Models of the iron-only hydrogenase: Reactions of [Fe2(CO)6(μ-pdt)] with small bite-angle diphosphines yielding bridge and chelate diphosphine complexes [Fe2(CO)4(diphosphine)(μ-pdt)]

Reactions of [Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-pdt)] (1) (pdt = SCH₂CH₂CH₂S) and small bite-angle diphosphines have been studied. A range of products can be formed being dependent upon the nature of the diphosphine and reaction conditions. With bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm), thermolysis in toluene leads to the formation of a mixture of bridge and chelate isomers [Fe₂(CO)₄(μ-dppm)(μ-pdt)] (2) and [Fe₂(CO)₄(κ²-dppm)(μ-pdt)] (3), respectively. Both have been crystallographically characterised, 3 being a rare example of a chelating dppm ligand in a first row binuclear system. At room temperature in MeCN with added Me₃NO · 2H₂O, the monodentate complex [Fe₂(CO)₅(κ¹-dppm)(μ-pdt)] (4) is initially formed. Warming 4 to 100 °C leads the slow conversion to 2, while oxidation (on alumina) gives [Fe₂(CO)₅(κ¹-dppmO)(μ-pdt)] (5). With bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)methane (dcpm), heating in toluene cleanly affords [Fe₂(CO)₄(μ-dcpm)(μ-pdt)] (6). With Me₃NO · 2H₂O in MeCN the reaction is not clean as the phosphine is oxidised but monodentate [Fe₂(CO)₅(κ¹-dcpm)(μ-pdt)] (7) can be seen spectroscopically. With 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene (dppb) and cis-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethene (dppv) the chelate complexes [Fe₂(CO)₄(κ²-dppb)(μ-pdt)] (8) and [Fe₂(CO)₄(κ²-dppv)(μ-pdt)] (9), respectively are the final products under all conditions, although a small amount of [Fe₂(CO)₅(κ²-dppvO)(μ-pdt)] (10) was also isolated. Protonation of 2 with HBF₄ affords a cation with poor stability while with the more basic diiron centre in 6 readily forms the stable bridging-hydride complex [(μ-H)Fe₂(CO)₄(μ-dcpm)(μ-pdt)][BF₄] (11) which has been crystallographically characterised.     

Synthesis and characterization of carboxy-functionalized diiron model complexes of [FeFe]-hydrogenases: Decarboxylation of Ph2PCH2COOH promoted by a diiron azadithiolate complex

Two carboxy-functionalized diiron complexes [{(μ-SCH₂)₂X}{Fe(CO)₃}{Fe(CO)₂L}] (X = NC₃H₇, L = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂COOH, 4; X = CH₂, L = Ph₂PCH₂COOH, 5) were prepared, as biomimetic models of the [FeFe] hydrogenase active site, from the CO-replacement of [{(μ-SCH₂)₂NC₃H₇}Fe₂(CO)₆] (1) and (μ-pdt)Fe₂(CO)₆ (2) by phosphine ligands in CH₃CN at 40 °C, respectively. In contrast, the reaction of 1 with Ph₂PCH₂COOH under the same condition afforded complex [{(μ-SCH₂)₂NC₃H₇}{Fe(CO)₃}{Fe(CO)₂(Ph₂PCH₃)}] (3) with a decarboxylated phosphine ligand. The molecular structures of complexes 3-5 were determined by X-ray crystallographic analyses, which show that they have similar frameworks with the phosphine ligand on the apical position. The interesting C-H···S contacts between the methylene hydrogen atoms of the PhCH₂COOH ligand and the μ-S atoms of the pdt-bridge are found in the crystal of 5. According to the experimental evidence, a plausible mechanism, via sequential phosphine coordination, N-protonation, and decarboxylation steps, is proposed for the formation of 3 and for explanation of the contrastive reactivities of the adt- (2-aza-1,3-propanedithiolato) and the pdt- (1,3-propanedithiolato) bridged diiron complexes toward decarboxylation of the Ph₂PCH₂COOH ligand.     

Terminal pyridine-N ligation at [FeFe] hydrogenase active-site mimic

Diiron model complexes (μ-pdt)Fe₂(CO)₅L with L = pyridine ligands, e.g. py (A), etpy (B), btpy (C), were synthesized as active site analogues of [FeFe] hydrogenase, and characterized by X-ray crystallography and electrochemistry. Pyridine-N ligation was found to be able to tune the redox properties of the diiron centers of model complexes.     

Rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes with bispyridine ligands attached to sulfur-rich core: Syntheses, structures and properties

Rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes with bispyridine ligands bearing sulfur-rich pendant, Re(CO)₃(Medpydt)X (Medpydt = dimethyl 2-(di(2-pyridyl)methylene)-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dicarboxylate; X = Cl, 1; X = Br, 2) and Re(CO)₃(MebpyTTF)X (MebpyTTF = 4,5-bis(methyloxycabonyl)-4′,5′-(4′-methyl-2,2′-dipyrid-4-ylethylenedithio)-tetrathiafulvalene; X = Cl, 5; X = Br, 6), were prepared from the reactions between Re(CO)₅X (X = Cl, Br) and Medpydt or MebpyTTF, respectively. Hydrolysis of the above complexes afforded the analogues with carboxylate derivatives, Re(CO)₃(H₂dpydt)X (X = Cl, 3; X = Br, 4) and Re(CO)₃(H₂bpyTTF)X (X = Cl, 7; X = Br, 8). The crystal structures for complexes 1 · 2H₂O, 5 and 6 were determined using X-ray single crystal diffraction. UV-Vis absorption spectra of the rhenium complexes show the intraligand and MLCT transitions. Electrochemical behaviors of all new compounds were studied with cyclic voltammetry. Upon irradiation, complexes 3-6 exhibit blue to red emissions in fluid solutions at the room temperature. The performance of complexes 3, 4, 7 and 8 as photosensitizers for anatase TiO₂ solar cells was preliminarily investigated as well.     

Ferrocene bridged and substituted tetramethylcyclopentadienyl (or indenyl) carbonyl complexes of iron, ruthenium, and molybdenum

Reactions of ferrocene bridged and substituted tetramethylcyclopentadiene ligands 1,1′-Fc(C₅Me₄H)₂ (1) (Fc = 1,1′-ferrocenediyl) and (C₅H₅FeC₅H₄)C₅Me₄H (5) with Ru₃(CO)₁₂, Fe(CO)₅, and Mo(CO)₃(CH₃CN)₃ in refluxing xylene gave the corresponding trinuclear and tetranuclear complexes Fc[(C₅Me₄)M(CO)]₂(μ-CO)]₂ [M = Ru (2), Fe (3)], Fc[(C₅Me₄)Mo(CO)₃]₂ (4) and [(C₅H₅ FeC₅H₄)C₅Me₄M(CO)]₂(μ-CO)₂ [M = Ru (6), Fe (7)], [(C₅H₅FeC₅H₄)C₅Me₄Mo(CO)₃]₂ (8). Reactions of (3-indenyl)ferrocene (9) with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ or Fe(CO)₅ in refluxing xylene or heptane, also gave the corresponding tetranuclear metal complexes [(C₅H₅FeC₅H₄)C₉H₆M(CO)]₂(μ-CO)₂ [M = Ru (10), Fe (11)]. The molecular structures of 2 and 3 were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Iron(0) and ruthenium(0) complexes with tridentate phosphonite ligands and their potential for ketene formation from methyl iodide, CO and a base

An efficient route to the novel tridentate phosphine ligands RP[CH₂CH₂CH₂P(OR′)₂]₂ (I: R = Ph; R′ = i-Pr; II: R = Cy; R′ = i-Pr; III: R = Ph; R′ = Me and IV: R = Cy; R′ = Me) has been developed. The corresponding ruthenium and iron dicarbonyl complexes M(triphos)(CO)₂ (1: M = Ru; triphos = I; 2: M = Ru; triphos = II; 3: M = Ru; triphos = III; 4: M = Ru; triphos = IV; 5: M = Fe; triphos = I; 6: M = Fe; triphos = II; 7: M = Fe; triphos = III and 8: M = Fe; triphos = IV) have been prepared and fully characterized. The structures of 1, 3 and 5 have been established by X-ray diffraction studies. The oxidative addition of MeI to 1-8 produces a mixture of the corresponding isomeric octahedral cationic complexes mer,trans-(13a-20a) and mer,cis-[M(Me)(triphos)(CO)₂]I (13b-20b) (M = Ru, Fe; triphos = I-IV). The structures of 13a and 20a (as the tetraphenylborate salt (21)) have been verified by X-ray diffraction studies. The oxidative addition of other alkyl iodides (EtI, i-PrI and n-PrI) to 1-8 did not afford the corresponding alkyl metal complexes and rather the cationic octahedral iodo complexes mer,cis-[M(I)(triphos)(CO)₂]I (22-29) (M = Ru, Fe; triphos = I-IV) were produced. Complexes 22-29 could also be obtained by the addition of a stoichiometric amount of I₂ to 1-8. The structure of 22 has been verified by an X-ray diffraction study. Reaction of 13a/b-20a/b with CO afforded the acetyl complexes mer,trans-[M(COMe)(triphos)(CO)₂]I, 30-37, respectively (M = Ru, Fe; triphos = I-IV). The ruthenium acetyl complexes 30-33 reacted slowly with 2-tert-butylimino-2-diethylamino-1,3-dimethylperhydro-1,3,2-diazaphosphorine (BEMP) even in boiling acetonitrile. Under the same conditions, the deprotonation reactions of the iron acetyl complexes 34-37 were completed within 24-40 h to afford the corresponding zero valent complexes 5-8. It was not possible to observe the intermediate ketene complexes. Tracing of the released ketene was attempted by deprotonation studies on the labelled species mer,trans-[Fe(COCD₃)(triphos)(CO)₂]I (38) and mer,trans-[Fe(¹³COMe)(triphos)(CO)₂]I (39).     

The effect of titanium alkoxides in the synthesis of heterobimetallic complexes by titanocene(III) alkoxide-induced metal-metal bond cleavage of metal carbonyl dimers

A series of titanocene(III) alkoxides L₂Ti(III)OR where L = Cp, R = Et(1b), ^tBu(1a), 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃(1c), 2,6-^tBu₂-4-Me-C₆H₂(1d), or L = Cp*, R = Me(2e), ^tBu(2a), Ph(2f) was synthesized and subjected to reaction with [CpM(CO)₃]₂ [M = Mo, W], [CpRu(CO)₂]₂, and Co₂(CO)₈. The Ti(III) precursors 1a, 1c, 2a, 2e, and 2f reacted with [CpM(CO)₃]₂ [M = Mo, W] to form heterobimetallic complexes L₂Ti(OR)(μ-OC)(CO)₂MCp [M = Mo, W], of which Ti and M are linked by an isocarbonyl bridge. Reactions of these Ti(III) complexes with Co₂(CO)₈ resulted in formation of Ti-Co₁ heterobimetallic complexes, from 2a, 2e, or 2f, or Ti-Co₃ tetrametallic complexes, Cp₂Ti(O^tBu)(μ-OC)Co₃(CO)₉ from 1a, 1b, or 1c. The products were characterized by NMR, IR, and X-ray crystallography. Reaction mechanisms were proposed from these results, in particular, from steric/electronic effects of titanium alkoxides.     

Diruthenium(I,I) saccharinate complexes: Synthesis, molecular structure, and evaluation as catalysts for carbenoid reactions of diazoacetates

The dinuclear ruthenium complexes [Ru₂(μ-sac)₂(CO)₆] (1), [Ru₂(μ-sac)₂(CH₃CN)₂(CO)₄] (3), [Ru₂(μ-sac)₂(CO)₅(PPh₃)] (4) and [Ru₂(μ-sac)₂(CO)₄(PPh₃)₂] (5) as well as the tetranuclear ruthenium complex [Ru₂(μ-sac)₂(CO)₅]₂ (2) (sac = saccharinate, C₇H₄NO₃S⁻) were synthesized starting from Ru₃(CO)₁₂ and saccharin. X-ray crystal structure analysis of 1, 3A × p-xylene, 4 × CH₂Cl₂ and 5 × 3CH₂Cl₂ showed that the core is bridged through the amidate moieties of the two saccharinate ligands, with a head-tail arrangement in complexes 1, 3A and 5, and a head-head arrangement in 4. For complex 3, an equilibrium mixture of the head-head regioisomer 3A and a second species 3b exists in solution. Complexes 1 and 2 are suitable catalysts for the cyclopropanation of nucleophilic alkenes (styrene, cyclohexene and 2-methyl-2-butene) with methyl diazoacetate.     

Synthesis and molecular structures of dinuclear complexes with 1,2-dihydro-1,2-diphenyl-naphtho[1,8-c,d]1,2-diphosphole as a bridging ligand

A bisphosphine in which a PhP-PPh bond bridges 1,8-positions of naphthalene, 1,2-dihydro-1,2-diphenyl-naphtho[1,8-cd]-1,2-diphosphole (1), was used as a bridging ligand for the preparation of dinuclear group 6 metal complexes. Free trans-1, a more stable isomer having two phenyl groups on phosphorus centers mutually trans with respect to a naphthalene plane, was allowed to react with two equivalents of M(CO)₅(thf) (M = W, Mo, Cr) at room temperature to give dinuclear complexes (OC)₅M(μ-trans-1)M(CO)₅ (M = W (2a), Mo (2b), Cr (2c)). The preparation of the corresponding dinuclear complexes bridged by the cis isomer of 1 was also carried out starting from the free trans-1 in the following way. Mono-nuclear complexes M(trans-1)(CO)₅ (M = W (3a), Mo (3b), Cr (3c)) which had been prepared by a reaction of trans-1 with one equivalent of the corresponding M(CO)₅(thf) (M = W, Mo, Cr) complex, were heated in toluene, wherein a part of the trans-3a-c was converted to their respective cis isomer M(cis-1)(CO)₅. Each cis trans mixture of the mono-nuclear complexes 3a-c was treated with the corresponding M(CO)₅(thf) to give a cis trans mixture of the respective dinuclear complexes 2a-c. The cis isomer of the ditungsten complex 2a was isolated, and its molecular structure was confirmed by X-ray analysis, showing a shorter W?W distance of 5.1661(3) Å than that of 5.8317(2) Å in trans-2a.     

Axial and equatorial carbene ligands of dimanganese and dirhenium monocarbene complexes: Synthesis, characterisation and structural studies

The binuclear alkoxycarbene complexes [M₂(CO)₉{C(OEt)C₄H₃Y}] (M = Mn, Y = S(1), O(2); Re, Y = S(3), O(4)) were synthesised and characterised, giving axial carbene ligands for the dimanganese complexes, and equatorial carbene ligands for the dirhenium complexes. Aminolysis of these complexes with ammonia and n-propylamine yielded complexes [M₂(CO)₉{C(NHR)C₄H₃Y}] (R = H, M = Mn, Y = S(5), O(6); Re, Y = S(7), O(8); R = propyl, M = Mn, Y = S(9), O(10); Re, Y = S(11), O(12)). For the smaller NH₂-substituted carbene ligands, the X-ray structures determined showed equatorial carbene ligands for both dimanganese and dirhenium complexes, while the NHPr-substituted carbene complexes retained the original configurations of the precursor alkoxy carbene complex, indicating that the steric effects of both the M(CO)₅-fragment and the carbene ligand substituent can affect the coordination site of the carbene ligands of Group VII transition metal complexes in the solid state.     

Preparation, structural characterisation and electrochemical properties of iron(0) and tungsten(0) carbonyl complexes with 1-(diphenylphosphanyl)-1′-vinylferrocene and 1-(diphenylphosphanyl)-1′-(dimethylvinylsilyl)ferrocene as P-monodentate ligands

A new organometallic phosphanylalkene, 1-(diphenylphosphanyl)-1′-(dimethylvinylsilyl)ferrocene (2) was prepared and—together with 1-(diphenylphosphanyl)-1′-vinylferrocene (1)—studied as a ligand in iron- and tungsten-carbonyl complexes. The following complexes featuring the mentioned phosphanylalkenes as P-monodentate donors were isolated and characterised by spectral methods: [Fe(CO)₄(L-κP)] (4, L = 1; 5, L = 2) and trans-[W(CO)₄(L-κP)₂] (6, L = 1; 7, L = 2). In addition, the solid-state structures of 4 and 6 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and the electrochemical properties of compounds 1, 2, 4 and 6 were studied by cyclic voltammetry at platinum electrode.     

Olefin-aminocarbyne coupling in diiron complexes: Synthesis of new bridging aminoallylidene complexes

The bridging aminocarbyne complexes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, 1a; Xyl, 1b; 4-C₆H₄OMe, 1c; Xyl = 2,6-Me₂C₆ H₃) react with acrylonitrile or methyl acrylate, in the presence of Me₃NO and NaH, to give the corresponding μ-allylidene complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³- C_α(N(Me)(R))C_β(H)C_γ(H)(R′)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R = Me, R′ = CN, 3a; R = Xyl, R′ = CN, 3b; R = 4-C₆H₄OMe, R′ = CN, 3c; R = Me, R′ = CO₂Me, 3d; R = 4-C₆H₄OMe, R′ = CO₂Me, 3e). Likewise, 1a reacts with styrene or diethyl maleate, under the same reaction conditions, affording the complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(NMe₂)C_β(R′)C_γ(H)(R″)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R′ = H, R″ = C₆H₅, 3f; R′ = R″ = CO₂Et, 3g). The corresponding reactions of [Ru₂{μ-CN(Me)(CH₂Ph)}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (1d) with acrylonitrile or methyl acrylate afford the complexes [Ru₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(N(Me)(CH₂Ph))C_β(H)C_γ(H)(R′)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R′ = CN, 3h; CO₂Me, 3i), respectively.The coupling reaction of olefin with the carbyne carbon is regio- and stereospecific, leading to the formation of only one isomer. C-C bond formation occurs selectively between the less substituted alkene carbon and the aminocarbyne, and the C_β-H, C_γ-H hydrogen atoms are mutually trans.The reactions with acrylonitrile, leading to 3a-c and 3h involve, as intermediate species, the nitrile complexes [M₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(NC-CHCH₂)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (M = Fe, R = Me, 4a; M = Fe, R = Xyl, 4b; M = Fe, R = 4-C₆H₄OMe, 4c; M = Ru, R = CH₂C₆H₅, 4d).Compounds 3a, 3d and 3f undergo methylation (by CH₃SO₃CF₃) and protonation (by HSO₃CF₃) at the nitrogen atom, leading to the formation of the cationic complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(N(Me)₃)C_β(H)C_γ(H)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = CN, 5a; R = CO₂Me, 5b; R = C₆H₅, 5c) and [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(N(H)(Me)₂)C_β(H)C_γ(H)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = CN, 6a; R = CO₂Me, 6b; R = C₆H₅, 6c), respectively.Complex 3a, adds the fragment [Fe(CO)₂(THF)(Cp)]⁺, through the nitrile functionality of the bridging ligand, leading to the formation of the complex [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(NMe₂)C_β(H)C_γ(H)(CNFe(CO)₂Cp)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (9).In an analogous reaction, 3a and [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃], in the presence of Me₃NO, are assembled to give the tetrameric species [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(NMe₂)C_β(H)C_γ(H)(CN[Fe₂{μ- CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂])}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, 10a; R = Xyl, 10b; R = 4-C₆H₄OMe, 10c).The molecular structures of 3a and 3b have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Carbonyl complexes of manganese, rhenium and molybdenum with 2-pyridylimino acid ligands

[MBr(CO)₃{κ²(N,O)-pyca}] [M = Mn(1a), Re(1b), pyca = pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde] and [MoCl(η³-C₃H₄Me-2)(CO)₂{κ²(N,O)-pyca}] (1c) react with aminoacid β-alanine to give the corresponding iminopyridine complexes 2a-2c. The same method affords the iminopyridine derivatives from γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (3a-3c) and 3-aminobenzoic acid (4a-4c). For complexes 2a-2c, 3a, 3c and 4a, the solid state structures have been determined by X-ray crystallography, revealing interesting differences in their hydrogen-bonding patterns in solid state.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of sulfur rich iron (II) carbonyl dimers: Facile reversible reaction with carbon monoxide

The sulfur-rich iron carbonyl dimer complexes [Fe(CO)₂(S′^SiS₂)]₂ (2), and [Fe(CO)(S′^SiS₂)]₂ (3) have been prepared. The [2Fe-2S] cores of the new complexes are planar. The binding mode of the tridentate sulfur ligand in complex 2 is facial with a S(thiolate)-Fe-S(thiolate) angle of 92°, while in complex 3, the S′^SiS₂ ligand binds the metal with a S(thiolate)-M-S(thiolate) angle of 120°. The Fe-Fe distance is reduced from 3.45 Å in complex 2 to 2.78 Å in the 32 electron dimer complex 3. Complexes 2 and 3 are at equilibrium in solution and can be readily interconverted by addition or removal of CO.     

Ruthenium(II)-CO complexes of N-[(2-pyridyl)methyliden]-α(or β)-aminonaphthalene: Synthesis, spectral studies, crystal structure, redox properties and DFT calculation

The characterization and properties of trans-(X)-[RuX₂(CO)₂(α/β-NaiPy)] (1, 2) (α-NaiPy (a), β-NaiPy (b); X = Cl (1), I (2)) are described in this work. The structures are confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Reaction of these compounds with Me₃NO in MeCN has isolated monocarbonyl trans-(X)-[RuX₂(CO)(MeCN)(α/β-NaiPy)] (3, 4). The complexes show intense emission properties. Quantum yields of 1 and 2 (? = 0.02-0.08) are higher than 3 and 4 (? = 0.006-0.015). Voltammogram shows higher Ru(III)/Ru(II) (1.3-1.5 V) potential of 1 and 2 than that of 3 and 4 (0.8-0.9 V) that may be due to coordination of two π-acidic CO groups in former. The electronic spectra and redox properties of the complexes are compared with the results obtained by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) using polarizable continuum model (CPCM).     

1,3-Diarylimidazolidin-2-ylidene (NHC) complexes of Pd(II): Electronic effects on cross-coupling reactions and thermal decompositions

The synthesis of 1,3-diarylimidazolidin-2-ylidene (NHC) precursor, 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolinium chloride, (3b) has been extended to the electronically and sterically modified NHC precursors 3a (X = H), 3c (X = Br) and 3e (X = Cl) in order to investigate the electronic effect of a p-substituent (X) on cross-coupling catalysts. Complexes of the type PdCl₂(NHC)₂ (5), PdCl₂(NHC)(PPh₃) (6) and [RhCl(NHC)(cod)] (7) were prepared from 3 or 4d (1,3-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2-trichloromethylimidazolidin). Initial decomposition temperatures of the complexes 5 and 6 were determined by TGA. In situ formed complexes from Pd(OAc)₂ and 3 as well as the preformed complexes 5 and 6 have been tested as catalysts in coupling of phenylboronic acid with 4-haloacetophenones. The electron donating ability of NHCs derived from 3 was assessed by measuring C-O frequencies in the respective [RhCl(NHC)(CO)₂] complex 8 which was prepared by replacement of cod ligand of 7 with CO. An interesting correlation between the electron-donating nature of the aryl substituent and catalytic activity and also initial decomposition temperature of the complexes 5 and 6 was observed.     

Alkynylphosphanes as supports for mixed-metal Co4M (M = Ru, Os) fluoride complexes: Syntheses, structures and thermolysis studies

Treatment of the tetrameric group eight fluoride complexes [MF(μ-F)(CO)₃]₄ [M = Ru (1a), Os (1b)] with the alkynylphosphane, Ph₂PCCPh, results in fluoride-bridge cleavage and the formation of the air-sensitive monomeric octahedral complexes [MF₂(CO)₂(PPh₂CCPh)₂] [M = Ru (2a), Os (2b)] in high yield. The molecular structure of 2b reveals a cis, cis, trans configuration for each pair of ligands, respectively. The free alkyne moieties in 2 can be readily complexed to hexacarbonyldicobalt fragments by treatment with dicobalt octacarbonyl to afford [MF₂(CO)₂(μ-η¹:η²-PPh₂CCPh)₂{Co₂(CO)₆}₂] [M = Ru (3a), Os (3b)]. Evidence for an intramolecular non-bonded contact between a bound fluoride and a cobalt carbonyl carbon atom is seen in the molecular structure of 3a. Thermolysis of 3a at 50 °C results in fluoride dissociation to give [RuF(CO)₂(μ-η¹:η²-PPh₂CCPh)₂{Co₂(CO)₆}₂]⁺ (4), while no reaction occurred with the osmium analogue. Prolonged thermolysis at 120 °C in a sealed vessel of both 3a and 3b gave only insoluble decomposition products.     

C-H activation of diphenylphosphinoaryl-derivatives with dimethyltetrakis(trimethylphosphine)iron(II)

Fe(CH₃)₂(PMe₃)₄ reacts with 1-(diphenylphosphino)naphthalene or benzyldiphenylphosphine within 4 h at 20 °C to give the novel metallated methyl iron complexes Fe(CH₃){P(C₆H₅)₂(C₁₀H₆)}(PMe₃)₃ (1) and Fe(CH₃){(C₆H₄)CH₂P(C₆H₅)₂}(PMe₃)₃ (3), respectively, via selective activation of the C-H bond of the pre-chelating ligands. The complexes are thermally unstable releasing metal through a reductive elimination of the aromatic backbone and leading to a C,C-coupling product that is regiospecifically methylated, namely 8-methyl(diphenylphosphino)naphthalene (2). Carbonylation (1 bar, 20 °C, 1 h) of complex 1 effects monosubstitution of a trimethylphosphine ligand trans to the metallated 8-C atom to afford Fe(CH₃){P(C₆H₅)₂(C₁₀H₆)}(CO)(PMe₃)₂ (4). The remaining methyl group in the parent complex 1 reacts with trimethylsilylethyne and tert-butylethyne affording the new complexes 5 and 6 bearing an alkynyl substituent trans to the diphenylphosphino anchoring group. The complexes 1 and 3-6 are diamagnetic and possess octahedral coordination geometry. All novel complexes were fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and by X-ray diffraction.     

Activation of tri(2-furyl)phosphine at a dirhenium centre: Formation of phosphido-bridged dirhenium complexes

Reaction of tri(2-furyl)phosphine (PFu₃) with [Re₂(CO)_10−n(NCMe)_n] (n = 1, 2) at 40 °C gave the substituted complexes [Re₂(CO)_10−n(PFu₃)_n] (1 and 2), the phosphines occupying axial position in all cases. Heating [Re₂(CO)₁₀] and PFu₃ in refluxing xylene also gives 1 and 2 together with four phosphido-bridged complexes; [Re₂(CO)_8−n(PFu₃)_n(μ-PFu₂)(μ-H)] (n = 0, 1, 2) (3-5) and [Re₂(CO)₆(PFu₃)₂(μ-PFu₂)(μ-Cl)] (6) resulting from phosphorus-carbon bond cleavage. A series of separate thermolysis experiments has allowed a detailed reaction pathway to be unambiguously established. A similar reaction between [Re₂(CO)₁₀] and PFu₃ in refluxing chlorobenzene furnishes four complexes which include 1, 2, 6 and the new binuclear complex [Re₂(CO)₆(η¹-C₄H₃O)₂(μ-PFu₂)₂] (7). All new complexes have been characterized by a combination of spectroscopic data and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Reactions of Mo(II)-tetraphosphine complex [MoCl2{meso-o-C6H4(PPhCH2CH2PPh2)2}] with a series of small molecules

Reactions of Mo(II)-tetraphosphine complex [MoCl₂(κ⁴-P4)] (2; P4 = meso-o-C₆H₄(PPhCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂) with a series of small molecules have been investigated. Thus, treatment of 2 with alkynes RCCR′ (R = Ph, R′ = H; R = p-tolyl, R′ = H; R = Me, R′ = Ph) in benzene or toluene gave neutral mono(alkyne) complexes [MoCl₂(RCCR′)(κ³-P4)] containing tridentate P4 ligand, which were converted to cationic complexes [MoCl(RCCR′)(κ⁴-P4)]Cl having tetradentate P4 ligand upon dissolution into CDCl₃ or CD₂Cl₂. The latter complexes were available directly from the reactions of 2 with the alkynes in CH₂Cl₂. On the other hand, treatment of 2 with 1 equiv. of XyNC (Xy = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃) afforded a seven-coordinate mono(isocyanide) complex [MoCl₂(XyNC)(κ⁴-P4)] (7), which reacted further with XyNC to give a cationic bis(isocyanide) complex [MoCl(XyNC)₂(κ⁴-P4)]Cl (8). From the reaction of 2 with CO, a mono(carbonyl) complex [MoCl₂(CO)(κ⁴-P4)] (9) was obtained as a sole isolable product. Reaction of 9 with XyNC afforded [MoCl(CO)(XyNC)(κ⁴-P4)]Cl (10a) having a pentagonal-bipyramidal geometry with axial CO and XyNC ligands, whereas that of 7 with CO resulted in the formation of a mixture of 10a and its isomer 10b containing axial CO and Cl ligands. Structures of 7 and 9 as well as [MoCl(XyNC)₂(κ⁴-P4)][PF₆](8′) and [MoCl(CO)(XyNC)(κ⁴-P4)][PF₆] (10a′) derived by the anion metathesis from 8 and 10a, respectively, were determined in detail by the X-ray crystallography.