New paramagnetic Re(II) compounds with nitrile and cyanide ligands prepared by homolytic scission of dirhenium complexes

The preparation and characterization of three new paramagnetic complexes of the 17-electron Re(II) ion are reported. The salts Re(triphos)(CH(3)CN)(3))]X](2), X = BF(4)](-) (1), PF(6)](-) (2), and Et(4)N]Re(triphos)(CN)(3)] (3) were prepared by homolytic cleavage of the Re-Re bond in Re(2)(CH(3)CN)(10)]BF(4)](4) or by disruption of the chlorine bridges in (triphos)Re(mu-Cl)(3)Re(triphos)]Cl (1) (triphos = 1,1,1-tris(diphenylphosphino-methyl)ethane) and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared and (1)H NMR spectroscopies, cyclic voltammetry, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Compound 2 undergoes reversible reduction and irreversible oxidation processes while 3 undergoes a reversible reduction, an irreversible oxidation, and a reversible oxidation. The magnetic susceptibility data for 2 and 3 exhibit a strong temperature independent paramagnetic component which is in accord with a highly anisotropic S = (1)/(2) magnetic ground state. The results of this study indicate that dinuclear Re(2)(II,II) starting materials are viable precursors for producing unusual mononuclear Re(II) complexes.