To Bend or Not To Bend: Dilemma of the Edge-Sharing Binuclear Square Planar Complexes of d8 Transition Metal Ions

Linkage Isomers of Triangular Pd Metallacycles and Catalysis in Aqueous Suzuki Coupling Reaction

The water-soluble trinuclear Pd metallacycles [Pd(tmeda)(4-Spy)]3(X)3 (tmeda = tetramethylethylenediamine, X = OTf, 2; NO3, 3) were synthesized from the ambidentate ligand 4-pyridylthiolate (Spy-) and [Pd(tmeda)X2] in 80 and 70% yield, respectively. Two possible linkage isomers are found in solution (slow interconversion found in the NMR) and in the solid state. Density functional calculations showed that the energy of the isomer with a D3-symmetric arrangement of the SPy ligand and all Pd atoms having N∧NPdSN coordination is only 7 kcal/mol lower. When reacting [Pd(tmeda)(NO3)2] with 4,4'-biphenyldithiolate (S2bph2-), the tetranuclear [{Pd(tmeda)}4(μ-S2bph)2](NO3)4 (1) was formed. A new type of undecanuclear Pd cluster was separated as a minor product from an acetone solution of 2 in air. The new complexes represent the first examples of water-soluble Pd metallacycles constructed from a pyridine-thiolate ligand. They show catalytic activity with turnover numbers ranging from 9 to 420 in aqueous Suzuki cross-coupling reactions using phenyl boronic acid and a number of aryl halides. An optimized system gave a TON of 6,900,000 and a TOF of 492,857 h-1. The catalyst could be reused eight times, and the activity has been attributed to the formation of PdNPs.

The Role of Crystalline Intermediates in Mechanochemical Cyclorhodation Reactions Elucidated by in-Situ X-ray Powder Diffraction and Computation

The occurrence of crystalline intermediates in mechanochemical reactions might be more widespread than previously assumed. For example, a recent study involving the acetate-assisted C-H activation of N-Heterocycles with [Cp*RhCl2 ]2 by ball milling revealed the formation of transient cocrystals between the reagents prior to the C-H activation step. However, such crystalline intermediates were only observed through stepwise intervallic ex-situ analysis, and their exact role in the C-H activation process remained unclear. In this study, we monitored the formation of discrete, stoichiometric cocrystals between benzo[h]quinoline and [Cp*RhCl2 ]2 by ball milling using in-situ synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction. This continuous analysis revealed an initial cocrystal that transformed into a second crystalline form. Computational studies showed that differences in noncovalent interactions made the [Cp*RhCl2 ]2 unit in the later-appearing cocrystal more reactive towards NaOAc. This demonstrated the advantage of cocrystal formation before the acetate-assisted metalation-deprotonation step, and how the net cooperative action of weak interactions between the reagents in mechanochemical experiments can lead to stable supramolecular assemblies, which can enhance substrate activation under ball-milling conditions. This could explain the superiority of some mechanochemical reactions, such as acetate-assisted C-H activation, compared to their solution-based counterparts.

Fluorination and hydrolytic stability of water-soluble platinum complexes with a borane-bridged diphosphoramidite ligand

The high fluorophilicity of borane-containing ligands offers promise for accessing new metallodrug candidates capable of bifunctional [¹⁸F]-positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, but this requires water soluble and hydrolytically stable ligands that can be fluorinated under mild conditions. Toward this goal, here we report the synthesis and characterization of water-soluble Pt(II) complexes containing a triaminoborane-bridged diphosphoramidite ligand called ^MeOTBDPhos that can be fluorinated using simple fluoride salts. NMR and XRD studies show that (^MeOTBDPhos)PtCl₂ (1) dissolves in water with cooperative H-OH addition across the bridgehead N-B bond to form 1-H2O. The B-OH bond in 1-H2O undergoes rapid displacement with fluoride (<10 min) when treated with CsF in MeCN to form 1-HF. 1-HF can also be prepared in <10 min by addition of KF to 1 in the presence Kryptofix® 222 and (HNEt₃)Cl in MeCN. In addition to using fluoride salts, we show how mononuclear 1 can be fluorinated with HBF₄·Et₂O to form dinuclear [(^MeOTBDPhos-HF)Pt(μ-Cl)]₂(BF₄)₂ (4-HF). Comparative studies show that the B-F bond in 1-HF undergoes hydrolysis as soon as it is dissolved in water or saline, but the B-F bond persists for hours when the pH of the solution is lowered to pH ≤ 2. In contrast to 1-HF, the B-F bond in dinuclear 4-HF persists for days when dissolved in water, which may be attributed to slow, sacrificial release of fluoride from the BF₄^- anion. The results show how cooperative N-B reactivity on the ligand can be leveraged to rapidly fluorinate water-soluble ^MeOTBDPhos complexes under mild conditions and afford suggestions for how to enhance hydrolytic B-F stability, as required for use in biomedical applications.

Two polymorphs of [Rh(μ-I)(COD)]2

The solid-state structure of di-μ-iodido-bis-{[(1,2,5,6-η)-cyclo-octa-1,4-diene]rhodium(I)}, [Rh₂I₂(C₈H₁₂)₂] or [Rh(μ-I)(COD)]₂, was determined from two crystals with different morphologies, which were found to correspond to two polymorphs containing Rh dimers with significantly different mol-ecular structures. Both polymorphs are monoclinic and the [Rh(μ-I)(COD)]₂ mol-ecules in each case possess C₂ v symmetry. However, the core geometry of the butterfly-shaped Rh₂I₂ core differs substanti-ally. In the C2/c polymorph, the core geometry of [Rh(μ-I)(COD)]₂ ^B is bent, with a hinge angle of 96.13 (8)° and a Rh⋯Rh distance of 2.9612 (11) Å. The P2₁/c polymorph features a more planar [Rh(μ-I)(COD)]₂ ^P core geometry, with a hinge angle of 145.69 (9)° and a Rh⋯Rh distance of 3.7646 (5) Å.

Easy Access to Versatile Catalytic Systems for C-H Activation and Reductive Amination Based on Tetrahydrofluorenyl Rhodium(III) Complexes

On the basis of the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrofluorenyl ligand, a simple approach was developed to new effective rhodium catalysts for the construction of C-C and C-N bonds. The halide compounds [(η⁵ -tetrahydrofluorenyl)RhX₂ ]₂ (2 a: X=Br; 2 b: X=I) were synthesized by treatment of the bis(ethylene) derivative (η⁵ -tetrahydrofluorenyl)Rh(C₂ H₄ )₂ (1 a) with halogens. An analogous reaction of the cyclooctadiene complex (η⁵ -tetrahydrofluorenyl)Rh(cod) (1 b) with I₂ is complicated by the side formation of [(cod)RhI]₂ . The reaction of 2 b with 2,2'-bipyridyl leads to cation [(η⁵ -tetrahydrofluorenyl)Rh(2,2'-bipyridyl)I]⁺ (3). The halide abstraction from 2 a,b with thallium or silver salts allowed us to prepare sandwich compounds with incoming cyclopentadienyl, dicarbollide and mesityleneligands [(η⁵ -tetrahydrofluorenyl)RhCp]⁺ (4), (η⁵ -tetrahydrofluorenyl)Rh(η-7,8-C₂ B₉ H₁₁ ) (5), and [(η⁵ -tetrahydrofluorenyl)Rh(η-mesitylene)]²⁺ (6). The structures of 1 b, 2 b ⋅ 2I₂ , 3PF₆ , 4TlI₄ , 5, and [(cod)RhI]₂ were determined by X-ray diffraction. Compounds 2 a,b efficiently catalyze the oxidative coupling of benzoic acids with alkynes to selectively give isocoumarins or naphthalenes, depending on the reaction temperature. Moreover, they showed moderate catalytic activity in other annulations of alkynes with aromatic compounds (such as benzamide, acetanilide, etc.) which proceed through CH activation. Compound 2 b also effectively catalyzes the reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones in the presence of carbon monoxide and water via water-gas shift reaction, giving amines in high yields (67-99 %).

Conformational Effects of [Ni2 (μ-ArS)2 ] Cores on Their Electrocatalytic Activity

Two nickel complexes supported by tridentate NS₂ ligands, [Ni₂ (κ-N,S,S,S'-N^Ph {CH₂ (MeC₆ H₂ R')S}₂ )₂ ] (1; R'=3,5-(CF₃ )₂ C₆ H₃ ) and [Ni₂ (κ-N,S,S,S'-N^iBu {CH₂ C₆ H₄ S}₂ )₂ ] (2), were prepared as bioinspired models of the active site of [NiFe] hydrogenases. The solid-state structure of 1 reveals that the [Ni₂ (μ-ArS)₂ ] core is bent, with the planes of the nickel centers at a hinge angle of 81.3(5)°, whereas 2 shows a coplanar arrangement between both nickel(II) ions in the dimeric structure. Complex 1 electrocatalyzes proton reduction from CF₃ COOH at -1.93 (overpotential of 1.04 V, with i_cat /i_p ≈21.8) and -1.47 V (overpotential of 580 mV, with i_cat /i_p ≈5.9) versus the ferrocene/ferrocenium redox couple. The electrochemical behavior of 1 relative to that of 2 may be related to the bent [Ni₂ (μ-ArS)₂ ] core, which allows proximity of the two Ni⋅⋅⋅Ni centers at 2.730(8) Å; thus possibly favoring H⁺ reduction. In contrast, the planar [Ni₂ (μ-ArS)₂ ] core of 2 results in a Ni⋅⋅⋅Ni distance of 3.364(4) Å and is unstable in the presence of acid.

Mechanistic insights into the tropo-inversion of the biphenyl moiety in chiral bis-amido phosphites and in their palladium(ii) complexes

Chiral bis-amido phosphites L1 and L2 containing a diaminobiphenyl unit and a chiral alkoxy group derived from either (-)-menthol or 3-acetoxy deoxycholic methyl ester have been synthesised. Both L1 and L2 react with PdCl₂(NCPh)₂ affording di- or mononuclear derivatives with formula trans-[Pd(μ-Cl)Cl(L)]₂ (1a, L = L1; 1b, L = L2) or trans-PdCl₂(L)₂ (2a, L = L1; 2b, L = L2) depending on the Pd : L molar ratio. The crystal structure of (M,P)-1a confirms the trans arrangement of the ligand L1 and shows an unusual puckering of the Pd₂(μ-Cl)₂ core (θ 46°). Both the ligands L1 and L2 and their complexes (1 and 2) are fluxional in solution as a consequence of the tropo-inversion of the diaminobiphenyl unit. For L1, L2, 1a and 2a a combined study including variable temperature ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy and line shape analysis, Eyring plots and DFT calculations have shed light on the mechanism of the tropo-inversion.

Synthesis and crystal structure of [Pd{C6H4(CH2NHCH2Ph)-2-κ2C,N}(μ-I)]2

The binuclear title complex, di-μ-iodido-bis(-{2-[(benzylamino-κN)meth-yl]phenyl-κC1}palladium(II)), [Pd2I2(C14H14N)2], was prepared by reaction of [Pd{C6H4(CH2NHCH2Ph)-2}(μ-OAc)]2 with NaI. It crystallizes with one discrete mol-ecule in the asymmetric unit. The mol-ecule presents an iodide-bridged dimeric structure with a cisoid arrangement with respect to the C,N-cyclo-palladated ligands. Both PdII atoms have a slightly distorted square-planar coordination environment. Weak inter-molecular contacts of the type C-H⋯Pd seem to have a significant influence on the arrangement of the mol-ecules along the b axis in the crystal.

[Cu6 (NGuaS)6 ]2+ and its oxidized and reduced derivatives: Confining electrons on a torus

The hexanuclear thioguanidine mixed-valent copper complex cation [Cu₆ (NGuaS)₆ ]⁺² (NGuaS = o-SC₆ H₄ NC(NMe₂ )₂ ) and its oxidized/reduced states are theoretically analyzed by means of density functional theory (DFT) (TPSSh + D3BJ/def2-TZV (p)). A detailed bonding analysis using overlap populations is performed. We find that a delocalized Cu-based ring orbital serves as an acceptor for donated S p electrons. The formed fully delocalized orbitals give rise to a confined electron cloud within the Cu₆ S₆ cage which becomes larger on reduction. The resulting strong electrostatic repulsion might prevent the fully reduced state. Experimental UV/Vis spectra are explained using time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) and analyzed with a natural transition orbital analysis. The spectra are dominated by MLCTs within the Cu₆ S₆ core over a wide range but LMCTs are also found. The experimental redshift of the reduced low energy absorption band can be explained by the clustering of the frontier orbitals. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Optical response of the Cu2 S2 diamond core in Cu2II(NGuaS)2 Cl2

Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations are presented for the dicopper thiolate complex Cu2 (NGuaS)2 Cl2 [NGuaS=2-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidino) benzenethiolate] with a special focus on the bonding mechanism of the Cu2 S2 Cl2 core and the spectroscopic response. This complex is relevant for the understanding of dicopper redox centers, for example, the CuA center. Its UV/Vis absorption is theoretically studied and found to be similar to other structural CuA models. The spectrum can be roughly divided in the known regions of metal d-d absorptions and metal to ligand charge transfer regions. Nevertheless the chloride ions play an important role as electron donors, with the thiolate groups as electron acceptors. The bonding mechanism is dissected by means of charge decomposition analysis which reveals the large covalency of the Cu2 S2 diamond core mediated between Cu dz2 and S-S π and π* orbitals forming Cu-S σ bonds. Measured resonant Raman spectra are shown for 360- and 720-nm excitation wavelength and interpreted using the calculated vibrational eigenmodes and frequencies. The calculations help to rationalize the varying resonant behavior at different optical excitations. Especially the phenylene rings are only resonant for 720 nm. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Single-chain polybutadiene organometallic nanoparticles: an experimental and theoretical study

High molecular weight polybutadienes and rhodium complexes were used to produce single chain organometallic nanoparticles. Irradiation of high cis-polybutadiene in the presence of a photosensitizer isomerised the double bonds to produce differing cis/trans ratios within the polymer. Notably, a higher cis percentage of carbon-carbon double bonds within the polymer structure led to faster binding of metal ions, as well as their faster removal by competing phosphine ligands. The experimental results were supported and rationalized by DFT computations.

Supramolecular Macrocyclic Pd(II) and Pt(II) Squares and Rectangles with Aryldithiolate Ligands and their Excellent Catalytic Activity in Suzuki C-C Coupling Reaction

Addition of 1,4-benezenedithiol and 4,4'-biphenyldithiol to M(OTf)2 (M = cis-[Pt(PEt3)2](2+) or cis-[Pd(dppe)](2+)) (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) gave self-assembled tetranuclear complexes [M2{S(C6H4)nS}]2(OTf)4 (n = 1, 2). The same reaction with 1,4-benezenedimethanethiol yielded octanuclear supramolecular coordination complexes (SCC) [M2{SCH2C6H4CH2S}]4(OTf)8. These complexes were characterized by NMR, mass, and UV-vis spectroscopies, cyclic voltammetry, as well as density functional theory studies and represent the first examples of SCCs constructed by thiolate groups and square-planar metal ions. The rectangular shape of tetranuclear complexes and square shape of octanuclear complex are confirmed by single-crystal structures and computational studies. The palladium complexes showed excellent catalytic activity in Suzuki C-C cross-coupling reactions with high turnover numbers (2 × 10(7)), even with low catalyst loading.

Bent dinuclear platinum(II) halo-bridged carbonyl complexes

Crystals of trans-Pt₂(μ-X)₂X₂(CO)₂ (X = Br, I) have been grown and their molecular and crystalline structures have been solved by X-ray diffraction methods. In both cases the dinuclear molecules are bent, with a bending angle of 164.6° and 156.5° for the bromide and the iodide, respectively. While the structure of the bromo-derivative is reported here for the first time, a modification of trans-Pt₂(μ-I)₂I₂(CO)₂ with planar centrosymmetric molecules is known. This appears to be a rare case of a platinum(II) halo-bridged derivative structurally characterized in both bent and planar forms.

Ridge-tile-like chiral topology: synthesis, resolution, and complete chiroptical characterization of enantiomers of edge-sharing binuclear square planar complexes of Ni(II) bearing achiral ligands

Binuclear square planar Ni(II) complexes are described, formed by two tridentate ligands with two imine-nitrogens coordinating two nickel atoms. Such complexes are synthetically readily available with great structural variety and present new types of ridge-tile-like chiral compounds that are reasonably stable in the appropriate "bent" conformation. Enantiomerically pure samples of these compounds have been obtained for the first time using HPLC with a chiral stationary phase. Absolute configurations and chiroptical properties are fully characterized by ECD, VCD, ORD spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations. These new compounds with ridge-tile-like chiral topology are configurationally reasonably stable [DeltaG(double dagger) = 121.4 kJ mol(-1), t(1/2) = 14.9 h (78 degrees C, ethanol)], and therefore their chemistry, physical properties, and applications can be systematically studied.

Aromatic C-F activation by complexes containing the {Pt2S2} core via nucleophilic substitution: a combined experimental and theoretical study

The C-F bond activation of perfluorobenzene and perfluoropyridine have been achieved by means of the complex [Pt(2)(mu-S)(2)(dppp)(2)], where dppp denotes 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane. The reaction with the first substrate requires a long time (five days) and high temperature (reflux in toluene) to yield [Pt(o-S(2)C(6)F(4))(dppp)] and [Pt(3)(mu(3)-S)(2)(dppp)(3)]F(2), and involves replacement of two fluorides in the ortho position. In contrast, the reaction with perfluoropyridine is much faster (15 min at 0 degrees C) yielding [Pt(2)(mu-S){mu-(p-SC(5)F(4)N)}(dppp)(2)]F, which implies the C-F activation in the para position with respect the pyridine nitrogen. The mechanism of both reactions has been studied computationally and the geometries of the transition states are consistent with an S(N)Ar mechanism where a sulfido bridging ligand replaces the fluoride anion. The energy barriers corresponding to the first and the second fluoride substitution are 131.7 and 137.1 kJ mol(-1) for perfluorobenzene and 85.9 and 142.7 kJ mol(-1) for perfluoropyridine, respectively. The different energy barrier of the first substitution explains the different experimental conditions required and the various products obtained for these reactions.

Diimine supported group 10 hydroxo, oxo, amido, and imido complexes

A series of L(2) = diimine (Bian = bis(3,5-diisopropylphenylimino)acenapthene, Bu(t)(2)bpy = 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine) supported aqua, hydroxo, oxo, amido, imido, and mixed complexes have been prepared. Deprotonation of [L(2)Pt(mu-OH)](2)(2+) with 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene, NaH, or KOH yields [(L(2)Pt)(2)(mu-OH)(mu-O)](+) as purple (Bian) or red (Bu(t)(2)bpy) solids. Excess KOH gives dark blue [(Bian)Pt(mu-O)](2). MeOTf addition to [(Bu(t)(2)bpy)(2)Pt(2)(mu-OH)(mu-O)](+) gives [(Bu(t)(2)bpy)(2)Pt(2)(mu-OH)(mu-OMe)](2+) while [(Bian)Pt(mu-O)](2) yields [(Bian)(2)Pt(2)(mu-OMe)(mu-O)](+). Treatment of [(Bian)Pt(mu-O)](2) with "(Ph(3)P)Au(+)" gives deep purple [(Bian)(2)Pt(2)(mu-O)(mu-OAuPPh(3))](+) while (COD)Pt(OTf)(2) gives a low yield of [(Bian)Pt(3)(mu-OH)(3)(COD)(2)](OTf)(3). Ni(Bu(t)(2)bpy)Cl(2) and [(Ph(3)PAu)(3)(mu-O)](+) in a 3 : 2 ratio yield red [Ni(3)(Bu(t)(2)bpy)(3)(mu-O)(2)](2+). M(Bu(t)(2)bpy)Cl(2) (M = Pd, Pt) and [(Ph(3)PAu)(3)(mu-O)](+) give [M(Bu(t)(2)bpy)(mu-OAuPPh(3))](2)(2+) and [Pd(4)(Bu(t)(2)bpy)(4)(mu-OAuPPh(3))](3+). Addition of ArNH(2) to [M(Bu(t)(2)bpy)(mu-OH)](2)(2+) (M = Pd, Pt) gives [Pt(2)(Bu(t)(2)bpy)(2)(mu-NHAr)(mu-OH)](2+) (Ar = Ph, 4-tol, 4-C(6)H(4)NO(2)) and [M(Bu(t)(2)bpy)(mu-NHAr)](2)(2+) (Ar = Ph, tol). Deprotonation of [Pt(2)(Bu(t)(2)bpy)(2)(mu-NH-tol)(mu-OH)](2+) with 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene or NaH gives [Pt(2)(Bu(t)(2)bpy)(2)(mu-NH-tol)(mu-O)](+). Deprotonation of [Pt(Bu(t)(2)bpy)(mu-NH-tol)](2)(2+) with KOBu(t) gives deep green [Pt(Bu(t)(2)bpy)(mu-N-tol)](2). The triflate complexes M(Bu(t)(2)bpy)(OTf)(2) (M = Pd, Pt) are obtained from M(Bu(t)(2)bpy)Cl(2) and AgOTf. Treatment of Pt(Bu(t)(2)bpy)(OTf)(2) with water gives the aqua complex [Pt(Bu(t)(2)bpy)(H(2)O)(2)](OTf)(2).

Alkylthio Bridged 44 cve Triangular Platinum Clusters: Synthesis, Oxidation, Degradation, Ligand Substitution, and Quantum Chemical Calculations

Acetylplatinum(II) complexes trans-[Pt(COMe)Cl(L)2] (L = PPh3, 2a; P(4-FC6H4)3, 2b) were found to react with dialkyldisulfides R2S2 (R = Me, Et, Pr, Bu; Pr = n-propyl, Bu = n-butyl), yielding trinuclear 44 cve (cluster valence electrons) platinum clusters [(PtL)3(mu-SR)3]Cl (4). The analogous reaction of 2a-b with Ph2S2 gave SPh bridged dinuclear complexes trans-[{PtCl(L)}2(mu-SPh)2] (5), whereas the addition of Bn2S2 (Bn = benzyl) to 2a ended up in the formation of [{Pt(PPh3)}3(mu3-S)(mu-SBn)3]Cl (6). Theoretical studies based on the AIM theory revealed that type 4 complexes must be regarded as triangular platinum clusters with Pt-Pt bonds whereas complex 6 must be treated as a sulfur capped 48 ve (valence electrons) trinuclear platinum(II) complex without Pt-Pt bonding interactions. Phosphine ligands with a lower donor capability in clusters 4 proved to be subject to substitution by stronger donating monodentate phosphine ligands (L' = PMePh2, PMe2Ph, PBu3) yielding clusters [(PtL')3(mu-SR)3]Cl (9). In case of the reaction of clusters 4 and 9 with PPh2CH2PPh2 (dppm), a fragmentation reaction occurred, and the complexes [(PtL)2(mu-SMe)(mu-dppm)]Cl (12) and [Pt(mu-SMe)2(dppm)] (13) were isolated. Furthermore, oxidation reactions of cluster [{Pt(PPh3)}3(mu-SMe)3]Cl (4a) using halogens (Br2, I2) gave dimeric platinum(II) complexes cis-[{PtX(PPh3)}2(mu-SMe)2] (14, X = Br, I) whereas oxidation reactions using sulfur and selenium afforded chalcogen capped trinuclear 48 ve complexes [{Pt(PPh3)}3(mu3-E)(mu-SMe)3] (15, E = S, Se). All compounds were fully characterized by means of NMR and IR spectroscopy, microanalyses, and ESI mass spectrometry. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction analyses were performed for the triangular cluster 4a, the trinuclear complex 6, as well as for the dinuclear complexes trans-[{Pt(AsPh3)}2(mu-SPh)2] (5c), [{Pt(PPh3)}2(mu-SMe)(mu-dppm)]Cl (12a), and [{{PtBr(PPh3)}2(mu-SMe)2] (14a).

Roof-Shaped Halide-Bridged Bimetallic Complexes via Ring Expansion Reaction

Binucleating behavior of rigid triptycene-based ligands has been studied. It has been demonstrated that trans-spanned transition-metal mononuclear complexes bearing 1,8-bis(diisopropylphosphino)triptycene (L1) and 1-diisopropylphosphino-8-diphenylphosphinotriptycene (L2) react with an appropriate transition-metal precursor via a ring-expansion pathway to form unusual bimetallic quasi-closed structures. New palladium and rhodium complexes featuring strongly bent (ca. 115 degrees ) M2(mu-Cl2) cores with very closely spanned metal centers (less than 3 A) have been prepared using the described ring-expansion reaction and have been fully characterized. Despite a constrained arrangement of the binuclear system, halogen bridges in all new compounds were stable in both the solid state and solution showing no tendency for dissociation even in the presence of added Lewis bases. Spontaneous resolution of the dissymmetric Pd2(mu-Cl)2Cl2(1-diisopropylphosphino-8-diphenylphosphinotriptycene) (2) into enantiopure antipodes is discussed as well.