Complexes of metal ions with phosphorus or arsenic containing ligands. Part XVIII. Chelates ofo-phenylenebis(diarylarsines) with cobalt(II) and nickel(II) halides and pseudohalides

Summary Ten complexes of nickel(II) and cobalt(II) witho-phenylenebis(diphenylarsine), (pdpa) ando-phenylenebis(di-p-tolylarsine), (pdta) have been synthesised. The stoichiometry of complexes is markedly dependent upon the reaction temperature, thus reaction atca. 0° gives the M(A-A)₂X₂ chelates, M = Ni, X = Br, (A-A) = pdpa; M = Ni, X = I, (A-A) = pdpa, pdta; M = Co, X = CNS, (A-A) = pdpa] whereas at higher temperatures the M(A-A)X₂ chelates M = Ni, X = Br, I, (A-A) = pdpa, pdta; M = Co, X = CNS, (A-A) = pdpa or pdta] are obtained. The Ni(A-A)₂I₂ compounds can be converted into Ni(A-A)I₂ by boiling under reflux in n-BuOH; the conversion can be reversed by cooling a CH₂Cl₂ solution of the latter at or below 0°. Stereochemical assignments of all the new complexes have been made on the basis of room temperature _eff values, molar conductance, i.r. and u.v. data.