Diruthenium σ-iminophenylacetylide complexes from on-complex Schiff base condensation

Binuclear ruthenium η6-arene complexes with tetradentate N,S-ligands containing the ortho-aminothiophenol motif

A series of cationic binuclear (η(6)-cymene-Ru)2 complexes with N2S2-ligands were synthesized in 64% to 85% yield by reaction of [Ru(η(6)-cymene)Cl2]2 with bis-S,S'-(ortho-aminothiophenol)-xylenes as BF4(-) and PF6(-) salts. The compounds were studied using NMR, HRMS, UV-vis and IR spectroscopy, EA and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) MS. It was determined that the hinged binuclear Ru complexes were anti and syn diastereomers obtained in 2 : 1 ratio for ortho- and meta-xylylene bridged ligands and in a 1 : 1 ratio for the para-xylylene bridged ligand. An anion effect was found for the presence of NaBF4 with the meta-xylylene bridged system yielding the targeted binuclear Ru complex and a mononuclear Ru complex. This mononuclear S,S'-coordinated η(6)-cymene Ru chloride structure lacked amine-metal coordination and was obtained in a 1 : 3 ratio of anti : syn diastereomers which were insoluble in CH2Cl2 and soluble in DMSO and DMF. X-ray crystallographic analysis was obtained for the N2S2 ligand, 1,2-bis{(2-aminophenyl)thiomethyl}benzene, showing a CS symmetry with amine groups facing outwards with a tilt of 28.95° from the ortho-aminothiophenol pendant ring. The interatomic sulfur-sulfur distance (S-S') is 4.6405 Å within the crystal structure while accommodating a potential metal bite angle from 1.0 Å to 5.9 Å when allowing rotation of the methylene phenyl bond.

Diruthenium(III,III) ethynyl-phenyleneimine molecular wires: preparation via on-complex Schiff base condensation

The diruthenium compound trans-Ru(2)(DMBA)(4)(C≡C-C(6)H(4)-4-CHO)(2) (1; DMBA is N,N'-dimethylbenzamidinate) was prepared from the reaction between Ru(2)(DMBA)(4)(NO(3))(2) and HC≡C-C(6)H(4)-4-CHO under the weak base conditions. The aldehyde groups of 1 undergo a condensation reaction with NH(2)C(6)H(4)-4-Y (Y = H and NH(2)) to afford new compounds trans-Ru(2)(DMBA)(4)(C≡C-C(6)H(4)-4-CH═N-C(6)H(4)-4'-Y)(2) (Y = H (2) and NH(2) (3)). A related compound, Ru(2)(DMBA)(4)(C≡C-C(6)H(4)-4-N═C(Me)Fc)(2) (4), was also prepared from the reaction between Ru(2)(DMBA)(4)(NO(3))(2) and HC≡C-C(6)H(4)-N═C(Me)Fc. X-ray structural studies of compounds 1 and 2 revealed significant deviation from an idealized D(4h) geometry in the coordination sphere of the Ru(2) core. Voltammetric measurements revealed four one electron redox processes for compounds 1-3: the Ru(2) centered oxidation and reduction, and a pair of reductions of the imine or aldehyde groups. Compound 4 displays an additional oxidation attributed to the Fc groups. DFT calculations were performed on model compounds to gain a more thorough understanding of the interaction of the organic functional groups across the diruthenium bridge.