Protonation and Hydrogen Atom Abstraction Reactions in the Synthesis of the [HP7M(CO)3]2– Ions (M = Cr,W)

Ethylenediamine (en) solutions of P₇M(CO)₃]^3– (M = Cr, W) react with weak acids to give HP₇M(CO)₃]^2– ions where M = Cr ( 4 a ) and W ( 4 b ) in high yields. Competition studies with known acids revealed a pK_a range for 4 b in DMSO of 17.9 to 22.6. The P₇M(CO)₃]^3– complexes also react with one-half equivalent of I₂ to give 4 through an oxidation/hydrogen atom abstraction process. Labeling studies show that the abstracted hydrogen originates from the K(2,2,2-crypt)]⁺ ions or from the solvent (DMSO-d₆) in the absence of K(2,2,2-crypt)]⁺ or other good hydrogen atom donors. In the solid state, the ions have no crystallographic symmetry but in solution they show virtual C_s symmetry (³¹P NMR spectroscopy) due to an intramolecular wagging process. Crystallographic data for K(2,2,2-crypt)]₂HP₇W(CO)₃]: triclinic, P 1, a = 10.9709(8) Å, b = 13.9116(10) Å, c = 19.6400(14) Å, α = 92.435(6)°, β = 93.856(6)°, γ = 108.413(6)°, V = 2831.2(4) ų, Z = 2, R(F) = 7.65%, R(wF²) = 14.17% for all 7400 reflections. For K(2,2,2-crypt)]₂HP₇Cr(CO)₃]: triclinic, P 1, a = 12.000(3) Å, b = 14.795(3) Å, c = 17.421(4) Å, α = 93.01(2)°, β = 93.79(2)°, γ = 110.72(2)°, V = 2877(2) ų, Z = 2.