Synthesis and characterization of binuclear μ-oxo and μ-telluro molybdenum(V) complexes, [CpMo(O)(μ-Te)]2

Pyrolysis of an in-situ generated intermediate, produced in the reaction of [Cp^∗MoCl₄], 1, (Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅Me₅) with [LiBH₄·THF], with an excess of difuryl ditelluride in toluene at 90 °C yielded syn and anti isomers of [Cp^∗Mo(O)(μ-Te)]₂ (2, 3) and [Cp^∗₂Mo₂O₂(μ-O)(μ-Te)] (4, 5). In a similar fashion, dibenzyl diselenide yielded syn and anti isomers of [Cp^∗Mo(O)(μ-Se)]₂ (6, 7), along with the known nido-[(Cp^∗Mo)₂B₄H₈Se₂]. Note that in parallel with 2-7, [(Cp^∗Mo)₂B₅H₉] was isolated as the major product in both cases. Compounds 2-7 have been isolated in modest yield as orange to brown crystalline solids. All the new compounds have been characterized in solution by mass, IR, ¹H, ¹³C, ⁷⁷Se and ¹²⁵Te NMR spectroscopy, and the structural types were unequivocally established by crystallographic analysis of 2-4 and 7.     

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.     

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.     

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 and characterization of hetero-binuclear Co-Rh complexes [CpCoS2C2(B9H10)][Rh(COD)] and [CpCoSe2C2(B10H10)][Rh(COD)]

Two hetero-binuclear complexes [Cp^∗CoS₂C₂(B₉H₁₀)][Rh(COD)] (2a) and [Cp^∗CoSe₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)][Rh(COD)] (2b) [Cp^∗ = η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, COD = cyclo-octa-1,5-diene (C₈H₁₂)] were synthesized by the reactions of half-sandwich complexes [Cp^∗CoE₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] [E = S (1a), Se (1b)] with low valent transition metal complexes [Rh(COD)(OEt)]₂ and [Rh(COD)(OMe)]₂. Although the reaction conditions are the same, the structures of two products for dithiolato carborane and diselenolato carborane are different. The cage of the carborane in 2a was opened; However, the carborane cage in 2b was intact. Complexes 2a and 2b have been fully characterized by ¹H, ¹¹B NMR and IR spectroscopy, as well as by elemental analyses. The molecular structures of 2a and 2b have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and strong metal-metal interactions between cobalt and rhodium atoms (2.6260 Å (2a) and 2.7057 Å (2b)) are existent.     

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.     

Straightforward synthesis of phosphametallocenium cations of Rh and Ir

Reaction of 3,4-dimethylphospholylthallium (Tl-1) with [Cp^∗MCl₂]₂ (M = Rh, Ir) leads to the formation of the dimeric species [(Cp^∗M)₂(Me₂C₄H₂P)₃]⁺2 and 3 with bridging μ-η¹:η¹-phospholyl ligands. The phosphametallocenium sandwich complexes [Cp^∗M(Me₂C₄(SiMe₃)₂P)]⁺7 (M = Rh) and 8 (M = Ir) could be obtained from the reaction of [Cp^∗MCl₂]₂ and the 2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1-trimethylstannylphosphole 6, with the bulky trimethylsilyl groups preventing the phosphole from η¹- and enforcing a η⁵-coordination. The structures of phospharhodocenium cation 7 and a byproduct 9 containing a phosphairidocenium moiety could be determined by X-ray diffraction.     

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.     

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 half-sandwich iridium complexes containing 2,6(7)-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,4,5,8-tetrathiafulvalene and ancillary ortho-carborane-1,2-dichalcogenolato ligands

The binuclear half-sandwich iridium complexes {Cp^∗IrCl₂}₂(μ-2,6(7)-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,4,5,8-tetrathiafulvalene) (3) and {Cp^∗Ir[E₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)]}₂(μ-2,6(7)-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,4,5,8-tetrathiafulvalene) (E = S(5a), Se(5b)) were prepared from the reaction of [Cp^∗IrCl(μ-Cl)]₂ or the “pseudo-aromatic” half-sandwich iridium complex Cp^∗Ir[E₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] (E = S(4a), Se(4b)) with a tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derivative 2,6-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,4,5,8-tetrathiafulvalene (2) at room temperature. The complexes (3, 5a and 5b) have been fully characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy, as well as elemental analysis. And the molecular structures of 2 and 5a were established through X-ray crystallography. It is interesting that infinite tunnels are created by repeating ‘buckled bowl’ molecules of 5a.     

Some complexes containing carbon chains end-capped by M(CO)2Tp′ [M = Mo, W; Tp′ = HB(pz)3, HB(dmpz)3] groups

Complexes M(CCCSiMe₃)(CO)₂Tp′ (Tp′ = Tp [HB(pz)₃], M = Mo 2, W 4; Tp′ = Tp^∗ [HB(dmpz)₃], M = Mo 3) are obtained from M(CCCSiMe₃)(O₂CCF₃)(CO)₂(tmeda) (1) and K[Tp′].Reactions of 2 or 4 with AuCl(PPh₃)/K₂CO₃ in MeOH afforded M{CCCAu(PPh₃)}(CO)₂Tp′ (M = Mo 5, W 6) containing C₃ chains linking the Group 6 metal and gold centres.In turn, the gold complexes react with Co₃(μ₃-CBr)(μ-dppm)(CO)₇ to give the C₄-bridged {Tp(OC)₂M}CCCC{Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} (M = Mo 7, W 8), while Mo(CBr)(CO)₂Tp^∗ and Co₃{μ₃-C(CC)₂Au(PPh₃)}(μ-dppm)(CO)₇ give {Tp^∗(OC)₂Mo}C(CC)₂C{Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} (9) via a phosphine-gold(I) halide elimination reaction. The C₃ complexes Tp′(OC)₂MCCCRu(dppe)Cp^∗ (Tp′ = Tp, M = Mo 10, W 11; Tp′ = Tp^∗, M = Mo 12) were obtained from 2-4 and RuCl(dppe)Cp^∗ via KF-induced metalla-desilylation reactions. Reactions between Mo(CBr)(CO)₂Tp^∗ and Ru{(CC)_nAu(PPh₃)}(dppe)Cp^∗ (n = 2, 3) afforded {Tp^∗(OC)₂Mo}C(CC)_n{Ru(dppe)Cp^∗} (n = 2 13, 3 14), containing C₅ and C₇ chains, respectively. Single-crystal X-ray structure determinations of 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 and 12 are reported.     

Spectroscopic and structural characterization of cationic N-(2-aminoethyl)aziridine-N,N′ chelate complexes of the d-metals Rh(III) and Ir(III)

The syntheses of the compounds [M(Cp^∗)(aeaz)(az)](OTf)₂ (4, 5) (M = Rh(III), Ir(III); aeaz = C₂H₄NC₂H₄NH₂, az = C₂H₄NH (3)) containing cationic N-(2-aminoethyl)aziridine-N,N′ chelate complexes are described. The bis-aziridine complexes [MCl(Cp^∗)(az)₂]Cl (M = Rh (1), M = Ir (2)) react with an excess of the aziridine (az) in the presence of AgO₃SCF₃ (=AgOTf) via AgCl precipitation and az addition followed by a metal-mediated coupling reaction, to give the compounds [M(Cp^∗)(aeaz)(az)](OTf)₂ (4, 5). The new aeaz ligand is formally the dimerisation product of az. Using the same reaction conditions with the analogous, but weaker Lewis acidic ruthenium(II) complex [RuCl(C₆Me₆)(az)₂]Cl (6) an anion exchange reaction yielding [RuCl(C₆Me₆)(az)₂]OTf (8) is observed. After purification, all compounds are fully characterized using IR, FAB-MS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The single crystal X-ray structure analysis reveals a distorted octahedral geometry for all complexes.     

Reactivity and electrochemical behavior of ruthenium dithiolene complexes with coordinatively unsaturated metal centers: cycloaddition and dimerization reactions

The novel ruthenium dithiolene complexes [(arene)Ru{S₂C₂(COOMe)₂}] (arene = C₆H₆ (1a), C₆H₄(Me)(iPr) (1b), C₆Me₆ (1c)) were synthesized. The equilibrium between complex 1a and the corresponding dimer [(C₆H₆)Ru{S₂C₂(COOMe)₂}]₂ (1a′) was confirmed in solution. The reaction of complex 1a with dimethyl- or diethylacetylene dicaboxylate gave the alkene-bridged adducts [(C₆H₆)Ru{S₂C₂(COOMe)₂}{C₂(COOR)₂}] (R = Me (2a), Et (3a)) as [2 + 2] cycloaddition products formally. The reactions of complex 1a with diazo compounds also gave the alkylidene-bridged adducts [(C₆H₆)Ru{S₂C₂(COOMe)₂}(CHR)] (R = H (4a), SiMe₃ (5a), COOEt (6a)) as [2 + 1] cycloaddition products. The electrochemical behavior of complex 1a was investigated. The reductant of complex 1a was a stable species for several minutes. The oxidant of complex 1a was very unstable; the cation 1a⁺ formed was immediately converted to the corresponding cationic dimer 1a′⁺. The cationic dimer 1a′⁺ was stable for several minutes, and it was rapidly and quantitatively converted to the neutral complex 1a when it was reduced.     

Formation of niobium and tantalum ylide complexes

The reactions of tri(bis(ethyl)amino)phosphorus ylide (Et₂N)₃PCH₂ with cyclopentadienyl (Cp) metal (V) tetrachloride CpMCl₄ (M = Nb 1; Ta 3) and pentamethylcycopentadienyl (Cp^∗) metal (V) tetrachloride Cp^∗MCl₄ (M = Nb 2; Ta 4) were investigated. The hexa-coordinate ylide adducts complexes 5 (CpNbCl₄(H₂CP(NEt₂)₃)), 6 (Cp^∗NbCl₄(H₂CP(NEt₂)₃)) and 8 (Cp^∗TaCl₄(H₂CP(NEt₂)₃)) with pseudo-octahedral geometry were structurally analyzed with X-ray diffraction. Compound 4 (Cp^∗TaCl₄) reacted with three molar equivalent of phosphorus ylide to form one ionic complex 9 ([H₃C-P(NEt₂)₃][Cp^∗TaCl₅]) which was also structurally analyzed with X-ray diffraction. The possible formation mechanism of compound 9 has been discussed.     

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.     

Alkyne-functionalized metallocene complexes: Synthesis, structure, and catalytic ethylene polymerization

Reactions of phenylethynyl lithium with substituted cyclopentenones gave the corresponding pendant phenylethynyl substituted cyclopentadienes. Subsequent deprotonation and transmetallation with TiCl₄·2THF, ZrCl₄, and Cp^∗ZrCl₃ yielded the alkyne-functionalized metallocene complexes [C₅Me₄(CCPh)]₂MCl₂ [M = Ti (1), Zr (2)], Cp^∗[C₅Me₄(CCPh)]ZrCl₂ (3), and Cp^∗[C₅H₂R′₂(CCPh)]ZrCl₂ [R′ = Me (4), Ph (5)]. These complexes were fully characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MS spectra, and elemental analysis. The molecular structure of 2 was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Ethylene polymerization was studied with these complexes in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO).     

Formations and structures of cobalt dithiolene complexes with nitrogen group-substituted cyclopentadienyl ligands

The cobalt dithiolene complex with the sulfonylamide-substituted Cp ligand [(C₅H₄-NHTs)Co{S₂C₂(COOMe)₂}] (1, Ts = p-SO₂C₆H₄Me) reacted with TsOH · H₂O to give [(C₅H₄-NH₂)Co{S₂C₂(COOMe)(H)}] (2), [(C₅H₄-NHTs)Co(S₂C₂H₂)] (3) and [(C₅H₄-NHTs)Co{S₂C₂(COOMe)(H)}] (4). Complex 1 was dissolved in a basic aqueous solution, and the anion reacted with Me₂SO₄ to form the N-methylated product [{C₅H₄-N(Me)Ts}Co{S₂C₂(COOMe)₂}] (5); the carboxylic acid complex [{C₅H₄-N(Me)Ts}Co{S₂C₂(COOMe)(COOH)}] (6) formed by a base hydrolysis. The X-ray crystal structures of complexes 4-6 and the methylsulfonylamide-substituted Cp complex [(C₅H₄-NHMs)Co{S₂C₂(COOMe)₂}] (7, Ms = SO₂Me) were determined. In the crystal structures of complexes 4 and 7, intermolecular hydrogen bondings of NH?O (ca. 2.1 Å) and NH?S (ca. 3.1 Å) were observed. Complex 6 showed the OH?O intermolecular hydrogen bonding (ca. 1.6 Å) of COOH moiety between two molecules, and these two molecules were assembling each other. Complexes 5 and 6 showed an intramolecular π-π interaction between the aromatic cobaltadithiolene and benzene rings, and complex 5 also has intermolecular π-π interactions between two benzene rings, and between two cobaltadithiolene rings.     

Synthesis and characterization of half-sandwich Rh, Ir complexes containing mono-thiolate-ortho-carborane ligand

Two binuclear complexes [Cp^∗M(Cl)Carb^S]₂ (Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅Me₅, M = Rh (1a), Carb^S = SC₂(H)B₁₀H₁₀, Ir (1b)) were synthesized by the reaction of LiCarb^S with the dimeric metal complexes [Cp^∗MCl(μ-Cl)]₂ (M = Rh, Ir). Four mononuclear complexes Cp^∗M(Cl)(L)Carb^S (L = BuⁿPPh₂, M = Rh (2a), Ir (2b); L = PPh₃, M = Rh (4a), Ir (4b)) were synthesized by reactions of 1a or 1b with L (L = BuⁿPPh₂ (2); PPh₃ (4)) in moderate yields, respectively. Complexes 3a, 3b, 5a, 5b were obtained by treatment of 2a, 2b, 4a, 4b with AgPF₆ in high yields, respectively. All of these compounds were fully characterized by IR, NMR, and elemental analysis, and the crystal structures of 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 4a, 4b were also confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Their structures showed 3a, 3b and 5a, 5b could be expected as good candidates for heterolytic dihydrogen activation. Preliminary experiments on the dihydrogen activation driven by these half-sandwich Rh, Ir complexes were done under mild conditions.     

Synthesis and structural aspects of M-allyl (M = Ir, Rh) complexes

The synthesis, characterization and chemistry of novel η³-allyl metal complexes (M = Ir, Rh) are described. The structures of compounds (C₅Me₄H)Ir(PPh₃)Cl₂ (1), (C₅Me₄H)Ir(PPh₃)(η³-1-methylallyl)Br (3a), (C₅Me₄H)Ir(η⁴-1,3,5-hexatriene) (8), and (C₅Me₅)Rh(η³-1-ethylallyl)Br (5d) have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Structural comparisons among these complexes are discussed. It is found that the neutral metal allylic complex [Cp^∗IrCl(η³-methylallyl)] (5) ionizes in polar solvents to give [Cp^∗Ir(η³-methylallyl)]⁺Cl⁻ (6) and reaches equilibrium (5 ? 6) at room temperature. Addition of tertiary phosphine ligands to neutral complexes such as [Cp^∗Ir(η³-methylallyl)Cl], results in the formation of stable ionic phosphine adducts. Factors such as solvent, length of carbon chain, temperature and light are discussed with respect to the formation, stability and structure of the allyl complexes.     

C-H activation of benzene with CpRu(CO)2CH3

Irradiation of Cp^∗Ru(CO)₂CH₃ (1) in C₆D₆ at room temperature yields Cp^∗Ru(CO)₂C₆D₅ and CH₃D (where Cp^∗ = n⁵-C₅Me₅). Cp^∗Ru(CO)₂CD₃ (2) has also been prepared and similar irradiation in C₆H₆ yields Cp^∗Ru(CO)₂C₆H₅ (3) and CD₃H. This latter reaction confirms that it is the methyl group bonded to ruthenium that is involved in the C-H activation process and not the methyl groups on the Cp^∗ ligand system. The compound Cp^∗Ru(CO)₂C₆H₅ (3) has been prepared for the first time in good yield by the reaction of Cp^∗Ru(CO)₂Br with NaBPh₄. X-ray crystal structures of both Cp^∗Ru(CO)₂CH₃ (1) and Cp^∗Ru(CO)₂C₆H₅ (3) have been determined and the results are reported and discussed.