Acetonitrile Adduct [MoReCp(μ-H)(μ-PCy2)(CO)5(NCMe)]: A Surrogate of an Unsaturated Heterometallic Hydride Complex

Mixed valence triiron complexes from the conjugation of [FeIFeI] and [FeII] complexes via intermolecular carbyne/alkyne coupling

We present a new synthetic strategy for obtaining mixed-valence triiron complexes where the metal centers are bridged by a novel, highly functionalized hydrocarbyl ligand. The alkynyl-vinyliminium complexes [Fe2Cp2(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η1:η3-C(X-CCH)CHCNMe2}]CF3SO3 (X = 4-C6H4, [2a1]CF3SO3; X = (CH2)3, [2a2]CF3SO3) were synthesized in almost quantitative yields from the aminocarbyne precursor [Fe2Cp2(CO)2(μ-CO){μ-CNMe2}]CF3SO3, [1a]CF3SO3, and the di-alkynes HCC-X-CCH. Then, the ferracycle [Fe(Cp)(CO){C(NMe2)CHC(4-C6H4CCH)C(O)}], 4a1, was produced in 47% yield from the cleavage of [2a1]CF3SO3 promoted by pyrrolidine. Subsequent reactions of the acetonitrile adducts [Fe2Cp2(CO)(μ-CO)(NCMe){μ-CNMe(R)}]CF3SO3 (R = Me, [1aACN]CF3SO3; R = Xyl, [1bACN]CF3SO3) ([FeIFeI]) with 4a1 ([FeII]) at room temperature resulted in the formation of [FeIFeIFeII] complexes [Fe2Cp2(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η1:η3-C(X-CCHC(NMe2)FeCp(CO)CO)CHCNMe(R)}]CF3SO3 (R = Me, [5a1]CF3SO3; R = Xyl, [5b1]CF3SO3) in yields ranging from 56% to 64%. The new products were characterized by IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and the structures of [2a2]CF3SO3 and 4a1 were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemical studies on [5a1]+ have revealed that reduction and oxidation events occur almost independently at the [FeIFeI] and [FeII] units, respectively. This observation underscores a minimal electronic interaction between the two fragments within the triiron complex. Accordingly, DFT studies pointed out that the HOMO and LUMO orbitals are predominantly localized in the two distinct compartments of [5a1]+.

Reactions of Heterometallic Phosphinidene-Bridged MoMn and MoRe Complexes with Sulfur and Selenium: From Chalcogenophosphinidene- to Trithiophosphonate-Bridged Derivatives

Reactions of [MoReCp(μ-PR*)(CO)₆] with S₈ were strongly dependent on experimental conditions (R* = 2,4,6-C₆H₂^tBu₃). When using 1 equiv of sulfur, complex [MoReCp(μ-η²:κ¹_S-SPR*)(CO)₆] was slowly formed at 313 K, with a thiophosphinidene ligand unexpectedly bridging the dimetal center in the novel μ-κ¹_S:η² coordination mode, as opposed to the μ-κ¹_P:η² mode usually found in related complexes. The latter underwent fast decarbonylation at 363 K to give [MoReCp(μ-η²:η²-SPR*)(CO)₅], with a six-electron donor thiophosphinidene ligand rearranged into the rare μ-η²:η² coordination mode. Depending on reaction conditions, reactions with excess sulfur involved the addition of two or three S atoms to the phosphinidene ligand to give new complexes identified as the dithiophosphinidene-bridged complex [MoReCp(μ-η²:κ²_S,S'-S₂PR*)(CO)₅], its dithiophosphonite-bridged isomer [MoReCp(μ-κ²_S,S':κ²_S,S'-S₂PR*)(CO)₅], or the trithiophosphonate-bridged derivative [MoReCp(μ-κ²_S,S':κ²_S,S'-S₃PR*)(CO)₅], all of them displaying novel coordination modes of their PRS₂ and PRS₃ ligands, as determined by X-ray diffraction studies. In contrast, the related MoMn complex yielded [MoMnCp(μ-η²:η²-SPR*)(CO)₅] under most conditions. A similar output was obtained in reactions with gray selenium for either MoRe or MoMn phosphinidene complexes, which under different conditions only gave the pentacarbonyl complexes [MoMCp(μ-η²:η²-SePR*)(CO)₅] (M = Re, Mn), these providing a new coordination mode for selenophosphinidene ligands.

Alkyne-alkenyl coupling at a diruthenium complex

Dimetallic complexes are suitable platforms for the assembly of small molecular units, and the reactivity of bridging alkenyl ligands has been widely investigated to model C-C bond forming processes. Here, we report the unusual coupling of an alkenyl ligand, bridging coordinated on a diruthenium scaffold, with a series of alkynes, revealing two possible outcomes. The diruthenium complex [Ru₂Cp₂(Cl)(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η¹:η²-C(Ph)CH(Ph)}], 2, was prepared in two steps from [Ru₂Cp₂(CO)₂(μ-CO){μ-η¹:η²-C(Ph)CH(Ph)}]BF₄, [1]BF4, in 69% yield. Then, the reaction of 2 with C₂(CO₂Me)₂, promoted by AgCF₃SO₃ in dichloromethane, afforded in 51% yield the complex [Ru₂Cp₂(CO)₂{μ-η³:η²-C(Ph)CH(Ph)C(CO₂Me)C(CO₂Me)}]CF₃SO₃, [3]CF₃SO₃, containing a ruthenacyclopentene-based hydrocarbyl ligand. On the other hand, 2 reacted with other alkynes and AgX salts to give the butadienyl complexes [Ru₂Cp₂(CO)₂{μ-η³:η²-C(R)CH(R')C(Ph)C(Ph)}]X (R = R' = H, [4]BF₄; R = R' = Me, [5]CF₃SO₃; R = R' = Ph, [6]CF₃SO₃; R = Ph, R' = H, [7]CF₃SO₃), in 42-56% yields. All products were characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy, and by single crystal X-ray diffraction in the cases of 2, [3]CF₃SO₃ and [6]BF₄. DFT calculations highlighted the higher stability of [4-7]⁺-like structures with respect to the corresponding [3]⁺-like isomers. It is presumable that [3]⁺-like isomers initially form as kinetic intermediates, then undergo H-migration which is disfavoured in the presence of carboxylato substituents on the alkyne. Such hypothesis was supported by the computational optimization of the transition states for H-migration in the cases of R = R' = H and R = R' = CO₂Me.

M←NCCH3, M-η2-(NC)-CH3, and CN-M-CH3 Prepared by Reactions of Ce, Sm, Eu, and Lu Atoms with Acetonitrile: Matrix Infrared Spectra and Theoretical Calculations

The reactions of laser-ablated Ce, Sm, Eu, and Lu atoms with acetonitrile were studied by matrix infrared spectra in a neon matrix, and M←NCCH₃, M-η²-(NC)-CH₃, and CN-M-CH₃ were identified with isotopic substitution and quantum chemical calculations. The major product is the insertion complex (CN-M-CH₃), while the end-on and side-on complexes (M←NCCH₃ and M-η²-(NC)-CH₃) are also trapped in the matrix. The CCN antisymmetric stretching mode for Ce-η²-(NC)-CH₃ was observed at 1536.9 cm^-1, which is much lower than the same modes observed for other lanthanides. NBO analysis reveals that Ce exhibits a remarkable 4f-orbital contribution in bonding to N and to C, reconfirming an active 4f-orbital contribution of cerium in bonding in the side-on complex, while the 4f contributions of Sm and Eu to the M-N and M-C bonds are much lower and the 4f orbital of Lu is not involved in bonding.

Coordination and Dehydrogenation of Diphosphine-Borane Ph2PCH2PPh2·BH3 at a Heterometallic MoRe Center to Give an Agostic Boryl-Bridged Derivative

The coordination chemistry of the title diphosphine-borane adduct at heterometallic MoRe centers was examined through its reactions with the hydride complex [MoReCp(μ-H)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₅(NCMe)] (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅). The latter reacted rapidly with stoichiometric amounts of dppm·BH₃ (dppm = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) in refluxing toluene solution, with displacement of the nitrile ligand, to give [MoReCp(μ-H)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₅(κ¹_P-dppm·BH₃)], with a P-bound diphosphine-borane ligand arranged trans to the PCy₂ group. Decarbonylation of the latter complex was accomplished rapidly upon irradiation with visible-UV light in toluene solution at 263 K, to give the agostic derivative [MoReCp(μ-H)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₄(κ¹_P,η²-dppm·BH₃)] as major product (Mo-Re = 3.2075(5) Å), along with small amounts of the diphosphine-bridged complex [MoReCp(μ-H)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₄(μ-dppm)]. Extended photolysis of the agostic complex at 288 K promoted an unprecedented dehydrogenation process involving the borane group and the hydride ligand, to give the diphosphine-boryl complex [MoReCp(μ-η²:κ²_P,B-H₂B·dppm)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₄] (Mo-Re = 3.075(1) Å). The latter displayed a boryl ligand in a novel bridging coordination mode, it being σ-bound to one of the metal atoms (B-Re = 2.38(2) Å) while interacting with the second metal atom via a strong side-on tricentric B-H-M interaction (B-Mo = 2.31(1); H-Mo = 1.9(1) Å). The overall dehydrogenation process was endergonic by 43 kJ/mol, according to density functional theory calculations.

Biomimetic catalytic oxidative coupling of thiols using thiolate-bridged dinuclear metal complexes containing iron in water under mild conditions

A green approach to disulfides via aerobic oxidative coupling of thiols was developed with a thiolate-bridged heteronuclear complex in water.

Trapping of an Heterometallic Unsaturated Hydride: Structure and Properties of the Ammonia Complex [MoMnCp(μ-H)(μ-PPh2)(CO)5(NH3)]

Complexes displaying multiple bonds between different metal atoms have considerable synthetic potential because of the combination of the high electronic and coordinative unsaturation associated to multiple bonds with the intrinsic polarity of heterometallic bonds but their number is scarce and its chemistry has been relatively little explored. In a preliminary study, our attempted synthesis of the unsaturated hydrides [MoMCp(μ-H)(μ-PR2)(CO)5] from anions [MoMCp(μ-PR2)(CO)5]− and (NH4)PF6 yielded instead the ammonia complexes [MoMCp(μ-H)(μ-PR2)(CO)5(NH3)] (M = Mn, R = Ph; M = Re, R = Cy). We have now examined the structure and behaviour of the MoMn complex (Mo–Mn = 3.087(3) Å) and found that it easily dissociates NH3 (this requiring some 40 kJ/mol, according to DFT calculations), to yield the undetectable unsaturated hydride [MoMnCp(μ-H)(μ-PPh2)(CO)5] (computed Mo–Mn = 2.796 Å), the latter readily adding simple donors L such as CNR (R = Xyl, p-C6H4OMe) and P(OMe)3, to give the corresponding electron-precise derivatives [MoMnCp(μ-H)(μ-PPh2)(CO)5(L)]. Thus the ammonia complex eventually behaves as a synthetic equivalent of the unsaturated hydride [MoMnCp(μ-H)(μ-PPh2)(CO)5]. The isocyanide derivatives retained the stereochemistry of the parent complex (Mo–Mn = 3.0770(4) Å when R = Xyl) but a carbonyl rearrangement takes place in the reaction with phosphite to leave the entering ligand trans to the PPh2 group, a position more favoured on steric grounds.