, Ru^II/Ru^II←Ru^II/Ru^III→Ru^III/Ru^III, were observed by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and X‐ray Structures of Ru3(CO)9(dotpm)(L) Complexes [L = PPh3, P(C6H4Cl‐p)3, and PPh2(C6H4Br‐p)]

The reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₀(dotpm) ( 1 ) [dotpm = (bis(di‐ortho‐tolylphosphanyl)methane)] and one equivalent of L [L = PPh₃, P(C₆H₄Cl‐p)₃ and PPh₂(C₆H₄Br‐p)] in refluxing n‐hexane afforded a series of derivatives [Ru₃(CO)₉(dotpm)L] ( 2 – 4 ), respectively, in ca. 67–70 % yield. Complexes 2 – 4 were characterized by elemental analysis (CHN), IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C{¹H} NMR and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of 2 , 3 , and 4 were established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The bidentate dotpm and monodentate phosphine ligands occupy equatorial positions with respect to the Ru triangle. The effect of substitution resulted in significant differences in the Ru–Ru and Ru–P bond lengths.     

Platinum–Ruthenium Cluster Complexes from the Reaction of Ru<Subscript>3</Subscript>(CO)<Subscript>12</Subscript> with Pt(PBu<Superscript>t</Superscript><Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Three new platinum–ruthenium complexes: Pt₃Ru₃(PBu^t ₃)₃(CO)₁₂, 8, Pt₅Ru₃(PBu^t ₃)₃(CO)₁₂, 9 and PtRu₃(PBu^t ₃)₂(CO)₈(μ₃-PBu^t)(μ-H)₂, 10 were obtained from the reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with Pt(PBu^t ₃)₂. Compound 8 was obtained from this reaction when conducted at 25 °C. Compounds 9 and 10 were obtained when the reaction was conducted at 68 °C. The structure of 8 consists of a central triangular cluster of three ruthenium atoms with one Pt(PBu^t ₃) group bridging each of the three Ru–Ru bonds. The structure of 9 consists of a capped pentagonal bipyramidal cluster of eight metal atoms that is formed formally by the addition of two platinum atoms to 8. The structure of 10 contains a triangular cluster of three ruthenium atoms with a Pt(PBu^t ₃) group bridging one of the Ru–Ru bonds. A t-butyl phosphido ligand formed by degradation of a molecule of PBu^t ₃ bridges the three ruthenium atoms. This report is dedicated to the memory of Professor F. A. Cotton for his many pioneering contributions to inorganic and metal cluster chemistry.     

Photoinduced formation of phosphido-bridged clusters derived from Ru3(CO)9(PPh2H)3. Crystal and molecular structure of Ru3(μ-H)(μ-PPh2)3(CO)7

The new complex Ru₃(CO)₉(PPh₂H)₃ (I) was prepared by the direct thermal reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with PPh₂ H and was spectroscopically characterized. Irradiation of I with λ ≥ 300 nm leads to the formation of Ru₂(μ-PPh₂)₂(CO)₆ (II) and three new phosphido-bridged complexes, Ru₃(μ-H)₂(μ-PPh₂)₂(CO)₈ (III), Ru₃(μ-H)₂(μ-PPh₂)₂(CO)₇(PPh₂H) (IV) and Ru₃(μ-H)(μ-PPh₂)₃(CO)₇ (V). These complexes have been characterized spectroscopically and Ru₃ (μ-H)(μ-PPh₂)₃(CO)₇ by a complete single crystal X-ray structure determination. It crystallizes in the space group P2₁/n with a 20.256(3), b 22.418(6), c 20.433(5) Å, β 112.64(2)°, V 8564(4) ų, and Z = 8. Diffraction data were collected on a Syntex P2₁ automated diffractometer using graphite-monochromatized Mo-K_α radiation, and the structure was refined to R_F 4.76% and R_wF 5.25% for the 8,847 independent reflections with F₀ > 6σ(F₀). The structure consists of a triangular array of Ru atoms with seven terminal carbonyl ligands, three bridging diphenylphosphido ligands which bridge each of the RuRu bonds, and the hydride ligand which bridges one RuRu bond. Complex IV was also shown to give V upon photolysis and is thus an intermediate in the photoinduced formation of V from I.     

Complexes containing the unit Rh2 P PM (M = Cr or Mn, P P = bis(diphenylphosphino) alkane); the independence of the metal centres

Treatment of (η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Rh₂(CO)η¹-Ph₂P(CH₂)_n PPh₂(μ-η¹:η¹-CF₃C₂CF₃) (I) with (η⁵-CH₃C₅H₄)Mn(CO)₂(thf) or Cr(CO)₅(thf) gives the hetero-trinuclear products (η-C₅H₅)₂Rh₂(CO)(μ-CF₃C₂CF₃)μ:η¹:η¹-Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂(η-CH₃C₅H₃C₄)Mn(CO₂) (II, n = 1–4) and (η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Rh₂(CO)(μ-CF₃C₂CF₃)μ:η¹:η¹-Ph₂P(CH₂)nPPh₂Cr(CO)₅ (IV, n = 1–4) in good yields. In these products, the configuration of the CO and bisphosphine units on the Rh-Rh bond is trans. Related reactions between (η⁵:η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂C₅H₄)Rh₂(CO)η¹-Ph₂P(CH₂)nPPh₂(μ-η¹:η¹- (V) and the same solvated manganese and chromium complexes give (η⁵:η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂C₅H₄)Rh₂(CO)(μ-CF₃C₂CF₃)μ:η¹:η¹-Ph₂P(CH₂) (VI, n = 1, 2 or 4) and (η⁵:η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂C₅H₄)Rh₂(CO)(μ-CF₃C₂CF₃)μ:η¹:η¹-Ph₂P(CH₂) (VIII). The complexes (VI) and (VIII) have a mutually cis arrangement of CO and the bisphosphine on the Rh-Rh bond. Attempts to induce the complexes (IV), (V), (VI), and (VIII) to form clusters by loss of CO and Rh-M bond formation were not successful. Treatment with trimethylamine oxide or sunlight irradiation generally resulted in loss of the hetero-metal and formation of the dirhodium phosphine oxide complexes (III, n = 2 or 4) and (VII, n = 2, 3).     

Molecular Engineering of Redox Rich Diruthenium Compounds: Further Investigation of Ru<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Y<Emphasis Type="Italic">ap</Emphasis>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>X Type Compounds

Three new diruthenium compounds, Ru₂(L1)₄Cl (1), Ru₂(L2)₄Cl (2) and Ru₂(ap)₄F (3) were synthesized and characterized, where L1, L2, and ap are 2-(3-methoxyanilino)pyridinate, 2-(3-propoxyanilino)pyridinate, and 2-anilinopyridinate, respectively. Structural study revealed the Ru–Ru bond lengths of 2. 2816(7) Å (1) and 2. 2785(6) Å (3). All three compounds are S = 3/2 molecules. Each of three diruthenium compounds displays two reversible one electron couples, an oxidation and a reduction, and the potential data appear to indicate that the axial fluoro ligand is a much stronger donor than the chloro ligand.     

Multinuclear NMR studies on substituted derivatives of Rh6(CO)16 in solution

Multinuclear NMR data (¹³C, ³¹P, ¹³C–{³¹P}, ¹³C–{¹⁰³Rh} and ³¹P–{¹⁰³Rh}) for a series of mono- and di-substituted derivatives of Rh₆(CO)₁₆ containing neutral two electron donor ligands [Rh₆(CO)₁₅L, (L=NCMe, py, cyclooctene, PPh₃, P(OPh)₃,1/2(μ₂,η¹:η¹-dppe)); Rh₆(CO)₁₄(LL), (LL=cis-CH₂=CMe-CMe=CH₂, dppm, dppe, (P(OPh)₃)₂)] are reported; these data show that the solid state structure is maintained in solution. Detailed assignments of the ¹³CO NMR spectra of Rh₆(CO)₁₅(PPh₃) and Rh₆(CO)₁₄(dppm) clusters have been made on the basis ¹³C–{¹⁰³Rh} double resonance measurements and the specific stereochemical features of the observed long range couplings in these clusters have been studied. The stereochemical dependence of ³J(P–C) for terminal carbonyl ligands is discussed and the values of ³J(P–C) are found to be mainly dependent on the bond angles in the P–Rh–Rh–C fragment; these data enable the fine structure of the complex multiplets in the ¹³C–{¹H} and ³¹P–{¹H} NMR spectra of Rh₆(CO)₁₄ (dppm) to be simulated. Variable temperature ¹³C–{¹H} NMR measurements on Rh₆(CO)₁₅(PPh₃) reveal the carbonyl ligands in this complex to be fluxional. The fluxional process involves exchange of all the CO ligands except the two terminal CO's associated with the rhodium trans to the substituted rhodium and can be explained by a simple oscillation of the PPh₃ on the substituted rhodium atom aided by concomitant exchange of the unique terminal CO on this rhodium with adjacent μ₃-CO's.     

“Dimers of Dimers” of Ruthenium(I): Ru···BRu <Emphasis Type="Italic">vs.</Emphasis> Ru···BO Axial Interactions

Two new mixed ligand ruthenium(I) complexes of the composition [Ru₂(O₂CR)₂(CO)₅] (where R = (2,4-CF₃)₂C₆H₃ (1) and (3,5-CF₃)₂C₆H₃ (2)) have been prepared by melt reactions, and both have been fully characterized. Crystals of 1 and 2 have been obtained by gas phase sublimation of crude products at 124 and 150°C, respectively. The X-ray diffraction studies have revealed a tetranuclear ‘dimer of dimers’ core structure in both cases. In 1 two diruthenium(I) units cis-bridged by two carboxylates each are coordinated through the Ru···FO axial interactions at 2.301(2) Å. In contrast, complex 2 shows the direct Ru···FRu bonding of two diruthenium units at 2.9065(9) Å. The Ru–Ru distances within the dinuclear units are 2.6654(7) and 2.6859(8) Å in 1 and 2, respectively.     

Syntheses,structures and electrochemical properties of ruthenium(II/III) complexes with tetradentate Schiff base ligands

Three unsymmetrical tetradentate Schiff base ligands, H₂salipn, H₂salipn-Br₄ and H₂salipn-Cl₂, have been synthesized from the typical condensation reactions of treating 1,2-diaminopropane with salicylaldehyde, 3,5-dibromosalicylaldehyde and 5-chlorosalicylaldehyde, respectively. Treatment of [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃] with one equivalent of H₂salipn or H₂salipn-Br₄ in the presence of triethylamine in tetrahydrofuran (THF) afforded the corresponding ruthenium(III) complexes [Ru^IIICl(PPh₃)(salipn)] (1) and [Ru^IIICl(PPh₃)(salipn-Br₄)] (2). Interaction of [RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃] with one equivalent of H₂salipn-Cl₂ or H₂salipn-Br₄ under the same conditions led to isolation of ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru^II(CO)(PPh₃)(salalipn-Cl₂)] (3) and [Ru^II(CO)(PPh₃)(salalipn-Br₄)] (4), respectively, in which one of the imine bonds was nucleophilically attacked by hydride to result in the formation of a mixed imine-amine ligand. The molecular structures of 1?1.5CH₂Cl₂, 2, 3?0.5CH₂Cl₂ and 4 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The electrochemical properties of 1–4 were also investigated. Their cyclic voltammograms displayed quasi-reversible Ru(IV)/Ru(III) and Ru(III)/Ru(II) couples with E^o ranging from 0.67 to 1.05 V and 0.74 to 0.80 V vs. Ag/AgCl (0.1 M), respectively.     

An unusual Cu2Ru2 cluster containing a tetrameric phenylethynyl ligand

The reaction between RuCl(PPh₃)₂Cp¹ and {Cu(CCPh)}_n in refluxing benzene afforded Ru₂Cu₂(C₂Ph)₅H₂(Cl)(PPh₃)Cp¹₂, which contains an unusual tetramer of the phenylethynyl group which interacts with an Ru…Cu…Cu…Ru chain. The second Ru atom is part of a ruthenocenyl moiety which interacts weakly with the second Cu atom, and bears a vinylidene which bridges an Ru–Cu vector. The structure of a second modification of Ru(CCPh)(CO)(PPh₃)Cp¹ is also reported.