Step-by-step uncoordination of the pyrazolyl rings of hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands in comlexes of Rh and RhIII

Reactions of POP-pincer rhodium(I)-aryl complexes with small molecules: coordination flexibility of the ether diphosphine

Reactions of the aryl complexes Rh(aryl){κ3-P,O,P-[xant(PiPr2)2]} (1; aryl = 3,5-Me2C6H3 (a), C6H5 (b), 3,5-Cl2C6H3 (c), 3-FC6H4 (d); xant(PiPr2)2 = 9,9-dimethyl-4,5-bis-(diisopropylphosphino)xanthene) with O2, CO, and MeO2CC≡CCO2Me have been performed. Under 1 atm of O2, the pentane solutions of complexes 1 afford the dinuclear peroxide derivatives [Rh(aryl){κ2-P,P-xant(PiPr2)2}]2(μ-O2)2 (2a–2d) as yellow solids. In solution, these species are unstable. In dichloromethane, at room temperature, they are transformed into the dioxygen adducts Rh(aryl)(η2-O2){κ3-P,O,P-[xant(PiPr2)2]} (3a–3d), as a result of the rupture of the double peroxide bridge and the reduction of the metal center. Complex 3b decomposes in benzene, at 50 °C, to give diphosphine oxide, phenol, and biphenyl. Complexes 1 react with CO to give the square-planar mono carbonyl derivatives Rh(aryl)(CO){κ2-P,P-[xant(PiPr2)2]} (4a–4d), which under carbon monoxide atmosphere evolve to benzoyl species Rh{C(O)aryl}(CO){κ2-P,P-[xant(PiPr2)2]} (5a–5d), resulting from the migratory insertion of CO into the Rh-aryl bond and the coordination of a second CO molecule. The transformation is reversible; under vacuum, complexes 5 regenerate the precursors 4. The addition of the activated alkyne to complexes 1b and 1d initially leads to the π-alkyne intermediates Rh(aryl){η2-C(CO2Me)≡C(CO2Me)}{κ3-P,O,P-[xant(PiPr2)2]} (6b, 6d), which evolve to the alkenyl derivatives Rh{(E)-C(CO2Me)=C(CO2Me)aryl}{κ3-P,O,P-[xant(PiPr2)2]} (7b, 7d). The diphosphine adapts its coordination mode to the stability requirements of the different complexes, coordinating cis-κ2-P,P in complexes 2, fac-κ3-P,O,P in compounds 3, trans-κ2-P,P in the mono carbonyl derivatives 4 and 5, and mer-κ3-P,O,P in products 6 and 7.

Synthesis and reactivity at the Ir-MeTpm platform: from κ1-N coordination to κ3-N-based organometallic chemistry

Reaction of [Ir(μ-Cl)(COE)2]2 (COE = cis-cyclooctene) with tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methane (MeTpm) affords [IrCl(κ1-N-MeTpm)(COD)] (1) (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene). The formation of 1 implies the transfer dehydrogenation of a COE ligand to give COD and COA (cyclooctane). A mechanistic proposal based on DFT calculations that explains this iridium promoted process has been disclosed. Additionally, reactivity studies have allowed the preparation and characterization, including determination of the molecular structures of a number of iridium complexes with the MeTpm ligand in κ1, κ2 or κ3-N coordination modes. Moreover, the first example of an Ir-cyclooctyl complex featuring hydride and carbonyl ligands, whose solid state structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods, is reported.

Synthesis of a rhodium(i) germyl complex: a useful tool for C–H and C–F bond activation reactions

The rhodium(i) germyl complex [Rh(GePh₃)(PEt₃)₃] is a useful tool for C–F and C–H bond activation reactions. For instance, treatment with hexafluoropropene results in the formation of two isomeric C–F activation products [Rh{(E)-CFCF(CF₃)}(PEt₃)₃] and [Rh{(Z)-CFCF(CF₃)}(PEt₃)₃] in a 3 : 1 ratio.

Synthesis and structures of the homoleptic cations [M(PMe3)5]+ (M = Rh, Ir)

The homoleptic cations [M(PMe(3))(5)](+) (M = Rh, Ir) are formed in high yield from reactions of 16 electron 4 coordinate precursors, such as [Rh(PMe(3))(4)](+), with excess neat PMe(3) at 80 degrees C.

Coordination features of a hybrid scorpionate/phosphane ligand exemplified with Iridium

Although the pentacoordinated complex [Ir{(allyl)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(pz)(2)}(cod)] (1; pz=pyrazolyl, cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene), isolated from the reaction of [{Ir(mu-Cl)(cod)}(2)] with [Li(tmen)][B(allyl)(CH(2)PPh(2))- (pz)(2)] (tmen=N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethane-1,2-diamine), shows behavior similar to that of the related hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate complex, the carbonyl derivatives behave in a quite different way. On carbonylation of 1, the metal--metal-bonded complex [(Ir{(allyl)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(pz)(2)}CO)(2)(mu-CO)] (2) that results has a single ketonic carbonyl bridge. This bridging carbonyl is labile such that upon treatment of 2 with PMe(3) the pentacoordinated Ir(I) complex [Ir(CO){(pz)B(eta(2)-CH(2)CH=CH(2))(CH(2)PPh(2))(pz)}(PMe(3))] (3) was isolated. Complex 3 shows a unique fac coordination of the hybrid ligand with the allyl group eta(2)-bonded to the metal in the equatorial plane of a distorted trigonal bipyramid with one pyrazolate group remaining uncoordinated. This unusual feature can be rationalized on the basis of the electron-rich nature of the metal center. The related complex [Ir(CO){(pz)B(eta(2)-CH(2)CH=CH(2))(CH(2)PPh(2))(pz)}(PPh(3))] (4) was found to exist in solution as a temperature-dependent equilibrium between the cis-pentacoordinated and trans square planar isomers with respect to the phosphorus donor atoms. Protonation of 3 with different acids is selective at the iridium center and gives the cationic hydrides [Ir{(allyl)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(pz)(2)}(CO)H(PMe(3))]X (X=BF(4) (5), MeCO(2) (6), and Cl (7)). Complex 7 further reacts with HCl to generate the unexpected product [Ir(CO)Cl{(Hpz)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(pz)CH(2)CH(Me)}(PMe(3))]Cl (9; Hpz=protonated pyrazolyl group) formed by the insertion of the hydride into the Ir-(eta(2)-allyl) bond. In contrast, protonation of complex 4 with HCl stops at the hydrido complex [Ir{(allyl)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(pz)(2)}(CO)H(PPh(3))]Cl (8). X-ray diffraction studies carried out on complexes 2, 3, and 9 show the versatility of the hybrid scorpionate ligand in its coordination.

Structural and dynamic properties of propane coordinated to TpRh(CNR) from a confrontation between theory and experiment

Density functional calculations with the B3PW91 functional have been carried out on the TpRh(CNMe) species [Tp = HB(pyrazolyl)(3)] as a model for Tp'Rh(CNCH(2)CMe(3)) [Tp' = HB(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)(3)] in interaction with propane. Two sigma complexes have been found as minima coordinated through either a methyl or a methylene C H bond, the former being more stable. The approach of the alkane to TpRh(CNMe) has been studied. Although no transition state could be located, study of this path reveals the key importance of the partial decoordination of one pyrazole ring. The full coordination of the alkane can only be achieved when the metal is essentially in a square pyramid coordination with one of the three pyrazole groups only weakly interacting with Rh. The main reaction of the methyl sigma complex is oxidative addition, leading to the n-propyl hydride complex. In contrast, two reactions are found for the methylene sigma complex: (i) oxidative addition to give the isopropyl complex and (ii) exchange between the secondary and primary C H bonds to convert the methylene complex of propane into a methyl complex of propane. This latter reaction has a much lower barrier than the oxidative addition at the methylene C H bond. The results account well for most of the experimental results obtained from kinetic studies. Steric factors are found to control the energy barriers between these various processes, disfavoring any process that brings the central carbon into close proximity to Rh.

Unusual fragmentation of CH2Cl2by an Ir(iii) centre bonded to a doubly metalated TpMsLigand (TpMs= hydrotris(3-mesitylpyrazol-1-yl)borate)

The Ir(III) compound Tp(Ms'')Ir(N2), that contains a pentadentate, doubly metalated 3-mesityl substituted tris(pyrazolyl)borate ligand, induces the cleavage of C-H and C-Cl bonds of CH2Cl2 to yield a highly electrophilic chlorocarbene Ir=C(H)Cl complex.

Interactions of Rh(III)−Dihydrido−Bis(phosphine) Complexes with Semicarbazones

Interaction of cis,trans,cis-[Rh(H)2(PR3)2(acetone)2]PF6 complexes (R = aryl or R3 = Ph2Me, Ph2Et) under H2 with E-semicarbazones gives the Rh(III)-dihydrido-bis(phosphine)-semicarbazone species cis,trans-[Rh(H)2(PR3)2{R'(R' ')C=N-N(H)CONH2}]PF6, where R' and R' ' are Ph, Et, or Me. The complexes are generally characterized by elemental analysis, 31P{1H} NMR, 1H NMR, and IR spectroscopies, and MS. X-ray analysis of three PPh3 complexes reveals chelation of E-semicarbazones by the imine-N atom and the carbonyl-O atom. In contrast, the corresponding reaction of [Rh(H)2(PPhMe2)2(acetone)2]PF6 with acetophenone semicarbazone gives the ortho-metalated-semicarbazone species cis-[RhH(PPhMe2)2{o-C6H4(Me)C=N-N(H)CONH2}]PF6. The X-ray structure of E-propiophenone semicarbazone is also reported. Rhodium-catalyzed, homogeneous hydrogenation of semicarbazones was not observed even at 40 atm H2.

Is the Allylpalladium Structure Altered between Solid and Solutions?

Recent EXAFS measurements on [(Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2))Pd(H(2)CCHCMe(2))]O(3)SCF(3) (Tromp et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2002, 124, 14814) were interpreted as evidence that, when the complex is dissolved in THF, the allyl ligand adopts an eta(2) structure with a dangling allyl CH(2) substituent. DFT calculations of the Pd complex using H(2)P-CH(2)CH(2)-PH(2) as a model for Ph(2)P-CH(2)CH(2)-PPh(2) (dppe), in the absence or the presence of the triflate counteranion, and modeling the THF solvent by explicit Me(2)O molecules or by a continuum model give always a conventional eta(3)-H(2)CCHCMe(2) structure with equal Pd-C bonds to the terminal carbon centers of the allyl. QM/MM calculations using the dppe ligand also fail to support an eta(2)-allyl structure as a global minimum. The EXAFS parameter space is shown to have multiple minima. These have very similar overall EXAFS, but have very different structural parameters. The minimum that was the basis for the previous structural conclusion gives a slightly better fit but has unrealistic Debye-Waller factors and threshold energies.

Substituent control of hydrogen bonding in palladium(II)-pyrazole complexes

Inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonding of an N-H group in pyrazole complexes was studied using ligands with two different groups at pyrazole C-3 and C-5. At C-5, groups such as methyl, i-propyl, phenyl, or tert-butyl were present. At C-3, side chains L-CH(2)- and L-CH(2)CH(2)- (L = thioether or phosphine) ensured formation of chelates to a cis-dichloropalladium(II) fragment through side-chain atom L and the pyrazole nitrogen closest to the side chain. The significance of the ligands is that by placing a ligating side chain on a ring carbon (C-3), rather than on a ring nitrogen, the ring nitrogen not bound to the metal and its attached proton are available for hydrogen bonding. As desired, seven chelate complexes examined by X-ray diffraction all showed intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the pyrazole N-H and a chloride ligand in the cis position. In addition, however, intermolecular hydrogen bonding could be controlled by the substituent at C-5: complexes with either a methyl at C-5 or no substituent there showed significant intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions, which were completely avoided by placing a tert-butyl group at C-5. The acidity of two complexes in acetonitrile solutions was estimated to be closer to that of pyridinium ion than those of imidazolium or triethylammonium ions.

TpPtMe(H)(2): why is there H/D scrambling of the methyl group but not methane loss?

The reactivity of TpPtMe(H)(2) (Tp = hydrido-tris(pyrazolyl)borate) was investigated. This complex is remarkably resistant to methane loss; heating it in methanol at 55 degrees C does not lead to either methane or hydrogen loss. When CD(3)OD is used, reversible H/D scrambling of the hydrides and the methyl hydrogens occurs. This reactivity was investigated by density functional theory (DFT) methods at the mPW1k/LANL2DZ+P//mPW1k/LANL2DZ level. It was found that methane loss cannot occur due to the rigidity of the Tp ligand, which does not allow the trans geometry which would be required for the product of methane elimination, TpPtH. The resulting complex is very high in energy, and therefore the loss of methane is unfavorable. On the other hand, H/D scrambling of the methyl ligand is relatively facile. It proceeds through an eta(2-CH)-CH(4) complex, even though methane loss is not observed. The model system, [(NH(3))(3)PtMe(H)(2)](+) was examined to verify that the cause of the observations is the rigidity of the Tp system. The reaction was investigated at a number of levels of DFT. It was concluded that investigations of similar sized systems should be examined at the above level of theory or the mPW1k/SDB-cc-pVDZ//mPW1k/SDD level for improved accuracy of the energetic calculations.